Septic Field Smells
Odour over the disposal area usually means effluent is reaching the surface or arriving under-treated.
A properly functioning field should not smell. When it does, either partially treated effluent is surfacing, or the tank stage is no longer doing its job and higher-strength wastewater is reaching the soil.
On treatment systems, an aerator or blower failure can turn a normally aerobic process septic within days, and odour is often the first thing the household notices.
Likely causes
- Effluent surfacing due to field overload or failure
- Tank overdue for emptying, sending solids to the field
- Aerator or blower failure on a treatment system
- Shallow or damaged laterals and drippers
- Field saturated after extended rain
Safe checks
- Walk the area and note wet patches
- Listen for the aerator running if you have one
- Note whether smell tracks with wind, rain or heavy water use
What not to do
- Do not spray disinfectant or chemicals over the area
- Do not dig up laterals to inspect them
Frequently asked questions
- Is the smell a health risk to my family?
- Surfacing effluent is a contamination risk regardless of smell. Keep people and animals off the area until it has been assessed.
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