We knew when we bought Harmony Hollow that the septic system had failed inspection. But like everything else, we did not know the ordeal that we were in for.
The first test hole we dug hit water at 8 feet. In the desert. So we moved to higher ground and waited for the crew to come back out and dig a second hole.
And we hit water again, at 12 feet. In the desert. That’s the hole that the gila monster fell into and had to be rescued.
On our third attempt we finally managed to get a nice, dry test hole. We were good to go.
Or so we thought.
We failed the perc test and found out that we’d have to put in an alternative system. I honestly questioned whether we could get by with composting toilets and gray water tanks. We scrambled to find out just what type of set-up we needed and where we would put an extensive leech field.
I was in a little bit of a panic because there didn’t appear to be much ground left to use at the top of the hill, and all I could think was, “Nooooo, not my garden area!”
Show above are the panels that needed to be buried 15 feet under ground, and below they’re all laid out and waiting to be hooked up and buried.
Did I mention that we failed the perc test because the ground was all caliche? Or at least, something so solid that water couldn’t trickle through it for a traditional leech field set up, and might as well have been concrete.
But, the wonderful Vincente, of Larson Excavating, dug that trench like a boss. Just check out the scale of it compared to the worker i the hole!
It was truly a marvel to watch unfold, but I’m glad it’s done and taken care of. We were beginning to worry and once again had that thought, “What in the H-E-double-hockey-sticks have we gotten ourselves into?”
(Larson Excavating also updated the quarter-mile driveway, and have been there for us when it has washed out. Two thumbs up, will use again, and again. Thanks, guys!)
