I grew up in the city with a sewer system, so septic systems were new to me when I bought(late 1987)an older home (built 1963)in the country. I lived here for 5 years before I got married and inherited a family of 4 (including me), to be followed by number 5 in late 1994. Anyway, everyone (at work)had an opinion relative to septic system care, and I (mistakenly followed) the most inexpensive course - why pump the system if it doesn't need it. 

Well, I noticed standing water over the area of the septic tank cover this winter (98-99) (snow all around except here). As Spring approached, I noticed the standing water depended on the amount of washing machine activity (family of 5, we're always washing clothes). 

Had the septic tank pumped on March 8th (boy was it full, after cover was removed, solid stuff popped up at least a foot). Within 4 days, had
standing water over the cover again. Well, I guessed(wrongly) that the dry well was "plugged". I dug up the access cover for this. When I did this the standing water over the cover subsided (and partially filled up my hole for the "drywell". I had the septic service come out to pump the "drywell", only to find out, when they removed the cover that it was a distribution box (five lines). The access cover was approximately 2 ft down. 

I am informed that the drainfield is shot and will need to be replaced. I would like to get another 2-4 years out of the "system" before I have to do anything drastic, or have I reached that point now ? Is there any real hope of restoring the field ?