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1. How Do I Apply for a Septic Permit?

Compete the online form which will the required paperwork.  The septic engineer will then review the documentation and approve or deny with or without restrictions.  Once the permit has been approved, you or your designated agent will be contacted for pickup.

2. Are profile holes and percolation tests required for a Small Wastewater System Permit?

Perhaps, when adequate local soils information is available within department files, profile holes and percolation tests may not be required. If adequate information is not available or a site visit indicates unusual conditions, a profile hole and/or percolation tests may be required.

Each application will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Profile holes will be required in nearly all cases to verify soil conditions.

3. It's February and I want to install my new septic system soon. Do any seasonal installation restrictions apply?

Yes. The current policy is that no new systems can be installed during  the winter season, which is defined as November 15 through April 15. This is due to frozen ground conditions and installation complications.

The  exception to this seasonal restriction is the repair of existing systems  in occupied structures. Some seasonal flexibility at the start and end to the restricted period is dependent an actual site specific ground conditions.

4. Can I get a septic permit without completing the groundwater monitoring?

Yes. A small wastewater system permit can be processed using assumed "worst case" groundwater levels or percolation rates, based on the best available information. At any time prior to the installation of the system, the applicant may perform groundwater monitoring during the high ground water period and/or perform percolation test, and provide this information to the department requesting a revised system design.

5. Are fiberglass or plastic septic tanks allowed?

No. Precast concrete two-compartment septic tanks are required. In certain cases where access is an issue exceptions may be permitted.