Septic suitability in Koochiching County, MN

Very limited

USDA puts Koochiching County, MN at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 98% of the county's soil. Practically, that rules out a simple gravity system for most of the county - 98% of it sits in USDA's most-constrained bucket. The county spans 3,104.706 square miles, home to 11,594 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Koochiching County, MN'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.

Koochiching County: conventional vs. engineered cost

98% of Koochiching 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.

Koochiching County's rank among Minnesota counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Koochiching County, MN ranks 255 most-constrained nationally, and 9 of 86 within Minnesota.

Further reading

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