Does a Well and a Septic Tank on the Same Property Make Sense to You?
You may well have figured out by now that I’m a city girl at heart. I was born and raised in Southern California, and when I moved up more than a decade ago, the area, environment and lifestyle were completely new to me. Of course, we didn’t even consider any city type of properties, which would’ve been more of what I was used to. We focused exclusively on Eastside properties because well, heck, if we had to make the big move, we might as well get something here that we couldn’t have back “home.” In other words, big yard, big house and greenery, i.e. no tract housing!
A decade and several moves later, I’ve still been able to preserve my Northwest lifestyle goals of more-house-more-green-yard intact, but I’ve had to make allowances along the way.
Northwest Newbies, I want you to know that you can enjoy these same benefits too, but as you look, you should keep these caveats in mind:
- Big yard equals septic tank. If you’re looking to find a home with a large yard (meaning significantly more than 1/2 acre), this almost always means that you’re going to be on a septic system (a disposal system which eliminates household water by dispersing it over area of your yard, several feet underground). I mean think about it, if you were close enough in to city amenties to enjoy a sewer system, they would’ve sandwiched in more properties to make more money. After all, land is more valuable “closer in.” (More on the significance of life with a septic tank in a future blog–can’t wait, can you?!)
- Huge yard equals water well. Many of the same principles that I’ve mentioned above apply, only a well brings in underground water for daily usage. Wells are more particular to lots in the multiple-acre size range.
- Greenbelt equals trees. Trees equals falling trees. Coming from Southern California where the native flora consists of palm trees and silk houseplants, I fell immediately in love with the seemingly gigantic “Christmas” trees that hung over my head, creating a beautiful backdrop setting for my backyard. I mean WOW! Here you can have your own forest. Well, listen up Northwest Newbies–TREES FALL. Trees fall on houses, playsets, cars, and yes, they can even fall on people. I didn’t realize this until I experience my first windstorm.
- No tract housing equals more freedom of choice. I’m a heavy proponent for personal freedom and choice–most of the time. Away from completely-uniform-Southern-California-like tract housing, here, many homeowners have the right to choose the color and style of the exteriors of their home. Hey, that’s a good thing, right? Well maybe it is…but then again, maybe it isn’t. At least maybe it isn’t if you just aren’t open-minded and free-spirited enough to appreciate Rubbery-Ducky-Yellow or Barf-Orange for the exterior of your neighbor’s home.
But alas, it’s been over a decade now, and I’ve learned to adjust to these more rural northwest lifestyle changes. I do my laundry intermittently during the week to save my septic (which is a far cry from the 7-loads-per-day-laundry schedule that I was used to previously). I sleep on the other side of the house during windstorms so that I can enjoy beautiful trees in my backyard. Heck, this last power outage, I even figure out how to start the generator without electrocuting myself. (Though I’ll confess I felt more comfortable trying this after asking my neighbor to look out her window and make sure I wasn’t lying face down in my driveway afterward. Even though it may not be entirely rational, I’m just feel anxious about tinkering with whole-house electricity.)
In exchange for my efforts, I now am able to enjoy a bigger house and a bigger, greener yard than I ever would have in good old So Cal, and you can too-if you’re willing to make some allowances like these. However, even after all these years, I still can’t figure out why somebody would buy a house with a septic system (wastewater out) AND a well (drinking water in) on the same lot…
Hair Farmer Joe said:
Hi Marie – In my experience a large lot does not necessarily mean septic system or well water. Many times it does, but it is definitely property and area specific.
There are also many smaller lot properties in certain areas that have septic systems. And many properties that have both well and city water.
Not sure about your phobia of septic and well water, but not too many people drink well water without filtering it – and I don’t know of anyone who would locate their well any where near a septic leech field (or even a septic tank).
