The title is a bit dramatic but the process from buying a property to living in your dream home can be a bit overwhelming. The septic system topic is but one chapter in that journey. Let’s take a look!

Provided there is no sewer available, you will need your own on-site septic system. The State allows for a variety of “conventional” systems, the most popular of which are chambers and trenches. If the soil around your residence is not suited for a septic system, you might have to install an “alternative” system. These are usually more expensive and also require more maintenance, hence they are only installed if there is no other option.

The first step is to have a site investigation completed to determine the rate at which your property’s soil absorbs water and to see if there are any other limiting conditions. Those could be topography, groundwater, bedrock, drainages etc. This step has to be conducted by a licensed person. You can either find a professional who offers this service or contact the County to do the investigation. One advantage of calling the County seems to be the MUCH faster response time to get your answers.

The second step is to design the system. This depends on the soils absorption rate determined in the first step, the type of system chosen, and the type and number of wet fixtures to be installed on the property. That includes garages and guest houses. This step can be accomplished without the need for a professional if you like a minor challenge and are adventurous. We will get into the details in a later post…