Steps to a New Septic System
How to find the perfect fit for you
Since most people don’t get involved in a new septic system design and installation, it can seem like a
confusing road to getting a system.
This will walk you through several scenarios.
Septic systems are designed primarily based on two things: number of bedrooms and soil quality. More
bedrooms require a larger system. Good sandy soil can be a smaller system – clayey soil results in a
larger system.
If you have no existing system and need a new one:
• You need a soil test on two (minimum) profile pits dug 8 feet deep. We do this with excavation
contractors we work with.
• We need to be present to observe the soil characteristics and obtain samples.
• You let us know how many bedrooms will be served
• We provide a Profile Pit Report detailing if an Engineered system is required
• Some counties require a septic system permit to be issued prior to a Building permit.
If you need an Engineered system:
• We use the soil report and the number of bedrooms to design a system compliant with local
regulations.
• We sometimes offer a choice of a larger size system without pumping or imported sand, or a
smaller system with pressure dosing and possibly sand.
• We work with you to design the most economical system compliant with your wishes and local
regulations.
If you have an existing system in good condition but want to expand:
• Depending on when your previous system was installed we may need soil information.
• We would excavate one pit up to 8 feet deep to characterize the soil according to the latest
methods.
• The pit will give an updated capacity determination of the exiting system and direct the design
of any expansion, if necessary.
If you have a failed system:
• We would ask that you have an inspection to determine if the tank(s) are still in good condition.
• If the only need is a new field, we would excavate and examine two test profile pits and analyze
the soil type.
• With the soil type and number of bedrooms served we design a new field known as a Soil
Treatment Area (STA)
• If the new field requires pressurized dosing, we design a new 500-gallon pump tank next to the
existing septic tank.
