Can I Put A Pool Over A Sewer Line? (Explained)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page.

Depending on the pool type you’re looking to build; you can put a pool over a sewer line. If the install is on an above-ground pool, putting it over a sewer line is okay. However, for an in-ground pool, you’ll most likely face a series of issues, including puncturing the sewer line.

Junction of plastic sewer pipes. Sewage pipeline system of residential building under construction

Can I build a pool near a sewer line?

Building a pool comes with a lot of benefits. One of them is that it’ll add a lot of value to your home. Apart from that, another advantage of owning a pool is that it’ll make a great place for you to cool off, relax, and eliminate work stress. However, building a pool is not without its problems.

One issue attached to building a pool is that it’s very expensive to achieve. Apart from that, it also requires a lot of processes. Yes, you need to put a lot of things into consideration before proceeding to build your pool.

For instance, one of the frequently asked questions with building a pool has a lot to do with the sewer system. It goes like this – is it okay to build a pool near a sewer line?

Generally speaking, you can always install your pool near a sewer line. However, you need to follow certain regulations, depending on the type of pool you’re looking to build.

Types of pools

I’m sure you know that there are two main types of pools; an above-ground swimming pool and an in-ground pool.

The former, which happens to be the more economical option, is often designed to sit on the surface of the yard.

Apart from being affordable, another benefit of an above-ground pool is that it’s relatively easy to assemble and disassemble.

On the other hand, an in-ground pool is often installed permanently into the landscape. It’s available in different types and is known to be very expensive to construct.

One benefit of an in-ground swimming pool, however, is that it can be designed to fit into any yard, irrespective of the shape or size.

Can you install an above-ground pool near a sewer line?

As earlier mentioned, you can always install your pool near a sewer line. However, your ability to do that depends, to a large extent, on the type of pool you’re planning to install.

What if it’s an above-ground swimming pool, can you install it close to a sewer line?

Yes, you can always install an above-ground pool near a septic tank. However, it’s worth noting that you need to meet the necessary regulations to be eligible to carry out the installation.

That said, one of the requirements for installing your pool near a septic line is that you need a space of about 15 feet between the pool and the septic system.

Can you install an in-ground swimming pool near a sewer line?

Unlike an above-ground swimming pool that only requires a distance of 15 feet, you need a space of about 25 feet between the pool and the septic system.

The reason for this is because an in-ground requires you to install other features, such as the filtration system.

And of course, you need to do that without having any interference with the septic system.

So, the bottom line is that you can always install a pool near a septic system, depending on the location, type of pool, and the amount of space you have available for the project.

For an in-ground swimming pool, you need a space of about 25 feet between the pool and the sewer line.

As for an above-ground pool, it should be located at least 15 feet away from the septic line.

Swimming pool at luxury villa, Crete, Greece

Can I put a swimming pool over a sewer line?

Your ability to install a swimming pool over a septic line depends on a couple of factors. One of them is the type of pool you’re looking to construct.

For an above-ground swimming pool, you most likely won’t face a lot of challenges. This is because the pool will be constructed on the surface of your yard rather than into the landscape.

Now, let’s talk about an in-ground swimming pool installation. Since you’re going to be installing the pool permanently into the landscape, there are a couple of things to be worried about.

For instance, how do you ensure that you don’t interfere with the sewer line when digging your pool?

You need to consider this question because any interference will affect your septic system and cost you a lot of money.

Another factor to consider before going ahead with the installation of the in-ground pool over your sewer line is the location of the pipe and the depth of the pool.

You need to locate the sewer pipe and identify its depth. This is important to be able to decide how deep you want your swimming pool to be.

For you to understand where the sewer line is located, you need to see the house’s site plan.

The bottom line is that you can certainly build your pool (in-ground or above-ground) over a sewer line. For an above-ground pool installation, you need not worry too much.

However, for an in-ground pool installation, you have a couple of things to worry about, including the depth of your pool and the location of your sewer lines.

How far does a pool have to be from a sewer line?

As previously stated, the location of your sewer line matters for you to be able to make an installation on its top. This is especially true if what you’re looking to build is an in-ground swimming pool.

For an in-ground pool installation, you need to dig into the ground. While doing that, you need to be careful not to tamper with the sewer lines and get them punctured.

This is dangerous and will certainly require you to pay for extra repairs.

According to experts, the standard/maximum depth for an in-ground swimming pool is usually 8 feet. As for a sewer line location, it should be between 12 and 24 inches deep.

According to requirements set by public health officials, there must be enough distance between the sewer line and swimming pool.

The recommended distance should be 25 feet for an in-ground swimming pool installation and 15 feet for the installation of an above-ground swimming pool.

If you’re interested in getting more information regarding the specifications for installing a swimming pool over a sewer line, you can as well contact your city council.

Since you most certainly need to get a permit, this is probably the best time to reach out to your local council.

Alternatively, you can consider getting a metal detector to locate and identify the depth of the sewer pipes. Interestingly, metal detectors are not expensive to purchase.