Septic suitability in Big Horn County, MT

Very limited

Big Horn County, MT: USDA's soil survey calls 77.1% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. This is the reading that pushes a project toward an engineered system rather than a conventional one, and it covers 77.1% of Big Horn County's land. The county spans 4,997.778 square miles, home to 12,796 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Big Horn County, MT'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.

Big Horn County: conventional vs. engineered cost

77.1% of Big Horn 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.

How Big Horn County, MT compares

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Big Horn County, MT ranks 2,173 most-constrained nationally, and 34 of 54 within Montana.

Further reading

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