FAQ

My yard is wet. Can I still have septic?

Direct answer

Yes, but you may need a mound system or aerobic treatment unit. High water tables limit conventional drain fields. Counties have specific design requirements; we evaluate permit-appropriate options.

More detail

High water table (groundwater within 4 feet of surface seasonally) prevents conventional drain field operation because effluent cannot percolate adequately through saturated soil. Cincinnati-area lots with this issue include some near the Ohio River corridor, lots adjacent to the Little Miami and Great Miami rivers, and various flat-bottom valleys. Three workable approaches: (1) Mound system: imports sand to create an above-grade absorption area that stays dry. Cost $12,000-$20,000. (2) ATU with surface discharge under Ohio EPA permit: cleaner effluent allows direct discharge to a stream. Cost $10,000-$18,000 plus permitting. (3) Lifted conventional system: builds up a fill pad and installs a conventional system on the elevated grade. Cost similar to mound but requires more soil work. The county health department determines which option is permittable for a specific lot based on perc test results, water-table elevation, setback distances, and surface-water proximity. Cincinnati flood-prone area examples: lots near the Ohio River corridor (East End, Riverside Drive properties), lots adjacent to the Little Miami and Great Miami rivers, and various flat-bottom valleys throughout the area. Homeowners on these lots should plan for either a mound system, an ATU with surface discharge, or municipal sewer connection at next-system-replacement time. Conventional gravity is generally not viable.

Authoritative sources

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