If you are buying a rural home, acreage, cabin or lake-area property around Garrison or elsewhere in McLean County, identify the wastewater system before you get too far into the transaction. A private septic system is not automatically a problem, but buyers should understand where the tank and drainfield are located, how old the system is, when it was last serviced, whether permits or records exist, and whether there are signs of trouble.

1. Confirm whether the property actually uses a private septic system

Do not assume every property outside Garrison city limits is on septic. Confirm the wastewater source for the specific parcel.

For McLean County, First District Health Unit provides local public-health services, and the county specifically lists sewer permits among services available through First District Health Unit.

McLean County First District Health Unit information

2. Find the tank and drainfield before you buy

A septic system has two major components: the tank and the drainfield. North Dakota State University Extension explains that the tank holds several days of normal household wastewater and traps solids, while the drainfield allows wastewater to infiltrate into the soil.

Ask the seller where both components are located and whether a drawing, permit, installation record or service record is available.

This becomes especially important if you hope to add a garage, shop, addition, driveway or other improvement later.

3. Ask when the tank was last pumped and serviced

A seller who has service records can give a buyer useful information about the system's maintenance history.

NDSU Extension recommends having septic tanks cleaned by a qualified contractor and notes that effective cleaning involves more than simply removing liquid.

The absence of records does not necessarily mean the system has failed. It does mean the buyer may want additional investigation before closing.

4. Watch for warning signs

Slow drains, toilets that drain slowly or sound unusual, wastewater backing up into floor drains, sewage odors, unusually wet areas or changes around the drainfield can justify a closer look.

NDSU Extension notes that saturated drainfields can cause slow drains and backups. Those symptoms do not identify the cause by themselves, so buyers should have concerns evaluated rather than trying to diagnose the system during a showing.

5. Consider drainage, snowmelt and high-water conditions

Water around a drainfield matters.

NDSU Extension warns that flooding or a high water table can saturate a drainfield and prevent wastewater from moving through the system normally.

For rural and lake-area properties around Garrison, Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon, look at the site's drainage as part of the bigger property picture. Ask whether the owner has experienced spring drainage, standing water or septic problems during wet periods.

6. Verify permits before assuming a system can simply be replaced

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality oversees licensing for onsite wastewater treatment system installers. The state says installers must be licensed and must secure a permit from their local public-health unit before beginning work, while also following local codes.

For McLean County properties, First District Health Unit is the local resource identified by the county for sewer permits. If your purchase depends on replacing, relocating or expanding a septic system, investigate those requirements before assuming your plan will work.

North Dakota On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

7. Treat the septic system as part of the purchase decision

A conventional home inspection and a septic evaluation are not necessarily the same thing.

North Dakota requires home inspectors to be registered with the Secretary of State. But buyers should confirm the actual scope of the inspection they order rather than assuming a complete evaluation of a private wastewater system is included.

When septic condition is important to your purchase decision, discuss the appropriate inspection or specialist with your real estate professional and inspection provider.

What should you ask about a septic system before buying near Garrison?

Start with seven questions:

1. Where are the tank and drainfield?
2. How old is the system?
3. When was it last pumped?
4. Are installation, permit or maintenance records available?
5. Has the owner experienced backups, odors, slow drains or wet drainfield conditions?
6. Does the septic location interfere with your future building plans?
7. Should the system receive a specialized evaluation before closing?

Those answers can tell you much more than simply checking a box marked “septic.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who handles septic permits in McLean County, North Dakota? McLean County identifies First District Health Unit as the local public-health provider and lists sewer permits among its services.

Who can install a septic system in North Dakota? North Dakota DEQ says onsite wastewater treatment system installers must be licensed by the department and obtain a permit from the local public-health unit before beginning work.

Can heavy rain or a high water table affect a septic system? Yes. NDSU Extension explains that flooding and high-water conditions can saturate a drainfield, reducing its ability to accept wastewater and potentially causing slow drains or backups.

Does a normal North Dakota home inspection automatically include a full septic inspection? Do not assume it does. Confirm the inspection scope directly with your inspector and arrange specialized evaluation when appropriate.

Should I ask for septic records when buying acreage near Garrison? Yes. Available pumping, installation, permit and repair records can help you understand the system's history and identify questions that need further investigation.

Buying Rural or Lake Property Around Garrison?

Private systems are part of what makes rural-property due diligence different from buying a typical in-town home.

If you are considering acreage, a rural home, Lake Sakakawea property or Lake Audubon property around Garrison and McLean County, I can help you identify the questions worth asking before you make an offer.

Darrin Sand, REALTOR® | NextHome Legendary Properties