Chowan County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

Chowan County, NC: USDA's soil survey calls 67.6% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. That reading means a conventional system is a poor bet here - 67.6% of Chowan County lands in the strictest "very limited" bucket USDA uses. The county spans 172.657 square miles, home to 13,891 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Two lots a mile apart in Chowan County can carry different soil, even though they share one countywide rating. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Chowan County: conventional vs. engineered cost

67.6% of Chowan 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.

Chowan County's rank among North Carolina counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Chowan County, NC ranks 2,543 most-constrained nationally, and 58 of 97 within North Carolina.

Before you act on this

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