If your home is not connected to a mains sewer or a mains water supply, you already know the questions come up at the worst times: the septic tank needs pumping, the water smells odd, the softener seems too small, or a contractor asks you a sizing question you have never heard before.
SeptiWell Guide was made for that homeowner. This is a free, practical guide site for rural and semi-rural homes, starting with the three systems that cause the most confusion: septic systems, well pumps and well water, and hard water and water softeners.
Start here: the free calculator on the homepage
The homepage has one free tool right now: the Septic Tank Size Calculator.
Use it like this:
- Choose your number of bedrooms. If you have 7 or more, choose Custom and enter the number.
- Enter how many people live in the home.
- Choose your soil type: Sandy, Loamy, or Clay.
- Tick the box only if you use a garbage disposal regularly.
- Click Calculate.
You will get a planning estimate for tank size, a daily flow check, and a drainfield range. That result is an estimate only. County and state rules govern, and drainfield size needs a percolation test. Always confirm the final size with your local health department before you build or replace a system.
What guides are coming next
Guides here are organised into five categories, so you can find the right one quickly:
- Septic Tank Sizing — tank sizes, dimensions, and drainfield size by soil type.
- Septic Pumping & Maintenance — how often to pump, signs of a full tank versus drainfield failure, and what not to flush.
- Water Softener & Hard Water — softener sizing, size charts, and hardness explained in grains per gallon.
- Well Pump Sizing — pump flow, pressure tanks, and how to measure your well’s flow at home.
- Well Water Testing — yearly testing checklists, test results explained, and simple at-home checks.
Each guide will give a direct answer first, then a worked example, a checklist or table where it helps, and a clear note on when to call a professional.
A note on safety and limits
This site gives general information only, not professional, medical, or legal advice. Sizing tools are estimates. Water quality decisions should be based on a qualified laboratory test, not on smell, colour, or a home test strip alone. If you have sewage backing up, a strong sewage smell indoors, or water you suspect is unsafe, contact a qualified professional and your local health department promptly.
What to do next
Try the Septic Tank Size Calculator on the homepage, then come back to the Blog as new guides are published. If a guide does not answer your question, that is useful feedback — it tells us what to write next.
Welcome to SeptiWell Guide. Start with the calculator, check your county rules, and take the next step with a clearer number in hand.