re you in the market to buy an undeveloped lot on which to build your new "dream home"? If the property is not served by public water and sewer utilities, perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase the lot, is whether it will support an onsite well and septic system. Be aware, there are a number of properties in the Anchorage and Eagle River area which have such poor site conditions that the installation of an onsite septic system is not possible. Furthermore, there are a few areas where the chance of drilling an adequate well is somewhat uncertain.

iven these facts, it is imperative to determine whether the lot will support an onsite septic system, and whether there is a reasonable chance of obtaining an adequate well, prior to purchasing the land. The purpose of this page is to guide you through some of the factors which should be considered when purchasing undeveloped land. To further protect your interests, you should always seek representation from a realtor who has experience in all of the legalities and disclosure requirements associated with the purchase of raw land. Their involvement costs you, the buyer, nothing and can save you a tremendous amount of headache and heartache. Furthermore, you should always retain a registered civil engineer who has extensive experience with onsite wells and septic systems to act as your technical representative. Do not rely solely on information provided to you by the seller's engineer.

f the lot will not support an onsite septic system, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) will not issue a building permit or land use permit for construction. In short, you can't build on a lot if you cannot put a septic system on it. Furthermore, the Municipality will not allow the installation of a holding tank for new construction. Consequently, it is imperative that any offer to purchase undeveloped land be contingent upon soils testing and an engineer's site evaluation.

The following pages will help guide you through the factors that must be considered when developing a property which will be served by an onsite well and/or septic system.

Septic System Siting, Soils Evaluation, and Design Engineering costs and permit fees Alternative Technology Septic Systems Intermittent Sand Filter BioCycle Recirculating Trickle Filter Water Wells Well Site Positioning Well Production Requirements Well Production Variation Well Construction Costs Water Quality Nitrates Coliform Bacteria

ollow the links above for more specifics. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our office.