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Septic System Design and Repair Regulations in the U.S.

United States Federal & State Septic Codes & Septic System Authorities

Septic system design specifications & regulations including the United States organized by state or authority:

The following list provides links to septic system and onsite wastewater treatment regulations and design requirements for the U.S. states and many additional authorities

. The septic system authorities here provide will provide listings of key local design and health or building code information needed when designing or repairing a septic system.

This article series on septic design and regulations includes septic regulations from other countries and from key academic/university septic system design research experts and septic system trade associations. We include a list of suggested septic system or onsite wastewater treatment system design guides and books.

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U.S. Septic Codes, Regulations, Design Guides for Septic Systems Wastewater Treatment

Listings of septic system design and repair federal, state, provincial, academic, and trade association authorities in the United States, Canada, the U.K., & other Countries. Septic system design guide government and building code authorities for Canada, the United States, and other countries.

Also use your browser's on-page search function [ Ctrl-F ] to search our directory by U.S. State

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Also see

CONTACT US to submit septic codes, regulations, design resources - Submissions welcome. Send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links

Septic Codes, Regulations, Information Sources Organized by U.S. State

Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Design Handbook - NYS

CONTACT US to SUBMIT SEPTIC CODES & REGULATIONS or LINKS TO THEM - Submissions welcome. Send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links

Academic, University, & International Septic Codes & Wastewater Sites

National & International Septic & Wastewater Industry Associations & Standards are now found at

  • SEPTIC & SEWAGE TREATMENT REGULATIONS, OTHER - International Septic Regulations & Codes

    Books: Septic Design Books & Guides

    • Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index.This is one of the best books we've reviewed on the subject, with an excellent balance of clear simple explanation and solid engineering. Topics: Soil & Site Selection, Hydraulics, System Selection & Design, Wastewater Biology, History & Mythology of Onsite Wastewater Treatment. $49.95, Hogarth House, Ltd., 800-993-2665 x327 to order 800 -993-2665 x327 (Univ. Wisc. Bookstore).
      Septic expert Mary Margaret (Peggy) Minnis has an informative website and information about this book found at http://webpage.pace.edu/mminnis/book/
    • The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) now (2019/12/13) hosted at http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ Tel: 304-293-4191 e-mail info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu.

      The National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help America's small communities and individuals solve their wastewater problems through objective information about onsite wastewater collection and treatment systems. NSFC products and information are the only national resource of its type, dealing with small community wastewater infrastructure. or by telephone 800-624-8301
    • Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, R. Dodge Woodson, McGraw-Hill, 1996 - see BUY SEPTIC BOOKS ONLINE below.
    • Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst preventing pollution on farms and in homes, assessment worksheets prepared by state programs, newsletters and slide training pro
    • NEMO Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials nonpoint source pollution and online publications order page
    • US EPA SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN MANUAL - Online US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. This document is now also available online at http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
    • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website: Septic Systems Reports, Regulations, Guideance and Manuals: Web: epa.gov/septic/septic-systems-reports-regulations-guidance-and-manuals
    • US Public Health Service's Manual of Septic Tank Practice, 1959.

    CONTACT US to submit septic codes, regulations,d sesign resources - Submissions welcome. Send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links

    ...


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    Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

    Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

    Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

    Question: how do I get educated to perform septic inspections in New York State?

    My business partner and I are looking to get into Blackwater assessments and phase 2 inspections.

    We have multiple licenses that I believe will be a need for the phase two inspection such as mold assessor, asbestos inspector, lead (soon) and the basic well testing / soil testing capabilities .

    Do you know what else the phase 2 assessments consist of ? I am under the impression it’s a bunch of general knowledge regarding building which we have from home inspections then testing credentials of certain materials , soil or substances based on the current and past occupancy uses through out the years .

    Also do you know what black water assessments consist of? - Anonymous by private email 20223/01/22

    Moderator reply:

    What I did was to drive over to MA and take their septic inspector certification course. In my opinion that state has the best education program in the country for this topic. When you've done that you'll of course want to be familiar with NYS regulations - a read of the sepic code is a good place to start.

