Rockcastle County's SSURGO septic rating

Very limited

USDA puts Rockcastle County, KY at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 84.7% of the county's soil. This is the reading that pushes a project toward an engineered system rather than a conventional one, and it covers 84.7% of Rockcastle County's land. The county spans 316.567 square miles, home to 16,226 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

USDA's survey covers the whole of Rockcastle County, KY at once, not any single address. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Rockcastle County: conventional vs. engineered cost

84.7% of Rockcastle 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, Rockcastle County, KY ranks 1,724 most-constrained nationally, and 79 of 119 within Kentucky.

Before you act on this

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