If livestock eat grass from septic area will they get sick?

[knjinnm]

Quote:
Does anyone remember the e-coli and spinach recall a year or so ago. Then there was e-coli and tomato recall ... don't assume everything is OK, have the run off tested. Use the same lab that tests your well water (if you have a well) ... who has their well water tested on a regular basis?

Joe

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Then there was e-coli and tomato recall

That one turned out to be a false alarm (after many destroyed their tomatoes)

I wouldn't let animals graze over the leach field though.

They can compact the soil too much​

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
You'd better believe it. Aged/composted manure is generally safe. Fresh manure can be a big problem. Manure should be spread at least four months before harvest if it can come into contact with produce.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Seepage like that is normally already pretty clean by the time it makes it to the surface and coliform doesn't generally effect goats like it does people. I would keep the goats out of the wet areas anyways to limit the damage. It isn't going to effect the meat, fertilizer is fertilizer and grass is grass.

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
Use of bleach and detergents will damage your septic system. I had relatives staying for an extended time and used too much when doing laundry and ruined my leach field---it took months to recover after they left.

 

[welsummerchicks]

The official info (from the county) says that grazing livestock over septic fields causes compression of the soil, and leads eventually, to poor functioning of the system. I'd actually say that if your field has problems, you may want to not press your luck over the long term.

I think it depends some on the soil type - some are more liable to compression, and I think larger animals cause more compression quicker, but I think the general idea that having animals grazing over the field area can lead to problems, is valid. We do, despite the county and our 'Infernal County Clay', feel we are relatively safe having three ducks waddling around on the field area.

 

[Sjisty]

If your septic is correctly set up, you have a separate drainage area for your washing machine so the detergent and bleach don't make it to the leach field.

 

[knjinnm]

Also,
Check the TP you are using to make sure it's safe to use in a septic system. You can take a couple of squares, put them in a bowl of water, swish them around using your hand, if the squares break up they are safe, if the squares stay together find another brand of TP. Don't flush anything other than TP.
Joe