Unsuitable Soil For Septic

[Jay Johnson]

I have a seller that wants to sell, but the lot they had evaluated, in 2007, (it's 2 lots side by side), the health dept said the soil is unsuitable for a septic system. They, also, said alternative systems and any other modifications wouldn't overcome the severe conditions of the site. They, however, did say an option could be to come up with a plan for a system that would dispose of sewage water to another area of suitable soil or off-site to an additional property.

It's 2 lots, with one being a corner lot, in a subdivision, on a street with a cul de sac. Would you still consider buying if you got it cheap enough, or does the kind of info kill any chance of a marketable resell by me?

[Nick Brown]

I design septic systems in Pennsylvania.  I can only speak to the laws that I am used to working with in this state...

If I have a property that has poor soil, I have the option of creating a fill site.  This fill site is nothing more than "good" dirt dumped on the property, leveled, and left to sit for a couple years.  After 2-3 years, it is considered native soil by the local Sewage Enforcement Officer, and can be tested for viability just like any other property.  An important step is officially documenting this with the SEO.  If you were told that no available septic technologies are not able to be used on the property, then a fill site might be an option for you.