PT11 Of my series on Buying Country Property.
Note of reference--I'm writing this for a Northern California audience but reports of this kind happen across the nation. The names of some of the test or reports may be different and the county department may bear a differnent name. I'm in California so are Sellers are held to a very high degress of disclsoure. That being said I think we all can agree on what a septic system is and how it functions. Here in our County of Sonoma we are required with any addition to have it checked. So let's get started:
Septic System: Your inspector must be qualified so I would recommend seeking out an inspector who is R.E.H.S (Registered Environmental Health Specialist) and has experience in YOUR area to inspect the septic system. Septic inspection usually requires tank pumping (check with your local county) of effluent prior to inspection. Your inspector will examine if the system is filed at the local county departtment or in our area Permit Resource Management Division of Sonoma County (PRMD). You, the buyer or seller, can search your property permit “history” by going to http://prmd.sonoma-county.org/ and entering the property address or “parcel number” or “AP#”. Our property listings have the “AP#” on the MLS print out which your Realtor can provide to you.
A qualified septic system inspector will also go to the PRMD seeking a site plan in the PRMD property file. The inspector needs to know WHERE to look for the system. If a site plan is not on file he will be “probing” for tank and leach lines which may increase the inspection fee. Areas of concern; failing leach lines, cracked or damaged septic tanks and water table areas where water intrusion can fail a system.. Your inspector does an internal investigation of the tank to make sure both “baffles” are working properly. The baffles control flow to and from the tank to the leach lines. Leach lines will disperse the sewage effluent to the field. A cracked tank will mean a NEW tank—a costly discovery. Septic Systems are a “finite” system. The older the property the more prone to failure or repair. Erma Bombeck’s great book, “The grass is always greener over the septic system” refers to a system in distress! (Note--your own county may allow for divergent septic systems--but never assume--trust but verify!).
Well Report: Your inspector will do a very thorough report on the Water production of your well as well as a system inspection. You’ll learn the gallons per minute or GPM of your well, TYPE of pump you have, how much water is being used when the system is pumping, plus water testing for Bacteria, E.Coli, Arsenic, Nitrates, etc in the water. You can test water further for lead, pesticide scan and toxics. All reports? Expect to pay $550.00.
Remember, here in Sonoma County agricultural was THE economy for years. Many chemicals were used in the “old” days without the best standard of care. DDT, old underground oil or gas storage tanks plus many other chemicals now banned still reside in soils throughout the county at various levels. If you are buying an older farmhouse or ranch which had old row crops dating years ago, it is smart to assume the soil could be contaminated. If this is an issue for you then have it tested. I’ve seen high deposits of residue DDT. One property we discovered was an old car battery manufacturer--what was our tip? a workerdigging a ditch was wearing tennis shoes and jumped out of the ditch screaming! His tennis shoes were melting underfoot due to the old battery acid on site! And while our local town of Petaluma was the “chicken capital” of the U.S. for years it also left a “nitrate” belt of contaminated ground water. Im sure in your area there are equally red flags. Talk to your Realtor and please do your homework!
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