Health Departments - Friends not Foes

The role of the health department, above all else, is to make certain that public health is protected to the greatest degree possible with the least amount of environmental impact and that local and state onsite regulations are followed. Most health officials also try to guide residents toward practical and cost effective onsite system designs and solutions while being as accommodating and flexible as the law permits.

Because local health officials work in the best interest of everyone in the community, it is important for homeowners, consumers and developers to form a positive working relationship with officials. However, when the interest of individuals in the community conflicts with local onsite laws, health officials often find themselves stuck in the middle and the targets of public anger. Conflicts sometimes arise when regulations don’t allow enough flexibility for practical solutions to problems, such as system design modifications or the use of alternative technologies.

The roles of state and local health agencies concerning onsite systems are different as well. In some states, onsite systems that discharge wastewater above ground or into bodies of water and large onsite systems that serve residential developments or businesses may come under state jurisdiction. Nevertheless, residents who need information about onsite systems should begin by contacting their local health agency.

New Construction:
The first step toward making certain your plans for your property or system are in compliance with all pertinent onsite regulations is to ask for help from your local health officials. The organizations of local health agencies and officials in charge of handling onsite wastewater issues varies from state to state and sometimes locally within states. In most communities, onsite system permits and other onsite wastewater issues are handled by an office of the county health department. In some cases, the size and type of wastewater system to be installed determines jurisdiction. In Kentucky aeration units used for Spray and Direct Discharge must be approved and permitted through the Kentucky Division of Water.

Permits are required for new onsite system installations. Usually the permit must be approved before any construction at the site can begin, and the system must be completed and inspected before anyone can utilize the site for residential or commercial.

To determine the appropriate wastewater system for the particular property a Site Evaluation is performed. During the site evaluation the health official will take into account soil color and texture, hydraulic conductivity, depth of soil layers, impermeable layers, rock and water table. Other site features that will be used in the outcome of the site evaluation will be setback from drinking wells, utility lines, proposed buildings, property lines and bodies of water or streams, floodplains, natural or constructed drainage pathways, steep slopes and embankments. Most regulations require a reserve area on the site to be set aside for any future repair, alteration or expansions to the system. The amount of reserve space normally required is 100% of the original drain field to be installed. The reserve area must meet the same requirements as the new installation area or be eligible for a Fill & Wait in the future, if necessary.

When evaluating proposed systems, health officials must take into account the reliability, efficiency, and maintenance requirements, and how these may affect the property owner.

Existing System Repairs and Alterations:
As with new systems, homeowners usually must apply for a permit and approval before taking steps to repair or modify an existing system. Requirements for these permits often differ from those for new construction. Alterations and additions to the system can be necessary if the homeowner has added to the existing system additional flow by the addition of more bedrooms or buildings with restroom facilities. Other causes may be a change from residential to commercial usage, creation of buildings or any other construction which will encroach upon the existing system.

When a change in the existing system is required, the local health department should be contacted along with the septic contractor who will be performing the required work. Together, they will evaluate the existing situation and the requirements to be met with the change. They will determine what will be required and what can be properly permitted per the regulations. It is important to have any work performed permitted prior to installation and inspected by the health department after work is completed. By contacting the health department as well as the septic contractor you have two advocates working to design a solution for your particular site.

No matter the situation, new construction or existing repairs or alterations, it is a wise homeowner who makes contact with the local health agency to review the matter and gain assistance in addressing the problem at hand.

Other Topics
Sewage Protection Program | Engineering & Design for Difficult Sites | Potential Property Owners Reference | Potential Homeowners Reference | Caring for Your Septic System | Why Systems Fail | Septic System - How do they work | Septic Tank Additives Danger in Disguise

Source of information in part provided by the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, West Virginia University 800-624-8301

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