How To Find My Septic Tank In A Search? (Perfect answer)

Probe about every two feet. Most septic tanks are around 10-25 feet away from your home, and cannot be closer than five feet. Once you feel the probe striking flat concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, you will have located your tank.

How do I find out where my septic tank is located?

Follow the Main Sewer Line Look for a pipe that’s roughly four inches in diameter that leads away from your house. Remember the location of the sewer pipe and where the pipe leaves your home so you can find it outside. The sewer pipes will lead to where your septic tank is located.

Are septic tank locations public record?

Contact your local health department for public records. These permits should come with a diagram of the location where the septic system is buried. Depending on the age of your septic system, you may be able to find information regarding the location of your septic system by making a public records request.

What can I use to find my septic tank?

In most cases, septic tank components including the lid, are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. You can use a metal probe to locate its edges and mark the perimeter. If you do not find the lid by probing, shallow excavation with a shovel along the tank’s perimeter should reveal the lid.

Will metal detector find septic tank?

If it’s Concrete or Steel, Use a Metal Detector. Based on your conclusions in Step 3, if your septic tank is likely made from concrete or steel, a metal detector can make the task of locating it much easier. But not just any metal detector will do.

Where are most septic tanks located?

Toe the Line. Your septic tank will most certainly be installed along the main sewer line that runs out of your home. Look for the 4-inch sewer that exits the crawl space or basement, and locate the same spot outside the home. Septic tanks are usually located between ten to 25 feet away from the home.

Do I have to change my septic tank?

Under the new rules, if you have a specific septic tank that discharges to surface water (river, stream, ditch, etc.) you are required to upgrade or replace your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 2020, or when you sell a property, if it’s prior to this date.

What is OWTS?

An Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) is a privately owned and maintained sewage disposal system. They are commonly referred to as septic systems. All OWTS have two basic components: a two-compartment septic tank and a disposal field.

How do you tell if your septic tank is full?

Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:

  1. Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
  2. Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
  3. Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
  4. You Hear Gurgling Water.
  5. You Have A Sewage Backup.
  6. How often should you empty your septic tank?

How long do septic tanks last?

A septic system’s lifespan should be anywhere from 15 to 40 years. How long the system lasts depends on a number of factors, including construction material, soil acidity, water table, maintenance practices, and several others.

How far is septic tank from house?

Requirements vary from one area to another, but the normal minimum distance from the house is 10 feet. If you’ll be using a private well for drinking water, however, note that many state departments of health require a minimum of 50 feet between a new septic tank and a well, according to APEC Water.

Can you use a metal detector to find sewer lines?

Using a Plumbing Pipe Detector to Locate Underground Pipes. As a property owner there will be times when, for a variety of reasons, you will need to locate underground metal objects. For example, using a pipe locator metal detector you can easily pinpoint leaking underground pipes quickly.

Are septic tanks metal?

Steel Septic Tank—Steel septic tanks are the least durable and least popular tank option. Designed to last no more than 20-25 years, they can be susceptible to rust even before that. Steel top covers can rust through and cause an unsuspecting person to fall into the tank.

Are septic tanks made of metal?

The majority of septic tanks are constructed out of concrete, fiberglass, polyethylene or coated steel. Typically, septic tanks with a capacity smaller than 6,000 gallons are pre-manufactured. Larger septic tanks are constructed in place or assembled on-site from pre-manufactured sections.

Looking for Your Septic Tank? Here’s How to Find It

“It’s 9 o’clock, do you know where your septic tank is?” says the interrogator. Maybe this is a little over the top, but it’s a question that many of our clients have asked over the years. In particular, new homeowners who are unfamiliar with the inner workings of their home or who haven’t needed septic tank servicing yet should be aware of the risks involved. Knowing where your septic tank is located is essential for routine maintenance and when you wish to add additional landscaping to your property.

