Alexander County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

USDA puts Alexander County, IL at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 82% of the county's soil. This is the reading that pushes a project toward an engineered system rather than a conventional one, and it covers 82% of Alexander County's land. The county spans 235.394 square miles, home to 4,594 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Alexander County, IL's SSURGO figure applies to a specific address - it's a county-wide average. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Alexander County: conventional vs. engineered cost

82% of Alexander County carrying a "Very limited" reading changes the realistic budget here. Conventional systems run $3,000-$8,000 where they pass; where they don't, engineered alternatives (mound or aerobic treatment, whichever the health department requires) run $10,000-$40,000 - budget toward the higher figure until a perc test says otherwise.

Alexander County's rank among Illinois counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Alexander County, IL ranks 1,930 most-constrained nationally, and 66 of 101 within Illinois.

Before you act on this

How this rating is built, and its real limits · Conventional vs. engineered septic systems