Septic design is a problem

[shamban]

Hello everyone,

I have taken on GC responsibility for my home build. I thought it would be fun! (LOL)...

Anyway, I have a big problem right out of the gate. My selected Septic Design Engineer says I have poor drainage in my soil and a gravity septic will not pass code. He is suggesting a mound type system. Well that sends my $6500 septic system into the $15,000 range. There goes the budget right from the start! I am wondering...

I am wondering if anyone can offer me some suggestions as to what I should explore before paying such big bucks for this.

Thanks for the help,

Joe

[bkrahmer]

I don't know where you are or what your local procedures call for... Here in Idaho, you dig a pit, and a person from the county health dept watches while they do a perc test. That determines what type of system is required.

Going off of one opinion from a person in the private sector who stands to make a lot of money off of you, makes me nervous. Talk to the county or whoever is responsible for permitting. Make sure everything was done right, and what your options are.

Mound systems are expensive, though. I neglected to buy another property because it had bad drainage and a mound system would have been necessary.

[kadoka]

Here in Colorado we had to have the perk tests done first before we could even apply for a county permit. Only then can you even dig the hole. Maybe in this case a little government red tape was a good thing. Can't believe I'm saying that.

[Rich]

Yep kadoka - same around Greeley (Weld County) they won't even give you septic permit without the soils report on composition and perc information beforehand. Then you can get the building permit.

Anyway shamban - get a soils report done. That's about the only thing that can really tell you what your percolation rate is.

[dhill]

Shamban,
I'm not sure what the options are in your area, but here in TX we have the option of using an aerbic system. The aerobic system eliminates the need for a leech field. Costs here for a conventional system runs about 3400. An aerobic is about 5700. It might be worth your while to check into the aerobic system and see if it's available for your situation. Of course, I have no idea about the availability of installers for you either. Just thought this might be something you might look at. I'm not familiar with a mound system. Maybe that's what an aerobic system is called there. But 15k is at least double what an aerobic system would cost here. I would even go so far as to say someone from here would probably make the trip to your place for less than 10k to do it, but that's a speculation, too, and there may be license issues with that. I did a lot of research on septic system dos and donts before I put mine in, and also researched to find out what I could do myself. Ended up, I was able to do the whole thing without permits or inspections, no red-tape. I followed all the specs for the system, and like I do everything else, probably over built for my small usage. Good luck,
Dusty

[shamban]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to research that aerobic system and talk specifically to the health dept. I know I need tile on the land, but I was hoping that was something I could do later myself for the fun of it.

Thanks again,

Joe