Why you need to know where your septic tank is located

If your house does not have access to municipal sewage services, it is almost inevitable that you have a septic tank to redirect and store all of your wastewater someplace on your property’s subterranean drainage system. While a septic system is trustworthy and cost-effective, it does not operate without some kind of upkeep. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a septic tank should be examined at least once every three years and drained every three to five years at the absolute least.

In either of these scenarios, you’ll need to know the location of your septic tank so that you can arrange for it to be serviced.

How to find your septic tank

  1. Inquire with your neighbors– If you have a septic tank, it’s possible that your neighbors have, too. Perhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to come across someone who knows where your tank is or who can assist you in narrowing down your search
  2. Obtain information from public records– It is possible that your local county or municipality has an existing septic tank map on file, which contains a schematic and the measurements of your property. Examine the home inspection report you received when you purchased your house to see if there is any mention of the presence of a septic tank and the location of the tank before going to your local records office. Start in the basement and discover the sewer pipe that leaves the house if you have to locate the tank by yourself. Pipe with a diameter of four inches is usual for this application. After that, go outside and around to the opposite side of the wall. Then, using a metal soil probe to poke small holes in various locations around your property, trace the pipe’s course until you reach the tank. When you strike the flat top surface of the tank with the probe, you’ll notice a distinct change. Consider your surroundings– If you have a huge property, locating a needle in a haystack might seem like a daunting task. To make your search more efficient, you can eliminate locations near structures, paved surfaces, the water well, and, ideally, regions with extensive trees or landscaping from consideration. Another possibility is that you may notice a patch of grass that is a little greener or that is growing more quickly around the tank. Locate the septic tank lid– Regardless of how you pinpoint the position of the tank, you may need to perform a little digging in order to expose the lid. You may use the soil probe to determine the perimeter of the tank – most tanks will be around 5 7 feet in length and width. As soon as you’ve outlined the edges, start shoveling in the middle and working your way around the perimeter until you reach the lid. However, unless you’re servicing the tank immediately away, there’s no reason to lift the top and let the noxious odors out into the environment.

After you’ve located your septic tank, make a note of the position on a map or mark it on your GPS device for future reference. This will assist you in avoiding the construction of structures or the planting of deep-rooted plants in the vicinity of the sewage line and septic tank. When it comes to selling your house, a map or handwritten diagram may also be beneficial. If you want plumbing assistance in New Haven or Fairfield County, Rick’s Plumbing is the brand you can rely on. In order to obtain expert assistance, please send us a message or phone us at (203) 874-6629.

  • Keep the map in a secure place or mark the position on the map to make it easier to discover your septic tank later. In this way, you may avoid building structures or growing deep-rooted plants in the vicinity of the sewage line and septic tank. When it comes to selling your house, a map or handwritten diagram may also be useful. Rick’s Plumbing is the name to know if you want plumbing service in New Haven or Fairfield County. Send us a message or give us a call at (203) 874-6629 today to obtain expert support.

How to Find My Septic Tank Lines

Credit: Petegar/E+/Getty Images for the image

In This Article

  • Septic System Fundamentals
  • Identifying and Locating a Septic Tank on Your Property
  • Conducting Regular Inspections
  • Checking for Clean-Outs
  • Identifying Natural Indicators
  • Viewing System Diagrams
  • Seek Professional Assistance
  • Check the distribution box
  • Understand the size and scope of the project.

Are you curious about the location of your septic lines? It is critical to know where the septic tank is located on a property in order to properly manage and preserve the system. For example, you don’t want to pave over the ground or grow trees too close together in a forest. It is possible to obtain a copy of the septic tank diagram of the drain field, which will give you a fair sense of where the pipes will go. If this is not the case, you may need to attempt some other methods of locating septic drain lines.

See also:  How To Open Gas Tank On Septic Truck My Summer Car? (Question)

The solids and liquids are separated within the tank by a baffle or wall that is built inside the tank.

When pipes get clogged or when drain fields become too saturated with fluids, problems arise. Other issues might arise as a result of incorrect placement, design defects, or bad installation.

