How Many Homes Can Operate On A Single Cluster Septic System?

In modern society, it is imperative to dispose of waste. Septic systems and sewers are essential for maintaining a healthy environment, but without them diseases would be far more prevalent and widespread. A plumbing system also facilitates the removal of waste from a home in addition to providing drinking water. In addition to the size and number of people served by the home or business, homeowners and business owners have a variety of septic system options to choose from. The main objective of all of these systems is to break down organic waste that is flushed down the drain or into septic tanks.

On This Page: When Is A Cluster Septic System Appropriate?, Is There A Limit To How Many Homes A Cluster System Can Handle?, Cost of Maintaining A Cluster Septic System

Septic systems all decompose organic waste as it passes through pipes in a house or building. There are two main components to a septic system: the septic tank and the drain field. Septic systems are not simply buried septic tanks.

An underground tank that collects wastewater from a residence is known as a septic tank. A drain field and home are connected by pipes that carry water to and from these watertight boxes. Septic tanks form three layers as fluids and solids break down. The bottom layer of the tank contains solids and heavy sediment, while the middle layer contains clarified wastewater, and the top layer contains oils and grease. In septic systems, harmless bacteria are removed naturally and clarified wastewater is discharged.

Community septic systems are rarely discussed as types of septic systems. Many people are unaware that septic systems are not limited to single-family homes. Providing they are properly installed and maintained, community septic systems can last for decades. Cluster septic systems are typically used to treat wastewater that comes from several sources. While cluster septic systems are seldom talked about, they have many benefits, especially for rural neighborhoods. However, there are certain limitations that cluster septic systems have, such as how many homes can be serviced by one cluster septic system.

When Are Cluster Septic Systems Appropriate For Use?

Rural communities did not have group septic systems prior to the creation of community or cluster septic systems. As a result, homeowners were responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing their own individual septic systems. Cluster septic systems, however, provide an alternative for residents of communities too far away from a sewer connection to dispose of their household waste.

If HOA or county regulations do not prohibit them, community and cluster septic systems are highly recommended. Individual drain fields are not a requirement for every lot, which allows for more flexibility in the design of a residence. Due care must be taken when a community septic system is in place as homes, driveways, parking lots and other structures cannot be placed on top of the drain field that disposes of the naturally treated water. In certain circumstances, the soil may become compacted, clogged or even crushed as a result of the weight and pressure of the vehicles.

When a community or cluster septic system is installed, homeowners and builders have more options regarding driveways, garage entrances and the orientation of the home on the property. Without an on-site septic system, a house has a greater amount of space for the construction of a pool, a shed, a mother-in-law suite or anything else a homeowner may desire.

Is There A Limit To How Many Homes A Cluster Septic Systems Can Service?

There isn’t really a set number of homes that a cluster system can service, its more about the availability of land for the community to use for drainage, how much wastewater is produced and needs to be treated, and local regulations.

Clusters can be designed to accommodate a large number of homes, but the actual design depends on county regulations for location, treatment amount, the limit on the number of systems in a cluster, and the geographic characteristics of the property. This varies across the United States across a spectrum of requirements. Contact one of our local experts at Acuantia to ensure that your community is meeting these requirements and to design the best system for your property and needs.

Cost Of Maintaining A Cluster Septic System

Generally, onsite wastewater systems are operated by residents at a monthly or annual fee (which may be included in homeowner’s association dues). The use of these community systems provides the assurance that the drain fields in the community will not fail as predicted in untreated on-lot drain fields.

Conventional septic systems remove monthly fees associated with shared systems, but they still have maintenance requirements, including pumping out tanks and replacing drain fields when necessary.

Nationally, community septic system maintenance costs on average $383 yearly. The routine maintenance requirements increase when homeowners flush personal items unwittingly, plant trees over drain fields or septic tanks, or park cars on or near drain fields, creating soil compaction.

Lack of knowledge and understanding can lead to clogged drain fields or poorly performing septic systems. With a cluster septic system, the monthly or yearly maintenance costs ensure that this does not happen. Without the proper maintenance and knowledge of a septic system, maintenance and increased costs are bound to occur. If a system is neglected and continues to work poorly for an extended period of time, substantial repairs may be necessary, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Acuantia is an expert source for design and community installation. We will review local regulations, permitting, and geographic engineering, as well as perform a soil evaluation for home septic systems, and will then design and install a solution that will fit almost any community septic need.

Why Choose Acuantia?

We solve homeowners’ onsite wastewater needs by:

• Providing a one-stop-shop experience
• Partnering with trusted, high-quality service providers
• Affordably managing your project end-to-end
• Simplifying the complicated onsite wastewater experience
• Managing and completing your job to the highest standard
• Maintaining your system to keep it running into the future