Here s another question likely to arise once you ve found your perfect rural property: your seller tells you there s no sewer hookup and that you ll have to install your own septic system. She assures you not to worry, a conventional septic system will work just fine; the soil perc s like a champ!
What s she talking about The closest you ve come to a sewer system is a manhole cover. Don t panic, that parcel is still your dream property. Read on to find out what you need to know about septic systems to make a sound decision.
Background
Septic systems are the principal means of wastewater disposal for most homeowners in rural areas. About 25 percent of homes in the United States use septic systems, with safe and reliable disposal of more than 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day. This is very old technology which when properly installed and maintained will work efficiently for generations.
A septic system is a self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system that treats and disposes of household wastewater onsite. In rural areas, where lots are larger and houses are spaced widely apart, they are more efficient and less expensive than centralized systems which require greater density to justify their large costs. Septic systems are generally classified as conventional (the majority) or alternative.
Conventional Systems
A septic system consists of two main parts a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through a sewer pipe. In the septic tank the wastewater naturally separates into solids and liquids. The wastewater forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases and oils) float to the top; solids heavier than water settle at the bottom. Partially clarified wastewater is left in the middle.
Naturally occurring bacteria break down the solids. The waste that cannot be broken down settles in the bottom of the tank and is periodically pumped out. The clarified liquid flows from the tank to the drainfield where it s uniformly distributed for final purification.
A standard drainfield (also known as a leach field or disposal field) is a series of trenches or a bed lined with gravel or course sand, buried a few feet below the ground s surface. Perforated pipes run through the trenches distributing the effluent, which slowly trickles from the pipes out into the gravel and down through the soil. The gravel and soil are remarkably effective natural biological filters that purify the effluent within just a foot or two of travel.
Alternative Systems
Any onsite household wastewater treatment system other than a conventional tank and drain field described above is considered an alternative system. Alternative systems are typically used where the soils are rocky or hard clay and do not percolate or perc , which refers to the capacity of the soil to permit water to flow through it and get purified. Alternate systems are also used where the terrain is steep or limited space won t permit a conventional tank and drainfield.
There are many types of alternative systems in use, reflecting the wide variety of site conditions. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has approved 20 different alternative system technologies. These systems typically rely on the action of the septic tank to partially treat the waste water and provide an alternate method for dispersing the effluent. Since the effluent can t filter through the existing native soil, these systems may rely on raised beds or mounds of engineered material above the natural soil to partially or fully treat septic effluent. Also widely used are evaporation-transpiration systems, which rely on the upward movement of moisture through imported engineered material, surface vegetation, and finally into the air. There are even hi-tech microwave systems for extreme locations (solid rock and steep slopes) where a septic tank is just not feasible.
Because these systems are electrically and mechanically more complicated than the relatively simple conventional systems, they are typically more expensive.
Conventional or Alternate System
Unless money s no issue, you ll want to know the answer to this question before you irrevocably commit to buy your property. Why, because an alternate system can cost as much as $10,000 to $20,000 more than a conventional system to serve the same demand. This doesn t have to be a deal breaker, especially if you in an area where only alternate systems work. If so your costs will be similar to other s residences, and that s simply the price of entry to the location you ve chosen, which is often the case in mountainous or wet regions. Nonetheless you should know this beforehand so you can budget accordingly.
Perc Tests
A percolation (perc) test determines the ability of soil to absorb liquid and therefore the kind of septic system the property will require. A perc test, typically conducted by technicians certified by the local health department, consists of digging a series of holes in the vicinity of the future drainfield, soaking the holes with water, and then measuring the time it takes for the water surface to drop one inch. The results of the test are expressed in minutes per inch (mpi); better (faster) draining soils result in lower mpi values and consequently smaller drain fields. A very high mpi value may indicate the need to install an alternative system.
Ask your seller if a perc test has been performed and if the results satisfy the standards for a conventional system. If so, you may want to confirm this information with the county health authorities who deal with septic systems. They re likely to be familiar with the area and can confirm if other residences in the area rely on conventional or alternate systems. However, don t be surprised if the seller/developer has not done a lot specific perc test. The seller may think the appropriate system is self evident; especially in an area where all the residences are served by conventional or alternate systems. In such a case the seller has no motivation to pay for a perc test. If the property is in an approved subdivision, some counties and municipalities require the developer to conduct a certain number of perc tests and site investigations throughout the subdivision, prior to offering lots for sale.
To adequately budget for this expense, you may want to speak to licensed contractors who have installed septic systems in the area. The state Registrar of Contractors or county officials can provide the names of local licensed septic system contractors. An experienced contractor will typically have informed opinions about the location and appropriate type of system, and will generally share those with prospective clients. Ask about the estimated cost to install a septic system to serve your anticipated needs.
Combine what you ve learned from your research with the judgment of well regarded local contractors and you ve got a handle on the type and cost of a septic system for your rural get away.
Conclusion
Septic systems are widely used in rural areas throughout the world. Except for exotic applications, septic systems rely on simple, natural processes and work reliably, efficiently, and without any meaningful operating cost to the homeowner. Virtually every location has a septic system solution, and most are simple and easily determined.
Now you know enough to confidently resolve your septic system anxieties and get back to deciding about buying that rural property.
Septic Systems And Rural Living
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