Septic system drainage

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Im assuming they have the permits necessary to install the system, so it would have been reviewed and approved by applicable local agencies.

Effluent from a leaching field follows the same hydraulic gradient that the groundwater table does, which basically follows the ground surface slope. So if he builds the system upgradient of your property the effluent will leach towards your property. Soil characteristics determine the rate of remediation and dilution, but with a decent system by about fifty feet downstream you basically have groundwater with higher than normal nitrates, phosphates. Its really not much to be concerned about.

Be concerned however if he builds too close to your well. 75 feet is about as close as the two should get. If it concerns you have your well tested now as a baseline, and again every year to track changes.

Septic systems have a setback from watercourses and groundwater intercepting drains. Usually 50 feet. Setbacks from a property line are maybe only 10 feet. Combine this with your building setback line of maybe 30 or 40 feet, and you end up with 40 to 50 feet separating his system and your house foundation drains. So it all works. These are the things your town sanitarian or health dept look for when reviewing the plans.

You have a ravine in your back yard. Is this a wetland? If so, there is probably a greater leach field setback from the wetland boundary. Be careful kicking that stone with the town however, a documented wetland nevers goes away and will bite you back someday. And your neighbor will still get to build somehow.

Anyway, back to your question: As far as the approvals, you really dont get the say. But the Health Dept will protect your interests.