Their depth is regulated by the distance the septic tank outlet is below the ground, and that in turn depends on the depth of the pipe exiting the building. If they are working properly, then all the effluent should seep down into the ground below them. That is partly why they can be covered with tar paper to keep dirt out of them. The dirt or fill above them is only a factor when the surrounding area is obstructed or water logged, in which case the pipe, and the entire system, will fill with water in the initial stages of a back-up. : How deep do the leach field pipes need to be under the soil….and what material needs to be put over them? (( i.e…6 of septic fill, plus 6 of top soil))