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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About 60 percent of South Kingstown residents rely on a septic system, by the town's own count. Public sewers reach only about a tenth of the land, and private wells serve about 80 percent of it. Near the coast, that ground drains to the salt ponds, where the state's septic rules are stricter. The town also runs its own septic inspection program, with deadlines for failed systems and cesspools.
South County Septic and Excavation Services designs and installs septic systems, and South Kingstown is part of our service area. We handle septic system installation in South Kingstown for new homes and for replacement systems. Each septic system design goes to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) for approval before the dig starts. Call or text (401) 474-8926 to talk through a South Kingstown lot.
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 sewer serves Wakefield, Peace Dale, Kingston and Middlebridge. The University of Rhode Island runs its own system for university property. Both feed a regional treatment plant in Narragansett. Together they cover about 40 percent of the town's homes, the town's community plan says.
The same plan says outlying villages should not be considered for sewer service, except Middlebridge. That leaves Matunuck, Snug Harbor, East Matunuck and Green Hill on septic, along with West Kingston and Perryville. In the rural zones, the plan discourages public sewers. One zone allows about one home per five acres, to protect groundwater and coastal pond watersheds.
For a typical house, RIDEM's rules start with 100 feet between the leach field and a private drinking water well. A home that ties into town sewer starts with an approval letter from the town's Wastewater Division. We also do sewer line installation for homes that tie in. The town wants its sewer inspection booked at least 48 hours before digging.
RIDEM's rules set a Salt Pond Critical Resource Area over the land that drains to the salt ponds. All five South Kingstown coastal ponds are on its list: Point Judith, Potter, Cards, Trustom and Green Hill. A matching Narrow River Critical Resource Area covers land that drains to the Narrow River near Middlebridge. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) maps both, and a septic plan shows the line if it crosses the lot.
Inside both areas, RIDEM requires nitrogen-reducing technology for every new home. The same rule covers alterations and repairs, with a narrow waiver for some tank-only repairs. The system must cut total nitrogen at least in half and discharge no more than 19 milligrams per liter. The town requires more frequent maintenance for innovative and alternative systems like these.
The same rules limit where a leach field can go. It cannot sit where the seasonal high water table comes within five feet of the surface. At two to five feet down, the rules allow an approved alternative technology or a shallow trench layout. In the faster-draining soils, the stone under the field must sit at least four feet above that water table.
The town's onsite wastewater ordinance requires septic inspections in prioritized districts. Inspections generally come every two to five years, based on the system's condition. After a town notice, the owner has 45 days to get the inspection done. A licensed inspector from the town's list does it and files the report with the town.
Census estimates put about four in ten South Kingstown homes before 1970, with a median year built of 1978. The year 1970 also matters under the town program. For a cesspool or a system installed before 1970, the town requires a pump-out at the inspection. For a newer system, the town recommends one.
When an inspection finds a failed system, the town issues a Notice of Violation. The owner then has 18 months to repair it or replace it with a new system the state approves. A broken pipe or a failed leach field may be a job for septic system repair. Cesspools must be replaced by the earlier of 12 months after a sale or five years after the first inspection.
Federal soil maps from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) show Bridgehampton as the most common soil in town. It is silty, and NRCS says its lower part is often saturated in winter and spring. Hinckley sand and gravel, also common here, drains fast. The town's community plan finds septic limits on almost half of its unsewered residential land zoned under two acres.
Wetlands cover about 29 percent of the town's land, including the Great Swamp. The town's plan flags parts of Card's Pond Road and Worden's Pond Road for flooding from saturated ground. A septic system within 150 feet of a fresh or salt water wetland needs a town special use permit. That rule comes from the town's checklist for a new house, and the Zoning Board of Review hears the request.
The town's Building and Zoning Department issues the building permit for a new house. The application needs RIDEM's septic permit in the owner's name and a Class 1 survey that marks the septic system. Digging for a new house may also need a soil erosion permit from the Public Services Department. Erosion controls are part of our site work, and the town inspects them before it issues the building permit.
Communities and areas we serve around South Kingstown: Wakefield, Peace Dale, Kingston, West Kingston, Matunuck, East Matunuck, Snug Harbor, Green Hill, Middlebridge, Perryville, Tuckertown, Worden Pond.
South Kingstown ZIP codes served: 02879, 02881, 02883, 02892.
South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown. 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.