Pennington County, MN: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

Pennington County, MN: USDA's soil survey calls 98.5% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. Expect the ground itself to work against a plain gravity system; USDA's strictest bucket alone covers 98.5% of the county. The county spans 616.52 square miles, home to 13,652 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Pennington County, MN - never a reading for one specific parcel. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Pennington County: conventional vs. engineered cost

98.5% of Pennington 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.

Pennington County's rank among Minnesota counties

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Pennington County, MN ranks 173 most-constrained nationally, and 5 of 86 within Minnesota.

Related guides

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