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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 13:22:18 GMT -6
About 10 years ago we built our cabin in Rusk County and they did a perc test to determine what type of septic system was allowed. We had to go with a holding tank instead of a conventional system since the depth to the water table wasn't enough. We weren't planning on spending a lot of time up there, so that was fine and we went with two holding tanks that are 1300 gallons each - pump once a year and call it good. Now that we are spending more time up there, I would prefer a standard septic system. I've been reading about mound systems that can be used in situations like this where the water tables are too high for a standard system. Does anyone have any experience with mound septic systems/drain fields?
I know nothing about this stuff, but so any advice or feedback on mound systems would be appreciated.
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Post by leexrayshady on Jan 26, 2023 15:29:12 GMT -6
In our county most people are forced to geta mound system, we had too when we built our place. Most people that have an opinion say to avoid them at all costs, but I'm not versed well enough in them to know why. I think it's a longevity thing.
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Post by terrifictom on Jan 26, 2023 15:37:42 GMT -6
About 10 years ago we built our cabin in Rusk County and they did a perc test to determine what type of septic system was allowed. We had to go with a holding tank instead of a conventional system since the depth to the water table wasn't enough. We weren't planning on spending a lot of time up there, so that was fine and we went with two holding tanks that are 1300 gallons each - pump once a year and call it good. Now that we are spending more time up there, I would prefer a standard septic system. I've been reading about mound systems that can be used in situations like this where the water tables are too high for a standard system. Does anyone have any experience with mound septic systems/drain fields? I know nothing about this stuff, but so any advice or feedback on mound systems would be appreciated. In Wisconsin if you had perk test and it said you had to have a holding tank, that is what you are stuck with it. If it perked for mound system, it is more costly than a conventional septic system but functions similarly. The difference is that you have mound above ground. Mound system is for land that doesn't perk for conventional but still drains enough to not need holding tank. You probably have clay by you. |
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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 16:41:59 GMT -6
In our county most people are forced to geta mound system, we had too when we built our place. Most people that have an opinion say to avoid them at all costs, but I'm not versed well enough in them to know why. I think it's a longevity thing. The mound systems depend on a pump to move the turd water, but the conventional systems depend on gravity from what I gather. |
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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 16:47:07 GMT -6
About 10 years ago we built our cabin in Rusk County and they did a perc test to determine what type of septic system was allowed. We had to go with a holding tank instead of a conventional system since the depth to the water table wasn't enough. We weren't planning on spending a lot of time up there, so that was fine and we went with two holding tanks that are 1300 gallons each - pump once a year and call it good. Now that we are spending more time up there, I would prefer a standard septic system. I've been reading about mound systems that can be used in situations like this where the water tables are too high for a standard system. Does anyone have any experience with mound septic systems/drain fields? I know nothing about this stuff, but so any advice or feedback on mound systems would be appreciated. In Wisconsin if you had perk test and it said you had to have a holding tank, that is what you are stuck with it. If it perked for mound system, it is more costly than a conventional septic system but functions similarly. The difference is that you have mound above ground. Mound system is for land that doesn't perk for conventional but still drains enough to not need holding tank. You probably have clay by you. From what I could find, you need 48" of dirt between the septic field and the water table. My water table was higher than that when they tested it, but I didn't inquire about a mound system then. From what I've read mound systems are used in situations like that and they just keep adding dirt right on top of the ground and then put the drain field on top of that new mound of dirt. My soil up there is pretty sandy. I have a neighbor 200 yards away on the exact same elevation near the exact same wetland that was approved for a standard septic system and drain field. I was able to look up that permit on the GIS system when I was looking at mine. But they were replacing an existing system while mine was new construction, so perhaps that is why he was approved and I wasn't. |
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Post by nhmountains on Jan 26, 2023 17:16:36 GMT -6
I’d look at the cost of pumping now vs the cost of the mound plus pumping every 3 years. Then figure in how old you are and it may be better for you to keep on with what you have. Are you looking at spending more time up there when you retire?? How many years??
