Anyone know about septic systems? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 10-11-2010, 09:40 PM

I'm trying to buy some property where sewer won't be available so if I get it I'll have to build three septic systems. I know a little, but I would like to learn more so any advice from someone who has been their and done it would be appreciated. I know I have to dig test holes and have them designed, I'm also told this is the time of year in my area to do these tests, I guess they can only be carried out in the fall. I'm figuring $20k-$30k per system, based on someone else's estimate. Thankfully water is available so I won't have to learn about wells at the same time.

This is new to me, everything around here is hooked up to sewers, but its interesting.

chilcutt · #2 10-11-2010, 09:58 PM

You are also going to need to be aware of the water table in that area, and whether or not the homes will require sump pumps. If you install your honey-pots according to code, there wont be any problems.

Aquaticedge · #3 10-11-2010, 10:16 PM

3 systems for one building or multiple? I mean the one house we had awhile ago had a greywater tank ie washing machine etc and the normal turdhurdler tank

t walgamuth · #4 10-11-2010, 10:17 PM

Around here a $5K septic system including the tank would be all the money....assuming a normal tank plus finger system.

Be sure to get the soil tested before closing on the property and have an escape clause if the soils are unsuitable for a normal system.

Yak · #5 10-11-2010, 10:19 PM

Is the property near any ponds, swamps, marshes, etc, that may be considered 'wetlands'? If so, your problem may be complicated by EPA and safe water codes. My sister's land backs up to a small pond and the health department was fairly particular about her system and getting it approved.

Hatterasguy · #6 10-11-2010, 10:41 PM

I need to dig test holes, the property is pretty high and actually pretty nice rolling woods clear of junk undergrowth. Its large enough for 3 houses, so one system per house.

I don't believe their are any wetlands on it, at least I didn't see any on the city maps.

I'm going to have a lot of weasel clauses in the contract plus a long time to do my testing.

Chas H · #7 10-11-2010, 10:47 PM

Good Luck. Around here the only thing that might pass a perc test is a sand mound which costs ~$20K. Have there been other septic permits let in the area? That's a clue to what you will be getting. Make sure your sales agreement assumes a good perc test.

catmandoo62 · #8 10-11-2010, 10:58 PM

here in iowa they just enacted new septic system regulations.so if the property has one when you go to sell it has to be up to code or no sale.if you are selling you have to have the tank sucked out and then the sanitarian of the county will come out and test to see if it is a working system.i don't know if they do the perc test on an existing system but you will need to for a new system.as for my soil type here i have to have 100 linear feet of laterals per bedroom,not bathrooms.also the bottom of the laterals have to be at least 36 inchs above the bottom of the ditch.so because of this my system has a pump pit that the liquid flows into,when the level gets high enough the pump pumps it out thru the laterals.also the tank has to be x number of feet from the house and the laterals have to be x amount of feet from property lines.your best bet would be to find a plumber in the area that does septic systems and see what the specific requirements are.around here you can get the whole system replaced for 6-8k.

cmbdiesel · #9 10-12-2010, 12:14 AM

Who is the licensing board for septics in your area? State, county or town? Whoever it is, get the book, take the test and become a licensed installer yourself. You probably have access to all the equipment you will need for install, and they are dead simple to build. I put in half a dozen out west on the spec homes I built. All you need is an engineer who doesn't want an arm and a leg, and they are pretty easy to come by. Actual build time, including inspections, can be squeezed into two weeks.
If you are planning on city water, it only gets easier, as you don't have set backs from wells to consider.
I would recommend tile and stone over any kind of infiltrator system. Easier, cheaper and less prone to problems. Might be a bit more labor, but cheaper labor.

Chas H · #10 10-12-2010, 12:58 AM

If CT is anything like PA, the county Board of Health will have total control of the septic system design and construction and inspection. The engineers and contractors dance to their tune.

buffa98 · #11 10-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Do your home work is all I can say. My house in Ga I had to replace the septic, The total bill was 5200. A guy I work with in PA just spent $33500 for his septic(permits test etc.) But he had to use the sand hill type. Mine in GA was the tank and sock type.

Where in CT? the other thing that you might have to look at is how far from a "naturally occurring water run off" Think ditch that fills with water when it rains. Pa has a stipulation that you must have X number of feet from with BLAH BLAH BLAH. You get the point.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Hatterasguy · #12 10-12-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

If CT is anything like PA, the county Board of Health will have total control of the septic system design and construction and inspection. The engineers and contractors dance to their tune.

The local health department is responsible for it, in other towns were septic is more prevalent they have dedicated sanitation departments for them. Luckily there are other houses near by with septic systems already, so since it doesn't look like much changes between them and my property I'm hoping I'm ok. Were kind of screwed a bit designing it, we have to use one engineering firm because if we don't the city sends it to them for review and they are brutal. Either way as you said I pretty much have to dance to the city's tune, hence the high cost.

kknudson · #13 10-12-2010, 11:33 AM

I'd say 5k per is low, 20+ is high.
Note here they require enough land for a second system in the future.

Consider something Green I've thought about, assuming the county / Stae allows it and you can find an engineer to design it.

Two systems, one regular, one for grey water.
Showers, bath sinks, washer ...

Takes the load (urrgh) off the main system.

Some extra plumbing, but may not be a major difference if done up front.

dynalow · #14 10-12-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The local health department is responsible for it, in other towns were septic is more prevalent they have dedicated sanitation departments for them. Luckily there are other houses near by with septic systems already, so since it doesn't look like much changes between them and my property I'm hoping I'm ok. Were kind of screwed a bit designing it, we have to use one engineering firm because if we don't the city sends it to them for review and they are brutal. Either way as you said I pretty much have to dance to the city's tune, hence the high cost.

Hat,

Check this out. You may find some useful info on system standards.
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Connecticut-Permits-and-Inspections.htm

Have you gotten your subdivision approved? The soil borings will be important. Been dry up there this summer?

Reminds me of the time we sold my mother's house to the county. She had an underground heating oil tank and the county wanted it removed. So, they sent a Health dept. inspector over to watch and evaluate the soil. The guy dug it out and he had to keep digging and digging to get all the dirty soil out. After she left, he told me I was lucky because another couple of bucket loads, and he would have hit water & I would have been in deep doo doo- monitoring wells and all that jazz...

Luckily it was at the end of a very dry summer and fall about 8 years ago.

Good luck.

buffa98 · #15 10-12-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kknudson

I'd say 5k per is low, 20+ is high.
Note here they require enough land for a second system in the future.

Consider something Green I've thought about, assuming the county / Stae allows it and you can find an engineer to design it.

Two systems, one regular, one for grey water.
Showers, bath sinks, washer ...

Takes the load (urrgh) off the main system.

Some extra plumbing, but may not be a major difference if done up front.

The other thing with a separate "gray" system is (I have seen this set up overseas) Pump the gray to a holding tank then it gets used for flushing water for the toilets. Just need a lot of fragrance.