Septic System Installation
New septic systems and full replacements, conventional and sand mound, installed to the approved design from the soil test pits to the final grading.
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Almost every home around Dingmans Ferry runs on its own septic system. Delaware Township has no public sewer service area, and none is planned nearby. The lake communities off Route 739 filled in through the 1970s and 1980s. Many of those weekend cabins are lived in year round now, and the old systems feel the change.
Sawkill Environmental is based in Milford, a short run up US Route 209 from Dingmans Ferry. We install new septic systems and full replacements here, both conventional in-ground beds and elevated sand mounds. We also handle repairs on failing systems, excavation, drainage and land clearing on the same lots. Call or text (973) 552-8580 for a free estimate.
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Birchwood Lakes, Wild Acres Lakes and Marcel Lake Estates hold much of the housing around Dingmans Ferry. Pocono Mountain Lake Forest, Pocono Mountain Water Forest and Traces of Lattimore sit in the same woods. These developments were laid out around private lakes, on lots that are small for rural Pike County.
That lot size is what makes a septic job here different. A system has to sit 100 feet from any well and 10 feet off the lot line. The township's own 2024 plan says many lots have no room left for a replacement once the first system quits.
So every job here starts with soil testing. Where the ground allows it, we set the tank, distribution box and absorption area to the approved design. Where it does not, the design comes back as an elevated sand mound and we build that instead.
Delaware Township sits in the glaciated low plateau on sandstone, siltstone and shale. The township's 2024 plan describes much of it as having shallow bedrock depth. Ground runs from about 303 feet at the Delaware River up to 1,500 feet at the western township line.
Wet ground is the other half of the problem. Hydric and partly hydric soils show up across the township in low areas and along watercourses. They also show up where a perched water table stands on top of the bedrock.
Shallow rock and a seasonal high water table both count as a limiting zone under Pennsylvania's onlot standards. Percolation tests are not permitted where that limiting zone lies within 20 inches of the mineral soil surface. An elevated sand mound is the system that fits those lots. Rock ledge often has to come out first, and we run our own excavators for that.
Pennsylvania handles onlot septic permits at the municipal level under the state Sewage Facilities Act. Delaware Township keeps its own sewage enforcement officer for Dingmans Ferry. That officer witnesses the soil testing, issues the permit and inspects the finished system.
State standards put the soil profile pits within 10 feet of the proposed absorption area. Percolation testing runs six or more holes spaced across that area. We dig the test pits with an excavator so the officer can read the soil profile and set the design.
A soil scientist or engineer prepares the design where one is required. After the permit is issued we install to that design and call for inspection before anything gets covered. Sawkill Environmental is licensed and insured, PA HIC #PA225040. Call PA One Call at 811 before any digging on the property.
Stormwater is the second standing problem in these neighborhoods. The township plan blames older developments on small lots with no stormwater system. The roads there cannot carry the runoff. Water then collects on lawns and in basements instead of soaking into the ground.
Slopes over 25 percent sit mostly in the eastern third of the township, along the streams running to the Delaware. Water moves fast on that ground. We build French drains and curtain drains, swales, catch basins and cross pipes sized for what comes off the slope.
Wooded lots usually need trees, brush and stumps taken out before a septic area or a building pad goes in. We also cut building pads, grade lots, build private roads and set retaining walls. Everything is backfilled, compacted and graded before we pull off the job.
Communities and areas we serve around Dingmans Ferry: Birchwood Lakes, Wild Acres Lakes, Marcel Lake Estates, Pocono Mountain Lake Forest, Pocono Mountain Water Forest, Traces of Lattimore, Lake Kemodobi, Akenac Park, Dingmans Falls, George W. Childs Recreation Site, Dingmans Ferry Bridge, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Dingmans Ferry ZIP codes served: 18328.
Free estimates throughout Pike County and the surrounding area.
(973) 552-8580 New septic systems and full replacements, conventional and sand mound, installed to the approved design from the soil test pits to the final grading.
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Backups, wet ground over the drainfield and sewage odors mean a part of the system has failed. We dig it up, find the cause and repair or replace what quit working.
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We handle general excavation for homes and commercial sites around Milford: foundation and basement digs, footings, trenches and rock ledge. We run our own excavators and equipment, so the dig, the backfill and the compaction stay with one company.
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We install French drains, curtain drains, catch basins and culverts, and regrade wet ground. Exterior stormwater drainage for homes and commercial properties around Milford.
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We clear wooded lots and acreage for homesites, septic areas, roads and building pads. Trees, brush, stumps and ledge come out with excavators and leave the site.
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Site prep and grading for new homes, barns and commercial buildings around Milford. We build pads, cut and fill, place stone base and put in private roads and access lanes.
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We build block and boulder retaining walls that hold slopes, cuts and fills on hillside lots. Proper base, drainage stone and pipe behind the wall, then backfill and compaction.
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We repair and replace sewer laterals by open trench, from the building wall out to the sewer main. Broken, collapsed, root damaged and bellied lines come out, and new pipe goes in on a graded bed.
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We dig out contaminated soil after heating oil releases and spills. The material goes off to a permitted facility, then clean fill puts the site back.
Learn MoreReal reviews from real septic and excavation jobs on Google.
Great Service and workmanship I would use nobody else to service my grease and septic tanks
Top Notch & Very professional,showed up when was suppose to & it came out better then I could ever imagine… calling them anytime I need there services done
Returned phone calls immediately. Showed up when they said they would… very nice to deal with .. Excellent work
A few of the questions we hear most around Dingmans Ferry. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
Tell us about the property and what you need done, and we will come back with a free estimate. You can also call or text (973) 552-8580.
Tell us about the job. We will get right back to you.