The Puddle Just Got a Lot Bigger, and Stinkier

[StinkyGrass]

Over the past 6 plus years there has been a "damp" spot just outside of our property line in a field behind our residence.  Since it was behind our place there was a lot of finger pointing going on, and our system was dated, and unknown so we opted, and was somewhat forced to get her fixed up.

Since our field was replaced last year this damp spot has matured into a small pond 7 to 8 foot in diameter and growing.  Our health department, and ourselves feel that we had an "overflow" tile from our original field that was allowing the stinky substance to utilize our field somewhat, and now that we've eliminated any tiles heading that way its really gotten worse.

The puddle is uphill from our property, creeping our way but its behaved enough so far to stay on its own side of the lines with the exception of the smell which has pretty much put a damper on any sort of backyard bar-b-que, or gatherings that used to be the norm for us.  The Easter Bunny is forced to hop on down the trail a ways this year, there's no place for eggs here. 

Tempted to pull up stakes and relocate, but I'd bet even the best real estate flipper would have a tough time masking this issue.  We've lived here forever anyway, though not a palace its just a couple payments from being ours, and we're looking forward to the owned free and clear status.

This has been going on for years, we're at our wits end.  Nothing happens fast in regards to this issue, and response times venture into 1 to 2 months, eventually working outside of the season, and forced to await the next.  Our HD is busy, and we are very understanding and willing to go along with about anything but the smell is bad, and some of the neighbors kids actually run through the stuff from time to time.  My son and I rescued a small battery operated Nascar ride on toy, and a giggling 4 year old from the muck recently.  It was awful. 

Are there rights, avenues or methods we can use to expedite this repair?    There are at least 2 residences with unknown very questionable systems near by. Dye has been introduced a week ago Monday, however there was not a follow up visit so far from the HD and today we are blessed with April showers which may, or may not hinder the test as I am unfamiliar.  In speaking with some of the long time "50 plus years" of occupancy residents near the issue we have a pretty good grasp on the location of an offending tile.

I'm hoping there is a way to force a resolution and that we don't have to just accept this issue for another year.

Thanks in Advance!

Terry

[FarmerDan]

Are there rights, avenues or methods we can use to expedite this repair?

Maybe you could get a dowser to come out and tell you where the offending pipe is.

Don't know if you believe in that sort of thing, but it might be worth a try.

I know when we called the well driller to come out and drill our well, he wouldn't do it unless we had a dowser come out and find a good place for him to drill.  I couldn't get it to work for me, but it sure worked for the dowser guy.  He pin pointed a spot and the driller drilled us an exceptional well.

According to the guys over at swopnet, sometimes terralift operators dowse to find the fingers.

[Stuart Meade]

It certainly sounds like a broken tile that happens to be carrying sewage from at least one of your neighbor's homes.  Dye testing and exploratory digging is the only way you are going to find the source.  

Have you viewed aerial maps from the past to see if you can see where the tile runs?  The health department needs to be more proactive with this situation.  Sewage to the ground surface is a serious health threat and they need to focus on this issue until it's resolved.

Dye may only be seen if the broken/plugged tile is exposed.  Exposing the tile will make the dye visible.

Ask your surveyor's office if they have any record of tiles in the area.  Also ask the local farmers if they have knowledge of tiles.  
I've heard of people exposing tiles and then plugging them up with a bag of wheat, etc.  Doing this will likely back the water up all the way o the source.  I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS.  Plugging this tile might find the culprit but might also flood someones nicely finished basement with sewage or create drainage problems in the farmers nearby field.

A locate device could be sent up the tile on a cable.  Discuss these options with a local septic installer and or plumber.

The one thing I know is that this problem is not going to go away on it's own.  

Please keep us updated!

[StinkyGrass]

Thanks for the suggestions!
  I am actively trying to contact the HD specialist here.  I'm pretty sure she's a bit overwhelmed, and busy as its been nearly 3 weeks since she introduced dye into the system and hasn't had a chance to return our calls, or revisit the sight.
  I struggled to see any signs of color in the surfaced fluid, it did seem to get cloudy, however I think it would have been best if the person who put the dye in, and was familiar with it would have had time to follow up soon after putting it into the system.

  With the lack of rain over the past days the damp area that's actually on our property has survived.  I shut off, and reduced our last 3 fingers nearest the area over the past week or so as an experiment to be sure the moisture wasn't just a part of our design.  Our usage here was also greatly reduced. 

Somewhat familiar with waste treatment systems, many years ago I was in charge of a very large system at a juice plant in Florida, and the lack of "get it done" drive in regards to his little issue is driving me crazy.

