By Justin Wilder, Owner of Wild Water Plumbing | Septic Systems
Living Near the Water Is Beautiful: But Tough on Septic Systems
If you live in Swansboro, NC, you already know the coastal lifestyle is one of a kind.
Whether you’re near downtown Swansboro, Queens Creek, Hammocks Beach State Park, Deer Island Road, or Cedar Point just across the bridge, the salt air, marsh views, and coastal breezes make this place special.
But with all that beauty comes one major challenge that many homeowners don’t expect:
Swansboro has a very high coastal water table, one of the biggest threats to a septic system.
Most of the calls I get in Swansboro come back to one thing:
The soil is just too wet, too often.
And when that happens, a septic system begins to fail from the bottom up.
Let me walk you through how Swansboro’s water table affects your septic system and what you can do to protect your home.
What Exactly Is a Water Table?
It’s the level underground where the soil becomes fully saturated
Beneath your yard, there is a point where the soil can’t hold any more water.
That’s the water table. In Swansboro, because we’re so close to the coast, this level is naturally very high.
What this means for your septic system
Your septic drain field needs dry, unsaturated soil so wastewater can filter downward.
But when the water table is high, the soil beneath your drain field is:
- already wet
- already saturated
- unable to absorb new wastewater
And when wastewater cannot move downward, it has only one place to go back up toward the surface.
Why Swansboro Has a Higher Water Table Than Other Towns
Coastal geography and nature itself is working against septic systems
Here are the main reasons Swansboro’s water table stays high:
1. Proximity to the ocean and inland waterways
Areas near the Intracoastal Waterway, Foster Creek, and Broad Creek naturally sit on shallow groundwater.
2. Marshlands and wetlands everywhere
Swansboro is surrounded by wetland zones that keep the soil saturated.
3. Low elevation
Much of the town is only a few feet above sea level.
4. Storm surges and tidal influence
Even when it doesn’t rain, the tide can cause groundwater to rise.
5. Heavy coastal storms
Hurricanes and nor’easters can saturate soil for weeks.
All of this means Swansboro’s septic systems face stress that inland towns don’t.
How a High Water Table Damages Your Septic System
Wastewater has nowhere to go
The entire purpose of a drain field is to let wastewater soak into the soil.
When the water table is high, the drain field stays:
- flooded
- clogged
- slow to drain
- unable to filter properly
This causes wastewater to rise closer to the surface.
Wastewater mixes with groundwater
A major contamination risk
When the water table is high, wastewater from your septic system can mix with groundwater. This is dangerous for:
- wells
- waterways
- marshlands
- local wildlife
In coastal areas like Swansboro, environmental standards are strict because poorly filtered wastewater can quickly reach nearby water bodies.
The drain field clogs faster
Constant saturation builds up the biomat faster
Biomat is a natural layer of bacteria that forms under the drain field lines.
A little biomat is normal—too much is a problem.
Wet soil increases biomat growth, eventually blocking the drain field.
Your tank fills faster and overflows
Backups inside the home start next
If the drain field can’t drain, the tank can’t empty into it.
When that happens:
- drains slow down
- toilets gurgle
- tubs fill with wastewater
- sewage can back up into the home
I see this often in neighborhoods along Old Hammock Road and Swansboro Loop Road.
Signs Your Septic System Is Struggling With the Swansboro Water Table
Standing water near the drain field
Especially after high tide or a storm.
A strong sewage smell outdoors
This smell often appears before visible pooling.
Gurgling sounds inside the home
Air gets trapped when wastewater cannot drain properly.
Slow drains throughout the house
This points to drain field overload—not a simple clog.
Greener, thicker grass in one area
Wastewater is leaking into the soil closer to the surface.
Frequent septic pumping “fixes the problem” temporarily
If pumping only helps for a few weeks, the drain field is waterlogged.
How I Protect Swansboro Homes From Water Table Issues
Step 1: Evaluate the Soil and Water Table Level
Every Swansboro yard drains differently.
Some areas need elevated systems because the natural soil cannot support a traditional drain field.
Step 2: Inspect the Drain Field for Saturation
I check:
- moisture levels
- biomat buildup
- soil compaction
- crushed lines
- root intrusion
Step 3: Install or Upgrade to an Elevated Drain Field System
In many Swansboro neighborhoods, the most effective solution is a raised system or a modern EZflow system, because it:
- handles high groundwater
- drains faster
- resists flooding
- performs better in wet soil
- lasts longer in coastal conditions
Step 4: Improve Drainage Around the Property
I help homeowners:
- redirect downspouts
- create swales
- install French drains
- regrade problem areas
Keeping water away from the drain field is critical in Swansboro.
Step 5: Set a Maintenance Schedule
Regular pumping and inspections prevent early failure.
Your Septic System Has to Work Harder in Swansboro: But I Can Help
I’m Justin Wilder, owner of Wild Water Plumbing.
If you live in Swansboro and your septic system is showing signs of:
- standing water
- sewage odors
- slow drains
- greener grass
- backups
- gurgling pipes
your system might be struggling with a high water table.
The sooner you address it, the easier—and cheaper—it is to fix.
I’ll help you protect your septic system from Swansboro’s coastal conditions and keep your home safe.
Stay safe and prepared, Jacksonville.
– Justin Wilder, Owner
📞 Call or text me directly at (910) 750-2312 to schedule your storm check today.
Wild Water Plumbing—Local, Veteran-Owned, and Always Ready.
—
