Septic Question

[Jon Foster]

Okay, this will sound strange but I just thought about it and need to ask. I had tapped a huge older maple tree in the center of our backyard. I got about 16 gallons of sap from it and have been cooking it all day. It should be finished in the morning etc. But, I just realized that the tree is in the middle of our septic field. Does anyone have any idea how safe this is?

Thanks, Jon.

[jmayerl]

It's gonna be nasty.....I'll pm you my address to send the syrup to when it's finished. I will dispose of it properly for you....

[abbott]

Okay, this will sound strange but I just thought about it and need to ask. I had tapped a huge older maple tree in the center of our backyard. I got about 16 gallons of sap from it and have been cooking it all day. It should be finished in the morning etc. But, I just realized that the tree is in the middle of our septic field. Does anyone have any idea how safe this is?

Thanks, Jon.

Now that's recycling at it's finest!

[Sunnyacres]

There is definitely going to be a lot of off flavors in that syrup.

[Russell Lampron]

I don't know what you mean by the tree being in the "middle" of your septic field because that seems like a strange place for a big old tree. I tap trees near the edge of my leach field and think nothing of it. They are far enough away from the septic tank and leach field that any nasty stuff would be filtered out before it got to the trees. If your tree is indeed in the middle of the leach field I still wouldn't worry about it. There shouldn't be any toxic chemicals in your septic system, just organic matter and soap.

[CharlieVT]

It is a good question.
Here's something related to the question:
http://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Food_Contamination.php
This article is about fruit and vegatables so is not directly applicable to Maple trees, but you may find the discussion of interest. I suspect that a tree will filter out most bacteria in the soil surrounding the root system. Whether some household chemicals disposed of in the septic system enter the root system is another good question.

A good question for Dr. Perkins, I think.

Here is an excerpt from the link above:

"The short answer is yes, at least some contaminants and pathogens found in sewage and sewage effluent may be present in fruits and vegetables grown on or close to septic system components that deliberately (drainfields, cesspools, drywells) or accidentally (leaky septic tanks or broken septic or sewer piping) place septic or sewage effluent in soils near plants.

But like sewage effluent, the topic is a bit murky. While some studies found dangerous levels of sewage pathogens in wastewater and in crops ground therein, and while others warn of other non-biological contaminants (chemicals, pesticides, medicines), other researches describe successful growth of some food crops in some soils where wastewater, even sewage are applied.

So unfortunately, as Mark Cramer says, " ... it depends".

..."Our conclusion is that unless you have obtained specific and reliable tests indicating otherwise, consuming fruits or vegetables grown in soil fed by septic effluent pose a health risk."

[spud]

Okay, this will sound strange but I just thought about it and need to ask. I had tapped a huge older maple tree in the center of our backyard. I got about 16 gallons of sap from it and have been cooking it all day. It should be finished in the morning etc. But, I just realized that the tree is in the middle of our septic field. Does anyone have any idea how safe this is?

Thanks, Jon.

It should be fine. When your filling your syrup jugs only go two turds full. Haha

Spud

[SeanD]

If you have any kind of a tree in your leach field you have much bigger problems. The roots of a tree will work their way into the pipes and you are looking a very expensive bill to repair the field. Since the tree probably predates the leach field, my hunch is it is in the vicinity, but not actually in it. You have nothing to worry about.

[DrTimPerkins]

Unless you are putting hazardous chemicals in your toilets and drains, you should be absolutely fine. Trees won't take up the effluent....just the nutrients that are in the soil. My guess is that the tree probably grows well and the sap is probably plenty sweet. :) I'd be more concerned about it blocking up the septic system than about contamination of your syrup.

Fruits and vegetables, especially those that grown in or come in contact with soil are a different matter, but that can usually be adequately addressed by surface washing.

[Run Forest Run!]

It should be fine. When your filling your syrup jugs only go two turds full. Haha

Spud

Awesome Spud. Urine good company here.

[mudr]

$hit is starting to get deep in this thread.

Ok, ok. I wouldn't be worried about it. What little of the effluent that does not get filtered by the soil and gets drawn up by the roots is likely not anything you need to worry about. I bet that tree has a pretty good growth rate.

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