Before signing on the dotted line, prepare a list of questions to help clarify each candidate’s suitability:

• How many septic site plans have you completed in my area?
• Can you walk me through your process, from soil testing to permit approval?
• How do you handle revisions or changes during the planning process?
• Do you work directly with local health departments and inspectors?
• What is your typical timeline for completing a site plan?
• Can I see examples of plans you’ve completed for similar properties?
• Are your staff members licensed and insured?
• What sets your company apart from others in the region?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Unlicensed or uninsured companies.
• ack of local experience or unfamiliarity with local regulations.
• Poor or inconsistent communication—missing deadlines or failing to return calls.
• •Unusually low bids with little detail on the scope of work.
• No references or reluctance to provide examples of past work.

Preparing for Your Septic Site Plan

Once you’ve chosen your site plan company, you can help streamline the process by preparing ahead:

• Gather property documents: deeds, surveys, and previous septic records.
• Clarify your household size, future expansion plans, and any special requirements.
• Be ready to allow access to your land for soil testing and survey work.
• Communicate openly with your designer about your goals and budget.

The Value of a Thoughtful Site Plan

A meticulously crafted septic site plan is more than a bureaucratic hoop—it’s your safeguard against future headaches. By investing time in selecting the right company, you’re choosing peace of mind, environmental protection, and lasting property value.

The best partnerships are built on trust, expertise, and shared commitment to quality. Take your time, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to seek second opinions. With the right site plan company at your side, your septic project can progress smoothly, ensuring safe waste management for years to come.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Selecting a site plan company is a nuanced process. It’s not just about finding the lowest bidder—it’s about expertise, local knowledge, and a commitment to responsive service. Here are the most important factors to weigh:

1. Credentials and Licensing

Check professional qualifications: The company should be licensed in your state and have certified engineers or designers on staff. These credentials ensure familiarity with local codes and the technical skill to create compliant plans.

Ask about insurance: Errors and omissions insurance protects you if mistakes occur. It’s a sign of professionalism and responsibility.

2. Local Experience and Reputation

Look for local expertise: Septic requirements vary dramatically by region due to differences in soil, climate, and regulations. A company that regularly works in your county will know what inspectors look for and can anticipate potential issues.

Seek recommendations: Ask your builder, neighbors, or local real estate agents for referrals. Online reviews can offer further insight, but direct feedback from past clients is invaluable.

3. Range of Services

Comprehensive offerings: The best companies offer end-to-end service, from soil testing and percolation studies to system design and permitting assistance. This streamlines the process and reduces the risk of miscommunication.

Customization: Every property is unique. A quality site plan company will tailor its design to your lot’s size, slope, and soil while considering your household’s size and future needs.

4. Communication and Responsiveness

Clear communication: You want a partner who explains the process, sets expectations, and promptly answers your questions. Ineffective communication can lead to delays, misunderstandings, and costly errors.

Project timeline: Ask about typical turnaround times and how they handle permitting delays or revision requests. A transparent schedule helps you plan your project with confidence.

5. Transparent Pricing

Detailed quotes: Don’t settle for vague estimates. A reputable company will provide a detailed breakdown of costs, including soil testing, design, permit submission, and any possible extra fees.

Value over price: Cheapest isn’t always best. Consider the quality of service, expertise, and long-term reliability when comparing quotes.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Essential Steps for Homeowners

Getting Started

If you’re building or renovating in Massachusetts where no public sewer is available, you’ll need a septic system. Here’s how to get started.

1. Know the Rules

Septic systems in Massachusetts are regulated by Title 5, enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and your local Board of Health. Check local regulations for any extra requirements.

2. Evaluate Your Site

You’ll need a professional soil evaluation and percolation (“perc”) test to see how well your property handles wastewater and to find the best spot for your system. The Board of Health must witness and approve these tests.

3. Hire a Designer

A Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer must design your system. Choose someone with local experience—they’ll plan, draw up, and submit your septic design for permits and approval.

4. Submit and Approve Plans

Submit your engineered plans and an application to the Board of Health. Once approved, you’ll get a construction permit.

5. Installation and Inspection

Hire a licensed installer to build the system as designed. The Board of Health will inspect key stages and, once everything checks out, you’ll receive a Certificate of Compliance.

6. Maintain Your System

Have your septic tank pumped every 1–3 years, keep records, and use water wisely to keep your system healthy.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for homeowners and landowners emba

A septic system inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of the condition and functioning of your home's wastewater treatment system. Professionals check the tank, pipes, distribution box, and drainage field for any signs of damage, leaks, blockages, or inefficiency. Inspections may range from a simple visual check of the tank’s condition and water level to a full assessment including dye testing and opening inspection ports.

