When doing a septic tank installation, the location is as important as the system's specifications. You must choose a good location, but how do you even do that? A septic installation contractor will encourage you to take these four steps for picking the location.
Regulations
Local, state, and even federal regulations determine where you can't place the septic tank. Most localities specify that a tank must be at least a certain distance away from the property line. There may also be limits on proximity to buildings. If your property has or is near any bodies of water or underground water sources, you'll have to be mindful of where those are, too.
Contact your county and ask about the regulations. Also, ask them for maps and other data sources. Ruling out locations based on legalities can be your biggest cost-saver during a septic tank installation. You don't want to spend money on soil testing and excavation just to find out that you can't use a location.
Utilities
Utility lines are another concern. Even if you wish to be wholly off-grid, ask the utility companies to survey and mark where there might be underground lines.
Water Table
Your goal with a septic tank is to allow time and distance through the soil to act as a filter so the contaminated water is clean by the time it returns to the surrounding ecosystem. Few things will negatively affect the efficiency of a septic tank as much as a high water table. If you place the tank and associated elements in a spot with a high water table, it will struggle to efficiently filter effluents.
Generally, the lower parts of the property will be closer to the top of the water table. The same data sources that tell you where things like water deposits are in the ground should tell you what the approximate level of the water table is. You will also get more data when a contractor digs a test hole.
Bear in mind that the water table can vary between dry and wet years. Try to account for where it'll be during the wettest parts of the wettest years.
System Design
Finally, the system will affect the location. You probably don't want to have a long sewer line to the septic tank. A contractor can tell you what the optimal distance should be for your kind of septic installation. They can then factor in the above issues so you can decide how to adjust the location.
Contact a local company to learn more, like Garrisons Septic Services Inc.