The septic system replacement project hits rock bottom

The new septic system in the house we are buying was supposed to be done today. Our final walk-thru was scheduled for this evening, and closing was supposed to be tomorrow.

But this septic project has run into several problems. First, they wanted to plow through several trees.

Then they discovered that rules have changed (or are recently being implemented more strictly by the inspectors), and they have to build a much bigger system than expected, because of the casita (guest house).

Here’s the dual tank system, adequate for a 5 bedroom house (in this case, a 3-bedroom house plus a 1-bedroom casita counts the same as a 5-bedroom house).

Then they hit bedrock while trenching for the drain field. This required the drain field to be installed at a slightly higher elevation, so they could no longer depend entirely on gravity, and they had to install a pump. We were very disappointed to have to have a pump, which will require maintenance and electricity.  Here’s the pump system.

Here they are wiring the pump system to the casita’s electrical system. This is requiring trenching all the way around the casita into the front yard.

Here’s you can see the pretty little flagstone walkway that no longer exists.

But even with the pump in, they are still having a great deal of trouble finding adequate drain field space due to the unexpected bedrock. They dug lots of holes all over the land, trying to find a section without bedrock.

 

Now they’re saying they may have to take out the bocce ball court.

 

It was so beautiful when we first made an offer, but now I am starting to wonder if we should even buy this house.

We’re currently feeling discouraged, but we’ve rescheduled closing to June 9, and we’ll just have to see what happens between now and then.