We had a septic tank when I was a child and my father grew masses of Nasturtiums around it and kind of inferred that this was not an area of the garden to play in
I am grateful for all the advice. It is clear that this forum attracts advice from people who have knowledge.
The Local Authority Pollution Control Officer is firmly engaged and has given the neighbour 3 months to sort out his problems. In the meantime, as a first step he has had his tanks emptied and has engaged an expert to identify the problem.
The dry weather in the last few weeks has resulted in the ground in our garden drying out to some extent but we are left with a black stain. We will continue to monitor it, keeping in contact with our neighbour until he has made a permanent solution. However, we will not rush to sow grass yet.
If you have had to reduce the willow tree by 60% it must be some size. They have very strong roots that will break through concrete, I remember a neighbour had one come up the u bend in the toilet. I hope its not your roots that have damaged the neighbours drainage.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
In an ideal world I wouldn't worry but the sewage could contain bacteria viruses and parasites. Not good things to have in your garden. Obviously if your neighbours are fit and healthy there's nothing to worry about but if they're not then I would be very concerned.
Raw sewage - whether the neighbours are fit & healthy or not - is something which you shouldn't have to deal with. It won't be simply what you might call "human waste" but will contain all sorts of chemicals too - just think of bleach and lavatory cleaners for instance. Some people even pour things like paint solvents down drains, so the chances are the afffected ground will have to be dealt with in some way rather than left to recover over time. If it were my garden, I'd want it dug out and removed completely, because any residues can - and probably would - remain for for a very long time.
The neighbour ought to be responsible for any costs involved, but I can see a difficult situation arising here if it's proven that tree roots from somewhere beyond his garden boundary turn out to be the cause of the problem.
I'm no lawer or insurance expert, but I know if a neighbour's tree lands on your house, it's your insurance which has to pay. Maybe this falls into the same area? or does it fall into the realms of criminal law? I don't know. Citizens' Advice Bureaux might be able to help.
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Ah
We had a septic tank when I was a child and my father grew masses of Nasturtiums around it and kind of inferred that this was not an area of the garden to play in
I am grateful for all the advice. It is clear that this forum attracts advice from people who have knowledge.
The Local Authority Pollution Control Officer is firmly engaged and has given the neighbour 3 months to sort out his problems. In the meantime, as a first step he has had his tanks emptied and has engaged an expert to identify the problem.
The dry weather in the last few weeks has resulted in the ground in our garden drying out to some extent but we are left with a black stain. We will continue to monitor it, keeping in contact with our neighbour until he has made a permanent solution. However, we will not rush to sow grass yet.
Sounds like you've got it in hand Neil but I think you're right not to sow until it's all over.
In the sticks near Peterborough
If you have had to reduce the willow tree by 60% it must be some size. They have very strong roots that will break through concrete, I remember a neighbour had one come up the u bend in the toilet. I hope its not your roots that have damaged the neighbours drainage.
In an ideal world I wouldn't worry but the sewage could contain bacteria viruses and parasites. Not good things to have in your garden. Obviously if your neighbours are fit and healthy there's nothing to worry about but if they're not then I would be very concerned.
Lyn, that is scary
Raw sewage - whether the neighbours are fit & healthy or not - is something which you shouldn't have to deal with. It won't be simply what you might call "human waste" but will contain all sorts of chemicals too - just think of bleach and lavatory cleaners for instance. Some people even pour things like paint solvents down drains, so the chances are the afffected ground will have to be dealt with in some way rather than left to recover over time. If it were my garden, I'd want it dug out and removed completely, because any residues can - and probably would - remain for for a very long time.
The neighbour ought to be responsible for any costs involved, but I can see a difficult situation arising here if it's proven that tree roots from somewhere beyond his garden boundary turn out to be the cause of the problem.
I'm no lawer or insurance expert, but I know if a neighbour's tree lands on your house, it's your insurance which has to pay. Maybe this falls into the same area? or does it fall into the realms of criminal law? I don't know. Citizens' Advice Bureaux might be able to help.