AFFORDABLE SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN Woodbridge, CT

What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Woodbridge?

The Quinnipiack Valley Health District (QVHD) oversees all matters pertaining to septic systems. For all septic system installations, soil testing including soil profiles and soil percolation results and groundwater observation are required before any wastewater system can be installed. A site survey by the QVHD must also be completed.

After your application is reviewed and permits are approved, we can begin installing the system that you have chosen. After the system is installed, the QVHD requires a final inspection before the system can be approved for use. 

When designing your septic system, there are several regulations regarding the distance your septic system has to be from certain structures. These include being:

• At least ten feet from any building, driveway, or parking structure
• Between 75 and 200 feet away from any water wells, dependent on the size of the well
• At least 100 feet from any public water supply reservoir.
• At least 50 feet from any open watercourse, including streams, rivers, or coastal regions
• At least 25 feet from any drainage ditch or stormwater treatment system, and at least 25 feet from any piped drainage ditches
• At least 25 feet from a below ground swimming pool, and ten feet from an above ground swimming pool
• At least 25 feet from any buried fuel tanks

Additionally, there must also be a designated repair or replacement area in your design that is a minimum of 50% of the size of the original septic system, and the minimum net liquid capacity of the septic tank can be no less than 1,000 gallons.

How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Woodbridge?

For any additions or replacements to an existing septic system or any new septic systems, a permit must be obtained from the QVHD. When applying for your permit, you are required to submit detailed plans which include sketches with detailed measurements. You can submit a site survey and groundwater depth measurements with your plans, but all soil testing and percolation tests have to be overseen by the QVHD after your application is submitted. After your application is submitted and the testing is completed, it will be reviewed by the QVHD, and they will either approve, request more information, or deny your application.

How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Woodbridge?

Installation costs can vary depending on the type of septic tank you choose, and whether it is for new construction or an existing home. Septic system installation costs in Woodbridge are between $1,520 and $10,703 with an average of around $6,400. These costs do not factor in inspection fees, permit costs, or any other fees. They also do not account for sales tax on materials. The cost of your septic system installation can be influenced by a few other factors.

Landscaping and Tree Removal

You may need to do some landscaping and/or remove trees and roots before installing a septic system, which can increase your costs. Most prices will include the cost of excavation to install the system, but not the cost of removing trees or any other landscaping that needs to be done. Tree removal, for example, can be costly depending on the size of the tree as well as an additional cost for permits that are needed. In Woodbridge, on average, tree removal costs between $217 and $1,417, based on the size and location of the tree.

Size Needed

In general, the larger the septic system you need, the higher your costs will be. For example, on average, a three-bedroom house requiring the installation of a conventional septic tank system costs between $8,687 and $10,321. This price includes the cost of constructing the drain field, PVC piping, and a concrete septic tank. It does not include any inspections, permits, or percolation tests that may be needed, nor does it account for mound systems or higher capacity septic tanks.

Permits and Inspections

There are generally multiple inspections as well as permits needed before installing your septic system and before it can be authorized for use. On average, depending on the type of septic system you are installing, permit costs can range from $25 to $250. Inspection fees themselves are usually not very expensive, but multiple types of testing have to be done before inspection, and these can all add to your cost. Soil testing, which is required before permit approval in Woodbridge costs, on average, between $263 and $990. Both before and after your system is installed, you are also required to have percolation tests done. In Woodbridge, these costs average between $255 and $961.

What Type of Septic Tank Is Best for Residents in Woodbridge?

There are quite a few different types of septic systems available, but which system is right for your home is based on a few different factors. The size of your property as well as how big your household is, combined with your soil and the typical weather conditions are all important factors to consider when picking which type of septic system will be most appropriate for your home. Additionally, there are typically specific regulations regarding what type of septic system your city, county, and even state will allow. In Woodbridge, there are a few different types of septic systems available to residents, all of which include a septic tank. A water stabilization pond, otherwise known as a lagoon, is not permitted in Woodbridge and the surrounding county. 

Conventional Systems

The design of this septic system has been used for several decades and consists of a septic tank that is connected to a subsurface drain field. In the conventional system, the liquid waste and sewage, which is also known as effluent, is piped from the septic tank to specially constructed trenches in a drain field. These underground trenches are overlayed with stone and gravel which filter the effluent as it percolates down to the soil underneath the trenches, where the effluent is further treated by microbes that are naturally present in the soil. The trenches are usually constructed with a geofabric material across the top of the trenches to prevent sand, dirt, and other contaminants from entering and contaminating the clean stone from above. This type of system is best suited to single-family homes in Woodbridge. However, it requires a large amount of space for the drain field, so it may not be the best choice for smaller properties.

Drip Distribution Systems

This type of system is very similar to a conventional septic system. However, instead of flowing directly from the septic tank into a drain field, the waste flows from the septic tank into a distribution tank which then pumps waste into the drain field in timed doses, similar to a mound system. This system is an ideal choice for properties in Woodbridge with shallow soils because the drip tubing is installed only six to twelve inches below the surface. However, this system does require more maintenance, and electrical power is also needed.

How Often Do Homeowners in Woodbridge Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?

The Connecticut Department of Health (DOH) recommends contacting us to pump your septic system every three to five years, and more frequently if you also use a garbage disposal or have an undersized septic tank. Official inspections are not required, but only a licensed septic pumper or installer like us can service your septic system. 

A septic tank accumulates sludge over time and requires regular cleaning to function properly. How fast a septic tank accumulates sludge is based on the size of the tank and how many people live in the home. The Connecticut DOH strongly advises against using any additives or treatments to clean your tank. Not only do they typically not add anything to your tank’s function, but they can also cause it to fail prematurely.

Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in Woodbridge? 

There are no rebates available for septic tank services in Woodbridge. However, the Regional Water Authority has a program called PipeSafe which provides a certain amount of protection for septic systems after they have been installed. There are various federal grants available from the EPA along with other funding available for septic systems as well as funding that is earmarked specifically for tribal communities. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have grants and funding available for the repair of existing systems and the installation of more efficient wastewater systems. Additionally, there are also grants and funding available for the installation of septic systems for new construction and replacement of existing systems that are functioning poorly.