Southeast Missouri / Lead Belt / Mississippi Corridor
Most county homes rely on private wells and septic
Outside the small towns, rural Bollinger County properties typically depend on a private well and an onsite septic system, which is a major buying and maintenance consideration.
Most rural homes in Bollinger County are not hooked up to city water or city sewer. Instead, they use a private well for water and an onsite septic system. A septic system cleans and holds the home’s wastewater right on the property. If you want to buy a rural home here, that means asking two extra things. First, is the well in good shape and is the water safe to drink? Second, is the septic system the right size, in the right spot, and working well? In Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources sets the onsite septic rules. The Department of Health and Senior Services gives advice on private wells. The county or a regional health office usually handles the local permits and inspections. So before you close on a rural lot, test the well water. Check the septic system’s condition and its permit history. And ask which local office handles septic systems here. Do not just assume the home is on city water and sewer.
References
Where this fits: this note belongs to Bollinger County. See every local note for the county on its page.