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, and it covers 88.4% of Scott County's land. The county spans 420.006 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