"mound" type septic system

Anonymous Poster · Jan 27, 2003

\"mound\" type septic system

I'm looking to purchase some property and I noticed on the listing that the property requires a "mound" type septic system. I gather that a perk test most likely failed. I've lived in two homes that have "normal" below grade septic systems but know nothing about the "mound" type. I hear they are quite expensive to install compared to the below grade system. And of course it looks like a cemetary plot in your yard. Any thoughts, good, bad, etc. concerning this type of septic system. Additionally, the property is very flat, has a small pond on it along with a small creek. Any idea on the cost to install this type of system?

MikePA · Jan 27, 2003

Re: \"mound\" type septic system

<font color=blue>I gather that a perk test most likely failed. </font color=blue>
While this is most likely the case, I have heard of places that automatically install mound type septic systems, regardless of the soil.

I have a 'regular' septic systems that's been in place on our property since well before we bought it (over 25 years ago), so I have no personal experience with the mound type. However, my brother-in-law has one and his experience isn't all that positive. Since his installation required an electric pump be in the tank, this is the area that's failed in his. And, as you noted, they're are ugly

Anonymous Poster · Jan 27, 2003

Re: \"mound\" type septic system

Since his installation required an electric pump be in the tank, this is the area that's failed in his.

Yeah, this is what scares me. Having been on a 'regular' septic for over 15 years with no problems I'm a little nervous about the 'mound' system.

MikeNC · Jan 27, 2003

Re: \"mound\" type septic system

After having the same price questions about a spray system septic needed for my lot, all I can advise is that you ask around locally. Around here prices vary quite a bit county to county, installer to installer, and in my case, year to year based on supply and demand of qualified installers. The high and low "ballpark" estimates that I got were a factor of 3 different, so that didn't do much good for me.

Asking neighbors about prices can be taken as rude, but if you start out with questions about the mound system in general, someone might offer up what they paid for it. Even then, budget high.

Mike

rocky2 · Jan 27, 2003

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I have a sand mound, other than the big ugly thing sitting there like an Aztec mound, there's been no problem. It does serve well as a tee for driving golfballs into the wood. After so many years they too can become saturated like a convetional and you build a new one elsewhere. It's been told to me that the Pennsylvania DEP almost always mandates a sand mound now-a-days. Before I bought my property I looked at a real nice flat parcel with a purty lil stream running through it. On that partial the PADEP wanted an erobic treatment unit. These cost a great deal more to install than a conventional system, upwards of 15 grand or so. The aerobic treatment unit also must be inspected/certified at least once a year, have an automated chlorinator, heating element and no vegitation within 5 feet of the spray heads. In a nutshell it's an above ground mound where they count more on evaporation than absorption. Of course with the right lighting and music it could be like "dancing waters" for your entertainment. In PA over 10 acres the DEP can't tell you anything.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 27, 2003

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In a nutshell it's an above ground mound where they count more on evaporation than absorption. Of course with the right lighting and music it could be like "dancing waters" for your entertainment. Is there any "aroma" with the system?

The property is in Maryland. I can only guess what the local EPA will have to say. I'm waiting for the real estate agent to give us a tour of the property and see what he has to say.

rocky2 · Jan 27, 2003

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I honestly don't know about the aroma. I posed that question along with the question of chlorine into the air/ground to the DEP lady and she just blew me off with "we don't have one functioning in this county and we'd like to see how they work out"! When I heard the cost, maintenance and square footage required I moved on from that site. I have heard that some greenhouses in the Central PA area use the systems for irrigation. if they do additional filtering I don't know. Every state and every inspector is different. Here's a site that gives a good detailing of a mound; http://www.septicdesign.com/mound.htm. What's interesting is this site talks of "properly charging" of the lines. I don't know on that. I wacked the cleanouts off mine a couple of times and the water just flowed up and out until I re-glued the PVC back together. Thinking on it, I didn't notice any amountable aroma on thos instances.

Knight9 · Jan 27, 2003

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I grew up on an acreage with a "Minnesota Mound" as they are known in our area. No aroma, green grass, and only a slight bit of leakage in very few instances when the useage is very high. That is, if you are pumping out the moisture, but it isn't evaporating fast enough.

Can't say as I ever liked the look of the mound though, so when I bought and built I put in a textile filtration system. It ends up pumping out an odourless, colorless fluid with a negligible bacterial count. It needs to have the textile filter hosed down in the fall and we'll pump the tanks out every 2 years to ensure its longevity. I have noted an occasional wiff of sewer smell out of the vent but don't see it as a problem as it is on the far side of our house away from decks, porches, lawn etc.

Kevin

JDGREEN4ME · Jan 27, 2003

Re: \"mound\" type septic system

We purchassed property near Seneca Lake two years ago and were told we would need a "sand mound" system. We are not ready to build yet but have some estimates that range from 12k - 15K.

rocky2 · Jan 27, 2003

Re: \"mound\" type septic system

Boy, that sounds awful high for a sand mound. The mound itself isn't expensive material wise, it's just sand and gravel. On mine I have 3 - 500 gal concrete tanks the last one has the pump. I guess the real expense is the labor and excavation for installation.