Septic System Installation

About Installing Septic Systems

If you have not begun construction of your house you will want to give careful consideration to the placement of your home on your property. A home placed in the wrong spot can be a very costly mistake. A piece of property platted before 1972 follow 1972 onsite septic code set backs for ¼ of an acre lot for conventional system too be installed. Land platted after 1972 setback code are for ½ acre lot for a conventional septic system to be installed.

Once the home site has been situated, you will need to decide on the type of septic system you will be installing. Generally, your choices are between conventional gravity operated systems and aerobic systems and low pressure dosing system Depending on environmental factors and population density you may not have a choice. All localities now require aerobic systems for homes that have less then a ½ acre lot to build a conventional septic system. In Wakulla county Florida once the system fails, you are required to install an aerobic system. Aerobic systems allow for the installation of an on-site sewage disposal system in situations where you would not otherwise be allowed to install a septic system at all. . A strong plus for aerobic systems is the reduced potential for environmental impact. The aerobic unit work the same way and principal as a municipal wastewater treatment plant the only difference is the discharge is in your yard and not in the canal, ocean or deep injection well.

Evaluating Your Site: New Construction

To determine if you will be required to install an aerobic or convention system and to determine the size of your storage tanks and absorption field, characteristics of your soil will need to be evaluated by a professional engineer or doh inspector. The engineer will be assessing your soil's ability to cleanly process the waste water that flows from your absorption field. Typically he or she will be looking at the proposed absorption field's proneness to flooding or ponding, depth to bedrock or cemented pan, depth to the high-water table, the ability of the soil to permeate or release water, density of large stones, and slope. To get this information the engineer will have several holes dug in the proposed absorption field and will run tests. This information will be used to determine the size of the drain field and if an aerobic system is required or if you can install a conventional system. If a conventional system is authorized, the engineer will evaluate the number of bedrooms in the proposed floor plan and will use this information together with the soil characteristic data to determine the size of the tanks and absorption field that needs to be installed.

Getting A Permit To Install A Septic System

You, your builder, or your septic installation contractor will need to apply for a permit. Typically these are issued by authorized permitting agencies of the state. In most states authorized permitting agencies are at the county level, often at the County Board of Health. In localities, the typical application package will include the results of the professional engineer's site evaluation, a property plan showing location of the proposed dwelling, driveway, sewage lines, tanks, and absorption field, and any ponds, tanks or adjacent lakes. The application will also require a floor plan for the site, indicating rooms, closets, and total heated/air conditioned floor space. It will also include several copies of the proposed design of the septic system and a map showing the property location. There will probably also be a requirement for a floodplain certificate, and the identification of a suitable second absorption field, should the initial absorption field fail at some future time and need to be replaced.

Permit Acceptance or Modification

Your local permitting agency will review your permit and determine if the proposed design meets local codes and regulations. If not, the application will be disapproved and you will be notified about any required design changes. In some instances you may be required to change from a proposed conventional system to an aerobic system. In these instances you will be required to resubmit your application. An additional application fee may also be required.

Septic System Construction

Once the septic construction permit has been issued, construction may begin. Usually the regulating authority will require that all or part of the construction be performed by a certified septic contractor. Typically your system will need to pass three separate inspections: before construction begins, after the absorption field has been excavated but before it has been covered over, and at least 5 days before the completed system is to be placed into operation.