2022 Mound Septic System Cost

Installing your own septic system may be a necessity depending on where you live. If there are no centralized sewer systems in your area, you must install a septic system on your property.

There are different types of septic systems that homeowners can opt to have installed. Once again, the area where you live may limit your options. You may have no other option beyond using a mound septic system, so how much will that cost?

The average mound septic system cost is $5,375 and homeowners spend $500 on annual maintenance. A 750-gallon septic tank costs $1,125, and 1,250-gallon septic tanks cost an average of $5,700. Homeowners spend another $75 for a distribution box, $150 for pipes, and $275 for a septic tank filter.

Adding a new mound septic system may very well be something you have to do. Learn more about how much that new installation will cost by continuing with the rest of this article.

Before we discuss what a mound septic system is, let’s first highlight the items that are required to build any system. Obviously, we need to start with the actual septic tank.

Septic tanks are available for as low as $750. Meanwhile, some sell for as high as $10,000.

The job of the septic tank is to hold all the wastewater coming from your household. The differing materials in the wastewater get separated while in the septic tank. The wastewater itself is also partially treated.

You need a sturdy septic tank with enough capacity to hold your household’s waste. Choosing the right septic tank is going to be crucial. Consider factors like the material composition and the size of the tank to ensure you make the right purchase.

Fiberglass septic tanks may be the most durable options. They feature all the durable qualities of plastic and they stand up better to shifting soil. You also don’t have to worry about a fiberglass tank deteriorating while it sits underneath your yard.

The main drawback to fiberglass tanks is pricing. Even the cheapest ones are priced at $1,500 while the high-end ones cost $2,000. That high barrier of entry with regards to pricing may cause you to hold off on purchasing a fiberglass septic tank.

The distribution box is a crucial part of any mound septic system. Its job is to link the septic tank to the drain field in the mound. The distribution box helps keep the effluent moving in the right direction.

Given the way the mound septic system is configured, getting the effluent to the drain field is not always easy. You need the distribution box to organize your mound septic system.

There’s a large range of prices for distribution boxes. How much one will ultimately cost you will depend on its material composition.

Plastic distribution boxes are the most affordable options available. Some of them are on sale for as low as $50. The more expensive plastic distribution boxes still top out at around $100.

Unlike the plastic septic tanks, the plastic distribution boxes are more susceptible to wear and tear. You may have to replace them sooner rather than later.

If you’d rather purchase a distribution box that will stay in good condition for a long time, go for concrete. Concrete distribution boxes are more expensive as they cost $600 to $700. They are well worth that kind of money though.

The filter is an element of the residential septic system that cannot go missing. The aforementioned filter is responsible for preventing large particles from entering the septic tank.

If there is no filter attached to your septic tank, the liquid and large particles will all pass through. That will result in the septic tank filling up faster. In turn, you will need to pump it more often and that’s going to cost you a lot of money.

The septic tank filter is relatively affordable so there’s no reason not to have one. Septic tank filters are available for $250 to $300.

Take good care of your filter and you won’t have to worry about purchasing a replacement anytime soon. Avoid dumping solid leftovers down the kitchen sink to keep the filter in good condition. Also refrain from sending harsh chemicals down any drain if you want to preserve the filter as much as possible.

Do note however that septic tank filters need to be cleaned from time to time. Filter maintenance will cost you about $100 to $200 each time.

The lid placed over your septic tank prevents any debris from falling into the container. It also contains nasty odors and stops them from spreading throughout your property.

Septic tank lids are pretty affordable. They’re usually on sale for $30 to $70.

It’s good that the septic tank lids are relatively inexpensive because replacing them is needed somewhat often. Those lids are susceptible to wear and tear. Make sure they’re examined regularly so you can replace them before they crack.

You may also end up damaging a septic tank lid accidentally. The lid may sustain significant damage if you drive over it accidentally with your car. Placing a heavy fixture over the lid can also lead to lasting damage.

The septic tank baffle is another item that you will need to ensure that your home’s septic system is functioning smoothly. The baffles you have inside the septic tank have two main jobs to do.

First off, the inlet baffle is responsible for directing the flow of the incoming wastewater. Directing the incoming wastewater to move in that direction is important because it keeps the contents of the septic tank organized. With no baffle, the contents of the septic tank are more likely to overflow.

The outlet baffle has a similarly important role to play. Its job is to stop scum and solid waste from reaching the mound.

A single baffle will cost you $20 to $50. Since you’ll need two, you’ll have to spend $40 to $100.

We are now about to talk about the labor costs of installing a mound septic system. Prior to that though, let’s discuss what a mound septic system is and why you might need it.

Ordinarily, the drain field for a residential system will be made with the help of pipes and shallow trenches. The workers will carve along the surface of stone layers found in your yard. The pipes will then be set there and the drain field will be good to go.

