This picture is of the top of the actual septic tank mentioned in the invoice from picture #1 in which a local septic contractor with many years in the septic business states was in "working order and good shape at this time". The contractors name is withheld to protect their privacy. This is shown in an attempt to educate the customer about what some contractors/septic inspectors will do for a dollar. The homeowners of this tank, who had to pay $250 one week after moving into their house for this kind of report on their tank, were now looking at a new tank replacement and at the very least repairs to their leaching field. If done properly (as required by local town code with an engineer) they would be facing anywhere from a $15,000 to $30,000 repair/replacement cost (plus any legal fees for a lawyer).

This picture is what the homeowners found when they uncovered the top of the tank (as per our instructions to save money on us uncovering it for them) and saw the septic water.

• #1 shows the top of the surface of the septic tank's water
• #2 shows the outline of a hole in the top of the lid which is about in the middle of #3 and #2. Its there because it collapsed.
• #3 shows the approximate outline of the actual lid
• #4 shows a piece of metal used to cover #2
• #5 shows a wash tub used to cover #4
• #6 shows when the tub was flipped upside down the high water with poop stains indicate a flooding situation of the leaching field down stream, not a leaching system in working order (as invoice/report stated). This is not consistent with a failure in one month time. The tank was not in working order at least back when the center collapsed into the old septic tank probably filling the tank at least ½ way with dirt; where else would the dirt go? The sludge marks on #6 didn't get there in one month because it was our understanding no one lived in the house during that one month period of time. So the high water marks were there when the inspection was done for $250 with a report of "in working order at this time".
• #7 shows up close the water over top of outlet pipe; again showing a real professional that the leaching system was not functioning

This picture just shows what will happen to all metal septic tanks sooner or later. It could happen when you ride over the tank or walk over it when doing your lawn, which could jeopardize a pet or worse yet, an innocent child. Every year many people drown in collapsed septic tanks throughout this country. Concrete tanks, as well as cesspools and seepage pits and drywells will do this also. Plastic tanks can do this IF not installed properly but they do not deteriorate like metal and/or concrete tanks.