December 15, 2007 12:07 AM
gay snelson said:
Well, the septic system has a couple of big tanks that allow the contents to be worked on by various bacteria that break down the stuff (that’s why you need to not overload with detergents..as will kill the bacteria that makes the system work) and gravity pulls the broken down stuff to the leach-lines (perforated) that realese the broken down to liquid to perculate down through the soil which is mother natures very fine filtering system.and by the time this reaches the water table it should be pure as rain water..unless you’re dumpimg heavy metals or industrial waste down down you drains.
December 15, 2007 6:56 AM
Katrina Munsell said:
Hi Gay,
Thanks for the explanation. I assume there is some science behind this, but from my city girl perspective, it’s just one of those things that doesn’t seem right! (This post written very much tongue-in-cheek)
(Actually, I authored the post, but Marie must have had to re-submit due to technical issues…)
December 15, 2007 9:40 AM
Katrina Munsell said:
All generalizations, Joe… Maybe I should’ve made that more clear…apologies if this read as ALL large lots have septic, though many do.
December 15, 2007 9:45 AM
Terri Hostbjor said:
We have a septic system and city water out here in the Storm Lake (Snohomish/Monroe) area. So far, so good; no problems. We had a generator installed and made sure it would operate the septic in case of power outage (like last year). The only limits on the septic drain field is considering to make it an area to play on. The way our lot is set up, though, it is too steep.
We enjoy our home; and love the peace and quiet it brings us. If any trees fall, they will go into the Growath Protected Area. They did a good job of nestling our homes into the forest. Now, if we could just get cable out here…..
December 15, 2007 12:50 PM
gay snelson said:
HI katrina,
There truly is some really good science behind this..but I’m certainly not qualified to explain!
I’ve lived with septic systems twice..once at our ranch in the high desert in L.A county 40 yrs ago. That system was miserable, antiquated..and gave us a fit. The next time was in a new house in Jonesboro, Georgia in the late ’70’s..my..what an improvement!
Our friends built a nice home in Ocean Shores in the mid ’90’s and put in a state of the art system..amazing how the tech. had improved. I’m sure the systems are really good now..also really expensive to install!
Each area is profoundly different..due to soil, “perc rates”, elevation, slope, water table levels, etc., etc
Anyhow, I appreciate your “tongue in cheek” approach to the question..it does seem odd (wells/septic systems) but an expert can explain and it all makes perfect sense!
December 16, 2007 6:40 AM
gay snelson said:
Hi Terri,
This really is tongue in cheek..but read Erma Bombeck’s “The Grass is always greener over the septic tank” it’s a hoot..and I’m giving away my age!!!;)
December 16, 2007 6:46 AM
Geordie Romer said:
I guess this post is really about all real estate being local. IF you want to buy a home in Leavenworth or Cashmere, you should plan on having a well or a septic tank. A few houses right in town are on city services, but not the majority. In East Wenatchee there are even new subdivisions going in with septic tanks.
I’m not sure what your hang up with having a well and a septic tank on the same lot is. The Dept.of Ecology and your local health district have rules about what is allowed inside the well circle to prevent polluting the drinking water. I would rather have both on my property that have an easement to deal with on someone else’s property.
December 16, 2007 3:33 PM
Marie said:
Yup, Katrina authored this post, I had a blog editor snafu which I’ve since resolved. Sorry Katrina!! I’m a city girl that still lives in the city and have never had septic or a well! I do have a friend who had a septic problem over Thanksgiving though. There was much anxiety over dinner thinking “oh god what if the septic system backs up after the meal!” Yikes.
December 17, 2007 9:47 PM
Katrina Munsell said:
That’s funny, Gay! I love it and in my experience, I found the Bombeck title to be somewhat true! I’m going to look that book up…
And Terri, good advice on wiring the septic up to the generator. During last year’s power outage, some of the Eastside areas were out for about 10 days–while septics are made to handle some excess capacity, you can’t go too long without pumping it out!
December 18, 2007 12:54 PM
PugetSounder said:
Poop & Drink, that’s us!
December 19, 2007 9:26 PM