Wastewater Permit Feasibility Study – Undeveloped lot

Percolation test – “perc test” for short - “Does my lot perc?”

 

The lot may have a perfectly good percolation rate but be undevelopable, according to New Hampshire rules, for other reasons: lots need a New Hampshire septic system construction approval for the construction of a new house or addition to an existing house.

  • Small lots may have difficulty meeting setback requirements – separation of wells and waste water systems

  • Separation from property lines.

  • Excessive slope in area of waste water disposal field

  • Depth to bedrock

  • Pre-existing easements limiting development of the lot in some manner

  • Separation from wetlands or streams

  • Inadequate depth to seasonal high water table/difficult soils

New lots currently undeveloped are not granted variance to the rules. 

Existing occupied residences are granted waivers for rules as necessary to make a situation better, ie replacement of a failed waste water disposal.

Feasibility studies can often be done with Owner present in the field similar to how the one below was done on this very small lot.  We often do some surveying to measure setbacks and slope where conditions look marginal.