If you live in an area where there’s no access to regular drainage systems, you’ll need to install your own septic system. This way, you’ll be able to dispose of waste water safely from your home, allowing the liquid to pass to the safe drain field.
There are plenty of septic systems out there, and each one of them has its own pros and cons, and one of the most interesting options is the mound septic system. So how much does a mound septic system cost?
Mound systems are among the most expensive septic systems out there because creating the mound can be costly (labor and material wise) and you also need a pump to push the effluent into the mound.
For that reason, you should expect mound septic to cost you anywhere between $9,000 to 25,000 or more in total costs as well as $400 to $500 annually for maintenance.
If you want to find out more about mound septic systems and whether they’re the right choice for you, keep on reading this guide!
How Does a Mound Septic System Work?
As the name suggests, this system uses a mound of soil that contains the bacteria and microorganisms necessary to break down and treat wastewater.
The use of portable components makes it an excellent alternative to traditional drainage fields found in rural septic systems. A regular mound septic system uses three main components to work. These are:
- The septic tank
- The dosing chamber with a pump
- The soil mound
The system works by passing the wastewater from the house into a septic tank, which traps the water inside long enough to allow solid particles to sediment and settle down.
The wastewater then passes into a dosing chamber (also known as the “distribution chamber”) with a pump that pushes the water back into the soil mound to be treated. This process eliminates most organic matter, pathogens, and nitrogenous compounds in wastewater.
After that, the purified effluent either finds its way back to groundwater or is evaporated through the soil, especially with the help of vegetation that grows on the mound.
This design allows the mound system to operate for a long time and much more efficiently than conventional septic systems, especially in regions where the water table is extremely low.
How Much Does a Mound Septic System Cost?
Now that you know more about mound septic system components and how it works, here’s what you need to know about its initial building and running costs.
This system can set you back a small fortune, depending on various factors. Ideally, a mound septic system can cost as little as $9,000 to $10,000 but can also cost you up to 20,000 to 25,000 for large construction.
Much of the costs are heavily influenced by the labor and machinery rates in your region as well as the size of the project and the suitability of the land (building on sloped land will cost more than flat land).
The materials used to build the septic tank can also influence the price. Plastic tanks have better isolation and longevity but they’re more expensive when compared to traditional cement septic tanks.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Mound Septic System?
In addition to the upfront costs of a mound septic tank, you’ll need to pay a little extra to keep the system in good shape.
For starters, you’ll need to pump out the water from the septic tank annually, which is slightly more frequent than conventional septic systems that are pumped out every couple of years.
Additionally, you’ll need to check your mound septic system every few months to make sure everything is going in order, as you may need to partially or completely rebuild the soil mound if there’s a leakage.
Maintenance usually costs anywhere between $200 to $300 annually while pumping may cost you up to $200, which brings up the annual maintenance cost to around $500.
What Are the Advantages of Mound Septic Systems?
Mound septic systems have various benefits that make them ideal for some households despite the price. Here’s a quick look at some of these advantages:
Relatively Easy to Build
Regardless of the price of the mound septic system, it’s relatively easy to build if you have the right piece of land, as these systems heavily depend on excavating the area and installing the needed components in place.
Additionally, mount septic systems don’t involve a lot of digging and can work in just about any climate or location with no access to traditional drainage systems.
Protects Water Table
Since this system works by evaporating the purified discharge directly through the mound, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a system that protects the water table.
Doesn’t Produce Foul Odor
Unlike many septic systems out there, a periodically-maintained mound septic system will produce almost no odor because it relies on natural topsoil to treat and break all the organic matter in the water down.
What Are the Drawbacks of Mound Septic Systems?
Despite all its merits, mound septic systems aren’t perfect, so here’s a quick look at some of their drawbacks:
Pricey
When compared to any other septic system, mound septic systems are remarkably expensive, especially in sloped areas.
Space-Limited
You’ll need to allocate a space in your yard for the soil mound used in this system, which can take up a considerable unappealing chunk in your yard. This makes it a bad choice for households with limited outdoor space.
Wrap Up
There you have it! A brief guide with everything you need to know about mound septic system cost as well as its pros and cons.
As you can see, mound septic systems can be bulky and quite expensive, costing you anywhere between $10,000 to $20,000 on average plus an additional $400 to $500 annually to maintain.
However, it’s an excellent choice if you don’t want a septic system that involves deep digging or using containers. The system works just about any place or climate you can build it and it doesn’t produce any off-putting odors like many other systems.