Scott County, MO Septic Rating

Scott County, MO: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

USDA puts Scott County, MO at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 88.4% of the county's soil. This is the reading that pushes a project toward an engineered system rather than a conventional one, covering that same share of Scott County's land. The county spans 420 square miles, home to 37,957 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Scott County, MO'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.

Scott County: conventional vs. engineered cost

88.4% of Scott 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, Scott County, MO ranks 1,429 most-constrained nationally, and 83 of 114 within Missouri.

Before you act on this

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