Septic suitability in Wood County, WI
Very limited
USDA puts Wood County, WI at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 96% of the county's soil. A standard gravity system routinely fails on ground like this; the same share of the county falls in USDA's worst absorption-field bucket outright. The county spans 793.028 square miles, home to 73,943 people.
What this number does and doesn't tell you
Two lots a mile apart in Wood 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.
Wood County: conventional vs. engineered cost
96% of Wood 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.
Wood County's rank among Wisconsin counties
Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Wood County, WI ranks 525 most-constrained nationally, and 11 of 72 within Wisconsin.
Related guides
How this rating is built, and its real limits · Conventional vs. engineered septic systems