Clinton County, IA Septic Rating

Septic suitability in Clinton County, IA

Very limited

Clinton County, IA: USDA's soil survey calls 95.7% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. That reading means a conventional system is a poor bet here - it's already USDA's strictest "very limited" bucket, not a partial constraint. The county spans 695 square miles, home to 46,015 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Clinton County, IA - never a reading for one specific parcel. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Clinton County: conventional vs. engineered cost

95.7% of Clinton 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.

Where this sits nationally

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Clinton County, IA ranks 565 most-constrained nationally, and 43 of 99 within Iowa.

Further reading

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