Locating a Septic Tank on Your Property

Begin your search for the septic tank lines at the residence first. Drain lines from the home’s plumbing should be traced to the septic tank, which is typically located 10 to 20 feet from the home’s exterior. The drain line connects the tank’s end, which is located opposite the house, to the leach field. Check the natural slope of the ground to see whether the leach field may be found there. It is never a good idea to look for drain lines using heavy gear, wrecking bars, or jackhammers. Before excavating, contact your local electric utility provider or gas company to determine the location of underground gas or utility lines.

Plunge the long, thin metal probe into the earth until you can feel it strike the tank and feel the tank’s edges.

Perform Regular Inspection

According to industry experts, you should examine your septic tanks and, if required, pump them out once every three years. If you are experiencing gurgling sounds in your house or water backing up after your system has been repaired, a saturated drain field might be the source of the problem. Drain fields that have been clogged or damaged are unable to be rectified. In order for the septic system to function properly again, you’ll need to have a new drain field installed. Find capped clean-outs that are a few inches vertically above the ground in the leach field itself, or check behind a wall or in a closet in the basement for capped clean-outs.

  1. You can visually trace the orientation of the pipe from the clean-out if there is no other information available.
  2. Credit: Kyryl Gorlov/iStock/Getty Images for the image.
  3. When you are looking for the lines, look for grass or vegetation that greens in stripes when the grass surrounding it browns.
  4. Putting hot water into your system might cause snow or ice to melt above the drain pipes if the system is not properly insulated.
  5. If you have a deep system, as is the case for homes with basements, you will most likely not be able to observe natural signs since the drain field is too deep to be seen from above.
  6. Unless the system was built without a permit, the blueprints or designs for septic system installations are kept on file with the local health authority until the system is operational.
  7. If your search does not provide any relevant results, you can request a record search based on your street address or the tax account number associated with the property.
  8. If the agency has a copy of the record, they will mail it to you.
  9. If you don’t have a drawing of the septic system, you need enlist the assistance of a disposal system contractor or a certified liquid waste transporter to find it.

Another option is to purchase a flushable transmitter from a plumbing or rental business, or you may contract with a tank cleaning firm. The signal from the transmitter is picked up by a hand-held receiver after it has been flushed down the toilet.

Check the Distribution Box

There are certain septic tanks that feature an extra distribution box that is located a few feet from the tank on the tank’s downstream side. Water is channeled into the trenches by ports and pipes in the box. It is recommended that, if your system includes a distribution box, the box’s top be designed to expose the orientation of the ports that connect to the drain field lines. It is feasible to locate the box with a probe, but extreme caution should be exercised. Avoid applying excessive force to the probe, since this may result in damage to the box.

In most cases, individual drain lines run perpendicular to the intake line, but they may also branch into an H-pattern or other patterns that are appropriate for the terrain.

Find the location of your septic drain lines so that you can safeguard the area in and around them with a little detective work.

Online Septic Research

The Environmental Services Department of Maricopa County maintains a database that contains all of the county’s existing approved septic systems for the purpose of preservation. Please bear in mind that property owners are responsible for maintaining accurate records of the location and maintenance of their septic system for the duration of the system’s life.

Alteration Permit

An Alteration Permit will be required for onsite systems that have a failing tank or disposal field.

Abandonment Permit

An Abandonment Permit will be required for any onsite systems that are to be abandoned in order to connect to the municipal sewage system or that are to be taken out of operation.

Research

Option 1: You may perform your own study at no cost by using the Online Septic Search Tool (available at no expense). Option 2: You can call the Environmental Services Department and ask for a more in-depth search to be undertaken (fees will apply for research conducted by the department for each parcel).

  • Researchers charge a cost of $30 for research requests that take 3 to 7 business days. Expedited researchers charge a $60 price for research requests that take 1 to 2 business days. Septic Research Request Form.

Where’s my septic tank?

