Nelson County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

Nelson County, KY's SSURGO dominant class comes back "Very limited", covering 87.9% of the county. Expect the ground itself to work against a plain gravity system; USDA's strictest bucket alone covers 87.9% of the county. The county spans 418.686 square miles, home to 48,706 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Nelson County, KY'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.

Nelson County: conventional vs. engineered cost

87.9% of Nelson 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, Nelson County, KY ranks 1,473 most-constrained nationally, and 70 of 119 within Kentucky.

Before you act on this

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