OT: Septic Perk

Stan(PA) · Jul 16, 2008

I have some land I was thinking of subdividing to sell. First step was septic permits, and this is where my trouble began. It would end up being 3 lots of 10 to 15 acres each. One lot passed for inground, but the other two would not even make it for mound system. I'm wondering what other options I have????
PS: Land is located in Fairview, PA (just outside of Erie)

IaGary · Jul 16, 2008

Keep farming the land.

Put the houses in town.

Gary

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

Bingo.

Stan(PA) · Jul 16, 2008

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but it's not pertinent to the situation. The land is located in a developed suburb area. My own personal land is a mile or so down the road. My personal spread is also in the middle of what has become "yuppieville", but I'm keeping it from being developed. I can't afford to save it all, so, if this is your way of looking down on me for trying to hold on to what I can, so be it. I was just trying to find out if anyone knew of alternatives. My own fault, I should've known better than to ask the question here. Thanks anyway.... Stan

tlak · Jul 16, 2008

Always some DA's here. Ask the people who inspect and certify the systems about what all types of systems are acceptable.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

Surely there is a usable house site on a lot that large that will perk? Are the lots in a wet area?

Bill Deering · Jul 16, 2008

Stan,
I bought a parcel that was carved out of a larger chunk (50 acres. Each parcel (about 7 Ac each) had at least one sand mound site (mine has three). The big parcel was carved up this way, so I have a righ of way across the front and share a driveway with one other "back lot." You might look into a creative way to carve it up. Also I heard that if the land was once permitted for septic, that you are grandfathered in with that system. Another piece of land I was looking at had a grandfathered in ground permit, but today it wouldn"t pass for sand mount. Might help to check old records, ect. Only other type of system I heard about is "spray" and I don"t think I want to know what that"s about. I am in eastern PA, bucks county. HTH. Bill

big fred · Jul 16, 2008

Get a system designed that has a common drainfield on one lot. The other lots will each have a septic tank and a pump tank. The pump tank will pump effluent to the common drainfield. Each parcel will need to have the proper easements to accomodate the sewer lines, etc, and you may need to develop a maintenance plan that goes with each parcel, so that in the case of drainfield failure or line failure, each parcel would pay an equal share of the repair and maintenance costs.

Ken Macfarlane · Jul 16, 2008

May check with a local engineer, there are engineered solutions for on bedrock even. They do cost a bit more.

Wesley Stephens · Jul 16, 2008

my brother is a soil scientist with at company that specializes in soil evaluations for building, wetlands work, etc... and they are experts at finding what will and won't work in what location. my suggestion would be to contact an environmental consulting company and have them evaluate it.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

Lenders(their attorneys) where I live would never go for that...

Gun guru · Jul 16, 2008

My ground is clay under 8-12" of topsoil. I have an all wooded lot (all hardwoods) and I had to have an engineered field, 4000 ft sq. 2-3 feet of course sand brought in and then 10" of 10 A stone on top of that then topped with 4-6 inches of topsoil. I would think that you can put a septic system anywhere as long as it isnt a swamp. From what I was told several years ago, A basic soil percolation test is acceptable as long as you dont hit water if you dig down 48".

jim in N M · Jul 16, 2008

Stan, If you drop me your email addy I'll tell you how I did an enginered system passed by the state......Jim in N M

El Toro · Jul 16, 2008

If you could get then to extend the water and sewage lines to your lots, they would be worth a lot more since the buyers wouldn't be bothered with sewage and water problems. This happened to my late mom here in MD when they found benzene in her well water and the sewage wasn't working anyway. The town extended the water & sewage lines and she had a plumbing contractor to connect the sewage and water lines. I went with her to the town council and I explained the problem. I also said she isn't the only one with benzene in their well water. I said this probably came from the town limits. I said every house on this road can't use their water. My sister has non Hodgkins disease and there's no cure and I just wonder about her using that well water. Hal

IaGary · Jul 16, 2008

Stan the reason I said what I did is cause you are using 30 acres for 3 houses. That is a waste to put only 3 houses on it. Next we will be complaining about high food costs, cause all the land for food is used for houses.

Take what El Toro said and split it into 30 lots with city water and sewer.

Saves more land for farming and you should end up with more money from more lots.

These 1 to 10 acre lots have got to cease.

Gary

El Toro · Jul 16, 2008

They have the same problem where doctors and lawyers live with their big lots since they have so many kids and some with parents living with them there's too much water for the ground to perk. Even worse when we get heavy rains. Another waste of fuel to keep the lawns mowed. Here in MD you cannot sell a home if there's well or sewage problems or the sale will be nullified.
The only way to get around it is to have an auction and sell it "as is." Hal

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

full containment lagoon? many used on acerages here in SE Nebraska due to poor perc. tests in clay soil.

DR Darren · Jul 17, 2008

try this

www.infiltratorsystems.com

they are a new system, they are eligible for PA, i have not used them yet, but plan to for my new house in SC. it has different variables for spetic systems.

MarkB_MI · Jul 17, 2008

Is the lot heavily wooded? If it is, you can try clearing out most of the trees and do another perk test in a year. A little sun can do wonders.

dcarp · Jul 17, 2008

I know someone how has the spray system. consists of 2 or 3 tanks(don't remember which) but the sewage flows thru the tanks, then the end result comes out in a sprinkler system. Supposed to be clean enough to drink but I'll pass on that thank you! I do know that he has a great looking lawn(without smell) where the sprinklers reach. these systems are common in Texas when perc test fails.

El Toro · Jul 17, 2008

Get town water and sewage and a developer would pay premium price for that acreage. Hal

OT: Septic Perk

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