Septic System

Your country home most likely has a septic system. This is a system that disposes of your sewage discharge. It usually has two parts; a septic tank that recieves the waste from your home and a leach field that distributes the liquid waste under an area of ground. The liquid waste is absorbed by the soil, the solid waste that remains in the septic tank is removed periodically by a septic service company.

In buying a country home it is important to understand the system in place. You need to know the type of septic system, there are quite a few types in use in Sonoma County, the condition of the septic system and the ability to expand the system in the event of failure or if you want to expand the size of your home.

Septic systems can range from the "standard septic" which uses gravity flow to the septic tank and then to the leach field to "pressure systems" which force the effluent through the leach field, to "mound systems" which are above ground in a long mound. There are a number of others too. Sonoma County is innovative in allowing what are called experimental types of septic systems. However, with the innovation can come expense; maintenance, yearly permits, etc. The best kind of septic to own is the standard system-if you can get it. Some sites just don't have the soil conditions to allow a standard system.

You need to know whether the system is in good shape. I always recommend a septic inspection by an experienced septic consultant. Septic systems usually last 15-30 years. However,with proper maintenance many seem to last indefinitely.

Septic Capacity is the number of bedrooms the septic system can handle. The number of bedrooms a house has is the measure of needed capacity as determined by the Sonoma County Permit and Resources Department and is a rough way of determining the usage requirements of the system. If you plan to add an addition to your home, the permiting department will check your septic capacity in deciding whether to allow the addition. You may be able to add capacity or not depending on your particular property.

The septic expansion area is also important. Current regulations for new construction require a 200% expansion area. This is in addition to the existing septic and leach field area. If you have a small parcel and want to significantly expand your house, the County may require you to bring the septic system up to code thus requiring the 200% expansion area.

Lastly, it is important that your septic system is not too close to your well. This is now prohibited in new construction, however there are number of parcels where the well and septic are clearly too close together. You do not want to drink well water that may have been tainted by your septic system discharge.