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While investigating another question, I began to suspect that my sump pump is not discharging far enough away. There are four pipes coming to the sump pit. After a heavy rain stopped, the one from the same side as the discharge would continue to drain for a day or so into the sump pit while other pipes pretty much dried.

Is there a way I can try first before digging (which would likely require removing brick pavers)? I read about dyed water for troubleshooting septic systems. Would that be a suitable approach? Anything in particular to use?

[UPDATE] I tried pouring 10+ gallon of water with tracer dyes into the sump pit, but I cannot see anywhere outside getting wet...

Sump Pump

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Standard septic tracing dyes are non-toxic (important becasue you are dumping them into wherever your sump discharges) and typically fluorescent and fairly concentrated. Green and red are common. Blue seems to be less common, but available. In your case it likely does not matter, just pick a color, put it in, and go hunting - also see if it "comes back" with the late-draining pipe inflow.

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  • Just ordered a red dye and will report if it is successful.
    – P. B.
    Commented Dec 28, 2020 at 21:08
  • Winter has long passed but I've just remembered to test this method. Unfortunately, 10+ gallon water down the pit did not wet anywhere outside...
    – P. B.
    Commented May 26, 2021 at 19:52
  • Did the inflow water become colored?
    – Ecnerwal
    Commented May 26, 2021 at 20:48
  • Yes, dyed completely red.
    – P. B.
    Commented May 26, 2021 at 21:39

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