There are a few solutions available if the previous homeowner failed to supply this critical information or if you have misplaced your original copy:

  • Your local DHEC office may have a copy of your building permit on file if your house was built within the last five years or fewer, according to the DHEC. A copy of a septic tank permit can be obtained from the local office by any individual or group, regardless of whether or not they own the land in question. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you have as much of the following information as possible ready at the time of your request.
  • Number of the tax map
  • Lot number
  • Block number
  • Address in the physical world
  • When the system was installed or when the house was built (if this information is available)
  • Name of the original permit holder (if any information is available)
  • Name of the subdivision (if the property is located within a subdivision)
  • You may also submit a request for a copy of the permission through our Freedom of Information office, although this is not mandatory. To obtain a copy through the Freedom of Information Office, please complete and submit a copy of the DHEC FOI form. Instructions are given with the application. If feasible, please include the information about the property that is stated above. When looking around your yard, search for manhole covers or lids that have been buried by grass or leaves if your house was constructed before 1990.

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Septic Tank Alerts Septic Tank Alerts

How to Locate a Septic Tank

A surprising number of homeowners have had to figure out how to find the location of a septic tank on their premises. If you’re purchasing a home with a septic system or discover that your property’s tank hasn’t been maintained in years, you’ll want to know where the tank is located because all septic tanks must be pumped at some point in time. In the course of a real estate transaction, the property owners or real estate agent may be aware of the location of the tank. Inquire about the “as-built,” which is a schematic of the septic system and the specifics of its installation.

Unfortunately, locating the septic tank may not be as simple as it appears.

In other cases, not filing the as-built with the local health department was not required. Because septic system permits have only been needed in Oregon since 1972, you may have to depend on visual indicators to determine whether your system is working properly.

1.Follow the Outgoing Sewer Pipe

Look for the four-inch sewage pipe that runs through the structure and the location where it exits the building in the basement or crawl space. Locate the location outside the building where the pipe exits the building or the location of an access cover over the pipe. It is required that septic tanks be at least five feet away from the structure, although they are usually between 10 and 25 feet away. You may follow the pipe all the way to the tank using a metal probe. It is important to note that sewage lines may curve and run around the corner of a building rather than following a straight path to the holding tank.

2.Search for Septic Tank Risers and Lids

Depending on their age, septic tanks are either one- or two-compartment structures. Each compartment has a cover, with two additional lids for dual-compartment tanks that were added later. If the tank includes an access point known as a riser, the lid may be readily visible from outside. Look for round, plastic discs that are about a foot or two in diameter. Due to the fact that the lids might be flush with the ground or just a few inches above it, they can get overrun with grass and other plants over time.

Tanks without risers are likewise equipped with lids, however they are located underground.

3.Find the Drain Field First

In the absence of a riser and lid, search for indicators of a drain field, such as an area of grass that grows more quickly or more slowly than the rest of the yard, grass that is a different color from the rest of the yard, or areas where snow melts more quickly than in other parts of the yard. Spots of high or low ground in the yard might possibly indicate the presence of a subterranean tank or drain field. You will be able to discover the tank if you probe these regions.

Reasons to Hire a Contractor for Help

Attempting to locate a septic tank on your own can be risky, and in some cases, lethal, if the septic system is old and in danger of collapse. In the event that you fall into a cesspool, dry well, or septic tank, you will die. Removing septic tank lids on your own might potentially put you at risk of contracting bacterial or virus diseases. If you detect any of the following issues, please contact a contractor to assist you in locating or inspecting your septic tank:

  • Soil that is sinking around the tank or drain field. Drainage backup into the home’s sewer system, or toilet backup
  • A foul odor in the area where you assume the tank and drain field are located
  • When there is no rain, pooling water, muddy soil, or spongy grass might occur. Septic tank covers that are rusted, cracked, or have been replaced with improvised lids are prohibited.
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Even though you may be ashamed about forgetting where your septic tank is, it is a very frequent problem among homeowners. A contractor may assist you in locating it, and he or she may do it as part of the pumping service. If you need assistance locating your tank or if you have any other questions, please contact us at 503-630-7802. We are available to assist you!

