Septic After a Flood in Lumberton, NC

Why this matters in Robeson County

Flooding has hit this county hard in recent memory. After Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, The Robesonian reported that Lumberton city water customers had been without water since October 10, when a generator failed at the water plant, and that the plant area off Lowery Road "was too flooded for crews to gain access to it." Service came back about nine days after a storm the paper said "caused historic flooding." Pembroke's 2019 wastewater study says Matthew and Florence "dealt a severe blow to both the property and economic well-being of the Town," and it found about a quarter of the town's plant site, beside the Lumber River, inside the regulatory floodway.

For a house on septic, the risk is simple: the tank and drain field sit in the same ground the water soaks. The state's own guidance treats a flood as a special case, and a few of its steps run against what you'd do on an ordinary day.

Before the storm

• Don't empty the tank. NCDHHS is direct about it: "Don't fully pump your tank before a flood." Its reason: "An empty tank can float out of the ground!"
• Plan to use less water. NCDHHS advises limiting showers, laundry and flushing during a flood, since the field won't be able to take much.
• Know where things are. Find the tank lids, the pump panel if you have one, and the breaker that powers it, before the yard is under water.

While the water is up

NCDHHS says to turn off power to septic pumps and alarms during a flood. It also says to stop using the septic system while the water is up. EPA's flood page says not to use the system until the water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house.

After the water goes down

1. Look before you use it. NCDHHS says to look for sunken soil, sewage surfacing or a strong sewage smell around the tank and field.
2. Keep off the field. EPA says not to compact the soil over the absorption field by driving on it, and NCDHHS says not to drive, park or store heavy items over the drainfield area.
3. Check the electrical parts before power goes back on. NCDHHS says to clean filters and check electrical parts before turning the power back on, and EPA says to examine all electrical connections for damage before restoring electricity.
4. Get it inspected if anything looks wrong. EPA's advice is to have the tank professionally inspected and serviced if you suspect damage. NCDHHS adds two steps: call your local health department if you suspect damage, and hire a certified septic system inspector.
5. Start back slowly. EPA's test for using the system again is that the water in the absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. After that, bring water use back gradually and watch for slow drains or wet spots over the lines.

In Robeson County, the health department is at 460 Country Club Road, Lumberton, 910-671-3200, and its on-site wastewater pages give (910) 272-6560.

Test the well before you drink from it

NCDHHS's flood guidance is clear: "Do not drink well water until it's tested, even if it looks clear." The Robeson County Health Department lists collecting water samples among its environmental health duties, and its posted fee schedule lists a bacteriological water sample at $50 and a full-panel bacteria and inorganic sample at $100. The schedule shows no date, so confirm the fee and how to arrange a sample when you call 910-671-3200. A septic field that sat under water near a well is one more reason to test.

If sewage came into the house

EPA's flood guidance for a basement or floor where sewage has backed up is to disinfect with a half cup of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water. Keep children and pets out until the area is cleaned and dry. Under North Carolina's rules, sewage backing into a building's drains is one of the conditions that make a system malfunctioning, so it's worth a call to the health department even if the cause was the flood.

If you're on town sewer

Floods strain public sewer too. Pembroke's study describes its collection system surcharging in floods, with "pump stations taken offline because the treatment plant cannot handle the additional flow." If your home is on a town system, a backup during high water is likely a town matter. In Lumberton, the city's wastewater plant page lists 910-671-3800; in other towns, call the town office.

When the flood damaged the system

If the inspection finds a shifted tank, broken pipes, or a field that stays wet weeks after the water is gone, the fix goes through the county like any other repair. The Repair Application is on the health department's forms page, and the posted fee for a repair evaluation is $100. If the department issues a written notice of violation, state rules set a 30-day repair window unless the notice says otherwise, and they require pumping and hauling in the meantime where that's needed to protect public health. Because pumping a saturated tank carries its own risk, ask the health department how to handle that step while the ground is still wet. Drain field repair covers the process.

We didn't find a Robeson County or state program for septic repairs after a storm that we could confirm. Ask the health department what's available when you call.

Who this page isn't for

If there's been no flooding and the system is simply backing up or slow, start with septic backing up. If you're planning a tank pump-out as routine upkeep, septic pumping covers how often and who can do it.

Flood questions

When can I start using my septic system again?

EPA's answer is once the water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. Start slowly and watch for slow drains or wet spots.

Should I have the tank pumped right after the flood?

Not while the field is still flooded or saturated. EPA says pumping then could make the tank try to float out of the ground. Once the ground has drained, have it inspected and serviced if you suspect damage.

Is my well water safe if it looks clear?

Don't assume so. NCDHHS says not to drink well water after a flood until it's tested. The county's posted fees are $50 for a bacteriological sample and $100 for a full panel.

Should I pump the tank before a hurricane arrives?

No. NCDHHS says not to fully pump a tank before a flood, because an empty tank can float out of the ground.

Who should check the system after a flood?

NCDHHS says to call the local health department if you suspect damage and to hire a certified septic system inspector. The state's certification board keeps a Certification List of certified installers and inspectors.

How the referral works

Once the water has gone down, your request is passed to a single independent septic contractor serving Robeson County. They look over the tank, any pump and the field, and price any work themselves. You pay nothing for the referral.