In the Tri-County Charleston area land is plentiful. What’s not plentiful however, especially in the outlying areas are city or town services for water and sewer. So when researching to buy land or a lot, it’s good to know how you’re going to get water and sewer service at the site. In most rural situations that will require digging a well for water and determining whether or not the site will sustain a septic system.
The first step before you buy land would be to call your local government to determine water and sewer availability. If neither of these exist you’re going to need a septic system and a residential well. In order to have a well and a septic system on the same property you will have to make sure there is enough space on the lot to meet the separation requirements. You don’t want your sewage leaching into your well water! The amount of space needed depends on soil characteristics and house size. As an example, if your lot has sandy soils, the systems will require less space than if your lot has clay soils, which is less permeable, where the systems will require more space between them. Additionally, a smaller 2 bedroom home would require less space than an much larger 5 bedroom home.
According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control…when buying land consider the following minimim distances between your septic system:
- Buildings – 5 feet
- Property Line – 5 feet
- Private Well – 75 feet
- Public Well – 100 feet
- Surface Water – 75 feet
- Drainage Ditch – 25 feet
Before You Buy Land
It’s wise before you buy land, that you look for any feature of the land that may impede the successful operation and installation of a well or septic system.
- It’s doubtful that you will encounter extremely rocky soil or bedrock in the Tri-County area but bedrock near the ground surface in most cases will make the land unsuitable for a septic system.
- More typical in the low country would be drainage ditches, gullies, slopes or other severe topographical conditions? Depending on their location on or near the property these could potentially make the use of a well and septic system questionable.
- One of the most important aspects of determining whether a property is suitable for a well and septic system, is whether the land prone to flooding? Is the property in close proximity to wetlands, rivers or streams that may be likely to flood?
- Also a big “red flag” would be if the land holds water and stays wet for long periods of time? Does it seem like surface drainage is a problem?
- Regarding the history of the properties previous uses, has it been filled with fill dirt or other materials? Has been used as a trash dump? This is important from the aspect of well and septic systems but also important for a proper house foundation. Soil stability is very important.
- And the most common land characteristic that could prevent a successful installation and operation of a well and septic system would be if the property contains designated jurisdictional wetlands? If you’re not sure and unconfident in your awareness of what a designated jurisdictional wetland looks like, you should contact the US Army Corps of Engineers or SCDHEC Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.
Septic System Alternatives
Other options are available if your selected property doesn’t meet the standards for a conventional or alternative septic system. At this point you will want to connect with a soil scientist and a professional engineer to help you evaluate the soil and determine if the land is suitable for a more specialized and engineered system. These systems may be more costly and have greater separation requirements. In the end, if you’ve selected the property of your dreams that you want to live on for the rest of your time…the extra cost may be worth it! Just know this before you buy land. All properties are not suitable for a well and a septic system.