Winter in Alberta is tough on everything - including your septic system. As frost leaves the ground and snow begins to melt, spring is one of the most important times of year to check your septic field, mound system, or open discharge. Catching small issues early can prevent expensive failures during peak summer use.

If you live in Lac Ste. Anne County, Parkland County, Sturgeon County, Strathcona County, or surrounding rural Alberta areas, here’s what you should be doing every spring to make sure your system is ready for the season.

1. Walk Your Septic Field (After Snow Melt)

Once the snow has cleared and the ground is safe to walk on, take a slow walk over your septic area.

Look for:

• Standing water or pooling

• Soft, spongy ground

• Strong sewage odors

• Areas of grass that are greener or growing faster

• Animal burrowing or soil disturbance

Some moisture during heavy spring melt can be normal. However, water that remains after the ground has thawed may indicate your field is struggling to absorb effluent properly.

Early detection prevents mid-summer emergencies.

2. Check for Winter Compaction Damage

During winter, it’s easy to forget where your septic field is located.

Driving over septic fields, mound systems, or open discharge lines with:

• Trucks

• Skid steers

• Snowmobiles

• Trailers

can compact the soil and reduce drainage performance.

If traffic occurred over your septic area this winter, a spring inspection is strongly recommended. Compaction can significantly shorten the life of your field.

3. Inspect Mound Systems for Erosion

If you have a mound system, spring thaw can cause:

• Side slope erosion

• Settlement or low spots

• Exposed sand

• Patchy or damaged grass cover

Your mound should maintain its shape and have healthy grass covering it.

Reseed any bare areas early in the season to prevent washout from heavy spring rains.

Never plant trees, shrubs, or deep-rooted plants on or near your mound.

4. Check Open Discharge Systems

For properties with open discharge systems:

• Ensure discharge pipes are intact

• Check for blockages

• Confirm runoff has not redirected flow

• Inspect the outfall area for erosion

Animals and shifting soil during freeze-thaw cycles can damage exposed lines.

Spring is the ideal time to confirm everything is functioning properly before summer use increases.

5. Test Pumps, Floats & Alarms

If your system includes a pump chamber or pressure distribution:

• Confirm the pump cycles normally

• Test high-water alarms

• Check control panels for rodent damage

• Listen for unusual cycling

Alberta winters can impact electrical components. Spring is the safest time to verify your system is working correctly before heavy seasonal demand.

6. Be Mindful of Spring Water Usage

Spring melt saturates the soil, reducing your field’s ability to absorb wastewater.

During April and May:

• Spread out laundry loads

• Avoid draining hot tubs into the system

• Repair leaking fixtures immediately

• Limit large volumes of water entering the system at once

Ground conditions are often most sensitive during thaw.

7. Consider Septic Field Rejuvenation

If your system is:

• 10+ years old

• Showing signs of slow drainage

• Previously overloaded

• Nearing replacement discussions

Spring is a great time to assess whether septic field rejuvenation may extend its lifespan.

Septic Field Rejuvenation uses pneumatic soil fracturing to improve drainage without excavation. It is less invasive and more affordable than full replacement and can extend field life by 5–10+ years in many cases.

Preventative action is always more cost-effective than emergency replacement.

Warning Signs You Should Call For Service

Contact a professional if you notice:

• Slow drains throughout the house

• Gurgling plumbing

• Sewage odors indoors or outside

• Alarm activation

• Water surfacing in your field area

Do not wait until summer gatherings or long weekends to test your system under stress.

Why Spring Septic Maintenance Matters

Your septic system works year-round, but freeze-thaw cycles, snow load, and spring saturation all put stress on the soil treatment area.

A simple spring check can:

• Prevent costly mid-summer failures

• Protect your property value

• Avoid emergency excavation

• Extend the life of your septic system

In rural Alberta, proactive maintenance is always more affordable than reactive repairs.