I've spoke with everyone that has a history here on the land, and yes I have looked at several maps.  My suggestion was to dig into the system many years ago, and I still bring it up often however the land owner is opposed to the idea which I feel is disrespectful of the neighboring land owners.

Next week I'll make a few calls deeper into the system and see if there are any other avenues that we can take to expedite the repair.  I will continue to call our county HD and see what it takes to get this moisture tested for bacteria that's actually on our property.  I'm going to become the "squeaky wheel" so to speak although its not my cup of tea by any means.

Thanks a Million For Everything.

Stuart from what I understand our HD has spoke with you about this particular area,  It sounds like you are very respected and I truly do appreciate your input!

Terry

[StinkyGrass]

Just an Update,
  Two weeks ago tomorrow I called in the local health department and requested that we take a look at my little out back situation.  The HD took a bit of time to stop out and bring a excavation company that day.  I was told they will dig a trench just off the back of our property line to verify that the offending puddle is not being assembled from our property.

This is major frustrating, I feel that they are still blaming our system.  With the rain we've recently had the puddle took the opportunity to roll down the hill our way, crossing right over into our property.  We dug up the only tile on the discharge side of the tank when we installed the new field, and we also busted  up the tile each time we put a finger in as the fingers crossed the original field.

My 2 sons and I just to be sure after they left went out and hand dug deep beside the last finger closest to the puddle (which the puddle is up hill from the last finger by the way)trying to find a secret tile, or something, but there was nothing but red pieces.  We've been accused of going out there after dark and reconnecting a pipe.

The excavator is very familiar with systems, and he took a look in our D box which was working great, and said it would be a miracle if it was coming from our property.  I'm a bit paranoid after all this and just in case there was some sort of miracle happening out there I've shut off, and turned on fingers over periods of time trying to change the size of the puddle(just in case).  The puddle bubbles, and burps as if under pressure.  Within our D box the effluent eases just into the bottom of our speed dials.  Its never raised above that point as the water line reflects.

Last year when they made the decision, and just knew it was our system it had to be fixed ASAP or else they were going to cap off our tank.  Within 2 weeks we had tractors replacing our field, the money was spent without delay.  Now that we've done that even more effluent is on the surface, and now when it rains it crosses onto our property which is a new problem that we never had as our yard was always dry until now.  The puddle was never physically proven to be ours the HD just went along with the farmers guess, and he was really bugging her to get it fixed.  The farmer wanted our home to be condemned for the issue without delay.   

I truly have never seen anything like this...  I'm done with our field, its working fine, I just want everyone else to keep there stuff on their property.

I'll keep you Posted,

Terry

[StinkyGrass]

Well The Digger Showed up Yesterday Unannounced,
  He decided the best place to start excavating was on my side of the property line due to a couple reasons.  My side was dryer than the option, and the land owner of the field was unavailable to take his calls.

  Lucky me, as he started to dig he found the tile we used to use years ago and the black goo invaded our property once again.  The shovel guy exclaims "Bad News!" as the familiar aroma hit the scene.  I guess I wasn't so surprised as they were due to the fact that our property is a lower elevation than the puddle.

  The excavators started digging near the puddle in the farmer's field to find a small clay tile fairly close to the surface coming from who knows where.   As they continued to dig they decided our old tile didn't come into the plumbing anywhere near what was once thought, and was actually downhill from the puddle quite a ways.

  Their thoughts were it musta been backing back up the hill somehow?

 My thoughts were....  Uh, ok, that stuff runs up hill all the time around these parts, you betcha.  

As they wrapped things up they opted to cement our old tile in on the field side leaving our accused end clear to do as it needed.

After the excavators left they rang my phone and confirmed an address to send a bill to, I guess I wasn't too surprised, I'm sure there's a forum or a post out on the internet about my driveway and its ability to be a place to grab a quick buck here and there, and the 8 or so folks living next door in around 800 square foot survive on welfare, housecleaning and disability so it's pry not a good place to send bills anyway as they may go unopened.

The wet spot hasn't receded as of this morning, they finished up around 5 or so yesterday.  There's a labyrinth of pipes out there with a bunch of extra breaks involved that weren't before.  

Hadn't seen the HD Specialist in regards to the waterfront property since the dye check.  The excavators confirmed that what they did fixed the issue, the issue being the wet spot.  My guess would be that we pry relocated it if we did anything.

Not much of a texting kind of guy myself but the initials "OMG!" kinda hit the spot.  I kind of feel like if a fella needs place to send a bill just pull in my driveway, its been kind of a hot spot for such a thing lately.

More than likely my last post,  I've had enough.  My next participation in a forum might just be found on a site in regards to erecting electric, or concrete fences, and damns.

Be Good, and Best of Luck to All...

Terry