Solving Septic System and Wastewater Issues For Maine Lakefront Buyers

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Solving Septic System and Wastewater Issues For Maine Lakefront Buyers


We had a buyer recently who put in an offer on a nice vacation camp on Sebago Lake that sits about 25 feet from the water. When going through the inspections, this buyer was dismayed to find that the septic inspector had characterized the septic system as “marginal” and needing attention. The system was old, the soil was sandy, and there was significant groundwater and surface water runoff in the area.
The buyer was concerned because he was hoping to do some updating to the camp and wanted a septic system that would qualify for a four bedroom dwelling. The lot is small and treed and the buyer wanted to keep the trees for privacy, shade, and as a buffer from the road. To complicate matters, both his well and the abutter’s well are nearby. Septic systems must satisfy several different setback requirements, including setbacks from any wells, property lines, and the lake or pond. It looked as if there was not enough room to site a septic system that would satisfy all of the requirements.
Enter a septic system designer and a septic system installer. These two people met with the buyer at the site and discussed all the variables that needed to be taken into consideration. Because these guys were experienced and local – and thereby used to working with failing systems in the shoreland zone – they came up with an affordable plan that would satisfy the desires of the buyer, fit into the limitations of the lot, and pass muster with the local Code Enforcement Officer or Plumbing Inspector. Even better, the installation of this new system would benefit both the lake and the property and the buyer could fulfill his responsibility as a lakefornt property owner to be a good steward of the lake.
Many older lakefront properties are fraught with septic and wastewater disposal issues. Some camps have cesspools, others have metal tanks that have rusted out years ago, some have failed leach fields, and some just have holding tanks. While initially dismaying, solutions can often be found for inadequate septic systems that will satisfy the needs of the owner, meet all current rules and regulations for waste disposal in the shoreland zone, increase the value of the property, and make the owners good stewards of the lake.
When faced with an inadequate septic system situation in the shoreland zone try to think beyond the initial expense and focus on the opportunity to make a real difference in the value of your property and the health of the lake. A good septic designer and installer can be invaluable when finding solutions to these septic system problems.

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