Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Is my goldfish/shinner pond too close!

Several variables to be considered here.

A. . Where does the water come from to keep the small pond filled? Is there an outlet or overflow for the small pond and where does it go?.

1. Where is the septic leach field from the septic tank and where is it in relation to the smaller pond? Maybe you do not have a leach field?

2. Septic tanks are not supposed to leak or drain except for the outlet tile from the tank. Outlet tile either goes to a drainage tile then to a ditch or creek, or a leach field; hopefully a leach field.

3. Likelyhood of water moving from septic tank outlet or leach field to the small pond is based on porosity of the soil. Sand or loose non-clay soils are more porus and then septic seepage is more likely to move into the small pond. Septic discharge moving through the soil to the small pond will get some natural degradation and processing depending on the distance the septic water travels through the soil to get to the sm pond; if it even goes in that direction.

4. If you do not drink or swim in the water from the small pond then I would not be too overly concerned. Natural bacterial action combined with algal and plant processes will "to a degree" naturally purify some mild or minor septic inputs. Mammal, bird and fish manure is processed by all ponds. There again degree of processing/purification is dependant on it depends on the amount of septic water entering the pond and amount of bacterial & plant biomass and their activity within the small pond.

PS - Are you studying marine biology or limnology? Hopefully you know that there is a big difference between the two.