Septic System Repair
We find out why a septic system is failing and repair the part that failed. That covers septic tanks, distribution boxes, pipes and leach fields across Rhode Island.
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In East Greenwich, sewer or septic often comes down to which side of Route 2 your house sits on. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) reports that the town sewer serves the area east of Route 2. That covers about two-thirds of the town's people, and the rest rely on onsite systems. West of Route 2, the ground is often stony glacial till with wet low spots.
South County Septic and Excavation Services handles septic system installation in East Greenwich, part of our service area. We start with septic system design for new homes and for replacements. RIDEM approves the plans, and then we install the system. Call or text (401) 474-8926, and we look at the job and put the quote in writing.
Tell us about the septic, sewer, drainage or excavation job and where the property is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.
The town's Sewer Division runs 42 miles of sewer lines and the treatment plant on the harbor. The plant was first built in 1927, and today it removes nitrogen in two steps. The town's draft 2026 plan update says the plant needs a major upgrade to support more growth.
Land splits the other way: roughly two-thirds of the town lies west of Route 2. The plan calls that side rural, with limited water and sewer capacity. In its low density areas, the plan allows one home or less per two acres, with no public sewer. South Road and Tillinghast Road both run through this side of town.
Close to the sewer, the state rules point toward a connection. RIDEM will not approve a new septic system where the sewer is reasonably accessible and the town allows a connection. A new hookup falls under sewer line repair and installation, and so does a cracked or root-filled sewer lateral. We do that work in East Greenwich too.
USDA soil surveys map more than half the land west of Route 2 as stony soils over glacial till. Bridgehampton and Narragansett soils lead, and both drain well. About one acre in eight is wet, dense till, such as Ridgebury and Whitman soils. There the water table can reach the surface in the wet season.
The state's onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) Rules decide what fits on that ground. The stone under a leach field must sit at least 3 feet above the seasonal high water table. It must also sit at least 5 feet above a restrictive layer or bedrock. The rules describe lodgement till as dense and hard to dig, with a high chance of a restrictive lower layer.
If RIDEM and the soil evaluator agree the readings are unclear, the water table gets measured in the wet season. Those readings run from January 1 through April 1. When an older system in wet ground backs up, septic system repair begins with finding the cause.
Most of East Greenwich gets public water from the Kent County Water Authority. Part of that supply comes from the Hunt River aquifer, which the draft plan aims to protect. The plan also says water service is harder to extend in the western parts of town. Where a lot or a neighbor uses a private well, the state rules add limits.
For a home system below 1,000 gallons a day, the leach field must stay 100 feet from a private well. The tank must stay 75 feet away, and the building sewer 50 feet. Near onsite wells, a new home needs about one sixth of an acre of lot per bedroom. A nitrogen-reducing system can allow more.
The draft plan proposes new zoning in the northwest quadrant to promote housing. On a new lot, the septic layout shapes where the house and the well can go. We clear and grade the lot around that plan as part of our site work.
Rhode Island's Cesspool Act starts a clock when a home with a cesspool is sold. Within 12 months of the sale, the cesspool must give way to an approved system or a sewer hookup. When a home may have a cesspool, the purchase contract gives the buyer 10 days to inspect the system. Both sides can agree on a different period.
RIDEM notes that most home systems installed after 1970 are not cesspools. Census estimates date about four in ten East Greenwich homes to before 1970. Cesspools within 200 feet of a tidal shoreline, such as Greenwich Cove, had a January 1, 2014 deadline. The town's draft 2026 plan update calls for abandoning all blackwater cesspools.
Replacing a cesspool means a new septic system, designed for the lot and approved by RIDEM. Our cesspool replacement work follows that path, from the test holes to RIDEM's Certificate of Conformance.
Communities and areas we serve around East Greenwich: Main Street, Hill and Harbor, Greenwich Cove, South County Trail (Route 2), Frenchtown Road, Division Street, South Road, Middle Road, Shippeetown Road, Tillinghast Road, Frenchtown Park, Briggs-Boesch Farm.
East Greenwich ZIP codes served: 02818.
East Greenwich is part of our service area. We look at the job first, then put the quote in writing.
(401) 474-8926 We find out why a septic system is failing and repair the part that failed. That covers septic tanks, distribution boxes, pipes and leach fields across Rhode Island.
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We dig the test holes and lay out a septic system that fits your lot's soil. The design package then goes to RIDEM for approval.
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We dig up and replace broken and root-filled sewer lines, from the house to the street or the septic tank. We also lay new sewer lines for homes that tie into town sewer.
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We find and fix leaking or broken water lines between the street or the well and your house. We also lay new water lines for new homes.
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We clear clogged drains and main lines, and we cut tree roots out of the pipe. A camera inspection then shows what caused the clog.
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Excavation for foundations, additions, utility trenches and pads across Rhode Island. The Dig Safe notice goes in first, and the hole is dug to the plan.
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We take a raw lot to a cleared, graded site that is ready to build on. Land clearing, grading, erosion control and gravel access roads are all part of the work.
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We build French drains, curtain drains, footing drains and dry wells for wet yards and basements across Rhode Island. Every job starts with where the water will go.
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Retaining walls in block and natural stone, plus walkways and outdoor stairs. We set each wall on a compacted base, with drainage stone behind it.
Learn MoreReal reviews of our septic and excavation work, 8 reviews on Google.
South County Septic did an excellent job replacing our old septic system and leach-field. Michael surveyed the property, designed a new system, installed and worked with the RI DEM with no issues. I highly recommend this business.
Michael was great! Picked up right away and was able to come within the hour to evaluate. Immediately got into motion additional resources we might need to come that day and solved the problem. Very informative and great to work with. Highly recommend.
Was referred out to Michael after an emergency waterline break that flooded our basement. He was there every step of the way and answered all the questions we had. Michael let us know what was happening during the process and could not have been happier with the outcome. Great price and great customer service! Highly recommend if anyone is in need of their services
Michael was excellent. He replaced a main water mine to my rental property. Prompt, on time and does great work. I am someone who is extremely picky when hiring contractors for anything. He checked a lot of boxes when we first met answering questions and demonstrating his knowledge. Highly recommend!
Great professionalism! Kept to expected deadlines
Excellent service! Did very good and highly recommended!
A few of the questions we hear most around East Greenwich. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
Tell us what the job is and which town the property is in. Call or text (401) 474-8926 or use the form, and photos by text help.
Tell us about the septic, sewer, drainage or excavation job and where the property is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.