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Post by terrifictom on Jan 26, 2023 18:48:53 GMT -6
In Wisconsin if you had perk test and it said you had to have a holding tank, that is what you are stuck with it. If it perked for mound system, it is more costly than a conventional septic system but functions similarly. The difference is that you have mound above ground. Mound system is for land that doesn't perk for conventional but still drains enough to not need holding tank. You probably have clay by you. From what I could find, you need 48" of dirt between the septic field and the water table. My water table was higher than that when they tested it, but I didn't inquire about a mound system then. From what I've read mound systems are used in situations like that and they just keep adding dirt right on top of the ground and then put the drain field on top of that new mound of dirt. My soil up there is pretty sandy. I have a neighbor 200 yards away on the exact same elevation near the exact same wetland that was approved for a standard septic system and drain field. I was able to look up that permit on the GIS system when I was looking at mine. But they were replacing an existing system while mine was new construction, so perhaps that is why he was approved and I wasn't. From what I read on Rusk county site, if you replace system, staying with current type is ok, no permit needed. Changing system like what you are talking about would require a new permit and probably having a new perk test. With all that you might get told that you can still only have a holding tank. Best advice would be to talk to person at County office or certified septic system installer. |
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Post by smsmith on Jan 26, 2023 18:57:01 GMT -6
I had figured putting a traditional system here would be easy. Nope. Any clay at all in the soil sample = mound system. I had a larger mound put in than we needed, hoping that would add some years to its life. It wasn't cheap, and that in 2012. We've had no problems with ours so far (knock on wood)
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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 19:06:37 GMT -6
I’d look at the cost of pumping now vs the cost of the mound plus pumping every 3 years. Then figure in how old you are and it may be better for you to keep on with what you have. Are you looking at spending more time up there when you retire?? How many years?? It will be hard to justify financially I think. But It is kind of a pain in the butt trying to conserve water when we are at the cabin so we don’t have to pump the tank more than once per year. Then you have to hope you can get someone to pump it when you want and when you are up there when they can get there. I |
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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 19:07:46 GMT -6
I had figured putting a traditional system here would be easy. Nope. Any clay at all in the soil sample = mound system. I had a larger mound put in than we needed, hoping that would add some years to its life. It wasn't cheap, and that in 2012. We've had no problems with ours so far (knock on wood) Do you remember approximately what your mound system cost? I’ve emailed a septic guy at my cabin for a quote, but I’m curious to see what the going rate is elsewhere. |
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Post by smsmith on Jan 26, 2023 19:12:26 GMT -6
I had figured putting a traditional system here would be easy. Nope. Any clay at all in the soil sample = mound system. I had a larger mound put in than we needed, hoping that would add some years to its life. It wasn't cheap, and that in 2012. We've had no problems with ours so far (knock on wood) Do you remember approximately what your mound system cost? I’ve emailed a septic guy at my cabin for a quote, but I’m curious to see what the going rate is elsewhere. I'd have to dig for records to be 100% sure, but $13K sticks out in my mind. As I stated, I could have saved a few bucks and put in a mound for a 2 bedroom home but decided to go with one for a 3 bedroom. The house has 3 bedrooms, but only one gets any use 99.999% of the time. Lee's is much newer and he's in the same county as I am. Should be pretty close to what I'd expect to pay now I'd think. |
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Post by benmnwi on Jan 26, 2023 19:14:56 GMT -6
In our county most people are forced to geta mound system, we had too when we built our place. Most people that have an opinion say to avoid them at all costs, but I'm not versed well enough in them to know why. I think it's a longevity thing. Lee- do you remember about what your system cost when you had it put in? |
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Post by badgerfowl on Jan 27, 2023 9:49:26 GMT -6
We had a mound system at our childhood home for close to 30 years. No issues w/ the mound itself. Septic backed up a few times but that was due to the tank I believe. Mounds are very common and shouldn't create any issues.
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 27, 2023 11:22:37 GMT -6
I have felt mounds are more susceptible to freezing up if there is little snow. If power goes out, does that change anything for freezing up?
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Post by badgerfowl on Jan 27, 2023 11:48:41 GMT -6
Never remember any freeze up. Only oddity is they were green in drought in the summer.
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