Backwell has installed new septic systems across Central New York since 2007. Concrete tank sets, leach field construction, engineered systems for tight sites, mound systems for high water tables, pressure distribution, and full pump-and-disposal layouts — every installation is built to NYS Department of Health Appendix 75-A standards and inspected by the local county health department before backfill.
If you're building new construction, replacing a failed system, or moving from a cesspool to a code-compliant system, call (315) 400-2654 for a free written estimate. We serve Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Cortland, Wayne, and Jefferson counties.
What a New Septic System Installation Includes
A complete septic installation is more than dropping a tank in the ground. The full scope:
1. Site Evaluation & Soil Testing
- Percolation testing (perc test) — measures how fast water drains through your soil. Required by NY DOH for any new system.
- Deep hole observation — confirms seasonal high water table depth.
- Soil profile log — sand, silt, clay layers and depth to bedrock.
- Site survey — property boundaries, setbacks from wells, structures, surface water, and property lines.
2. Engineered System Design
- Designer of record — engineered designs require a licensed NYS Professional Engineer (PE) for sites that fail conventional perc, mound systems, pressure distribution, or commercial flows.
- Conventional designs — single-family residential systems can often be designed by the installer if the soil and site qualify.
- Plans submitted — to county health department for approval, typically with a 2–6 week review window depending on county.
3. Permit Acquisition
- County health department permit — required before any excavation begins. Backwell handles permit submission.
- NYSDEC SPDES permit — if disturbance exceeds 1 acre.
- Local town wetland and stream permits as required.
4. Excavation & Tank Installation
- Tank excavation — deep enough to maintain proper inlet/outlet pipe slope.
- Tank set — concrete tanks are the durable industry standard for CNY conditions; we can install plastic where soil allows.
- Tank sizing — based on bedroom count and gallons per day (gpd) flow.
- Sand bedding under the tank, native or stone backfill above.
5. Distribution Box (D-Box) Installation
- Concrete D-box with sealed lid for inspection access.
- Risers to grade for easy future maintenance access.
- Equal flow distribution to each leach field lateral.
6. Leach Field Construction
- Trench layout — typically 3-foot wide trenches at 2–3 foot depth, length determined by soil percolation rate and design flow.
- Stone bed — clean washed 1.5" stone or per design spec.
- Perforated pipe — 4" PVC SDR-35 perforated, laid level on stone.
- Geotextile fabric — over stone, before topsoil cover.
- Topsoil cap and seeded for stabilization.
7. Final Connection & Inspection
- Building drain to tank inlet connection.
- Tank outlet to D-box connection.
- D-box to leach field laterals.
- County health department final inspection before backfill of trenches.
- Backfill, grade, and seed the disturbed area.
8. Documentation & Owner Handoff
- As-built drawing — showing tank, D-box, leach field locations, with measurements from permanent reference points.
- County approval certificate — issued upon final inspection.
- Maintenance guidance — pumping schedule, what to flush vs. not flush, leach field protection rules.
Septic System Sizes We Install
NYS Department of Health Appendix 75-A requires minimum tank sizes based on bedroom count:
| Bedrooms |
Min Tank Size (Single Compartment) |
Min Tank Size (2-Compartment) |
Daily Flow (gpd) |
| 1–3 bedrooms |
1,000 gallons |
1,250 gallons |
110 gpd × bedrooms |
| 4 bedrooms |
1,250 gallons |
1,500 gallons |
440 gpd |
| 5 bedrooms |
1,500 gallons |
1,500 gallons |
550 gpd |
| 6 bedrooms |
2,000 gallons |
2,000 gallons |
660 gpd |
Commercial flows are calculated separately based on use type (restaurant, office, retail, mixed-use) per Appendix 75-A Table 1.
We install tanks from 1,000 gallon residential to 5,000+ gallon commercial multi-tank systems for restaurants, offices, and mixed-use buildings.
Septic System Types We Install
1. Conventional Gravity Septic System
- Best for: Sites with 5–60 minutes-per-inch percolation, deep usable soil, low water table.
- Cost range in CNY: $9,000 – $18,000 typical.
- Lifespan: 25–40 years with proper maintenance.
2. Pressure Distribution Septic System
- Best for: Sites with marginal percolation, larger residential or small commercial flows.
- Components: Pump tank with effluent pump, pressurized manifold, smaller lateral pipes with orifices.
- Cost range in CNY: $15,000 – $25,000.
3. Raised Mound Septic System (Wisconsin Mound)
- Best for: Sites with shallow soil to bedrock, high seasonal water tables, or poor percolation.
