The Costs of Owning a Septic System

Living in a rural area not connected to a municipal sewer line requires a septic system. But what does it cost to install and maintain one?

The answer really depends on the system you choose and your individual property.

General Installation requires the following:

Mound Systems or Sand Filter Systems cost between $10,000 and $20,000. These are required for properties with high water tables or poor soil conditions.

Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU’s) cost between $10,000 to more than $15,000. These are sophisticated systems that treat wastewater with oxygen, usually used in environmentally delicate areas.

Pressure Distribution Systems costs between $6,000 and $10,000.These are used when a pump is needed to distribute effluent evenly through the drain field.

Soil testing or percolation (perc) can cost up to $1,000 while permits range between $100 and $500 depending on the area.

Evacuation and Site Preparation depending on your layout and terrain soil evacuation can cost another $5,000.

Just because your septic system is buried underground, that doesn't mean there isn't any ongoing care. To ensure that you don't have a septic failure (which can lead to hazardous, smelly situations for your family), you'll also need to budget for:

Proper maintenance. It's critical to keep your system running smoothly and last longer.

System Pump Outs or periodic pump-outs should be done every 3 to 5 years depending on your household size and usage. The typical cost is $400 to $600 depending on size and location.

Inspections are sometimes required when selling a home. This varies by location and costs between $100 and $300.

Repair and Replacement of septic systems can be extremely expensive.

A full system replacement when a system fails will cost $20,000 - $25,000 depending on your particular property and location.