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.
Learn More
Westerly's long-range town plan says the town sewer serves about 45 percent of properties. The rest rely on their own septic systems, many of them near Winnapaug Pond and Quonochontaug Pond. Around those ponds, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) sets stricter septic rules. The plan also says many systems here, and the cesspools before them, predate RIDEM's current standards.
South County Septic and Excavation Services designs and installs septic systems, and Westerly is part of our service area. The work here runs from Watch Hill and Misquamicut up to Bradford and the Charlestown line. Our septic system installation work in Westerly covers new construction and replacement systems, including cesspool conversions. Call or text (401) 474-8926, and we will 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.
Westerly owns its sewer system and a treatment plant on Margin Street. Treated water from the plant flows into the Pawcatuck River. By the town plan's count, about 39 percent of residential properties use the sewer.
The sewer mostly serves downtown and the established neighborhoods around it. The plan names Bradford, much of Dunn's Corners, Haversham and Weekapaug as areas on septic. It says Watch Hill's large-lot homes have town water but no town sewer. The plan says the same of the small-lot areas around Winnapaug Pond, Misquamicut included.
The plan expects septic systems to stay the main method outside the sewer district. The town's 2018 sewer plan update took Misquamicut, Avondale and Mount Moriah off the expansion list. Some private developers have extended sewer lines for their own projects, with the town's permission.
Where the sewer is within reach, the answer may be a connection instead of a septic system. RIDEM's rules bar a new septic approval where public sewer is reasonably accessible and a hookup is allowed. Laying a sewer line takes a written permit from the town's Department of Public Works. Our sewer line repair and installation work covers broken laterals and new connections.
The town plan says rain south of the Charlestown Moraine drains to the salt ponds. RIDEM treats those pond watersheds as the Salt Pond Critical Resource Area. In Westerly, that means land draining to Maschaug, Winnapaug and Quonochontaug Ponds. Misquamicut sits between Winnapaug Pond and the ocean, and Weekapaug wraps the western end of Quonochontaug Pond.
The plan calls failing or substandard septic systems the leading nonpoint source of bacteria and nutrients there. Winnapaug Pond has topped safe shellfishing limits for bacteria. The plan adds that soils around Quonochontaug Pond take in water slowly and shed heavy runoff.
Inside this area, RIDEM's rules call for nitrogen-reducing technology on new construction and on alterations. Most repairs need it too. To count, the technology must cut total nitrogen by at least half. RIDEM's rules say a variance from that requirement shall be denied.
One narrow waiver covers a repair that only replaces the septic tank. Among other tests, the leach field must not have failed and must sit over 200 feet from the coastal shoreline. RIDEM's setback table also sets 200 feet between a home-sized system and a salt pond's shoreline features. That is why a pond-area job starts with septic system design.
Westerly's housing runs older. Census estimates put the median home's build year at 1973, and about 45 percent predate 1970. RIDEM notes that most home systems installed after 1970 are not cesspools. In the mill villages of Bradford, Potter Hill and White Rock, many buildings date to the 1800s and early 1900s.
State law has pushed cesspools out in stages. Cesspools within 200 feet of the tidal shoreline or a public well had to go by January 1, 2014. The town plan puts a typical septic system's life at 20 to 30 years. When an older system starts to fail, our septic system repair work begins with finding the cause.
Along the shore, the plan says Misquamicut lots are small and many houses are being renovated or replaced. New and renovated homes there often go up larger, built for year-round use. Many sit in flood zones, and new work is going up higher above base flood elevation.
On a tight lot, the septic system and the roof water both need room. RIDEM's rules keep roof drains out of a septic system and surface water off the leach field. Westerly's code also keeps roof downspouts and sump pumps out of the public sewer. Our drainage systems work gives that water a place to go, such as a dry well.
Septic approval in Westerly comes from RIDEM's onsite wastewater program. Its rules bar building a system, or most repairs, without the Director's written approval of the plans. Before a new system goes into use, RIDEM must issue a Certificate of Conformance.
The town's Building Office issues the building permit once RIDEM's required approvals are in hand. The office sits in the lower level of Town Hall and takes all applications online. Some permits, including one for a new single-family home, need zoning approval first.
In the salt pond area, RIDEM's rules say its septic approvals stay subject to the Coastal Resources Management Council's requirements. A new home on a new system needs its Certificate of Conformance before anyone moves in.
For a new system, our design starts with the soil test holes RIDEM's rules call for. They go down five feet where the ground allows. The design package then goes to RIDEM for approval, and we install to the approved plan. Call or text (401) 474-8926 to set up a look at your lot.
Communities and areas we serve around Westerly: Downtown Westerly, Watch Hill, Misquamicut, Weekapaug, Shelter Harbor, Haversham, Avondale, Dunn's Corners, Bradford, Potter Hill, Winnapaug Pond, Quonochontaug Pond.
Westerly ZIP codes served: 02891, 02808.
Westerly 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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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 Westerly. 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.