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[Venezia]

Not everyone is cut out for country living, but I wouldn't be anywhere else.  And at least I know my well water is safe.  (Thinking of places like Flint, MI along with many others.)

Good luck with your search for a beach property @SXMGirl .  I hope you find something you really love.

[BirkiLady]

This city girl has a question about septic systems: when they pump a septic system out, where do they pump it? Into a truck and take it somewhere else for disposal? How could a family go 10 years between having the system pumped out? Is the underground container made of concrete, heavy plastic-like material, or what? Does it ever leach into the ground? If so, how would you know? This boggles my mind!
Some TP says "septic system safe". What's the difference from regular TP?

[CJC]

We had a septic system in S Carolina for 20 years without a single issue. It was installed by builder, and every one of the 700 homes in our upscale neighborhood had one. The lots were minimum half acre. We also had a well on opposite side of house; well was 280 feet deep, purest water in the world. I had not heard that garbage disposals aren't to be used with septic.....everyone I knew had a disposal and used it. I had minimal use of dishwasher and washer because just the two of us. We never had septic tank pumped out. Builder and inspector told us not necessary if used correctly. I used Ridex once a month plus two small packets of yeast to introduce good bacteria to system. The Ridex went in a toilet; the yeast went down my kitchen sink. It was a great system. I hate using normal city water service here in Florida where their water situation is in serious trouble. My septic system had a hidden benefit......there was a Japanese Maple tree planted near the tank, and it was the healthiest most beautiful tree in the neighborhood - all that fertilizer!  When we sold our home after 20 years the buyer had septic inspected. Perfect working condition, no maintenance necessary. Septic systems are easy peasy. 

[gardenman]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

This city girl has a question about septic systems: when they pump a septic system out, where do they pump it? Into a truck and take it somewhere else for disposal? How could a family go 10 years between having the system pumped out? Is the underground container made of concrete, heavy plastic-like material, or what? Does it ever leach into the ground? If so, how would you know? This boggles my mind!
Some TP says "septic system safe". What's the difference from regular TP?

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Lots of questions. When they pump out a septic system they pump it into a tank truck. Depending on the area, that truck will then dispose of the waste either through a nearby municipal sewage treatment plant or by dumping it in a field or dumping it in a specially constructed parking lot type structure where the liquids can evaporate away. The solids are then handled like any solid waste and either composted or deposited in a landfill.

How could a family go ten years without a pump out? Septic systems are designed to let the liquids flow out and be absorbed into the ground. The only thing remaining in the tank is solid waste and that can be broken down by biological processes over time. If the users are careful, and the system capacity is large enough, ten years is not exceptional.

Most underground containers were made of concrete, but these days plastic and fiberglass are starting to take over. 

Does it ever leach into the ground. Well, yeah. That's how they're designed. That's why they have a drain field. Some liquid is retained in the tank to help the biological breakdown of the solids, but the rest flow out into the drain field and into the ground.

 Septic safe TP is much quicker to break down. Put a sheet in a glass of water and it largely melts away in very little time. It tends to be thinner and less scrubbable, but breaks down quicker.

[Cwoldie]

We have sold our home in a well populated northern New Jersey town and moving to South Carolina. Our house and septic is 58 years old. We pump it every three years. We were quite nervous when the buyers had it inspected as replacing it is a big deal and costs well in excess of $20,000. It was just fine. We have never had a problem with it.

[jlkz]

@SXMGirl 

All good advice on the placement and maintenance of septic systems....we ( DH and self ) do clean out about every 2 years.  When they were about to widen the road in front of our house for connection to the bypass being constructed, the township wanted $30k - 50K for our house to be connected to public sewer.  We declined the offer.

As for well water, there could be an expensive issue with the electric pump burning out.  If using water to power wash, it may be a good idea to use it for 30 mins. And then stop for 45 mins so pump doesn't burn out.

In shore areas, you may want to check with several agencies as to possible flooding impacting septic systems.

Good Luck in your search !

[ScrapHappy]

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@SXMGirl wrote:

Thanks, everyone.  This city girl is sticking to public water.  Luckily, the beach area does have it and they also have gas for cooking and fireplaces.  Works for me.

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My husband had a shore house in his bachelor days.  Had city sewer and water.  There is hope.  Good luck.

[Venezia]

@jlkz - Pumps for drilled wells should last anywhere from 20 years and up.  We've been in our home for 21 years now.  Last year our water stopped; had to call and get a company to come out during the pandemic and on a holiday weekend!

They came out the next day and said the pump was still fine, but the wiring had broken.  We had them replace the pump as well as the wiring and it was less than $1500, which we considered very reasonable.  Just the wiring would've been much less, but why put new wiring on a 20-year-old pump?

Because the existing pump was still fine, they asked if we wanted it to sell.  We said no and donated to them to use for a customer who couldn't afford a new one.

And we've never had to limit our use of the power washer to 30 minutes.  I understand your reasoning, but the dishwasher and washing machine run longer than that.  Much of it will depend on how many gallons per minute your well pumps.

[kitty60]

Venezia, so true.  The trouble sometime with these boards is everyone is posting from their experience.  In both septic and wells there are many variables.  I have had two septics, no problems at all.  Again, they can all be built in different times and with specific approvals.  ie, # of bedrooms, etc.  Honestly, for years I used a disposal with never a problem.  That being said, son bought a house built more recently than ours and had problems.  Had to have some work done, but since then everything has been fine.  Unfortunately, the cost was like $4,000.  The same with a well,  The house we purchased 15 years ago had a water source heat pump, that used a lot of well water, much more than a power washer, and we never had a problem.  When a well is drilled they will tell you how many gallons per minute it is producing and that will be your guide.  Everyone is referring to "the country" but many of the subdivisions being put up in and around the major cities near me are building on postage stamp size lots, city water and septic systems!

[september]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

This city girl has a question about septic systems: when they pump a septic system out, where do they pump it? Into a truck and take it somewhere else for disposal? How could a family go 10 years between having the system pumped out? Is the underground container made of concrete, heavy plastic-like material, or what? Does it ever leach into the ground? If so, how would you know? This boggles my mind!
Some TP says "septic system safe". What's the difference from regular TP?

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You ask a lot of questions for which there is no simple answer.  I hate to be the person who suggests google. I won't!   

whatever is pumped is taken to a sewage disposal site.  This will depend where you live.  

in my opinion, a family should not go ten years without pumping their system ,but again, it depends on factors such as the size of the tank as well as usage.  If the family is not home 24/7 and travels often on weekends....this all plays into it.  

materials...again it depends where you live and when your system was built.  At my last home, the tank walls were made of redwood.  Where I am now, they are a heavyweight plastic material.