What About Waste Water?

During the process of discovery, regarding suitability of a site for your new, personal, sustainable and affordable house project, one must adhere to a few simple rules. In a previous post, "Zoning Comes First", it was described how the municipality regulates the fabric of the built environment. Once it has been established that residential construction is allowed, and hopefully encouraged, for a particular site, the next step is to evaluate how waste water will be managed.

Typically, urban communities process waste water as part of their infrastructure, so if you are choosing to build in such a locale, you will not need a private septic system. On the other hand, waste water management is one of the most critical issues when we occupy a parcel in a more rural, natural environment. It is also the most highly regulated. This is potentially the most limiting aspect when it comes to available building sites, based on their suitability for inhabitation.

Considering we must be in stewardship of our planet, and despite common cultural paradigms, we don't truly possess our property. It is borrowed and should be relinquished as it was found, in balance. The ability for human occupation to be in harmony with nature, relates directly to the earth's local ability to "ingest" or "process" our waste, specifically our fecal matter.

In most town offices there is a map which illustrates documented geographical conditions, including soil types. Understanding what is expected to be found below the surface of a prospective site, can be very helpful in determining whether or not to pursue further investigation. If there is a high water table, there may be a high organic content in the soil. This suggests a poor ability for the land to filter and absorb waste matter because it is likely to be washed into the watershed, resulting in pollution. If the soils are more granular they have a greater ability to filter and absorb human waste water.

The construction of residential septic systems constitute a considerable cost of the site work for a new home. If the local soil conditions are not conducive to a "traditional" system, alternative systems can work, but may be costly. Depending on one's individual fiscal resources for construction, the type of septic system required for legal occupation can be a significant factor in determining the suitability of a parcel.

Regardless of what the town maps describe in a particular area, it is advisable to conduct a soil analysis by a registered engineer, prior to making a commitment to any parcel. This involves digging test pits, usually with a backhoe, with the engineer present, so they may document the soil types at incremental depths. The holes should be filled back in immediately for safety reasons. At our current project in Jericho, Vermont, the cost for this work was $1,000. Any landowner wishing to sell you a parcel, should allow you to conduct this work prior to you making an offer. It is essential that you have a certified understanding of your soils if your project involves a private septic system.