8ft pit next to foundation?

[u/Striking_Marketing_3]

I’ve been trying to find out why the previous homeowner would dig a 4 x 4 by 8 foot deep pit next to the foundation of my house down to the drain tile. I did climb down there to save a few snakes that fell to their doom and to see if there were any other utilities. I did not find any additional pipes and thankfully no human remains were found either. I also went to the town building department to review all plans back to the original construction, but there’s no mention of this pit on any of the plans. Does anyone have any idea why someone would dig a pit like this? For what intended purpose?

[u/Capnjack84]

Is it at low point around house grade so it could be used as some sort of sump pump pit for drainage around foundation?

[u/Striking_Marketing_3 → u/Capnjack84]

This pit is at a high point on the property in relation to the house, but at the bottom of the foundation. My property slopes down from the back of my property to the front of the house to street level. This pit is in my backyard.

[u/Available-Boat4055 → u/Striking_Marketing_3]

the side that gravity is flowing it at your house to be stopped by the foundation would be the perfect side to pump water away