Cost of Septic System

[Youser]

I am wondering if anyone knows the full cost of a septic system now from design, to permit, to install. Have prices come down in the last year?

The site is in HPP, so would require digging in lava.

It would be for a 3 bedroom house. Would it be the same cost to get approval for a system to support a 4 bedroom house in case we would want to expand the house one day?

Thank you

[gtill]

I paid about 7K, but with extras (house pad etc) for a 3 bedroom unit. mostly all rock and an extra deep leach field!

[John S. Rabi]

You can have up tp five bedrooms on one system. Most people have it done when clearing the lot.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,ARB,BFT,CM,CBR,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[Youser]

Thank you, Gtill and John.

I was just looking for the price of the septic system, which I understand has to be a closed tank (I've seen one go in downt he street, a huge yellow vessel). Gtill, I was wondering why you had a leach field - is this not for an open cess pit system which is no longer allowed? I understand older houses have cesspits which leach into the ground but aren't we now required to put in a closed septic system?

If you paid 7K for your system plus house pad, would it be reasonable to assume just the septic should be around 5K or less?

[John S. Rabi]

Cesspools are still allowed in certain zonings and areas.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,ARB,BFT,CM,CBR,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[gtill]

Clearing was part of the "house pad etc" I mentioned. Just a septic would probably be about 6000$. The tank size is also different cost and size as you increase bedrooms.

The leach field is a requirment and varies in size and depth depending on # of bedrooms. These don't need pumping. Some I believe can be built without a leachfield, but require a pumping contract.

There is also a 5' setback to build a wall (cesspool is 10'). A cesspool is still legal for over an acre or larger ag zoned lot unless near the ocean, and is considerably cheaper than a septic.

[Menehune]

Aloha - Youser!

Septic-101 in HPP.

Let the class begin.

1) The mauka side (inland) of 5th you can have a cesspool. The makai side (ocean) of 5th you MUST have a septic system (tank and leach field).

2) You MUST have an engineer design the septic system - called "Individual Wastewater System". Our engineer submitted all the paperwork to the County. Cost $500 - $600.

3) Location is important if you drill a well. I have had two different opinions: the well driller mentioned they can be across from each other (opposite sides of the lot) and the septic engineer strongly mentioned it be as far downstream from the well as possible.

4) The two most common sizes are 1,000 and 1,250 gallon tanks made here in Hawaii by Chem-tainer. 1,000 for 2 to 3 bedrooms and 1,250 for 4 to 5 bedrooms. It's the number of bedrooms NOT bathrooms that determines the size you will need. Your house can be 10,000 square feet and have 10 bathrooms with only 1 bedroom and you can technically have the smallest system installed.

5) The size of the leach-field is also based on the number of bedrooms - about 70 sq.ft. per bedroom. They will dig out the rock to the engineered depth (minimum about 3 feet) and replace it with suitable soil replacement (common is 3/8" minus cinder or 3/8" minus cinder soil). You will end up with a BIG pile of rock.

6) Just about anybody can dig the holes but most engineers will specify that ONLY a licensed contractor install the system. The contractor designations are C-9, C-37, "A" general engineering, C-37a, C-43.

7) When the engineer stamps the plans he is taking responsibility that it will be built according to those plans. " This work was prepared by me or under my supervision and construction of this project will be under my observation."

8) Setback requirements can vary but typically 5 feet from property line and 5 feet from structures.

9) Parts of the system must be left uncovered for inspection or re-exposed. They are: manholes/access openings, distribution boxes, ends of trenches to visually see gravel, pipe and geotextile fabrics used and/or seepage pit openings.

10) Costs:
Engineer: $500 to $600 - you normally pay this separate from the installation
Tanks:$2200 to $2500 - this is normally included in the installation est./cost.
http://www.chemtainerofhawaii.com/produc...spx?cid=31
Normal installation estimates are $5,000 to $7000. PLUS engineers cost.
Total - $5,500 to $7,600 or whatever you can NEGOTIATE!

Hope this helps - Aloha!



"Each thing I do I rush through so I can do something else" - Cemetery Nights/Stephen Dobyns

[Youser]

Thank you gtill, John and Menehune.

Gtill and Menehune, you both have come up with similar prices so now I know what to look for.

Menehune, I don't think I've ever learned so much from a forum! I really do appreciate all the time you put into sharing your knowlege. You certainly have done a lot of research and know all about septic systems.

I wonder why they make a distinction between the ocean side of 5th street and above? From what I've read it seems the older houses all the way down to the ocean have open cess pits. I know a lot of areas are banning cesspits completely so why are they still allowing them at all in HPP? I also didn't realise the septic tanks also let liquids "leach" out. I thought the entire system was contained. But it seems the liquids are filtered out into the soil. I would be concerned about drilling a well in HPP with this type of sewer system as we are nothing but porous lava.

One very intersting point you made is that I can't just put in a larger tank and then add bedrooms later because I have to specify number of bedrooms before they create the leach field. Maybe that's why people add "studies" and "storage rooms" later on!!!

Thank you again for such an educational post. If you are in the process of putting in a septic system or already have I would love to hear about your progress.

[Blakeyboy1]

Guys this is awesome! Thanks for all of the details Menehune! This topic is a keeper for sure!

-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/

[John S. Rabi]

Cesspools are no longer allowed on RS (residential) zoned properties but they are still allowed on certain AG (agricultural) zoned properties. In regards to HPP, if you are far enough from the ocean you can have a cesspool. All properties below 5th Street are too close to the ocean for cesspools. I don't know of any "open pits" though anywhere.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,ARB,BFT,CM,CBR,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"