- Components: Pump tank, pressure distribution, sand fill mound above grade, perforated pipe in stone within the mound.
- Cost range in CNY: $20,000 – $35,000.
- Note: Mound systems require larger ground footprint and careful landscape integration.
4. Engineered / Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU)
- Best for: Sites that fail all conventional designs, very small lots, environmentally sensitive areas (lakefront, wetland-adjacent).
- Components: Septic tank, aerobic treatment chamber, effluent pump, drip dispersal or compact leach field.
- Cost range in CNY: $25,000 – $45,000+.
- Maintenance: Annual contract typically required for ATU systems.
5. Cesspool-to-Septic Upgrade
- What it is: Replacing a non-code-compliant cesspool with a NYSDOH-compliant septic system.
- Why it matters: Cesspools are no longer permitted for new installation in NY; existing cesspools must be upgraded at property sale or system failure.
- Cost range in CNY: $9,000 – $18,000 typical.
How Much Does a New Septic System Cost in Central New York?
Cost varies based on site conditions, system type, soil percolation, and access. Honest CNY ranges based on what Backwell installs:
| System Type |
Typical Cost Range |
| Conventional 3-bedroom residential |
$9,000 – $14,000 |
| Conventional 4-bedroom residential |
$11,000 – $18,000 |
| Pressure distribution |
$15,000 – $25,000 |
| Raised mound |
$20,000 – $35,000 |
| Engineered / aerobic |
$25,000 – $45,000 |
| Commercial (restaurant, mixed-use) |
$25,000 – $80,000+ |
Cost drivers:
- Soil conditions (perc rate, water table, bedrock depth)
- System type required by site
- Tank material (concrete vs plastic)
- Access for excavation equipment
- Permit fees (county-dependent)
- Engineering fees if PE design required
What's included in our estimate:
- Tank, D-box, leach field components
- Excavation, set, backfill, restoration
- Permit submission and coordination with county health department
- As-built drawing
- Final inspection coordination
What's typically not included:
- Engineering/PE fees (if required) — quoted separately
- Tree clearing beyond standard installation footprint
- Extensive rock excavation (charged at $125/CY unit rate beyond allowance)
- Long-haul tank delivery for remote sites
Why Choose Backwell for Septic Installation
Owner-Operated Since 2007
Ron Starusnak owns and operates Backwell. When you call (315) 400-2654, you're talking to the person responsible for your installation. No call centers, no estimating departments — direct contact with the owner.
NYSDOH Appendix 75-A Expertise
We design and install to current NY State Department of Health Appendix 75-A standards. We work directly with the Onondaga County Department of Health, Madison County Department of Health, Oneida County Health Department, Oswego County Health Department, Cayuga County Health Department, Cortland County Health Department, and Jefferson County Public Health Service — we know each county's review process and inspector requirements.
Self-Performed
Backwell self-performs every step: site evaluation, excavation, tank set, D-box, leach field, backfill, grading, seeding. No subcontracted excavation crew, no separate plumbing sub. One contractor, one accountability chain, one crew on your property.
Concrete Tanks Only (Standard)
We install concrete septic tanks as our standard because they last 40+ years in CNY soils, hold up to high water tables, and meet structural requirements for vehicle traffic if drives or parking ever cross. Plastic tanks installed when soil/access conditions favor them.
Free Written Estimates
We come to your property, evaluate the site, discuss options, and provide a free written estimate. No surprise pricing, no hidden charges. Estimates include everything in the scope so you can compare apples-to-apples to other quotes.
Bonded & Insured
Fully insured ($2M general liability), workers' compensation, vehicle insurance. ISNetworld member, OSHA 30 certified, NYSDEC SWPPP compliant.
Women-Owned Small Business
Backwell is a federally-designated Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), with NY MWBE certification in process. Important for commercial / public projects with diversity contracting goals.
