When a lot has a high water table, shallow soil or tight space, a standard drain field may not be allowed. Alternative designs exist for those cases. A mound system raises the drain field above the natural ground with clean fill. Other designs treat the wastewater more before it reaches the soil.
Which design, if any, is allowed depends on the soil, the water table, the lot and the rules that apply where you live. A pro and the county health department sort that out. It is a good reason to ask a lot of questions before you sign anything.
We connect Gainesville-area homeowners with local septic pros. We are not a contractor, we do not design systems and we do not decide what is allowed.
Questions to ask a pro
- Why does my lot need an alternative design?
- What are the ongoing needs, such as maintenance or electricity?
- Who services the system after it is installed?
- What will the finished mound or system look like in my yard?
Common questions
What is a mound system?
A mound system is a drain field built on top of the ground using a bed of fill sand, so treated liquid has enough soil to pass through when the natural ground is too wet or too shallow.
Are alternative systems harder to maintain?
Some have more parts, such as pumps or treatment units, so ask the pro what upkeep to expect and who does it.
Where we connect people
Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs, Archer, Hawthorne, Micanopy, Waldo.