South Western PA / Rural Septic Systems (Bedford, Hampton: contractor, cost, law)

[Bill Volcjak]

Howdy,

What's the current laws governing the use of a septic tank on rural land? My local officials in South Hampton Twnsp / Bedford County tell me that my soon to be built recreational cabin (apprx. 980 sq. ft.) will not qualify for a septic holding tank. Since the alternative (mound or drip irragation systems) are expensive, I need to make sure before I go forward. They assure me that the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection says no but many locals say other wise. I'd appreciate any comments.

[Dawne]

There' a new DEP law coming soon that will not allow new septic systems unless they are pumped regularly. How hard that will be will depend on where the pumped material has to go and how overloaded those sewer systems are. You need to start with a perc test to see what type of system you need. Since it's for a cabin which I'm assuming will not get used that heavily, you may be able to go with a closed tank that doesn't have a leach field that can be emptied occasionally. That could get expensive, though, and as I said, that pumped-out material has to go somewhere.

[rural lady]

have you already applied for a permit? is there a septic system in place. Are the local officials in bed with the EPA?

If not, don't apply for the permit, and don't have a septic test it gets reported to the EPA.

I made all the wrong mistakes by trying to do what was right and got screwed big time by the EPA, a contractor had told me if i would have known and contacted him he could have just done it, depends on where you are and located.

the EPA is not homeowner friendly, they are more in bed with the realtors and septic systems companies and providers. The laws, the materials used, surveys, surveyors (they cost more than the system) blueprints, i can't even go on. They really make it hard, this is one part of government that has gone overboard with its laws.

Nobody likes to break the law, but sometimes you gotta just turn your head.