Poole's Septic Systems LLC

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this complaint.A septic and well inspection was completed on June 2, 2015. The information that was provided to Pooles Septic System, LLC about the home was from [redacted] and home inspector. On the day of inspection of the site, the soil treatment area was very...

wet and was failing before the inspection began. While doing the inspection, I found that the septic tank is too small for a 4 bedroom home and the soil treatment area was failing, effluent was coming to surface before and during the inspection. The home inspector also seen the system failing before the inspection, during the inspection, and the day after the inspection. The home inspector noted his findings in his inspection notes and showed the [redacted]s the day after our inspections, during his walk through. The [redacted]s witnessed the soil treatment area failing. No effluent should come to surface, DHSS finds this is unacceptable.*Please note, there was a change in the procedures and practices on inspections v/s evaluations from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on and after January 01, 2015. So before January 1, 2015 this septic system was to be ‘inspected’ but after January 1, 2016 it would have been an evaluation. However, the amount of water ran for the hydraulic test had no baring on the outcome of the results and findings. The soil treatment area was failing before the hydraulic test.Per a request from the buyers agent by email, on 06/04/15 I sent an estimate on what a replacement septic system would cost. This estimate would be used in negotiating the price of the home. (the property is under 3 acres and would be subject to the permitting process through the Health Department, there is effluent coming to surface (which is unacceptable), this system was failing, so therefore, it needed a replacement septic system.) At this time, I still have not met the [redacted]’s. Per email , The [redacted]s hired an engineer, [redacted], Engineer # [redacted], we received an email from [redacted] on 08/18/15 with [redacted]s drawings for a new system and a request for an updated estimate per the engineer drawing. [redacted] found and noted on his drawings quote “very wet site, install a curtain drain and allow to dry out at least 2 weeks before installation of drip lines. Do not install drip lines on a wet site. Add a ballast to both of the drip lines. Do not install drip lines on a wet site.” [redacted] also notes in his drawings quote ‘very wet site’. On 08/04/15 Mr. [redacted], Certified Soil Scientist # [redacted], project # [redacted], where he evaluated the soil in 3 areas. Mr. [redacted] found in pit 1 water was backfilling. In pit 3, Mr. [redacted] noted “smell of septic water in soil pit”. Mr. [redacted] notes in his morphology report project # [redacted], notes his concerns quote “the concern is where all the free water is flowing from”. The [redacted]s decided to go with Pooles Septic System, LLC to replace the failing septic system. I met with The [redacted]s, for the first time at their home on [redacted], on 08/29/15. At this time, I noticed that their fence was missing in the backyard. They both told me, [redacted], that they removed the dilapidated fence and was replacing with a new fence for their dogs that would allow them more room to run. The Engineer, [redacted], nor Pooles Septic System requested that the fence be removed. Although it is noted in the signed invoice this bid does not include electrical upgrades, landscaping, additional water diversions, fencing, gates, etc. [redacted] signed a contract and the invoice. At the time, werequested that ½ be paid up front and the remaining amount to be paid upon completion of the job. Per email from [redacted], we were informed that they had negotiated a price of this system out of the sellers and that money was set aside in an escrow account with [redacted] and that the bank was sending the money (1/2 down) to Pooles Septic System (email on file). On 08/10/15, I began the application for the permit process through the Health Department for a replacement septic system. [redacted], [redacted], had concerns regarding purged water and surface water. There are several emails between the Engineer, [redacted], [redacted] (Health Department) and Pooles Septic System to mention – ALL on file in regards to the purged water and the failing septic system. The permitting process normally would take an average of 60 days, however, due to the all the findings, failures, and wet conditions of this septic system, it was taking longer than normal. While installing the curtain drain that was recommended by both the engineer and the soil scientist, Pooles Septic System discovered a 4 inch perforated pipe that is a relief line from the septic system. Relief lines and discharge pipes are unacceptable, unlawful. At this point, there are several emails back and forth with the Health Department who recommended maybe moving the whole system to a different site. (all noted in emails) There are several professionals, including the engineer, soil scientist, Pooles Septic System, and the Health Department that noted the failures of this septic system and site. The [redacted]s invited [redacted] ([redacted]) and myself, [redacted], and [redacted] – Pooles Septic System, to the site on 04/19/16 to complain how long the permitting process was taking and to inform Pooles Septic System that our services would no longer be needed. While at the site [redacted] showed [redacted] and [redacted] from Pooles Septic System, LLC along with [redacted] from the [redacted] a discharge pipe running downslope from the soil treatment area that had effluent discharging – this is same pipe that was discovered while trying to put in the curtain drain. Discharge pipes are unacceptable in the State of Missouri. This system is failing and is breaking the guidelines provided by Missouri Laws Accompanied by the Department of Health and Senior Services Rules. On this day, [redacted] requested the down payment be returned to them. All monies were returned to her via check #[redacted] in the amount of $6240.00 on April 21, 2016. The [redacted]s contacted DHSS with a complaint, DHSS reviewed the complaint and spoke with me, [redacted], that I should have retrieved more information about the home from the seller. No action was taken against me, [redacted], by DHSS. They have submitted documents to Pooles Septic System insurance company twice and both times our insurance had denied them payment. To sum up Pooles Septic System did NOT require nor request the client – the [redacted]s, to remove a fence. The tree that was removed due to the recommendations from the engineer for septic tank placement. The tree was drowning and dead. When the tree was pushed over, effluent filled the hole immediately. This area is still failing. The [redacted]s showed the location where to place the dying tree to be burned. The [redacted]s had a load oftop soil brought in to cover the effluent and wetness of the yard. Any repairs to a soil treatment area on property under 3 acres is to go through a permitting process through DHSS.Pooles Septic System has thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours invested on this project. Pooles Septic System has gone above and beyond to make things right for the [redacted]s. They have a failing system that will need to be replaced. DHSS did not find [redacted] / Pooles Septic System at fault nor asked him to reimburse the [redacted]s any monies. DHSS does not hand down judgements. The Revdex.com and the insurance company did not find [redacted] / Pooles Septic System at fault. All the above professionals agree with the findings of this site failing.

