"dpb" wrote in message ...
Steve B wrote:
"David Martel" wrote in message
nk.net...
Steve,

Are you sure you have a septic system? You may have a line dropping
raw sewage into a nearby river. What you describe sounds like a leach
field but a leach field must have a tank.

...a leach field _SHOULD_ have a tank..."

What somebody did to cut corners is anybody's guess, I guess...

...

I do see some digging, though. I'm going to call the septic guy and have
him come and assess the situation, and maybe run a camera down the tube.

The whole purpose of this is to make sure the septic system is in good
shape before I bring in a bunch of sand and gravel to level the driveway
and parking areas.

Did you just purchase this property? If so: Wasn't it necessary for
previous owner to disclose the condition prior to purchase? Didn't do an
inspection prior to purchase? Can't ask prior owner what the deal is now
even if others are "no"?

I am going up to the property tomorrow. In this mountainous area, almost
anything goes. I am going to go to the office where the records SHOULD be,
and say I'm considering putting in a driveway, and want to know if they have
any drawings. We are the third owners of the cabin, and original drawings,
plans, and notes are unavailable.

We are on a self-installed water system, and have a couple of other gray
areas that we do not want to draw attention to. The spring is at a point
50' higher than the highest property, so there's not a chance of
infiltration from the septic systems. The system was designed and put in by
a team of doctors, the original owners of the properties. It is currently
maintained and monitored by a doctor. But, still, it's not 100% legal, so
we try to attract as little bureaucracy as possible to our little corner of
Paradise.

I'm going to do some more digging to see if I can get more clues. Being
post 5 way bypass surgery with an artificial aortic valve, digging in hard
soil is not one of my most favorite activities any more.

Steve