Shrubbery close to septic drain line
#1
11-29-21, 04:26 PM
Shrubbery close to septic drain line
I plan to plant a row of nandina shrubs that will cross a drain line. How far should I place them (as a minimum) from the drain line location? These plants mature at about 10' but I have no idea how deep their roots go into the ground.
#2
11-29-21, 04:49 PM
Member
In reality you don't want to intentionally plant anything near a septic field. YOu want to do everything possible to make sure that field is kept pristine.
#4
11-30-21, 02:57 AM
Group Moderator
You are using both words "septic" and "drain" line so it's not clear which type of line you are dealing with. A drain line leads from the house to the septic tank and should be solid so no roots can enter. You can plant near a PVC drain line that is in good condition. If your house is older and may have a terra cotta or rosin drain line I would not plant shrubs as those older types are prone to leaking and root intrusion. A cast iron drain line might be OK to plant over but I wouldn't risk it as the joints in cast iron lines are prone to leaking and letting in roots.
A septic leach field line has perforations to let the effluent out and are a magnet for roots of all plants. You should never plant anything other than grass near or over a septic field or near septic leach lines.
A septic leach field line has perforations to let the effluent out and are a magnet for roots of all plants. You should never plant anything other than grass near or over a septic field or near septic leach lines.
#5
12-06-21, 03:56 AM
Thanks for responses. Being more specific, this is a single sewage line going out from the septic tank. My county agent looked up specs. on nandina shrubs and said the roots go down 12-18 inches. I am planting a row of these shrubs that will go across this one line. Is 8' from the line adequate?. I know the location of the line by the depression in the soil where it was placed.
If 8 feet is not enough, then how many feet?
If 8 feet is not enough, then how many feet?
#6
12-06-21, 05:25 AM
Member
Rule of thumb. Any tree or shrub will have a root system equal or greater than what you see above ground. Never plant a tree or large shrub in line of drain or water supply lines. If you do, get insurance. Sometime in the next 25 to 40 years you will have a problem.
#9
12-06-21, 11:48 AM
Member
I am thinking you have the septic system that has a 3 chamber tank with an aerator in the center tank. If this is true then the outlet pipe is solid and drains to daylight. There should be no problem planting bushes over the pipe of this type system. With the chlorination tablets it is supposed to be drinkable water coming out on top of the ground. So unless the pipe is broken roots should never get in the pipe
#10
12-13-21, 12:25 PM
BADEYEBEN: Please tell me how you decided It is a 3 chamber tank with an aerator in the center tank. In fact, the "tank" is a 4' culvert pipe with a single gravel drain line extending from it and may well not have a drain pipe in the gravel area. Its on my neighbors property and the line extends under my fence onto my land on a permissive basis. Has been in place for 35 years to my knowledge and probably much longer.
#11
12-14-21, 12:03 PM
Member
I made that assumption from your statement that there is a single sewage line going out from the septic tank. That is how the aeration type are. What you are saying about a single 4 foot culvert pipe sounds more like a rainwater drainage system that may have a french drain instead of pipe. If it indeed does not have a pipe then I would not plant anything close to it. The french drain would attract the roots to grow there and follow it to the source (culvert).
#12
12-15-21, 05:16 AM
Group Moderator
Almost all septic tanks and systems, regardless of type only have one outlet. Splitting of the line is usually done downstream in a distribution box, manifold or into another process tank. So, seeing only one line on the output side doesn't tell you much.
It sounds like Lakeseed might have a cesspit. A primitive form of treatment. Often they have holes in the sides and/or there is no bottom so the liquid just soaks into the ground. The "tank" performs the function of both a septic tank and leak field. The gravel seam or pipe running out was done sometimes as a way to provide more drainage area.
I would keep any plants as far away from the tank and the gravel drain "line". Nandina is popular but it is a non-native (it's from Asia), invasive species. It spreads via rhizomes underground and can be difficult to remove or . It's sorta OK in a lawn where you can mow around it to keep it contained. Depending on your location there are some hollies that would offer the evergreen and berries of nandina and are non-invasive.
It sounds like Lakeseed might have a cesspit. A primitive form of treatment. Often they have holes in the sides and/or there is no bottom so the liquid just soaks into the ground. The "tank" performs the function of both a septic tank and leak field. The gravel seam or pipe running out was done sometimes as a way to provide more drainage area.
I would keep any plants as far away from the tank and the gravel drain "line". Nandina is popular but it is a non-native (it's from Asia), invasive species. It spreads via rhizomes underground and can be difficult to remove or . It's sorta OK in a lawn where you can mow around it to keep it contained. Depending on your location there are some hollies that would offer the evergreen and berries of nandina and are non-invasive.
