How to Install a Conventional Septic System

Installing a conventional septic system involves plan approval, materials, and construction. Depending on your experience, a local septic installer contractor and/or engineer will save you time, money, and provide a long-term solution to your residential waste problem. Septic tank regulations have dramatically changed to meet or exceed a new national septic code from 1998. Local health codes can even be more dependant and complex. However, health departments have lists of approved contractors, and if you do your homework you can locate an engineer/installer who can walk you through the maze of hearings, fees, inspections, modifications, approvals, and registrations.

Things You'll Need

• Registered engineer and/or installer contractors from local health department's approved list
• Bids on your job from 3 or more contractors
• Percolation test
• Plan approval by local health department
• Construction of septic system
• Holding tank (1,000 gallon minimum)
• Distribution box
• Trench or leach field
• "As built" approval of system from health department

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Instructions

• 1

  Hire an engineer septic installer contractor from a local health department list. Ask to see past work in your area and contact owners for references. Request a bid for plans, construction work and materials to the top three or more contractors. Make sure they are bidding on the same things. If not, then get clarification in writing. Also have them specify a completion date. Septics can not be installed when the ground freezes and summer work periods are overloaded. Give preference to firm guarantees. Check with the local health department on their work with the firms you have decided to chose.

  The plans should detail the entire septic system with holding tank, distribution box, and leach field. This should be a complete set of drawings and elevations, and materials showing your property and home and the system added. It should include the cost for materials and labor. Write one contract for the engineer and another contract or section of the contract for the construction company. Set a return date and choose your team. The percolation test is usually run by the engineer up front to test the porosity of the soil conditions, and this will be a factor in determining the size and depth of the leach field. Ask your bidders to include all items required.

• 2

  Obtain plan approval from the health department and any required variances or stipulation agreements in the approval, such as garbage grinder rejection or depth to groundwater modification. This can be done for you by the company you hire. Keep in mind that some companies are small, and you should make sure that everything will be done to your satisfaction. You can hire both an independent engineer and a construction company separately. Your engineer draws the plans and gets you the best deal possible on a system that meets codes and your pocketbook, too. He also knows the codes, procedures, and the expectations. He will advise you of notification requirements or handle for you, attend meetings with the health department in your behalf, and do percolation tests and inspections with the health officer to obtain the approved plans.

• 3

  Purchase materials and perform required work approved by the plan. Your engineer will follow construction by the contractor through final inspection and septic approval for the "as built" plans. You can put questions to the engineer and he can answer as the project progresses. Fill-dirt removal and pea gravel truck load piles will make your yard look like a war zone. It is your money, so follow the plan progress now, for soon it will be out of sight and buried. Follow the landscaping replacement of your topsoil and the seeding and watering of your new lawn.

• 4

  The final step before filling the septic system is a health inspection "as built" plan verification on site as a prerequisite to receiving official approval. Usually both the engineer and the contractor meet with the health inspector and ensure the plans were constructed the way they say they were. This approved plan should be registered with your property deed and title.