Yesterday in my
blog "Moving
On Out To the Country- My Water Comes From Where???..." I discussed the various
water supply devices you might find when moving to the country.
Since what goes in must come out, today I will explain the
various methods of waste water disposal that you might encounter when
looking for houses in a country location. When looking at
listings for houses you may see the type of system on the
listing. In our Greater Hudson Valley MLS,
www.GHVMLS.com,
you can see the following sources under sewer type description-
CESSPL- Cesspool. This
is a older private household waste system.
A cesspool was dug and often lined with rocks or block and
the household waste was piped in to the pit. If the soils are
favorable the liquids leach out of the pit and the solids break down in
the cesspool. The solids will eventually block the escape of
liquid causing the system to overflow requiring pumping.
These systems often fail and will most likely need to be
upgraded to a septic system. These systems can
collapse and be dangerous. If you are considering
buying a house with a cesspool, some types of financing may be
difficult. You should have the cesspool inspected by a qualified
professional prior to purchase.
COMNTY- Community.
Some developments or vacation communities have a private
community waste disposal system. These systems handle the
waste water for the community and are often maintained through the
association dues or homeowners fees charged by the community.
If you are considering buying a house in a location served by
a community system it is important to determine if the "community" is
still functioning and maintaining the system. These systems require
ongoing care and can occasionally require expensive repairs that will
fall on the members of the development to repair through special
assessments.
MUNCIP- Municipal
<village, town, city>. This
is the type of sewer system many newcomers to the country are used to.
The waste water is sent through piping to larger pipes under
the roadway on to a distant location for treatment at a sewer plant.
The service is paid for by the homeowner
either through the water bill or included in the taxes of the
government body that maintains the system. The homeowner is
responsible to maintain the pipes that lead to the street and these may
become clogged by flushing improper items or trees may grow roots into
the area near the piping and cause breakages and clogs.
NONE- Just like it reads.
This is often used for
vacant land or sometimes in new construction listings. If you
see an existing house with NONE under sewer type you should investigate
further before considering the house. Your Buyer's Agent will
help you with that,
SEPTIC-
Septic system. This is the private
household waste disposal system we most often encounter in areas
outside of the city, village, and town center locations. A
septic system uses a manufactured tank and a series of engineered
leaching fields to dispose of waste water. Prior to design
and installation of a system the soils are tested and must prove to
have a minimum drainage rate in order to be cleared by a Department of
Health review. The system must be located a minimum distance from the
private well system if one is installed on the property. The
distance is determined through the zoning codes of the municipality.
These systems require periodic pumping and special care.
When you are looking at houses with septics you should ask
the location of the septic system and the last time the system was
pumped. You should have an inspection and any recommended
tests on the system prior to purchase. Replacement of a
septic is expensive.
SEPCAG-
Septic System Above Ground. These
types of septic systems are similar to in ground septic systems but
because the soils on the land did not have the minimum drainage
required by the board of health the system is installed in a mound of
dirt that has been brought into the site. You will notice an
un-natural rise to the land in the yard of a house with an above ground
system. They are sometimes called "turkey mounds" around
here. They function the same as in ground systems.
SRMK-
SEE REMARKS- ASK YOUR BUYER"S AGENT - This
is used when the listing agent is not certain of the sewage disposal
system or in
new construction when the house has not been built yet.
Further
explanation is needed before you look at this house.
It is important
for you to
understand the type of waste water disposal system you are thinking
about buying.
There are some newer systems that are coming into use in
various locations but they are not prevalent in my area yet.
Your buyer's agent, home inspector, and other resources can
help
you to learn about the different systems and choose a home with a
system that will provide you with years of service for this very
necessary function.
There
are options here in the Greater Hudson Valley of NY to
meet everyone's needs. We have urban, suburban, village and
rural locations that can provide you with the perfect blend of country
for you. Working with an experienced buyer's agent can
help you to choose what is best for you. If you are looking
for a home in Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan County NY I would love to be
your Buyer's Agent. If you are looking elsewhere I would love
to find someone in your chosen location to help you. Give me
a call or send an email today.
I'm Paddy Pizappi - Work
the Me and You'll be Happy!
845-800-7086
;)
;)
;)
I know a couple of people on septic and I get grossed out each time I see their "sprinkler system" come on in order to release the waste.