Wells and septic systems are normal for rural Scotland County homes

Outside Memphis and the county’s small towns, many Scotland County homes are not on city water or city sewer. Instead, they use a private well for drinking water and an on-site septic system to handle wastewater. If you buy one of these homes, the upkeep becomes your job. You should have the well water tested to make sure it is safe. A septic system also has rules for how it is put in and how it is cared for, and if you skip that care, repairs can cost a lot. For an ordinary single-family home, Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services sets the standards for these on-site septic systems (those treating 3,000 gallons a day or less); the Department of Natural Resources handles larger systems and subdivisions. Health and Senior Services also offers help on private wells, and your county health office often handles local permits. Before you buy a rural home here, check the water source, the septic system’s type and condition, and who issues septic permits in the area.