How to Find Your Septic Tank

Many folks have contacted me through e-mail (typically from across the nation) to inquire about the location of their septic tank. “I have no idea,” I generally say as a helpful response to the question. I really want to add something like, “It’s just off your driveway, near that bushy thing,” or anything along those lines. But, truly, even for the most experienced searchers, septic tanks are difficult to come by. The following are some strategies you might employ to assist you in locating your tank.

  1. Precaution should be exercised before you get started.
  2. So, proceed with caution!
  3. Please let me know if you have any queries or need assistance.
  4. Get to know the beast!
  5. tanks are normally buried 4 inches to 4 feet below the surface of the ground.
  6. You might be astonished to hear that someone knows exactly where it is hidden in plain sight.
  7. It is against the law to dig or probe in your own yard without first locating and marking the underground services.

You will receive the following tools to aid you in your search: Measurement tape, tile probe, and a shovel (if you are ambitious) The following tools are required: a metal detector (borrow or rent one since septic tanks often include iron steel rebar in the lids), and a hoagie sandwich (because locating sewage tanks makes you hungry.trust me on this).

  1. Examine the basement wall to see where all of the pipes join together and exit through the basement ceiling.
  2. If you don’t have a basement, walk outdoors and check for the roof vents on your house.
  3. Ordinarily, the sewage line that leads to the septic tank will exit the home right below this ventilation opening.
  4. On sometimes, the ancient proverb “The grass is always greener on the other side of the septic tank” is true.

Your tank may be located by probing or digging for it, and with luck, you will locate it. Keep in mind that not everything that seems to be a septic tank actually is! It’s possible that you came upon one of the following instead:

  • Rubble buried in the ground (not to be confused with Barney Ruble)
  • SepticDrywell
  • An old foundation
  • In case you happen to live in a cemetery (which is spooky), you may use a grave vault to keep your belongings safe.

After a few hours of hopelessly digging about in your yard, it will be time to eat your hoagie and take a little sleep. Following that, it will be necessary to rent or borrow a metal detector. In the event that your next-door neighbor loves Star Wars action figures or has more than three unidentified antennae on his roof, there is a significant probability that you can borrow his metal detector. If you’re lucky, the metal detector will really assist you in finding your septic tank, rather than simply a bunch of old buried automobile parts.

  • According to local legend, a pumper known as “Zarzar The Incredible” can locate sewage tanks using a metal measuring tape spanning 30 feet in length.
  • Continue to press your commode (“commode” sounds sophisticated) tape deeper and farther down the pipes until he “feels” the bottom of the tank with his tape.
  • I recently acquired locate equipment that can be used to locate septic tanks, and I’m excited about it.
  • For further information, please contact me at 574-533-1470.
  • After that, you may have a movie of the inside of your sewer pipes created!
  • Related: Visit our Septic System Maintenance page for more information.
  • Services provided by Meade Septic Design Inc.
  • Both Clients and Projects are included.
  • Send me an email!

How to Locate your Septic System — Magneson Tractor Service Inc.

Having a clear understanding of where your septic tank is located on your property might make it easier to do routine maintenance on the tank. There will come a time when your tank will need to be examined, pumped, and otherwise serviced and maintained. Disregarding routine inspections and maintenance and waiting until there is a visible problem may dramatically lower the lifespan of the entire system, in addition to generating an increased risk of health-related complications. There are three methods for locating your septic tank.

  • 1 Locate the tank by visual inspection.
  • Begin by taking a cautious stroll around the yard, feeling for any odd low or high locations that might indicate the presence of a drain field or tank.
  • Because the majority of tanks will be no more than 5 feet away, you may begin your visual search from there.
  • 2 Conduct a search for records A check of public records is one of the most effective methods of determining the precise location of your septic tank on your property.
  • The location of the septic tank in relation to the home will be shown on this figure in great detail.
  • If you do not have these documents, the permanent records will be kept at the Paradise Town Hall or the Butte County Environmental Health Department.
  • Due to the fact that these risers are built at ground level, you will have simpler access to your tank lid and will spend less time excavating.
  • Once the tank has been discovered, it is recommended to contact a septic tank provider for assistance.
  • Tank maintenance necessitates the use of specialized equipment, and it is usually better to leave this task to the professionals.

