Septic System Articles
Soil And Perc Testing
How A Septic System Works
Septic System Maintenance NEW!
Alternative Septic Systems
See Also Septic System FAQs View all LAND BUYING articles
If you are from an urban or suburban area and looking for land in the country, you’ll need to get up to speed on wells and septic systems. For city folks, water magically appears at the tap and wastewater just as easily flows off to somewhere far away. In rural and semi-rural areas, however, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to handle one or both of these vital functions literally in your own backyard.
Problems with either the well or septic systems can pose serious health risks and lead to big repair bills. It becomes the homeowner’s job to ensure that there is an adequate supply of clean drinking water and a well-functioning septic system.
HOW A SEPTIC SYSTEM WORKS
In areas without municipal sewage systems, each home must treat its sewage on its own land using an “on-site sewage disposal system,” more commonly called a septic system. A typical system consists of a waste pipe from the house, a large concrete, fiberglass, or plastic septic tank, and a leach field. The most common type of leach field consists of a series of perforated distribution pipes, each set in a gravel-filled absorption trenches read more
SEPTIC SYSTEM CARE & MAINTENANCE
Many people ignore their septic system until there are problems, such as slow drains or backups. By then, however, the drain field might be completely clogged and in need of replacement. The good news is that simple care and inexpensive maintenance can keep your system running for decades. read more
SOIL AND PERC TESTING
Traditional septic systems only work if the soil in the leach area is sufficiently permeable that it can absorb the liquid effluent flowing into it. Also, there must be at least a few feet of good soil from the bottom of the leach pipes to rock or impervious hardpan below, or to the water table. The specific standards vary from town to town, but any of these characteristics can prohibit the use of a standard gravity-fed septic system read more
ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC SYSTEMS
If the lot does not pass the perc test, some municipalities may allow you to build an alternative engineered system. Where the problem is soil that is too dense (or in some cases, too permeable), too shallow (over bedrock or hardpan), or the water table is too high, a “mound” system is often the first choice as it is works much the same as a standard system, only with the leach field raised. The mound uses a series of small distribution pipes set in a layer of gravel on top of layer of sand, typically one to two feet deep read more
See Also:
Are Alternative Systems Allowed?
Chamber System Failure
How Much Slope For Septic Line?
Inspecting a Septic System
Lifespan of Septic System’
Minimum Lot Size For Septic System
Perc Test Cost
Perc Test: Best Time of Year?
Replacing Failed Drain Field in Same Location
Retesting a Site That Failed to Perc
Sand Filter for Existing System
Testing an Existing Septic System
Testing for a New Septic System
Wet Sites, Septic Systems For
Who Performs Perc Test?
RICHARD WILLIS says
Minimum Lot Size for Septic System?
What is the minimum lot size for a septic system in Clayton County, Georgia?
buildingadvisor says
The rules for septic systems are different in every state in the US and often differ from one town or county to the next.
So you really need to contact the folks who oversee septic system permitting in your area. I believe this is your country’s Dept. of Public Health. They have some basic information at this link.
Sorry to say, but questions like yours rarely have simple answers. It depends on the septic system regulations, the zoning district, the number of bedrooms you are planning, and the soil conditions.
For example, if you have marginal soil conditions that just squeak by on the perc test, you will need a larger drain field. On a small lot, you may have trouble finding enough space for the drain field, replacement drain field (which is often required), with the required setbacks and clearances to buildings, property lines, wells and water lines, surface water, and drainage areas.
In some cases, older lots are subject to “grandfathering” rules that are more lenient than current regulations. So you may be able to build on an older lot that would be too small if subdivided today. So you really need to check with the Dept. of Health about this particular lot to get accurate information.
Best of luck!
Tara says
Do I Need Perc Test For New Mobile Home?
We currently have a mobile home and have purchased a larger one. The mobile-home company is requesting a building permit now, after the fact. Is a perc test required if we already have a home on the land? Or do we need a perc test to purchase the bigger mobile home?
buildingadvisor says
Perc tests and septic system permits are governed by state law and local regulations (city, town, or county), which can vary a great deal from one town to the next.
In general, where there is no municipal sewerage system, you cannot get a building permit to build on vacant (unimproved) land without first evaluating the soil for a septic system. In most cases this means a perc test as well as a deep-hole test to observe the soil type, water table, and subsurface conditions.
If you are remodeling, adding to, or replacing an existing structure, the local authorities may require a septic system inspection or a new perc test before issuing a building permit. That would depend on the age of the existing system, whether it was properly permitted (and the town has a record on file), and the nature of your project. For example, if you are adding one or more bedrooms, you will probably need a new or modified septic system and this may trigger the need for a new perc test.
The town will need sufficient documentation to prove that the existing system is in good working order and is capable of handling the load from the new or remodeled building. In some cases, your current system is working fine, but the town may still require you upgrade to new septic system laws implemented after your system was built. Since you need a building permit, they have the leverage to make you upgrade your system.
To get a definitive answer, you’ll need to contact your local department of building inspection or health department to find out what they will require before issuing a permit. They usually have some discretion in cases like this, so ask if there are less expensive alternatives to a completely new septic system as this can get very expensive
Heather says
Area Needed For Mound System?
How much land is necessary if I want to change my septic system from a leach line system to a mound system?
buildingadvisor says
The absorption area is about the same size whether your system is a mound or a conventional leach field. The actual size will vary depending on the number of bedrooms, soil conditions, and local codes. However, for a three-bedroom system with typical soils, the absorption area typically varies from about 500 to 1500 square feet.
I’m not sure why you would want to use a mound, however, if a conventional in-ground drain field, with gravity drainage, is an option. A mound is much more expensive to install and maintain. It requires a pumping chamber with an alarm system, and may require a maintenance contract depending on local codes and your level of interest in system maintenance. More frequent pumping is also required.
Read more about Mound Septic Systems
Dee says
Bought Land With Illegal Septic System
What if a home was built with a septic tank system and purchased without the buyer knowing the land didn’t perc. The perc test was “fudged”. Is this illegal?
buildingadvisor says
This is really a legal question and I’m not a lawyer, so I cannot give you a definitive answer.
In general, most states now have pretty strong disclosure laws requiring sellers (and their real estate brokers) to inform buyers about known defects in a property. Some states have a mandatory disclosure form which the seller must sign disclosing such defects and mold, radon, wet basements, etc. A failed or inadequate septic system not in compliance with building codes, or a failed perc test, would certainly qualify as a defect that should have been disclosed.
If the septic system met code when the house was built, but no longer did when the house was sold, different rules may apply. Some states require that septic systems be brought up to code (along with smoke detectors and certain other items) upon sale of a property.
The laws governing this are different in every state so you really need to check with a local real estate lawyer. Many lawyers will answer a few questions for free – or you can pay them for an hour or two of their time to review your situation and offer advice (don’t forget to get a cost estimate from the lawyer). A licensed real estate broker – a broker, not an agent — should also be very familiar with the disclosure laws in your state and may be able to point you in the right direction.
One hitch is you would need to prove that the owner knew about the defect. If you have solid evidence that the perc test was “fudged,” and that the seller knew this and lied to you, it sounds like a case of fraud, regardless of local real estate laws. A call to your state’s office of consumer affairs and/or the attorney general’s office might also be helpful and won’t cost you anything. Best of luck!