Counties & Cities We Serve for Septic Installation
Onondaga County
- Syracuse
- North Syracuse
- East Syracuse
- Liverpool
- Cicero
- Camillus
- Manlius
- Baldwinsville
- DeWitt
- Salina
- Onondaga (Town)
- Marcellus
- Skaneateles
Oswego County
- Oswego
- Fulton
- Pulaski
- Phoenix
- Mexico
- Hannibal
- Constantia (our office)
- Central Square
Madison County
- Oneida
- Canastota
- Hamilton
- Cazenovia
- Chittenango
- Wampsville
Oneida County
- Utica
- Rome
- Whitestown
- New Hartford
- Marcy
- Verona
- Vernon
Cayuga County
- Auburn
- Weedsport
- Moravia
- Aurelius
Cortland County
Wayne County (eastern)
Jefferson County (southern)
The Backwell Septic Installation Process — Step by Step
Week 1: Site Evaluation & Estimate
- You call (315) 400-2654 or request an estimate online
- Ron schedules a site visit (usually within 5 business days)
- We evaluate the site: existing system condition (if applicable), soil signs, water table evidence, access, distance to wells/water bodies, available area for leach field
- Free written estimate delivered within 5 business days of site visit
Week 2–3: Soil Testing & Design
- Perc test scheduled with county health department witness (where required)
- Deep hole observation to confirm water table depth
- System type determined based on soil and site
- Engineered design prepared (or in-house design for conventional systems)
- Plans submitted to county health department
Week 4–8: Permit Review
- County health department reviews plans (timing varies: 2–6 weeks)
- Any revisions requested by reviewer addressed
- Permit issued
Week 9–10: Construction
- Backwell schedules excavation (typically 2–3 day window for residential install)
- Tank, D-box, leach field components delivered
- Excavation, tank set, D-box installation, leach field construction
- Final connection of building drain to tank inlet
Week 10–11: Inspection & Closeout
- County health department final inspection
- Backfill of trenches
- Site restoration (grading, topsoil, seed)
- As-built drawing delivered
- County approval certificate filed
- Owner walk-through and maintenance guidance
Total typical timeline: 8–12 weeks from initial call to final closeout (faster if county permitting is uncomplicated, slower if engineering review or NYSDOH variance is required).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new septic system cost in Central New York?
Conventional 3–4 bedroom residential systems run $9,000–$18,000 in CNY. Pressure distribution systems $15,000–$25,000. Raised mound systems $20,000–$35,000. Engineered / aerobic systems $25,000–$45,000+. Commercial systems vary widely based on flow rate and use type.
How long does it take to install a new septic system?
Once the permit is issued, the construction phase is 2–3 days for a residential conventional system. Larger or engineered systems can run 4–6 days. The full timeline from initial call to final closeout, including site evaluation, soil testing, design, and county permit review, is typically 8–12 weeks.
Do I need a permit to install a new septic system in NY?
Yes. Every new septic system in NY State requires a permit from the county health department. Replacement of failed systems also requires a permit. Backwell handles permit submission as part of every installation.
What size septic tank do I need?
NYS minimum requirements: 1,000 gallons for 1–3 bedroom homes, 1,250 gallons for 4 bedrooms, 1,500 gallons for 5 bedrooms. Commercial flows are calculated by use type. Two-compartment tanks add 250 gallons to minimum sizes and provide better treatment.
What's the difference between concrete and plastic septic tanks?
Concrete tanks are heavier, more durable, and rated for vehicle traffic. They last 40+ years in CNY conditions. Plastic tanks are lighter (easier to install in tight access sites) and corrosion-resistant but can float if water table rises and aren't rated for vehicle traffic. Backwell installs concrete as standard.
What is a perc test?
A percolation test measures how fast water drains through your soil. NY DOH requires perc testing for any new septic installation. Test holes are dug, pre-soaked, and water drainage is measured. Results determine the size and type of leach field your site requires.
Can I install a septic system myself?
No. NY State requires septic installations to be performed by a licensed contractor and inspected by the county health department before backfill. Self-installation isn't legal and isn't insurable.
How long does a septic system last?
A properly installed and maintained septic system lasts 25–40 years. Concrete tanks often outlast the leach field. Lifespan depends on system design, soil conditions, water use, what's flushed (avoid flushable wipes, grease, harsh chemicals), and pumping frequency (every 3–5 years recommended).
Does Backwell offer financing for septic installation?
We work with several local lenders for septic financing. Septic system replacement financing is available through home improvement loan programs and HELOC products. Ask Ron during your estimate.
Do you handle the engineering for engineered/mound systems?
We coordinate with licensed NYS Professional Engineers for engineered designs. PE engineering fees are quoted separately from the installation. We handle all coordination so you have one point of contact through the project.
What about replacing a cesspool with a septic system?
Cesspools are no longer code-compliant for new installation in NY State. Existing cesspools must be replaced when the property sells or the system fails. Backwell handles cesspool-to-septic upgrades — we abandon the cesspool per NY DOH requirements and install a code-compliant septic system. Typical cost $9,000–$18,000.
What's the warranty on Backwell septic installations?
1-year workmanship warranty on all installation labor. Tank manufacturer warranty (typically 2–10 years depending on tank brand) on concrete tanks. We address any installation issues at no charge during the warranty period.
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Last updated: April 2026
Get a free estimate: Call (315) 400-2654 or request an estimate online.