Well and Septic Tank

[sandave88]

Our land has an existing well and septic tank. How can I be sure if they are safe and in working order? When hubby and a friend went out to bush hog they ran over and broke one of the pvc pipes for the well. We were out there yesterday clearing the land with this major weed wacker and it gave us a better idea of what we are dealing with. Any advice on wells or septics. We have had both in the past and have had to put in a new drain field and have dug a new well.

[haypoint]

I think the best way to check out a well and drain field is to first thing drive a tractor around . As you already have located the water supply line, keep driving and you'll find the leach bed and maybe even the top of the septic tank. LOL, just kidding.
The Health Department should have records of your well, when it was put in, etc. You should be able to get the water tested thru them, too. Same for the septic and drain field. Locate the tank, verify that it isn't full of solids.
By the way, get that supply line from the well repaired, you have an easy path for bacteria to get into your well and aquafer. That creates a whole new set of problems.

[ET1 SS]

First: fix the well's pipe.

Then let it run for a while [to flush the piping], and take a sample to the county ag office for testing. This will tell you if your water is sanitary and 'safe'.

Then ask first the local septic service folks, then the building permits office, then the health folks about where your septic might be. Ideally you do not 'want' government offices snooping more into your affairs then needed. There is a chance that the 'roto-rooter' guy may already know where it is, so you need not bother the government folks.

Have him check it, and pump it.

If there does come to be an 'issue', you are better off, if you can just fix the issue without the city / county getting involved.

[WolfWalksSoftly]

I agree..don't get the Government of any kind get involved unless as a last resort. You could open a large expensive can of worms if the system isn't to their current code.
More than likely the septic/lagoon is far away from your well water source. Fix the water pipe, and let it flush and either your health dept. or county extension office can help you test your water quality.
Good luck and oh, dont let hubby and his friend live this down