failed septic system drain field

[BradMM]

I replaced the line going from the tank to the drain field a few years ago. Now, it looks like the drain field may have failed. We have tennants in the house now so they aren't as careful with it as we were.

What's the best option (of course, costs in our area will be a big part):

• dig up, remove the drainfield, replace myself

• contract out digging up and removing; replace myself

• contract out the whole thing

• install an aerobic system

• install a lift station and tie into the City sewer that runs out front (it's uphill) and have the tennant pay the additional monthly fee

[Goedjn]

Pretty stupid to be trying do decide what to do when you don't know what the problem is in the first place.

Pump the tank, and then have someone do a flow test, and find OUT whether the leachfield is hosed. THEN decide what to do about it.

[yourname]

most places you can't charge for sewer/water

If sewer rates are not crazy, and the city isn't about to start a big project,[secondary treatment, combined sewer overflow, anything that sasy 'consent decree] go with the sewer. Grinder pumps are fairly reliable, and with a rental unit, you don't need the hassles

[trader4]

And where would those places be? Here in NJ it's not only legal, but usual for tenants to pay for utilities, including water and sewer. You may find some whacko places where laws say otherwise, but it certainly not "most places."

And even beyond that, he can certainly just jack up the rent by an appropriate amount, making any such law not only stupid, but close to worthless.

You'd go with the sewer without even understanding what the cost of the conversion, plus the monthly expense, etc is vs the cost of fixing the existing system?

[BradMM]

The tennant pays the bills directly for all the other utilities and the sewer would be based on the water use since it's not metered seperately. That's pretty standard in these parts.