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We’ve covered a lot of information in the past few blogs about residential acreage. There is still a ton of information to consider when making a move to the country. For our last blog post of the series, we will be looking at septic systems.
There are a few different ways to deal with sewage waste on an acreage. The most commonly seen are septic tanks with some type of field. Tanks in Alberta are made of either concrete, fibreglass, or poly (plastic) and all must be CSA certified. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
- Concrete: Extremely popular in Alberta and use in areas prone to Chinooks that make the ground heave more regularly throughout the winter. Life expectancy can be up to 25 years
- Fibreglass: Excellent resiliency to hash conditions in soil and from sewage. A big advantage is that the are light, easy transport and install.
- Poly: Excellent for shallow burial where 6 ft. or less is possible. Poly should outlast concrete and fibreglass but are not recommended where high-water tables exist.
All septic tanks will need to be emptied or “vacuumed” every 3-5 years. This can vary slightly depending on usage and the size of your family.
The term “Septic Field” refers to the “Final Treatment Area” which can include buried fields, treatment mounts, at grade, or open discharge areas. Buried treatment fields are probably the most recognized system in Alberta and likely what you will encounter when looking at residential acreages.
Although the seller may have recent quality and performance reports on wells, or maintenance records on septic systems, it is important to understand that the review and inspection of these systems are the responsibility of the buyer. Having a third party inspect all aspects of these systems is always advisable. Your agent can help organize this an ensure this is a condition of the purchase.
For more information on septic systems check out the resource links below and do your research! If you have any question, please feel free to reach out.
Resources:
https://www.alberta.ca/private-sewage-codes-and-standards.aspx#jumplinks-0
