Thank you for your interest. Let's address your questions one at a time. There are studies indicating that a water softener backwashing once a week has no effect on a drainfield. There are also people who believe that it does. I tend to come down on the side of no significant effect as long as it functions properly. Your drainfield can perhaps be restored to flow. We have had success in doing this. Since you have kept your system pumped on a regular basis, it is unlikely that you have laterals filled with sludge. Since you have ponding in your field, it is probable that the field is flooded. You will need to have the field pumped until no more water flows back from the ground into the laterals. A pumper can do this for you by pumping your distribution box until no more backflow is observed. You can then add Septic SCrub. You should add Septic Scrub according to the directions. Add one bottle to the distribution box every other day until four bottles have been used. Watch the field for a few months. If a backup is indicated, by a rising water level in the distribution box, add another two bottles. You should then need only to add a bottle a year for preventive maintenance. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. If Septic Scrub does not improve and restore the flow to your field, then your next option is something like Terralifting (R) or replacement. Both of these options are much more expensive that a Septic Scrub treatment. If you would like to have me talk to your pumper, please have him call me or phone and give me his number.