Septic suitability in Chaves County, NM

Very limited

Chaves County, NM: USDA's soil survey calls 73.4% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. A standard gravity system routinely fails on ground like this; the same share of the county falls in USDA's worst absorption-field bucket outright. The county spans 6,067.178 square miles, home to 63,697 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

USDA's survey covers the whole of Chaves County, NM at once, not any single address. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Chaves County: conventional vs. engineered cost

73.4% of Chaves 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.

Chaves County's rank among New Mexico counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Chaves County, NM ranks 2,353 most-constrained nationally, and 11 of 29 within New Mexico.

Before you act on this

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