Sewage Treatment and disposal on an individual lot is done with the combination of a septic tank and a drain field. the effectiveness of a sewage disposal system depends largely on the soil characteristics of the drain field. The soils at a particular site may be inadequate for absorbing and properly treating the septic tank effluent if the bedrock is at a shallow depth, the slope is excessive, the water table is high, there is subject to flooding, or the soils are too dense. A failing septic system is a direct health hazard to you and your neighbors. It can contaminate surrounding drinking water supplies, pollute creeks and rivers, and cause an unpleasant odor in your home. There have been cases of people drinking contaminated with E. coli (a bacteria from both human and animal feces.)
If you are considering buying a mountain cabin or mountain land, obtain as much information as you can about the soil conditions and the existing septic system (if applicable). Locate the cabin's septic tank and drain field. The owner or real estate agent should be able to tell you where they are.
The septic tank and drain field should be at least 100 feet from the drinking water supply, preferably down-slope and never up slope of your water supply. since all septic tanks must be pumped periodically, the septic system should be accessible by truck. No trees or shrubs should be planted near the septic system because their roots could clog the drain lines or break the septic tank.
Sites identified for septic systems and sites where repairs are needed on existing septic systems must be designated through an evaluation by your county health department prior to any excavation and must remain unaltered through any site modifications such as cutting and filling. Septic systems may not be sited in cut and fill areas.
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