Good to be back with you, Kevin Kyser here at K and K Septic. A few posts back we talked about perc tests, and we mentioned that a failed test is not the end of the road. The most common fix is a mound system. Let us talk about what that actually is.
The Short Version
A mound system is a septic drainfield that gets built up above the ground instead of buried down in it. Rather than relying on your natural soil alone to filter wastewater, we bring in specially selected sand and gravel and construct a raised bed that does the job your native ground cannot.
Why Some Properties Need One
Every drainfield needs a certain depth of good, workable soil between the pipes and whatever sits underneath, whether that is bedrock, dense clay, or a high water table. When that soil depth is not there naturally, a standard buried drainfield cannot treat wastewater safely before it reaches groundwater. A mound solves that by adding the depth back in, layer by layer, above grade.
How It Works
Wastewater starts in your septic tank, where solids settle out. From there, it flows to a second tank, often called a dosing chamber, where a pump takes over. The pump sends measured doses of wastewater up into the mound on a schedule. As that wastewater trickles down through the sand and gravel, it gets filtered and treated before it reaches your natural soil below.
Living With A Mound System
A mound system needs a bit more attention than a standard setup because it has a pump doing extra work. The tank still needs pumping every three to five years. Keep vehicles and heavy equipment off the mound, keep trees and shrubs away from it, and keep the grass mowed to protect it from erosion. Alabama also requires a replacement area to be set aside and protected in case the mound needs repair or rebuilding.
What It Costs
A mound system is a bigger investment than a conventional drainfield. There is more material, more equipment, and an engineer has to design it for your specific site. It costs more upfront, but for many properties it is the difference between a septic system that works and land that cannot be built on at all.
If a perc test on your property has you looking at a mound system, or you just want to understand your options, give K and K Septic a call. We will walk you through what it means for your land and your budget. We are always happy to help.