The inspection that I completed on 06/02/15 is an accurate evaluation / inspection.   The findings on the day of the evaluation /inspection is the very same as the findings of Mr. & Mrs. [redacted]s second inspection that was completed on 04/04/16.  The fact is that the second inspector could not run the full hydraulic test, only 100 gallons was run instead of 250 gallons for a 3 bedroom home due to the soil was saturated with standing water in various locations.   The second inspection was incomplete and false.  A full 250 gallons of water should have been ran for an inspection of a home that is occupied and with 3 bedrooms.  The State of Missouri regulations clearly says that Mr. [redacted] should have ran 250 gallons of water for a 3 bedroom home.  This is a false positive result.   Per the Soil Treatment System inspection report under Mr. [redacted], 2c states that the area is free of leaks around / above system, he had marked yes but per the comments of this inspector, he states that “the soil is saturated with standing water at various locations”.  Mr. [redacted], the 2nd inspector, marked no hydraulic test not performed, soil treatment area not tested (this is noted under Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Assessment for Real Estate Transactions page).  He did run water, but not enough for a hydraulic test due to the soil was full of water.   Mr. [redacted]s inspection is incomplete and inaccurate. This inspection is a failed attempt to say that this is not a failing system.  I have and I am giving you the same 6 professional people that state that there was and still is septic smell and/or surfacing water and / or saturated soils on this property.  Even their own inspector, which makes 7 professionals, that state the soil treatment area is saturated with water.  I have supplied documents and emails that reflect that the [redacted]s septic system is failing, and their own inspector said that the soil treatment area was saturated.  I have attached the copy of the drawings from the Engineer that reflect the soil treatment area IS FAILING and is VERY wet.  I have attached emails from the St. Francois County Regulator that referred to the failing system. I have attached the Morphology Report, which it too reflects that the original system is failing.   I have the documents that are FACTS and PROOF that not only did I, [redacted], say that this system had water in the soil treatment area and that your very own inspector said you had water standing in the soil treatment area, plus several Missouri State Certified Professionals that I have documents reflecting the septic system on this property is failing.    Per my letter from the State of Missouri, they DO NOT agree with the [redacted]s and did not comment on the results of the inspection.