We hope that this will also assist in finding tanks for those who still require mark outs for debris clean up to be completed. If you require assistance with delineating your property or if it is just time for an inspection, please contact ushere or phone us at 530-961-3171 for assistance.

Online Septic Search

For residents in Indian River County as well as contractors and realtors, Septic SearchTMis a free web service that may be accessed over the Internet. This service will assist agencies, homeowners, buyers, sellers, contractors, and real estate agents in knowing more about the existing septic systems and wells in their communities. The Indian River County Department of Health has made its septic system and water well documentation available to the public on the internet. Site plans that were scanned are accessible for permits that were granted after January 1, 2000.

  • Obtaining applications, permits, repairing or replacing an existing system, site evaluations, and inspections

To look for information on current septic systems and wells, go to the following website:

  1. Indian River County is a good choice. then pick Records Search from the drop-down menu. In the Indian River County Property Appraiser’s database, you may search by address or tax parcel number. Once your property has been located, click on View History. SelectView to show the scanned documents that are currently accessible for the property
  2. The green arrow at the top of each document allows you to navigate through the other papers after they have been opened.

If you require assistance or have any questions, please call the Environmental Health Office at (712) 794-7440 or send an email.

Septic systems

All options are available. Septic system questions should be directed to your local municipality if you live in one of these cities: Phone number in Dayton: 763-427-4589 Hopkins’ phone number is 952-935-8474. Phone number for Independence: 763-479-0527 Loretto’s phone number is 763-479-4305. Call Medina at 763-473-4643. New Hope’s phone number is 763-531-5100. The phone number in Orono is 952-249-4600. Richfield may be reached at 612-861-9700. St. Louis Park phone number: 952-924-2500 952-474-4755 Woodland, Texas

Residents of these cities should contact Hennepin County for septic system questions

  • Among the cities and towns in Minnesota are: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Corcoran, Crystal, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Hanover, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medicine Lake, Minneapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Mound, Osseo, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Rockford, Rogers, Shorewood, St. Anthony,

Printable map

Map of the septic system in Hennepin County (PDF)

Properly disposing of a septic tank (abandonment)

  • There is no new construction in the abandoned (it is a stand-alone abandonment). The county is in charge of regulating septic systems in your city.

Inspections and required steps

Along with the payment, you must submit an application for an aseptic abandonment permission (PDF). Once you have been issued a permission, you must do the following:

  • Inspect and maintain the tank with the help of a qualified pumper/maintainer Take photographs of the tank after it has been smashed, filled with stones, or removed. Obtain and complete the abandonment reporting form.

Send the following papers to the address below within 90 days of completing the preceding steps:

  • Invoice from a certified pumper/maintainer demonstrating that they pumped the tank before it was abandoned
  • And Photographs of the tank after it has been smashed, filled with stones, or removed from use
  • Form of abandonment reporting (DOC) that has been completed

Send papers to [email protected] and [email protected], or drop them off at the addresses above. Generally speaking, if you follow the recommendations above, we will not do an onsite inspection.

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Questions

Terry Hamal may be reached at [email protected] or 612-543-5249. The sale of a home in Hennepin County is not subject to a septic system inspection requirement. According to state law, you are required to provide the buyer with accurate information on the septic system. A buyer who is well-informed will demand a comprehensive inspection. Before issuing a mortgage, many lenders need a compliance examination to be completed. Find a qualified inspector to assist you.

