After a long, hard rain, the yard over a septic system can turn into a swamp. It is natural to think the tank must be full and to call a pump truck. The advice from the US Environmental Protection Agency is nearly the opposite. This guide explains why, what to do instead, and when pumping makes sense. It applies to Jonesboro and the communities around it, where wet weather is a regular feature of the year.
Why this matters around Jonesboro
Jonesboro sits on Crowley's Ridge in northeast Arkansas, and Wikipedia's climate summary for the city gives average annual precipitation of about 52 inches. That is a lot of water over a year, and heavy storms can push it into a few days. Septic systems rely on soil to absorb and treat the liquid that leaves the tank. When the soil is already full of water, it cannot do that job.
This guide cannot tell you whether your particular lot floods. Check with the local health department or a provider who knows the area.
How a septic system works, briefly
A conventional system has a buried tank and a drainfield, according to the EPA. Solids settle in the tank. The liquid flows to a shallow trench of gravel or chambers underground, where soil microbes treat it. If the soil around that trench is saturated, the liquid has nowhere to go. That is why wet weather can make drains slow or cause a backup even when the tank is not full.
While the ground is flooded or saturated
The EPA's guidance for flooded systems is plain:
- Do not pump the tank while the drainfield is flooded or saturated. The EPA calls pumping at that moment only a temporary solution, and says it can make the tank try to float out of the ground. A tank that floats can damage its pipes.
- Cut back on water use. Fewer long showers, fewer laundry loads. The EPA says using the system less is the only reliable way to prevent backups when the water table is high or the system is flooded.
- Plug basement drains if floodwater could back up into them.
- Do not pour floodwater into sinks or toilets. The EPA says pumping floodwater through the system can push solids into the drainfield and cause clogs.
- Stay off the drainfield. Saturated soil compacts easily, and heavy equipment on top can cause the system to fail. Avoid digging in the tank or drainfield area while the soil is wet.
If a backup happens in the house, the EPA advises cleaning the area and disinfecting the floor with a solution of half a cup of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water. Handle bleach carefully, keep it away from skin and eyes, and do not mix it with other cleaning products.
After the water goes down
The EPA says not to use the system until the water in the drainfield drops below the water level around the house. Once the soil is draining again:
- Check the lid and ports. Make sure the manhole cover is secure and inspection ports are not blocked.
- Check the electrical parts. If your system has pumps or alarms, the EPA says to check for damage to electrical connections before restoring power, and to keep away from flooded electrical or mechanical devices until they are dry and clean.
- Look at the ground. Repair erosion and reseed or re-sod with turf grass, per the EPA.
- Have a professional inspect it if the system was under floodwater or you suspect damage. The EPA lists settling or a tank that cannot accept water as warning signs.
When pumping does make sense
The EPA notes that most tanks survive floods because they are buried, but silt and debris can fill tanks and pump chambers, and those need professional cleaning. Once the ground has drained and a professional recommends it, pumping soon after the flood helps remove the washed-in silt. The EPA also says to pump both the tank and the pump chamber or lift station if you have one.
Only trained specialists should clean or repair septic tanks. The EPA says tanks may contain dangerous gases. Do not open the lid and look, and never go into a tank.
If silt has clogged the drainfield, the EPA says a new system may be needed. That is a repair for a licensed professional, and the Arkansas Department of Health runs the state's onsite wastewater program, so it is a reasonable place to ask about requirements.
Wet weather and your pumping schedule
One cost guide lists groundwater saturation from rain or flooding among the things that can cause a system to need attention more often. If your yard stays soggy long after a rain, or you notice slow drains in wet seasons, mention it to a provider. They can tell you whether the tank itself is full, whether the problem is the drainfield, or whether something else is going on.
The EPA also suggests keeping roof drains, sump pumps and other rainwater systems away from the drainfield, and avoiding parking or driving on it. Spreading laundry across the week, instead of doing everything in one day, reduces the load on the drainfield, which helps in a wet month.
Your well, if you have one
Some homes with septic systems also have private wells. The EPA says not to drink well water until it has been tested, and to contact the local health department. Do not skip that step after a flood.
A quick checklist
- Wet yard, but no flooding: use less water and watch for slow drains.
- Drainfield flooded or saturated: do not pump, do not use the system more than you must, and stay off the ground.
- Water has receded: check the lid, ports and electrical parts, and call a provider for an inspection.
- Suspected damage or silt: ask a provider whether pumping the tank and pump chamber makes sense now.
Request a quote
If you are unsure whether your system needs pumping or inspection after a storm, request a quote through this site. An independent provider in the Jonesboro area can look at the system and advise on timing. Requests are free, and you are not obliged to book anyone.
Common questions
Should I pump my tank as soon as the rain stops?
Not while the drainfield is flooded or saturated. The EPA says pumping then is only a temporary solution and can cause the tank to try to float out of the ground. Wait until the soil drains, then ask a provider.
Is my septic system ruined if floodwater covered it?
Most tanks survive flooding because they are buried, according to the EPA. Silt and debris can still fill tanks and pump chambers, and a clogged drainfield may need replacing. Have a professional inspect it.
Is it safe to use my toilets during a flood?
The EPA says to use the system less and not to use it until water in the drainfield drops below the level around the house. Backups are more likely when the water table is high.
Can I drink my well water after a flood?
The EPA says not to drink well water until it has been tested, and to contact the local health department.