Plenty of properties around Lake Norman and in Lincoln and Iredell counties are on septic. The drain field is a working part of the system, and how you landscape it matters.
Know where it is before anything else
Locate the tank, lids, distribution box, drain field lines and the designated repair area before designing anything.
County health department records usually hold the permitted layout for the system.
Mark it on any plan you draw. This one step avoids the majority of expensive mistakes.
Never excavate, trench or drive heavy equipment across a drain field without knowing exactly where the lines run.
What generally works over a drain field
Turf grass is the standard cover. It uses water, holds soil and allows evaporation.
Shallow-rooted perennials, ornamental grasses and wildflower plantings are commonly acceptable.
Keep planting light and avoid anything requiring deep cultivation or irrigation over the field.
Check your county health department's guidance — requirements differ, and they are the authority, not a landscaper.
What to keep off it
Trees and large shrubs. Roots seek water and nutrients and will find drain lines.
Structures of any kind: patios, decks, sheds, walls, driveways and parking. Compaction and cover both interfere with how the field works.
Irrigation over the field, which adds water the system has to deal with.
Plastic sheeting and heavy landscape fabric, which restrict the evaporation the field depends on.
Raised beds and imported fill that change the soil depth above the lines.
Drainage around a septic system
Surface water should be directed around a drain field, not across it. A swale upslope is the usual approach.
Roof water and downspout lines should be routed well clear of the field.
Standing water, soggy ground or lush green stripes over the field can indicate a system problem — that is a septic professional's call, not a drainage contractor's.
Southern Style Turf & Design works around septic systems throughout the Lake Norman area. We locate and protect the field, route drainage around it, and defer to your county health department and septic professional on the system itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant trees near a septic drain field?
Keep trees and large shrubs well away — roots seek out drain lines. Your county health department can advise on distances for your system.
Can I build a patio over a drain field?
No. Cover and compaction interfere with how the field functions, and it is generally not permitted.
Is grass okay over a drain field?
Grass is the usual recommended cover. Confirm with your county health department for your specific system.
Want this looked at on your property?
We give free, no-pressure on-site estimates across Denver, Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Troutman.
