WTF is this crap you people have up here? I'm looking at a few acres and there is something about a "perc" test that failed so I can't build a house on it until it passes "perc".

Something about a septic system and porosity of the soil/water table?

Can I put a mound septic system in instead?

 

if it dont have city water and sewer available, every place requires a perc test. there are systems available for land that doesn't perc, but it's stupid expensive, a serious pain in the *** with the health department when getting your permit, and because it has a holding tank, it has to be pumped when it's full. a typical pump is about $200-300. every bit of liquid that comes out of your home would have to go to the tank. look to be pumping it at least once a month. the tanks are not the same size as whats in a septic system, they're much bigger. my $.02, if it doesn't perc, don't buy it. i only know this because the neighbor of a friend of mine in ojai, ca bought a chunk of land with the intent of building on it. it didn't pass perc. that was about 13 years ago and the lot is still vacant, same owner.

 

I am on a well system and have a septic mound at my place since I am out in the sticks, just the way I like it. You will have to pass perc to build for sure, and that will be anywhere that you don't have common water/sewer connections.

It is ofter as important when you do the test. If you do it after a few days of rain, the ground is already saturated and it is much harder to pass the perc. Also, placement is important, you want your septic to be on the highest point on the lot (if it doesn't drain towards the house) or second highest point (if it does drain towards the house) again to maximize the amount of distance between ground level and the water level. The type of sol will play a large roll as well, clay = little absorption, sandy soil = lots of absorption.

You are a real bright guy Hraes, I'm sure I'm telling you what you already know. IMO, ask some of the neighbors who built their septic systems and call the same guy. Many times the company has an in with the local gov't and it helps move things along. Good Luck.

 

Gonna be one expensive son of a *****.

 

I think you misunderstood, you failed the HERP test.

 

 

 

Yes, the best way to find out is to ask on a Nissan forum...

 

I'll show you my long, wide mound if you show me yours!

 

I don't think that's something that can be waited out for that lot though (soil conditions changing over time). You can always have the excavator try to dig in different spots on the property, but that's guesswork that you'll happen onto a different type of soil that does "perc". Plus, the county is going to conduct the test during the late winter/early spring when the ground is thawing and there's a lot of rain in order to simulate the worst possible conditions.

Cass007 is right about the soil. I'm stuck w/ clay, so I had little absorption. Cass also made a great point about talking to the septic companies. I know I already promised you that I'll look through my paperwork, but I'll look for the contractor that built my mound. I believe he was out of St. Mary's and was highly recommended, so he probably can spell everything out for you.

 

Do you even own a house?

 

That's a nice big sexy poo mound you got there!