Septic Systems and Water on Lake Hudson: What to Check Before You Buy

Most homes around Lake Hudson outside the town limits of Salina and Pryor rely on a private septic system and either rural water or a well. There is no city sewer line running down most lake roads. So before you make an offer, the questions worth asking are about the septic system and the water source, because both are part of what you are really buying. Here is what to check.

Does every Lake Hudson property have a septic system?

Inside the towns around the lake you may find municipal service, but out on the water and on the acreage between towns, expect an on-site septic system. The practical rule is simple: assume a lake property has a septic system until the seller's agent confirms otherwise, and ask which system the property actually uses. Most of the lake is rural Mayes County, and rural properties treat their wastewater on site.

Who issues septic permits in Mayes County?

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, not the county, issues the authorization to construct a new or modified on-site sewage treatment system. DEQ's Environmental Complaints and Local Services division handles the permits under state rules in Title 252, Chapter 641 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code, and applications go through DEQ's on-site service request process. When a lake home was built, it should have a record of that approval on file. Ask for it.

Can you install a septic system on a waterfront lot?

Often yes, but not every lot can. DEQ rules require a soil and site evaluation, and the system must meet separation distances from the lake, streams, wells, property lines and buildings. Under DEQ rules that took effect in late 2020, new systems near protected water bodies may have to be aerobic treatment systems, some with a nitrogen-reduction step, rather than a conventional gravity system. The exact requirement depends on the specific lot, so a licensed installer who works with DEQ is the person to run it through before you commit.

One more layer applies on this lake. Because the Grand River Dam Authority manages the shoreline at Lake Hudson, anything you build or place near the water, including a new septic component, can also be subject to GRDA shoreline management rules. GRDA's website explains the shoreline program, and its permitting office is reachable at lakepermits@grda.com.

What should you ask about the septic system before you make an offer?

Ask when the system was installed and when it was last pumped. Ask whether the seller has service and repair records. Ask where the tank and drain field sit on the lot and how far they are from the lake, the nearest creek, and any well. Ask whether the drain field has ever been moved or repaired, and whether the property has ever had an inspection for a sale. A professional inspection by a licensed septic contractor, with the tank opened and the drain field checked, is the surest way to know what you are buying.

Is there rural water, or will the property need a well?

Both are common around Lake Hudson. Rural water districts serve much of Mayes County, and Mayes County Rural Water District No. 6 draws its supply directly from Lake Hudson, operates a treatment plant with more than 2,000 connections, and supplies wholesale water to the town of Adair. Other districts serve areas around Chouteau and elsewhere in the county. Private wells are also common on acreage. Oklahoma does not regulate domestic wells the way it does public water, but drillers must be licensed and wells are registered with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

The key step is to verify what serves the exact tract you are looking at. A line on a map does not guarantee a tap, so call the district and ask whether the property can get a meter, or ask for the well's records. Sellers and agents can usually point you to the right district, but the confirmation should come from the district itself.

How do you know a well is safe to drink?

Have the water tested by a certified laboratory before you close. Ask the seller for the well's age, depth and flow rate, and search the Oklahoma Water Resources Board's well log records for anything filed on the property. Testing, not assumption, is the only way to know what is in the water.

Frequently asked questions about septic and water on Lake Hudson

None of this is a reason to shy away from a lake property. It is a reason to ask the right questions early, so the system under the ground is not a surprise after closing. Once you know what to check, browse what is on the market at KimmKennonHomes.com.