Pender County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

USDA puts Pender County, NC at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 90.2% of the county's soil. That reading means a conventional system is a poor bet here - 90.2% of Pender County lands in the strictest "very limited" bucket USDA uses. The county spans 871.3 square miles, home to 70,077 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Two lots a mile apart in Pender 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.

Pender County: conventional vs. engineered cost

90.2% of Pender 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.

Pender County's rank among North Carolina counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Pender County, NC ranks 1,243 most-constrained nationally, and 23 of 97 within North Carolina.

Before you act on this

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