How Louisiana Rain & Flooding Affects Your Septic System

Living in Louisiana means dealing with rain. A lot of it. While we are used to the occasional storm, our septic systems can struggle to keep up when the ground gets saturated.

The Problem: Saturated Drain Fields

Your septic system relies on the soil in your drain field (leach field) to absorb and filter the liquid wastewater (effluent) that flows out of your tank. When it rains heavily, the ground becomes saturated with water like a full sponge.

If the soil is already full of rainwater, it cannot absorb any more liquid from your septic tank. This creates a backlog. The water has nowhere to go but back up into the tank, and eventually, back into your home's plumbing.

What You Should Do During Heavy Rains

1. Conserve Water: This is the #1 rule. If the ground is soaked, try to send as little water down the drain as possible. Put off doing laundry or running the dishwasher until the rain stops and the ground dries out a bit.
2. Don't Pump the Tank (Yet): It might seem logical to empty the tank if it's backing up, but pumping a tank when the ground is flooded can actually cause the tank to float or pop out of the ground due to hydrostatic pressure. Wait until the water recedes.
3. Divert Gutters: Make sure your roof gutters and downspouts are pointing away from your septic drain field. You don't want to add extra roof runoff to an already drowning system.

After the Storm

Once the waters recede, inspect your yard for any signs of damage or debris. If you suspect silt or mud has entered your system, give us a call. We can inspect the tank to ensure it's functioning correctly before you return to normal heavy usage.