Franklin County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

USDA puts Franklin County, VT at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 76.4% of the county's soil. This is the reading that pushes a project toward an engineered system rather than a conventional one, and it covers 76.4% of Franklin County's land. The county spans 630.961 square miles, home to 51,066 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Franklin County, VT'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.

Franklin County: conventional vs. engineered cost

76.4% of Franklin 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, Franklin County, VT ranks 2,210 most-constrained nationally, and 13 of 13 within Vermont.

Further reading

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