Routine Inspection Intervals

Every 1 to 3 Years: Most experts recommend having your septic system professionally inspected at least once every one to three years. This regular interval helps detect potential problems before they become major issues, like system failure or groundwater contamination.

If your household uses more water than average, has a garbage disposal, or hosts frequent guests, annual inspections are ideal.

For less intensive use, such as in vacation homes or smaller households, an inspection every three years may suffice.

When Buying or Selling a Home

A septic system inspection is essential during real estate transactions. Buyers should always request an inspection to ensure the system is functioning properly and not in need of expensive repairs. Many lenders and real estate agents make a passing inspection a condition for the sale.

Prior to Purchase: Before closing on a property with a septic system, hire a certified professional to conduct a thorough inspection.

Disclosure: Sellers may also proactively obtain an inspection report to assure potential buyers and speed up the sales process.

When Experiencing Warning Signs

Certain symptoms around your home or yard may indicate your septic system needs immediate inspection, regardless of when your last one took place. Key warning signs include:

• Slow drains or gurgling sounds in plumbing fixtures
• Foul odors near the septic tank, drain field, or in the house
• Standing water or soggy soil above the drain field
• Lush, bright green grass over the drain field (especially during dry weather)
• Sewage backup into sinks, toilets, or bathtubs

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an inspection immediately to prevent further damage or possible contamination.

After Severe Weather or Flooding

Storms, heavy rainfall, or flooding can overwhelm a septic system and cause malfunctions or backups. It’s wise to have your system checked after such events:

• Ensure that excess water hasn’t caused system damage or compromised the drain field.
• Inspect for soil erosion, tank infiltration, or blockages caused by debris.

Before Major Renovations or Additions

If you plan to add new rooms, bathrooms, or significantly increase water usage, an inspection is crucial:

Verify your current system can handle the additional load.
Determine if upgrades or modifications are needed to maintain compliance with local codes.

As Required by Local Regulations

Some municipalities have specific regulations regarding septic systems, including mandatory inspections at regular intervals or during property transfers. Always check with your local health department or environmental agency for legal requirements in your area.

After Septic System Repairs

Anytime you have repairs completed on your septic system—such as replacing baffles, fixing leaks, or unclogging pipes—an inspection should follow. This ensures the repairs were done correctly and the system is functioning as intended.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Massachusetts has strict rules for septic system placement, aimed at protecting the state’s abundant natural resources.

Title 5 Regulations: Title 5 prescribes minimum setbacks, system sizing based on bedroom count, and other criteria. For example, systems must be set at least 100 feet from private wells, 50 feet from wetlands, and 10 feet from property boundaries. Consult your local Board of Health for any town-specific bylaws that may be more restrictive than state requirements.

Permitting Process: After site evaluation, an engineer or licensed designer prepares a septic system design, which must be submitted to the local Board of Health for review and approval. The permitting process typically includes public hearings and may require additional documentation if the site is near sensitive resources.

Variances: In some cases, a property may not meet all Title 5 standards due to site constraints. Homeowners can apply for variances, but these are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and often require justification, mitigation measures, and additional oversight.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for homeowners and landowners embarking on septic system planning in Massachusetts:

• Hire a licensed soil evaluator to conduct site and soil tests.
• Consult a septic system designer or engineer familiar with state and local regulations.
• Work with your designer to develop a site plan that meets all setback, sizing, and reserve area requirements.
• Submit the plan for review to your local Board of Health and, if applicable, the Conservation Commission.
• Address any feedback or requests for revisions from regulators.
• Once approved, hire a licensed installer to construct the system in accordance with the approved plan.
• Schedule inspections as required by Title 5 and local authorities during and after installation.
• Maintain records of the system design, installation, and any maintenance or repairs for future reference and resale.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Q: I’m looking to buy a property that has an existing structure that hasn’t been used in 12-plus years. It has a well and septic but the status and placement of the septic system is unknown.

A: A well-designed and maintained conventional septic system should provide 20 to 30 years of service before the drain field needs to be replaced. A lightly used system could last a lot longer.

There is no foolproof way to determine how many years of life you can expect from a functioning system, but a thorough inspection can determine whether the system is currently working properly. If not, you can identify what type of immediate repairs and improvements are needed to fix the system and bring it up to current standards. Since a complete new system can cost several thousand dollars, and an “alternative” system can cost even more, hiring a professional to inspect the would be money well spent.

The first step is to find out as much as you can from the previous owner and the local health department. Ask:

• When was the system installed?
• Was the system properly designed, permitted, and inspected by the town or county?
• How often was the septic tank pumped?
• Does the health department have an “as-built” plan on file that would show the design and location of the components?

