Septic System Installation & Replacement in the Lehigh Valley

A septic project is really two projects: the system itself, and the process around it — soil testing, design, township requirements, permits, inspections. Most homeowners have never been through it, and it can feel like a maze. We do it every season, and we handle the whole thing.

Sullivan Excavating and Landscaping provides complete septic services for homeowners across Lehigh and Northampton Counties — new installations, replacements for failing systems, and everything in between. We work directly with your local Sewage Enforcement Officer and with engineering firms throughout the process, so testing, design, and permitting move forward without you having to quarterback it.

Call 570-856-3408 to talk through your situation.

From Soil Test to Working System

1. Soil testing. Every septic system starts with the ground. We perform the soil testing your site requires, coordinated with and observed by the local Sewage Enforcement Officer — the results determine what kind of system your property can support.
2. Design. Working with the engineering firm, we get a system designed to your site’s soils, slope, and household size.
3. Permitting. We handle the permit process with the township and SEO — the paperwork step that stalls so many projects when homeowners are left to navigate it alone.
4. Installation. Excavation, tank setting, field construction, and finish grading — done to the approved design and inspected at the required stages.
5. Restoration. We finish grade and can restore the lawn over the work area, so the yard doesn’t look like a septic project happened. See Lawn Installation.

Systems We Install

The right system depends on your soil test results, your lot, and your township’s requirements — not on what any contractor prefers to sell. We install the full range:

• Conventional systems — the standard gravity tank-and-field system, where soils allow it
• Pump systems — pressurized systems that dose effluent to the absorption area when elevation or distance requires it
• Eljen systems — geotextile filter systems that treat effluent in a compact footprint, a strong option where space or soils are limited
• Norweco systems — aerobic treatment units that actively treat wastewater, for sites where conventional absorption isn’t feasible

Because we install all of these, our recommendation follows your soil test — we’ll explain what your results mean and which options genuinely fit your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

My system is failing. What happens now?

Call us and describe what you’re seeing — sewage odors, wet spots over the field, slow drains. Replacement starts with soil testing to determine what the site supports now, then design, permitting, and installation. We’ll walk you through each step and realistic timing at the start.

How long does a septic project take?

The installation itself is typically several days. The full process — testing, design, and permitting — is measured in weeks to months depending on the township and season. Starting the process early is the single best thing you can do, especially if you’re planning around a home sale or a failing system.

Which system will I need?

The soil test decides more than anything else. Good soils may allow a conventional system; tighter soils or small lots often point to Eljen, pump, or Norweco systems. We won’t guess — and you shouldn’t accept a recommendation from anyone before the soil work is done.

How much does a septic system cost?

It varies widely by system type and site — which is exactly why the process starts with testing rather than a number. Once your soil results are in, we’ll give you a detailed estimate for the system your property actually needs.

Serving the Lehigh Valley

We provide septic services for homeowners throughout Lehigh and Northampton Counties, including New Tripoli, Germansville, Slatington, Walnutport, Fogelsville, Macungie, Emmaus, Allentown, Whitehall, Northampton, and Bethlehem.