However, building that kind of drain field is not an option for all homeowners. If the soil in your yard is shallow or your groundwater level is high, the standard system is not for you. The mound septic system is what you will need.

The workers you hired will create a mound made out of sand and raise that over the soil. There will also be a bed of gravel inside the mound that is designed to hold pipes in place.

The effluent passes through those pipes at a low pressure so it can spread out properly. The effluent will also continue down through the layers of sand and gravel.

You’ll see that the effluent is treated as it continues to move through the different layers. It should be properly treated by the time it reaches the soil in your yard.

Creating that kind of septic system is not going to be easy. That’s why homeowners usually have to pay top dollar if they want a mound septic system.

Before work can get started on building your mound septic system, your property must first be approved for it. That usually means that your property will be inspected and examined by your local government.

The inspections are no problem. Your local government will even conduct them for free.

In some areas though, officials will conduct additional examinations. A percolation test may be required if you want your property to be cleared.

A percolation test aims to determine how effectively soil can work with a residential septic system. It examines the soil and determines its water absorption rate.

The results of a percolation test are only valid for a certain amount of time. In some areas, they remain valid for only five years. You may have to pay for another percolation test even if one was already conducted previously on your property.

You must apply for a percolation test with your local government. Do note though that you can entrust the handling of that application to the contractor you hired. Expect to pay $800 to $1,300 for a percolation test.

Assuming your property was cleared following the percolation test, you can now turn your attention to securing permits. Building permits are required whenever you want to construct any kind of septic system on your property. Once again, the local government will have to be involved.

The process of filing and securing building permits can be tedious and tiring. To put it another way, it’s not a lot of fun. Furthermore, you could also make errors during the application process that could lead to the permits being delayed.

Building the mound septic system will take a lot of time. You don’t want it to be delayed further because of the permits. Entrust the job of securing permits to your contractor and stop worrying about it.

Obtaining those building permits is going to cost you though. You may have to pay something in the range of $400 to $2,000 to obtain all the necessary permits.

Creating a mound septic system that will suit your property is not going to be easy. There’s more to it than just placing the tank, building the mound, and connecting everything. The mound septic system must be designed carefully if you want it to remain in good condition for a long time.

That is a big reason why you need to enlist the help of a contractor. The contractor you hire can design the exact type of mound septic system that will fit your property.

During the design process, they will account for everything. They will consider the layout of your property, the type of soil you have, and any slopes present. The contractor will also be mindful of the other fixtures that are already present on your yard.

Designing the right system can take a while. It may take your contractor up to three weeks to come up with a mound septic system that works.

You must compensate your contractor for the work they put into designing your new septic system. Design fees usually cost homeowners $600 to $800.

With the design finished, work can begin in earnest on its realization. Get ready because this is going to be a long process. Some projects can be completed in about 15 hours, but others have to be finished over the course of 35 hours.

The hourly rate will determine how much the project will cost when it’s all said and done. At $150 per hour, you may have to pay $2,250 for all the labor. At $200 per hour, there’s a chance the project will cost closer to $7,000.

So, what are the tasks included in building a mound septic system? Typically, the workers will start by clearing out your property. They will remove what they can to clear the way for the new septic system.

Once the property has been cleared, the workers can start excavating your yard. They will then start installing all the different pieces of equipment that are required. This is also the point in time when work typically starts on the mound itself.

After everything is put in place and the connections are made, the workers will test everything out. Hopefully, everything will go well during testing so you can start using your new mound septic system.

We already talked about filter maintenance earlier, but what other preventative measures are required for a mound septic system? Similar to other types of residential septic systems, pumping the septic tank will be required.

Because of the way the mound septic system is designed, the tank at the heart of it must be pumped regularly. Pumping the septic tank at least once annually is a must.

The low-end cost for septic tank pumping is $400. Some homeowners may have to pay $600.

The size of your septic tank will determine how much you will have to pay. The rule of thumb here is that pumping costs more as the tank increases in size.

Yes, there are some notable downsides to installing a mound septic system. The cost is the first thing that comes to mind. Mound septic systems usually cost more than the alternatives.

Another major drawback to the mound septic system is that it takes up a big portion of your yard. You cannot really do much with the land that the mound occupies. It’s best to just leave it alone rather than risk damaging it.

The drain field can be damaged easily if you attempt to build anything close by. The same goes for the area around the septic tank.

The mound is also tough to conceal. Some mounds go as high as five feet so they will be visible right away. You cannot do much to hide that mound even if you wanted to.

The smell of sewage can also be a big issue with mound septic systems. Since the sewage is located close to the surface, the odors consistently leak out into the air. You’ll have to figure out some way to manage that odor if you’re installing a mound septic system.