Could you give us some information on why the perc and probe failed? If it is an issue of slope and not the limiting soil layer then I would suggest that you ask if the SEO or your engineer considered a drip dispersal system. I just put one of those in for my new home. The lot was too steep for either conventional or sand mound septic systems and no public line is being considered for our area. This expensive drip system made it possible for us to build on an otherwise unusable lot. When you consider that scenario, the $25,000 for the system doesn't seem so bad.

We knew about the system because my husband was on a team of engineers that did some testing on it at Penn State decades ago. It has not been in common usage, but the contractor who put our system in has done 17 of them in South Central Pa.

Did your test show that the water drained too quickly, or too slowly? Was there not enough distance from the limiting layer to the surface? Was the slope outside the allowable limit? Those are things that are essential in getting you the answers you need.

Good luck with it. Where is the cottage located?

Eileen's Green Team at Gateway Realty

Wed Jul 2 2008, 10:17

Megan,

There are a variety of septic systems. When your land was perced, did the engineer specify if was suitable for any septic system at all? In my area, if it fails, many times they recommend that 4 inches of fill be placed on the land and allow it to sit for 4 years - then restested and it usually will perc. Did you check if maybe a sewer system will be added in the near future? Maybe one is proposed and you can hook up to that when it is installed. Usually, there is no appeal. Each township hires 1 engineering company and they go by their results.

Sat Jun 21 2008, 09:41

Megan,
If an existing system fails the SEO is supposed to attempt to identify the most economic acceptable cure. If there has not been a system there before, the current regulations must be met. Systems are varied and at many cost levels, some prohibitive. If an Sanitation Enforcement Officer fails your perc it is because no system is expected to work due to soils. If you believe the SEO make a mistake, or is wrong for some other reason, you should contact the DEP supervisor for SEOs in that County. The quality of the SEO decision is reviewed through DEP, not the political authority.

Wed May 14 2008, 01:28

It would be best for you to consult with the environmental department in the county in which the property lies. Did it fail for a conventional perc? alternative system? They will be able to guide you.

Tue Mar 18 2008, 17:19

I am on Whidbey Island, WA so things may be a bit different here. I have heard of a few people being able to improve their soil test by adding french drains around the perimeter of the property to help drain the soils in the center and get more permeability. Ask realtors near you who work with land who the best septic guys are in your area. See if any of them have ever remedied the problem you have encountered. Be careful not to throw good money after bad if there is little hope. If no-one has a plan now, I have every confidence that septic system technology will continue to evolve and maybe in 10 years more solutions will be available. Sorry for this challenge, it really some of the worst news you can hear about a property. Everyone else, Use a reputable agent and don't be buying property without a site registration assuring you of adequate soils for a septic system unless sewer is available to you. I often have people ask me..."Well what if I get a composting toilet/" but the issue is getting rid of your waste water and letting it percolate through the living soil to "cleanse" by the bilogical adtion of the flora and Fauna that live in the soil that will "eat" the bacteria etc, so the water returns to the water table pure- let's all sing the Lion Kings"Cycle of Life" La La La. Blessings, Shellie Moore

Tue Mar 18 2008, 16:41