McPherson County, KS: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

McPherson County, KS's SSURGO dominant class comes back "Very limited", covering 91.6% of the county. Practically, that rules out a simple gravity system for most of the county - 91.6% of it sits in USDA's most-constrained bucket. The county spans 898.285 square miles, home to 30,334 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Two lots a mile apart in McPherson 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.

McPherson County: conventional vs. engineered cost

91.6% of McPherson 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.

How McPherson County, KS compares

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, McPherson County, KS ranks 1,097 most-constrained nationally, and 45 of 105 within Kansas.

Before you act on this

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