County inspections

  • New septic systems
  • New septic tanks or holding tanks
  • New septic tanks or holding tanks There is now an examination of current septic systems as a result of a complaint
  • The county does not inspect septic systems that are required to have a compliance inspection report completed. You will need to hire a private septic specialist to complete this task.

Certificates of compliance

  • Inspection report on compliance for existing systems that is valid for three years. New systems: a five-year certificate of conformity with applicable regulations.

Notice of noncompliance

  • Upgrades to septic systems can take three years
  • An acute health concern must be addressed within 10 days and resolved within 10 months. The presence of an impending health concern indicates that sewage has surfaced to the ground or has returned into the dwelling.

Building permits

Septic permit approval or compliance inspection are required for the following:

  • Obtaining any and all building permits for new business or new residential construction
  • Any permits for bedroom(s) expansions, any additions or modification of commercial buildings where water use is expected to rise
  • And If the drainfield is located inside the shoreland or wellhead protection area, any permits for a substantial addition or redesign of a dwelling or structure on the property will be required to be obtained. Check with your city to see if there are any shoreland and wellhead protection areas.

Older septic systems

Septic systems installed before January 23, 1996 are considered compliant provided they fulfill the following two requirements:

  1. There is two feet of dirt buffer given, and it is not considered to be a health hazard at this time. This indicates that sewage has surfaced above ground or has backed up into the residence.

This clause does not apply to:

  • Beaches and sand dunes
  • Food, beverage, and hotel establishments Protection zones around wellheads
  • Construction of a new building

Wetland requirement

Septic drainfields or mounds must be at least 50 feet away from a wetland of category three or above in order to be permitted.

Warrantied systems

The use of warrantied systems is not permitted. See MN Statutes Chapter 115.55 for information on warrantied systems. All options are available.

Locate Your Drainfield

You know your septic system drainfield is out there� but just where is it? It is important to locate it so you can avoid damaging it by:
  • Building a road over the drainfield
  • Parking or operating heavy equipment on the drainfield
  • Planting trees or bushes in close proximity to a drainfield is prohibited. Creating soil disturbances through a landscaping project or the presence of cattle

In addition, knowing where your drainfield is located allows you to inspect the drainfield for symptoms of trouble, such as damp soil and foul aromas. You should obtain a copy of the record sketch for your particular system. It is a diagram that shows where the various components of your septic system are placed. This diagram was previously referred to as a “as-built” or “record drawing.” You can obtain further information by contacting the Thurston County Permit Assistance Center (PAC) at 360-786-5490 or by downloading the Request for Record Drawing/Permit Information form.

SW in Olympia, Washington (PAC Hoursof Operation-LimitedHours Please Check Before You Leave).

This is the tax identification number that appears on your county tax bills.

(If you do not know your tax parcel number, contact the County Assessor’s office.) The level of detail and quality of the record drawings varies substantially.

a more recent diagram will indicate the tank, drainfield, replacement area (which will be used in the future if a replacement field is required), and any additional components of your system, such as a pump chamber or mound It is also possible to record the dimensions of the tank and the length of the drainfield lines.

If there is no copy of your record drawing accessible, you might use the following suggestions to find the drainfield.

  • If you don’t water your grass in the late summer, you may notice green stripes in your yard as a result. These are the regions that are prone to flooding along the drainfield pipes. When it is cold outside, the regions above your pipes may be the first spots where frost melts in your yard. Do you have any ports for monitoring or clean-outs? These are tubes or pipes with a white cap that are cut off at or near the ground level. Drainfield pipes include liquid level indicators that are situated at the ends of the pipes, which allow you to monitor the amount of liquid in the pipes. Examine the regions leading away from the septic tank with great caution. Avoid the use of heavy steel wrecking bars or other probing equipment that might cause damage to the septic tank top or other components of the system. Take note of any signs you see, such as shallow, parallel depressions that may indicate drainfield trenches. The installation of a drainfield among huge trees or in particularly rough terrain is quite unlikely. Examine the area beneath the home where the sewer line emerges from the foundation. The septic tank is typically located within 10 feet of the foundation
  • However, this might vary. Engage the services of a competent business to send down echo-locators
For more information on troubleshooting problems,contact the Septic Help Line at 360-867-2669.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

For more information on the Springs Protection Act and how it applies to septic systems, please see the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s webpage onProtecting Florida’s Springs!

