It pays for homeowners to know the exact location of their septic tank and drainfield and alert contractors who show up in their yards to do construction or utility work. Be sure to show your septic service customers the location of their onsite system components or draw them a map for future reference to avoid situations like this:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121109-NEWS-121109692

Disaster struck when a tree-trimming contractor drove a crane truck onto a homeowner’s property in New Castle, N.H., last month. The contractor extended the truck’s stabilizers and started to put some weight on them to start working, and boom, the stabilizer poked through the septic tank and the truck rolled on its side. Not only was it the end of the workday for the crane operator, the homeowners were likely going to have to pack up and move out while the septic tank was replaced.

The contractor complained that the septic tank location wasn’t noted on the paperwork for the trimming job. So he had no idea he was supporting the truck’s weight over the septic tank.

Have you ever inadvertently damaged a tank or distribution line because you were given misinformation about an onsite system location? If so, how did you rectify the situation? Readers of Pumper would benefit from tips you may have after an unhappy mishap like this.

Post your comments about this blog right here or send me an email at editor@pumper.com.