Mercer County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

USDA puts Mercer County, OH at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 95.1% of the county's soil. Expect the ground itself to work against a plain gravity system; USDA's strictest bucket alone covers 95.1% of the county. The county spans 462.447 square miles, home to 42,648 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Mercer County, OH'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.

Mercer County: conventional vs. engineered cost

95.1% of Mercer 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.

Mercer County's rank among Ohio counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Mercer County, OH ranks 661 most-constrained nationally, and 56 of 87 within Ohio.

Further reading

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