The compaction of soil covering your septic system’s components may occur with the use of heavy equipment, vehicular traffic, gazebos, patios, or storage and placement of large and heavy items such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and skating rinks can cause compaction to the soil covering the system. Compacted soil cuts off or limits the oxygen supply to the micro-organisms in the soil. These micro-organisms are essential to maintaining soil and ground integrity and the disbursement of discharged effluent. This may result in less-than-optimal functioning of the disposal bed, or even loss of functioning altogether. In the winter, owners should be aware that ATVs and snowmobiles, excessive snow loads from plowed driveways and parking lots, or backyard skating rinks, can cause compaction which drives frost into the system.