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 one third of Warwick's people use a septic system or a cesspool, says the Warwick Sewer Authority (WSA). On Warwick Neck, high groundwater has led to a high rate of septic failure, the city's draft plan reports. The plan calls those failures a major source of bacteria in Greenwich Bay. A failed system or a home sale here often means a new system or a sewer tie-in.
South County Septic and Excavation Services designs and installs septic systems across Rhode Island. Warwick is part of our service area. We handle septic system installation for failed systems and old cesspools, and we design the system we install. Call or text (401) 474-8926, and we look at the lot 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 WSA's system runs about 317 miles of sewer lines with 49 pump stations. Most of that flow goes to its treatment plant on the Pawtuxet River. Parts of western Warwick send their flow to West Warwick's plant instead. The city's draft plan counts about 70 percent of developed parcels as sewered.
The latest large project is the Bayside low-pressure sewer, with more than 900 connections. Each home there ties in through a grinder pump, which the owner keeps up. Next comes Northwest Gorton Pond, now in final design, with about 324 properties. A Warwick Neck South extension, about 279 properties, is slated to start construction in fiscal 2030.
Cowesett was left off the sewer plan because its larger lots and soils were judged fit for on-site systems. Potowomut, a detached piece of the city, sits several miles from the nearest sewer connection. Where a sewer does reach the lot, our sewer line repair and installation work covers the new sewer lateral. The state plumbing code calls for that line to sit at least 36 inches below grade.
The city's draft plan divides Warwick into two kinds of ground. The eastern lowland sits on sandy glacial outwash, and the western upland on dense glacial till. Federal soil maps show fast-draining Merrimac soils under parts of Oakland Beach and Buttonwoods. Sand that drains too fast can carry wastewater into the groundwater, the plan notes.
On parts of Warwick Neck, federal soil data puts the seasonal high water table about 2 feet down. State rules set the bottom of a leach field at least 3 feet above that water. That can call for a raised leach field or a different system type. Our septic system design work starts with test holes that show where the water sits.
The shore brings its own rules. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has authority over construction on the shore and within 200 feet of tidal waters. There, a septic design that needs a variance from state rules goes to CRMC for a preliminary determination first. State law set January 1, 2014, as the deadline to abandon cesspools that close to tidal water.
Septic permits in Rhode Island come from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). The design package goes to RIDEM for approval before the install starts. Once the system is in, RIDEM issues a Certificate of Conformance before it goes into use.
As of 2022, RIDEM reported that Warwick had no onsite wastewater management plan or district, the city's planners note. The city's Building Department issues a building permit only after any required RIDEM approval is shown. The WSA issues sewer connection permits and inspects that work.
Bigger jobs may also fall under Chapter 68, Warwick's erosion and stormwater ordinance. It calls for review of any project that disturbs 1,000 square feet of land or more. Our site work covers the erosion controls that go in during a job.
Warwick's first treatment plant and a small core of sewers came on line in 1965, the WSA says. Census estimates put the median build year of the city's homes at 1961. About 62 percent of them went up before 1970.
The age of a system matters under RIDEM's rules. A cesspool, or a system installed before April 9, 1968, must be upgraded before you add a bedroom. The same rule applies when you enlarge the house or remodel half or more of the living area.
Under the same rules, wastewater on the ground or in the basement marks a failed system. So does a tank or cesspool that needs pumping more than twice a year. Groundwater seeping into a pumped tank is another sign. Our septic system repair work starts by finding which part failed.
Communities and areas we serve around Warwick: Warwick Neck, Cowesett, Potowomut, Sandy Point, Bayside, Riverview, Longmeadow, Oakland Beach, Buttonwoods, Conimicut, Apponaug, Pawtuxet.
Warwick ZIP codes served: 02886, 02888, 02889.
Warwick 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 Warwick. 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.