Days of Rest

Everyone needs a little rest every now and then, especially after a big disappointment. I, like so many before me, had the land deal I was working on fall through. My dreams of a permaculture paradise were once again put on hold. I spent August looking at new properties. Then, I decided I needed a break. That's where I've been for the month of September...resting.

Days of rest are important. That is the moral of this story.

The subject of this post, however, is septic systems. My personal project fell through primarily due to septic permit issues. I am actually really blessed that it fell through, because I know too many others did not know enough to allow themselves an out in the case of septic problems. So, allow me to share some important tips for those purchasing land:

First, do your research. Find out about the rules and policies concerning septic systems for the county in which you intend to purchase. It doesn't matter if you plan to have a house full of composting toilets. You need to know what the rules are because chances are good you will have to get an approved septic permit before you are able to start building your dream home. Research this thoroughly.

Second, most septic systems are approved based on how many bedrooms your intended house will have. Be forewarned that your definition of a bedroom does not matter. You need to find out what the county's definition of a bedroom is, and this can vary widely from county to county, as I was unfortunate enough to discover. Know how big of a septic system you will need based on the house you want to build. Yes, this means you need to have a good idea of what kind of house you want to build prior to purchasing even though this makes designing your house based on the property more difficult.

Finally, make sure the purchase agreement is contingent on getting approved for the septic system you want for the house you want to build. There are different kinds of septic systems out there, including traditional tank systems, presby systems, and drip irrigation systems. Find out what the potential costs of installation AND maintenance are for the system for which you are approved. Make sure you have an out if you are not going to be able to get what you need to do what you want with the land. A lot of people before you have purchased land, only to find out later that the land is worthless to them, and sometimes to anyone else. Don't let that happen to you.

My perfect property is still out there waiting for me. Wish me luck!