Also ask the local health department what type of inspection and/or upgrade might be required by the town upon transfer of title. If the septic systems has to be brought up to the current building codes when the property is sold, this can mean building a new system from scratch. In that case, a perc test and deep-hole test are in order to determine the soil conditions and seasonal high water table.

Assuming that the current system can be reused, your preliminary research will give you a better idea of the age and condition of the system, as well as its location on the site. A visual inspection of the site can sometimes identify obvious problems such as trees or traffic over the leach field or wet, smelly soil over a failed leach field.

A professional inspector can examine the septic tank for leakage of groundwater into the tank or leakage out of the tank, both of which can cause problems.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor

If your problem is a high water table or poorly drained soil, you may still be allowed to build a mound septic system or other type of alternative septic system. These cost more to install and maintain than a conventional gravity system, but are the only option on many building sites. Always choose a system with a well- established track record and the fewest moving parts.

In some cases, you may be allowed to “dewater” a wet site around the drain field using an system of perforated pipes and gravel drains that direct water away from the area. This effectively lowers the water table under and around the drain field. Replacing poorly drained native soil with engineered fill may also be an option in some jurisdictions. These types of engineered solutions require expert design and installation as well the cooperation of the regulating authorities.

Wetlands & Flood Zones

If the proposed drain field site is classified as a wetlands or flood zone, then you will need to look elsewhere. Also you do not want place the drain field in the drainage path of roof and yard water. This can lead to flooding of the drain field as well as erosion. On the other hand, a well-designed septic system that is properly maintained can function well for decades.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor

Q: How can you tell if land is too wet for a septic system? Can an area be covered with a tarp during the wet season to help it pass the perc test?

A: Wet sites are challenging for septic system design and for home building in general. If the seasonal high water table is too close to the surface – less than three feet below the gravel trenches in the drain field – then most jurisdictions will not allow a conventional septic system. They are concerned about inadequate treatment of the sewage and possible contamination of groundwater.

If the depth of the groundwater is not an issue, but the soil is saturated from spring conditions such as rain and snowmelt, then you should still pass the perc test as long as the soil is sufficiently porous. Many towns require that the test be done in the wetter seasons in order to test under worst-case conditions. Also, test procedures typically require soaking the hold overnight to saturate the soil. The slower absorption is factored into the test.

Undisturbed Soil

Tarping the soil to keep it drier might improve the test results, but most agencies that regulate septic systems would consider this a form of soil modification and would not permit it. You would need to contact your local health department for an authoritative answer.

In general, septic system regulations require that perc tests be performed on “undisturbed” soil that has not been filled, graded, treated, replaced, or otherwise modified in any way that would alter its drainage characteristics.

A better approach would be to test the soil at the driest time of the year that is acceptable to the local authorities – certainly not after a week of rain. Drier weather would tend to increase the absorption rate of the soil, but will not change the location of the seasonal high water table, which is usually determined by visual inspection of the soil during the “deep hole” test.

One thing to keep in mind is that a site tested only in the dry season – and without proper saturation of the test hole – may result in a fair-weather septic system. The drain field may not function properly during the wettest parts of the year. You want a septic system with ample capacity year-round and for years into the future. Any effort to “cheat” the perc test could backfire on you in a most unpleasant and expensive fashion.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor

Failing Septic Systems

How can I prevent a septic system failure?

• Regular maintenance is the best method to prevent a septic system failure. Septic maintenance includes inspecting the entire system every 1 to 3 years and pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years. The frequency for pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, the water habits and use, if a garbage disposal is used, and the amount of solids accumulated in the tank. A rule of thumb is to pump the tank when the solids are two-thirds of the volume in the tank. Routine maintenance is the responsibility of the home or property owner. If you rent a home, you have responsibility for the proper use and operation of the system.
• In general, you can avoid a septic system failure by:
  • Inspecting your system every 1 to 3 years
  • Pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years or as needed
  • Avoiding excess water use (e.g. spreading out laundry use over the week)
  • Flushing only human waste and toilet paper down the toilet.

What are common signs of a failing septic system?

• Water and sewage from toilets, drains, and sinks backing up into the home’s plumbing
• Bathtubs, showers, and sinks draining very slowly
• Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system
• Standing water or damp spots near or over the septic tank or drainfield
• Sewage odors around the septic tank or drainfield
• Bright green, spongy lush grass over the septic tank or drainfield, even during dry weather
• Straight pipe discharging untreated wastewater to the ground surface
• Algae blooms in nearby lakes or waterbodies
• High levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in surface waters or drinking water wells

Do you need a new septic system? Contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: EPA.GOV>