Aerobic septic systems and cattle

[Ruark]

We have an aerobic septic system - the kind where the sprinklers pop up and spray the processed effluent for about 20 minutes in the wee hours of the morning. The last section of the septic system has 3 big chlorine tablets which serve the purpose of killing most of the bacteria.

I was wondering... if cows were to graze on the grass in those sprinklers' spray area, could it be a health problem for them? Not surprisingly, there is some deep, thick bermuda there and the cows just can't resist it.

 

[James T]

I'm not sure allowing cattle into the septic system would be a wise choice. Not sure whether the grass would be harmful but I do know that allowing the cattle into the septic area also allows them to compress the soil, and this soil compression can inhibit oxygen access which is is critical to creating the bacteria that helps to breakdown the effluent.

 

[Brute 23]

Those systems are all over the place here. We have one with cattle around it. We are putting one in at another place that will have cattle around it. No problems so far.

 

[bird dog]

Mine have been grazing around the sprinkler heads for years. Nothing to worry about.