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Connecting to the Sewer
Municipal and state laws require that if a property is within 300 feet of a public sewer, the city or county must require sewer connection of any occupied buildings on the property. If the sewer line eventually comes close enough for building hookup after having been serviced by an onsite wastewater system, the property owner must at that time connect the structure to the public sewer. The municipal sewer is by far the safest and most sanitary method of wastewater disposal. Onsite wastewater systems are prone to failure and are discouraged—whenever possible—if there is the possibility of sewer connection.
Permits / Fees
Permits must be obtained from this office to install an onsite wastewater disposal system. Fees must be paid corresponding to the approval of the location along with intermediate and final inspections of the system. The fees include the following:
Feasibility Determination |
Initial Site Assessment and Soil Evaluation (one pit) | $175 |
Maximum Ground Water Determination | $180 |
Plan Review |
Wastewater Holding Tank or Vault Privy | $90 |
Conventional | $90 |
At-Grade | $90 |
All Other Alternative or Experimental | $180 |
Construction Permit |
Septic Tank Only or Vault Privy | $90 |
Wastewater Holding Tank | $120 |
Absorption Trench or Absorption Bed | $180 |
Deep Wall Trench or Seepage Pit | $240 |
At-Grade | $300 |
All Other Alternative or Experimental | $600 |
State New System Fee | $25 |
Operating Permit |
Wastewater Holding Tank or Vault Privy | $60 |
Alternative or Experimental | $120 |
Miscellaneous Other |
Letter of Feasibility Extension | $30 |
Subdivision Duplication Fee (per lot) | $30 |
Insufficient Plans Submitted | $30 |
Construction Permit Extension | $30 |
Additional Inspections Required | $30 |
Operating Permit Late Fee | $30 |
Septic Refinance Inspection | $100 |
Inspection Requirements
The inspector must assess the construction to insure proper excavation and installation of an
onsite wastewater system. It must meet the requirements of the approved plan and be in compliance
with the
Rule R317-4.
Of primary concern is whether the septic tank and drain field/deep trench have been sized and located properly for health and safety. The excavation cannot be backfilled until the health inspector has given final approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is gray water?
This is wastewater that does not contain human and/or animal body waste, such as feces and urine.
- What is the percolation rate?
It is the speed that wastewater moves through the soil after leaving the perforated piping of the onsite wastewater system. An acceptable rate would be 4 to 60 minutes per inch with an ideal rate about 10 minutes per inch. Sandy soils allow wastewater to move through at 5-20 minutes per inch, whereas, clay soils slow down movement to 45-60 minutes per inch or slower. If the rate is slower than 60 minutes per inch percolation, the property will be disapproved for installation of an onsite wastewater system. Soil can also be disapproved for excessively fast rates of percolation.
- What is biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)?
It is the amount of molecular oxygen (air) required to stabilize (breakdown) the decomposable matter present in wastewater by aerobic biochemical action. Microorganisms decompose sewage but they use oxygen to do it most efficiently.
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