New septic system installation. Design through county sign-off.
A new septic system is a 30-year decision. We handle the full project — perc test, soil profile, system design, county DEH permit, install, inspection, and final sign-off — so you're not coordinating an engineer, a tank supplier, an excavator, and an inspector on your own. New rural builds, ADU additions, and full-system replacements after field failure are our three most common installs.
What's included in this service?
- Site evaluation and feasibility review (gravity-fed vs. pressure-dosed vs. ATU)
- Perc test coordination with county-approved soil engineer
- System sizing per SD County DEH formula (bedrooms + soil class + slope)
- Engineered system design and county permit submittal
- Tank install — concrete or polyethylene, sized to bedroom count
- Drain field install — gravity trench, gravelless chamber, or pressure-dosed bed
- Distribution box, effluent filter, and riser install to grade
- Final county inspection coordination and permit close-out
When do you need this service?
- You're building a new home or ADU outside city sewer service
- Existing system has failed and is unrepairable
- You're adding bedrooms and the existing system is undersized per current code
- County violation notice requires a full system upgrade
- You inherited a non-permitted system and want to bring it to code at sale
- Property purchase is contingent on a permitted, current septic system
What do homeowners ask about New Systems?
How long does a full new septic install take from start to finish?
Plan for 2 to 4 months from first call to closed permit. The actual digging and installing is one week. The other 7-15 weeks are county DEH timelines: perc test scheduling, plan review, permit issuance, and final inspection. We push paper on the slow steps so you're not the one chasing the county.
What is the difference between gravity, pressure-dosed, and ATU systems?
Gravity systems are simplest, cheapest, longest-lasting — they need good soil and slope. Pressure-dosed systems use a pump to spread effluent evenly across the field — needed for marginal soils or flat sites. ATUs (Aerobic Treatment Units) treat effluent with oxygen for sites that fail standard perc — required on small lots or near sensitive water features. Cost goes up in that order.
Can my property pass a perc test?
Most SD County properties can, but soil class drives system type and cost. Rocky decomposed-granite soils common in East County perc fast and may need oversized fields to slow effluent. Heavy clay common in some North County inland areas may need ATU systems. We can do a preliminary review of your parcel before the formal perc to give you a realistic budget range.
Will a new system fit on my lot?
SD County DEH requires specific setbacks: 5 feet from property lines, 10 feet from structures, 50 feet from wells (100 feet for the field), 100 feet from creeks. We site-walk the property as part of the design phase and confirm fit before you commit to a permit.
Where do we offer New Systems in San Diego County?
We provide new systems in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See new systems in all 48 cities
Homeowners who hired us for this
Bought our place 4 years ago and never had the tank serviced. Tank Pro showed up on the day they said, took the time to measure sludge, walked me through what they found, and set us up for a clean schedule going forward. No upsell, no panic.
Had wet patches on the lawn and three other companies tried to sell me a $20K replacement. Tank Pro diagnosed it carefully, jetted the field, retrofitted an effluent filter, and bought us 5+ years for a fraction of the price. Real diagnosis, honest call.
Old steel tank had finally rusted through. They handled the county DEH permit, picked the right concrete tank for our access, and had it installed and inspected in 5 weeks total. Crew was clean, communication was clear, no surprise charges.
Need new systems in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.