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Recommended Installation Techniques and Maintenance of Sewage Disposal Systems A. Problems Associated With Leachfield/5eepage Pit Construction 1. Smearing of sidewall and bottom surfaces during construction reduces absorption rate. 2. Bottom surface compaction by workers or equipment reduces absorption rate. 3. Silting of open excavation by rain, by crumbling of walls, or by windblown soil, reduces absorption rate. Recommended leachfield/seepage pit construction to minimize damage to soil: 1. Work should be scheduled only when infiltrative surfaces can be covered in one day because windblown silt or rain can clog the soil. 2. In clayey soils, work should be done when soil moisture content is low. 3. Bottom and sidewall areas should be left with a rough, open surface. Compaction, smearing and puddling occurs primarily in moist soils containing greater than 25% clay by weight. Any smeared or compacted surfaces should be scarified. 4. In clayey soils, shallow systems should be constructed to place infiltrative surfaces in more permeable horizons and to enhance evapotranspiration. 5. Bottoms of the trenches or beds should be level throughout to prevent localized effluent overloading. 6. Surface runoff should be diverted around open trenches to limit siltation of bottom area. 7. Properly constructed distribution boxes or junction fittings should be installed to maintain equal flow to each trench. B. Recommended during construction to ease inspection and pumping tasks that must occur later: 1. Risers to the ground surface and manholes should be installed over the septic tank inspection ports and access ports. 2. Risers should be large enought to allow one person to stand over the access port and stir the tank contents as it is -pumped to assure sludge and scum accumulations are removed. 3. Leachfields%seepage pits should include an inspection pipe to check the water level.