Your Septic System Specialist

Serving Nevada County
(530) 273-2964
P.O. Box 975
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Our Family of Companies


Roto-Rooter
Your Neighborhood Plumber, serving Nevada County

Navo & Sons, Inc
Your Septic & Leachfield experts in Nevada County

All-Sierra Septic
Your Septic & Leachfield experts in Placer County

Perc & Mantle

What is a Perc and Mantle?

Mantle

Soil test pits or soil mantles are excavations done with a backhoe to verify effective soil depth. Effective soil is considered soil that will treat or filter sewage. For a standard sewage disposal system (in our counties) a minimum 6 feet of effective soil is required, 4 feet of effective soil below the trench bottom. The standard trench depth is 24-inches.

Perc

Percolation test are used to determine how fast or slow water will filter through the soil. A perc hole is dug to the anticipated trench bottom or to the limiting horizon. The hole is pre-soaked to simulate winter time or wet weather conditions. Readings of how quickly water leaves this hole are taken the following day. These reading are then averaged to calculate your average percolation rate.

What is an O.S.S.E.

Before applying for a new septic system, it is necessary to have a valid soils testing (On Site Soils Evaluation - OSSE) done. An OSSE includes soil tests that determine the effectiveness of soil to filter sewage through leach lines, as well as observations of required setbacks, constraints and possibilities for an individual, “on-site” septic system. The Soils Evaluation Report produced by the consultant of the particular site tested on a parcel is reviewed and evaluated by an Environmental Health Specialist who generates a findings report. An OSSE must be conducted by a Nevada County approved Soil Testing Consultant. Soils Evaluation Reports are valid for 3 years. Consultant re-certification is required for any reports exceeding 3 years.

It is recommended to have the consultant apply for the OSSE permit, as well as schedule inspections to conduct the OSSE. This can be done by calling the inspection line, (530)265-1599. Once the OSSE has been completed and signed off by the Environmental Health Specialist, you can proceed to apply for a Septic Permit Application.

Quick steps to apply for an OSSE/ Perc & Mantle

1) Hire a Nevada County Approved Soils Testing Consultant (Navo)

2) Your Consultant (navo) will Apply for the OSSE using some forms you will fill out

3) Consultant (Navo) schedules an OSSE (see below)

4) Consultant (Navo), Backhoe operator (Typically Navo) and Nevada County Specialist meet on site for soils testing

5) Consultant (navo) submits Soils Evaluation Report to Nevada County

6) Nevada County Specialist generates Findings Report to approve what type of septic system to install

7) AFTER This a design can be created by your Consultant (Navo) to apply for the permit and get an install estimate

8) You may then proceed to apply for a Septic Permit 
 

Process To Install The Average Septic System in Nevada County
Time Completed Description Anticipated Cost
1-3 days

Give check to Navo & Sons made out to
Nevada County Environmental Health Dept.
(N.C.E.H.D) for us to schedule the Perc & Mantle
(P&M) (see below)

$0.00
2-7 weeks

To schedule the P&M the County has a fee of

$769.98

5-7 days

Because we are one stop shop we provide the backhoe,
operator, designer for 2 mantles and 3 perc test -
(A Standard P & M).The designer will complete
the P & M paperwork.

The County supervises Navo & Sons (ie designer,
backhoe, and operator) performing the P& M Please note:
It is recommended to have owners or owners representative present on this first day

2300-$2600

1-2 weeks

If a design is needed: The designer will quote a firm price
to perform the specific design and time to complete said design

Please note: Upon approval and completion of the design
we can provide a firm installation cost for the system

$0-$3000
2-6 weeks

Once the design is completed, the 2 design
originals will need to be taken to N.C.E.H.D. to
apply for the installation permit of system

$780.70+
2-6 weeks Once a permit is issued we can usually start installing the system. Depends on the system