Mound Systems and what not to do!
This next stage was fraught with stress, and inconsistent messages. I called a contact for septic design and septic construction. For the record, you need both components of building a septic system a) designer and b) contactor who actually build the septic system. Some constructors have a designers license and some do not. The first person who came out and looked at my lot shared with me deep concern that the area I wanted to have the mound system was going to be classified as a wooded wet land. Did you know that St. Louis County has 8 different delineations of wet lands? I did not!
https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-development/land-use/wetlands#4094363-wetland-types
https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/Portals/0/Library/Dept/Planning%20%26%20Development/Land-Use/Wetlands/Type-7-Hardwood-Coniferous-Swamp.pdf
Coupled with the 13 different lake categories and designations, I am beginning to understand the need for additional personal at the county offices. After walking the entire property, he found a suitable location for the mound system. He didn't take any core samples, but shared his confidence, and his concern with me. There is black ash on the lot, and there is a small section to the north that I would agree is a wetland area. It has a ton of white ceders and vegetation that is consistent with a wet land. At this point, I was extremely upset with myself for not taking the time to do this on the front part of this project. I did learn that there is also a peat system. This system needs to have records created for maintenance and requires a little more attention. These system doesn't take up as much space as a traditional mound system. The methodology is similar, and apparently there isn't a whole lot of difference in performance. Flush the toilet, and problems go away.
https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Peat_Bed_Septic_Design_Specs.php
So, I did make sure that the lot was buildable, and the lot requirements checked all the boxes. I incorrectly assumed that building a mound system on flat land, with no water on the surface, and no cattails was a slam dunk. Rather that stew for the next two days before closing, I called a contractor who reassured me that we could pull the permits to build a mound system. I asked him for a contact at the St. Louis County office of zoning. I called this contact on Tuesday and he was amazing! He pulled up his contour maps of the lake and gave me reassurances that we would be able to get this done.
His map was better than mine. This is what I was using.
https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/mn/st-louis-county-27137/
Note to self. Before signing a purchase agreement check lot sizes, lake designation and shore line requirements, and septic permitting requirements before putting down the earnest money check. I was told you can call the DNR and have your lot delineated for wetlands. Some lessons learned in addition to this step was you can't build a septic or mound system in disturbed ground. So bringing in a bunch of fill to correct the low lying areas is a non starter. You also need ten feet from the property line and a run of 45 feet for the actual construction of the mound. This is of course subject to the foot print of your house, bed rooms, and bathrooms.
We received three more bids on well drilling. The costs have varied significantly from 30 per foot to 47 dollars per foot. There have been differences in steel pipe, and plastic pipe. I have not done my research on that portion yet.
Today I met with a contractor for tree and stump removal. He gave me a quote of 2500.00 to move the trees, stumps, and bring in some fill for the road. No question about it, I got a good friend discount on this one. If you need excavating work done, ponds dug, roads cleared let me know I will pass you his number.
Closed today at All American Title. The dream officially starts today. Look out L & M I am going to need a new blade for the saw and lots of bar lube.
https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-development/land-use/wetlands#4094363-wetland-types
https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/Portals/0/Library/Dept/Planning%20%26%20Development/Land-Use/Wetlands/Type-7-Hardwood-Coniferous-Swamp.pdf
Coupled with the 13 different lake categories and designations, I am beginning to understand the need for additional personal at the county offices. After walking the entire property, he found a suitable location for the mound system. He didn't take any core samples, but shared his confidence, and his concern with me. There is black ash on the lot, and there is a small section to the north that I would agree is a wetland area. It has a ton of white ceders and vegetation that is consistent with a wet land. At this point, I was extremely upset with myself for not taking the time to do this on the front part of this project. I did learn that there is also a peat system. This system needs to have records created for maintenance and requires a little more attention. These system doesn't take up as much space as a traditional mound system. The methodology is similar, and apparently there isn't a whole lot of difference in performance. Flush the toilet, and problems go away.
https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Peat_Bed_Septic_Design_Specs.php
So, I did make sure that the lot was buildable, and the lot requirements checked all the boxes. I incorrectly assumed that building a mound system on flat land, with no water on the surface, and no cattails was a slam dunk. Rather that stew for the next two days before closing, I called a contractor who reassured me that we could pull the permits to build a mound system. I asked him for a contact at the St. Louis County office of zoning. I called this contact on Tuesday and he was amazing! He pulled up his contour maps of the lake and gave me reassurances that we would be able to get this done.
His map was better than mine. This is what I was using.
https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/mn/st-louis-county-27137/
Note to self. Before signing a purchase agreement check lot sizes, lake designation and shore line requirements, and septic permitting requirements before putting down the earnest money check. I was told you can call the DNR and have your lot delineated for wetlands. Some lessons learned in addition to this step was you can't build a septic or mound system in disturbed ground. So bringing in a bunch of fill to correct the low lying areas is a non starter. You also need ten feet from the property line and a run of 45 feet for the actual construction of the mound. This is of course subject to the foot print of your house, bed rooms, and bathrooms.
We received three more bids on well drilling. The costs have varied significantly from 30 per foot to 47 dollars per foot. There have been differences in steel pipe, and plastic pipe. I have not done my research on that portion yet.
Today I met with a contractor for tree and stump removal. He gave me a quote of 2500.00 to move the trees, stumps, and bring in some fill for the road. No question about it, I got a good friend discount on this one. If you need excavating work done, ponds dug, roads cleared let me know I will pass you his number.
Closed today at All American Title. The dream officially starts today. Look out L & M I am going to need a new blade for the saw and lots of bar lube.
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