  • You may find out more about this new initiative by visiting the DEP’sSeptic Upgrade Incentive Programwebpage. On the DEP’sSprings Restoration Fundingwebpage, you may get more information about financing opportunities.

Section 381.0065, Florida Statutes (F.S.)

Section 381.0065 of the Florida Statutes prohibits the use of septage for agricultural purposes. Information about septage haulers affected by this prohibition is provided here (F.S.) In order to help septage haulers who are looking for alternate methods of septage management as defined by Section 381.0065, Florida Statutes, the following information is provided:

  • Fact Sheet: Permitting of Septage Management Facilities (includes checklists for applicants to use when preparing a permit application for a septage management facility)
  • Fact Sheet: Permitting of Septage Management Facilities (includes checklists for applicants to use when preparing a permit application for a septage management facility)
  • Facilities that may be willing to accept septage are depicted on a map (click on the facility marker on the map to learn more about the institution)
  • The Joint DEP DOH Letter to Septage Haulers was published on May 27, 2016.
  • Allowing for Septage Management Facilities (includes checklists for applicants to use when preparing a permit application to operate a septage management facility)
  • Fact Sheet: Permitting for Septage Management Facilities (includes checklists for applicants to use when preparing a permit application to operate a septage management facility)
  • And Fact Sheet: Permitting for Septage Management Facilities (includes checklists for applicants to use when preparing a permit application to operate septage management facilities). Facilities that may be willing to accept septage are depicted on a map (click on the facility marker on the map to learn more about the facility). Joint DEP/DOH Letter to Septage Haulers, dated May 27, 2016.

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems

In Florida, a septic system is referred to as an Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System, or OSTDS, according to state laws. The septic tank is merely one component of an OSTDS that has been appropriately developed. Septic tanks, subsurface drainfields, aerobic treatment units (ATUs), graywater tanks and laundry wastewater tanks; grease interceptors; pump tanks; waterless toilets, incinerating or organic waste-composing toilets; and sanitary pit privies are all examples of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OSTDS).

On-site wastewater treatment systems, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, are “potentially feasible, low-cost, long-term, decentralized alternatives to wastewater treatment” if they are properly planned, constructed, installed, managed, and maintained.

OSTDS are not permitted in any of the following situations: where the estimated domestic sewage flow (as calculated in Table 1 of 64E-6.008, F.A.C.) from the establishment is greater than 10,000 gpd, or where the estimated commercial sewage flow exceeds 5,000 gpd; where there is a likelihood that the system will receive toxic, hazardous, or industrial wastes; or where a sewer system is available; or where any system or flow from the establishment is currently regulated by

  • Contact the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs at 850-245-4250 for additional information about permitting septic systems.

DEP and DOH Coordination

The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health came into an interagency agreement in 1983 to coordinate the regulation of onsite sewage systems, septage and residuals, and marina pumpout facilities, among other things. This agreement establishes mechanisms for resolving interagency concerns, particularly those involving authority. Domestic wastewater comprises waste from residences, portable toilets, holding tanks, boats and marinas, as well as wastewater from certain commercial and industrial organizations, according to the terms of the agreement.

Please keep in mind that the term “commercial wastewater” does not always refer to wastewater generated by commercial enterprises.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DOH) may grant a waiver of jurisdiction from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in cases where the estimated sewage flow exceeds the DOH jurisdictional flow specified above or where there is a likelihood of toxic, hazardous, or industrial wastewater.

The applicant must next submit an application for an OSTDS permit to the local county health department (CHD) and file a variance request with the local CHD to be considered.

More information on the interagency agreement can be obtained by calling the DEP OSTDS coordinator at 850-245-8614.

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