On rural sites without municipal sewage systems, a failed perc test means that no house can be built – which is why you should make any offer to purchase land contingent on the site passing the soil and perc tests.

What is a good perc test result?

A good perc rate for a septic system is between 1 and 30 minutes per inch. Between 30 and 60 minutes per inch might require hydraulic analysis for installing a septic system. Anything under 1 minute per inch or over 60 minutes per inch is not an ideal perc rate.

What happens if land does not perc?

Without a successful perc test, there can be no septic permit. Without a septic permit, there can be no septic system. Without a septic system, there can be no dwelling of any kind. If the owner can’t build a dwelling of any kind, the property’s value will diminish substantially.