Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Curtain Drain

How effective is a curtain drain to seperate a septic mound from your pond? Also, how deep/wide would one build it? My problem is that my area requires a 100' easement, but my pond will be uphill through solid clay.

The curtain drain would be for peace of mind in case I cheated on my easement. :rolleyes:

Thanks,

Joe

If the pond's uphill, you're worried about pond water overwhelming the curtain drain? (I like that problem better than worrying about a septic field uphill from the pond.)

I am worried out septic getting into the pond. I want to put the pond closer than 100', but would also like to err on the side of caution concerning any contamination.

Does anyone know if it's possible for water to move, through some type of hydrolic or otherwise, uphill? I would like to come as close as 50' for a short length of shoreline to keep the shape of the pond looking somewhat natural.

Thanks,

Joe

Bump. Anybody have some insight on this matter?

Joe

We have a lift pump that moves sewage up to the septic tank. Note, if the electicty or the pump goes out goes out then there can be some backflow into the house. Basically waste water runs into a concrete pit, then a sump pump lifts it up and into the septic tank. We also had to have the septic field 100' from the pond too.

hey joe, my gut reaction if i am reading your situation correctly (septic (leach field) is downhill and below grade of pond bottom in clay soils) is that you should have little to no concern that septic water will impact pond water.

in terms of elevation, if your septic lies somewhere between the top and bottom of your pond, you might consider installing a drain, however, in general, shallow subsurface water does not flow uphill, and will follow the topography downwards.

ok, FWIW.....

Dave,

Thanks, that is what I am trying to describe. I imagine I will still put in a drain, I just don't know what size. In my mind it would be about 1' wide by 2' deep. Sound about right?

Joe

Joe:

The curtain drain surrounding my leach field is a ditch about 3' deep, wide enough to drop a 4" slotted tile in. The tile is covered with about 2' of gravel, the gravel with a layer of straw (IIRC to segregate the gravel and help prevent in from becoming dirt-filled during the settling period after installation), and then regular dirt on top. It completely surrounds the leach field (maybe you only need to intercede betwixt septic and pond). The whole thing gravity drains from the lowest point.

hey joe.....dittos on theo's reply.

Theo,

Thanks for the details. I found this product...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...%3DdZM%26sa%3DN

I assume this is what you are referring to. I like the idea of a smaller trench. Thanks again.

Joe

Yep, that's what I call slotted tile.

Here's a good thread on the subject
http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000126