What was not required for drain fields in North Carolina prior to 1983?

The requirement for a repair area in drain fields became more standardized after 1983. Before this change, many septic systems did not necessitate a designated area for repairs, which could lead to significant issues if the primary drain field failed. The introduction of repair area requirements was intended to enhance the reliability of septic systems by ensuring homeowners had a backup option should the initial drain field become compromised.

In that era, septic system design focused more on the immediate function and capacity of the primary drain field without necessarily having plans for future failures. The decision to implement a repair area requirement post-1983 aligns with broader efforts toward improving public health and safeguarding the environment in response to potential septic system failures.