septic

schmism · Oct 31, 2006

so we are in the process of biding our septic (new) for our new apt/house on the property.

got the soils test back today

seasonal high water table is 18" (yes thats inches not feet)

NOW WHAT!

toward the back of my property it starts to fall off a BIT... (im talking 5-6' tops) so im hopeing the water table would drop off back toward the back but that means a) more tests. and b) the locaion isnt going to be cental to the buildings meaning id likely have to put in 2 complete systems (one for the apt one for the big house in a few years) which we were trying to avoid.

<sigh> nothing is ever simple

Mike120 · Oct 31, 2006

That's pretty common in this neck of the woods. As a result I've got two aerobic septic systems on my place. While I really don't like having to power the blowers and pumps all the time, they really aren't that bad. I put liquid clorinators on both of them, that eleminates a lot of hassle.

Highbeam · Nov 2, 2006

You're lucky to have 18". I've seen mound systems used in as little as 6" of dry ground above the water table. An all gravity system would be very nice but very often it is just not possible.

shaley · Nov 2, 2006

Have you looked at the Eco Flow or Pure flow peat moss systems? You can use an above ground absorbtion mound about 18" high. Also, a Delta clearwater aerobic unit with low pressure distribution absorbtion system. All of these use a pump disposal system that will allow the tank where you want it and then pump to the absorbtion pad. Are you using the public health dept to design this or a private designer. One thing to watch out for with a private guy is most time they will only specify the products they make a commision on.

bones1 · Nov 3, 2006

I love your sig,
"My biggest fear is that when I'm gone my wife will sell all my tractor gear for what I said I paid for it. "

schmism · Nov 3, 2006

so i guess its not impossible

the septic guy gave me abid of $4500 with 300+ ft of latterls.

so at .5% fall (6" over 100') i can set my tank at "ground level" loose 6" for my run. and wind up with a foot to of cover over the drain feild. (water table ranges from 18-24") so....

i think we will be able to get something to work.

not as deep as i wanted but it should stilll work.

shaley · Nov 3, 2006

Bones, it's true though...at leats with my wife.
schmism, In VA 18" is a "no go" for convetional system - you are getting a good deal at that price. In VA. Aerobic units start at 10k, peatmoss at 14k and my neighbor just put one in for 18k. Also you have to pay the engineer 2k for the certified plans regardless of which system.

Mike120 · Nov 5, 2006

Good gosh they're proud of septic systems in Virginia. My aerobic systems with 1,000 gal tanks cost $4,500 each, installed. The engineer charged me $350 for the site/soil analysis and certified design, and the county charged me $160.00 for the permit......And I was complaining about being robbed.

MtnViewRanch · Nov 5, 2006

That just shows how much prices vary around the country.

schmism · Nov 6, 2006

when i started this project i sat down with a pencile and paper and wrote down most of the major catagoies for constrution for the project and put a dollar mount next to each. kinda of a pull-a-number-out-of-the-air with my limited experience. (get an idea of the cost for the project)

the number i wrote down for septic was $5000 so it was right on target.

my jaw bout hit the ground when the soils guy said he would bore test (with seasonal high water table) for $175. (my thought was a DEAL at $300) Even more surprised when i called him and he said he was slow and could be out THE NEXT DAY to do it!!!

hopefully this is a sign of other things to come

septic permit is $200 with a (non inforced just for tax records) building permit required to be pulled at the same time for an addtional $100.