Ellis County, TX: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

Ellis County, TX: USDA's soil survey calls 95.7% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. Expect the ground itself to work against a plain gravity system; USDA's strictest bucket alone covers 95.7% of the county. The county spans 935.801 square miles, home to 232,387 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Ellis County, TX'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.

Ellis County: conventional vs. engineered cost

95.7% of Ellis 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, Ellis County, TX ranks 558 most-constrained nationally, and 36 of 253 within Texas.

Before you act on this

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