Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 10:08pm | #1

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   The location of the septic system will be determined to some extent by the results of a soil or "perk" test. Your local codes should also have specs on the location of the well vs the septic system as well as separation distances. One of the things you need to do is get a competant person to determine what kind of septic system you can use (conventional, mound, in-ground pressure, etc.) and to locate where you can put the it, have it work well and comply with the codes. Depending on the soil morphology you may find you are limited in its location. On the "up" side, you may find you're not limited at all.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 10:35pm | #2

   *And within the limits, keep in mind that you will be very limited with what you can do with the area that has the septic. All the houses on our road seem to have the septics in back. Ours is in front, so we can landscape in back to our heart's desire. The front lawn is just that, a front lawn.Rich Beckman

2. 
   David_Nickelson | Feb 09, 1999 07:18am | #3

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   I might suggest...the services of a GOOD...landscape architect..who knows site orientation / etc....
   Placement of the buildings / systems / and features....can be done very well..by these fellas...and a good one...is worth his weight...
   He can just look at it from a conceptual standpoint......you can get into the dets...later....

   DN

1. 
   Mr._I_Do | Feb 13, 1999 06:01pm | #4

   *are...you...having...trouble....breathing or THINKING? Just curious.

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 13, 1999 11:09pm | #5

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   Sounds like you have an ideal building site.

   Site the house where you want it. With 12 acres, you should be able to site your septic and well without compromising your desired house location.

   As to the trailer, the big concern is getting to it while you are constructing your house and then getting it out after you are done. Ideally, you would put your trailer and your house above your septic tank and field and you would want your well above your septic field and at least 100' away. You may need to set your septic field away from the stream. So, I would try to locate the septic field as far down on the property as possible. I would talk to my well driller and my septic person and the regulators as all three will have to be in accord.

   The water that comes out of your septic tank will flow without problems so long as there is drop. The tank will need to be close to your trailer and house. 10' from the foundation is about right. Depending on your final home location you may find it easier to position a tank by your trailer and then move or install a new tank by your house.

   If you can not site your trailer (or your house)for gravity feed to your septic field you can use a pump. This requires a holding tank and some lines but it is not a particularly difficult thing to do. Your house is going to be on your proprty for a long time and your trailer is just temporary. So, in ether case, I would consider a pump before I would compromise the final outcome.

   Here is a thought. Are you going to build a shop or guest house after the house is finished? If so, try to site your trailer where the shop will go and run a permanent septic line to it. It may require a dedicated septic tank but that is a minor consideration overall. The setic field and the lines to it are the big dollar items. Tanks are not particularly expensive and I would not rule out two tanks feeding to one field (or feeding the field through two tanks in sequence).

   Your question seemed to focus on the septic-house-well-temorary trailer issue. I think you should also fold in the issue of electrical service. To the extent that you can, you want to avoid doing things twice. You are going to have a relatively long drive in. If you are going to have underground service it would be advisable to run it to a meter location that will serve your trailer and house and any future shop or guest quarters without requiring relocation. Farms typically have service to a pole with the meter and then sub-feeds to the house, barn, etc. A variation that will serve a house is to run the service line underground to a meter on a short post and from there run underground sub-lines as required. This can serve as your source of power during construction. Talk to your power provider and your electrician and fold their advice into your site plan.

   Good luck!

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 14, 1999 01:16am | #7

   *Jim: a few thoughts in addition to those all ready given: If you're in a cold climate the groundcover over the septic tank will effect frost depth and so will plowing the snow away (even more). In Kenai, Alaska you are not allowed to put a septic in an area to be plowed.Will you have a well or be on city water? If a well, I'd put the leach field as close to the creek/road as allowed by your local authorities and the septic just uphill of the leach field. Locate your well quite a ways uphill from your septic system.With the septic close to, but in front of the house and the well behind the house, you'll kept them in their proper relationship regarding groundwater flow and also have short pipe runs to each. -David

4. 
   Jim_Howell | Feb 14, 1999 01:16am | #6

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   12acres 250' frontage,1600' depth,420' acrossed the back. Would like some ideas on the best layout of septic and well for trailer that also would be the best for connection for a basement foundation later down the road. The property is level side to side and has a creek by the road in the front. It also has a steady climb to the rear in an overall elevation difference of ~ 60' to the center 100' to the rear. Wanting to put the house ~2/3 back. Any ideas appreciated!.