    The difference is that MA teaches the underlying theory that better equips us to spot trouble while the NYS regulations are the minimum standard that is enforced here.

    Here is a collection of links to stuff from NY that you'll want to read.

    Click this link:  -  NY  - or go to https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Design_Regulations_U.S.A.php#NY

    About your question of what is a "phase 2 septic inspection" - it depends.

    See SEPTIC INSPECTION LEVELS for a start.

    About your question: "What do blackwater assessments consist of?"

    Let's start by reading the following, then let me know of any questions or suggestions you have after seeing those guidelines.

    Finally, when you're ready, be sure to give us your contact information so that we can list ou as a New York State septic inspector found via

    There's no fee for that service though we'll appreciate a return-link from your website.


    On 2019-06-12 by Kelly - Dode for the distance (or max distance) of the line between the main drain line to the leach lines?

    Is there specific code of the required distance (or max distance) of the line between the main drain line to the leach lines?

    On 2019-06-13 by (mod) - code for distance from main drain line to leach lines

    No Kelly that distance is specific to the site design, slope, changes in elevation, etc.


    On 2017-09-28 by Carrie - septic tank lid was broken and partly missing - no one will fix it

    I am in a rental (house). The septic tank needed to be emptied. When the tank was uncovered, the lid was broken and part of it was gone. I can't get the rental company to come out and address this issue. The open tank is still uncovered and this is close to a residential road. How can i get the rental company to come out and get this problem fixed as i feel it is a major safety issue. It has been 2 weeks now.

    On 2017-09-28 by (mod) - fatal death hazard warning

    Carrie

    Watch out: if in response to written notice from you that there is an open septic tank, and the observation that this risks a fatal Hazard should someone fall into the tank, the property owner is still not going to take immediate action cure this unsafe and unsanitary condition you may have no choice but to ask for help on their health department. Meanwhile keep people away from the area as it is unsafe.


    On 2017-07-11 by Anonymous - What were the NJ Codes for Septic Systems in 1996

    What were the NJ Codes for Septic Systems in 1996

    On 2017-03-28 by (mod) -

    Dawn:

    First: you need an inspection and perhaps testing of the condition of the septic tank AND the effluent disposal system - a drainfield, leachfield, soakaway bed, or similar term depending on where you live. Important in that process is a finding that the system is safe - that is, for example that the tank cover doesn't risk someone falling into the tank (a quick death).

    Next: if the existing system is not usable you'll need a new septic system sized by an engineer as adequate for your food service business, and you'll need the system design and capacity to be approved by your local building department. Or if the existing system is functional you'll need to document its capacity and have that approved for your use for your business.

    Finally: IF you need to abandon a septic tank you don't usually have to dig it up - unless there were really no other place to put the new tank. Even then a septic contractor may have other options depending on the tank type (example: a steel tank might be just crushed and buried alongside a new tank in the same spot).

    Use the search box just above to search InspectApedia for SEPTIC TANK ABANDONMENT PROCEDURES if needed


    On 2016-09-02 by Donna Deerwester - code for the depth of the lid to the tank?

    Is there a code for the depth of the lid to the tank?

    On 2016-09-02 by Anonymous - No

    No, Donna in fact septic tank depth requirements vary widely by type of system and climate. There in fact some systems that are completely above ground.

    There are of course recommendations depending on the specific type of system and on site conditions.


    On 2015-11-12 by (mod) -

    Continuing,

    Simply placing dec I rate bricks over the lid of a concrete septic tank outside is harmless and not prohibited by any code I've seen.

    On 2015-11-12 by (mod) -

    I'd sure love to see your bank's federal law citation as I think someone was speaking loosely. Septic tank regulations where you live will come from your state or province and cannot specify every odd thing people might dream up. Certainly "decorative bricks" aren't named.

    However

    1 you don't want to put a septic tank inside of a building as a sewer gas explosion could occur and there are health concerns.

    2 you don't use a septic tank to support a structure

    3. Walking or sitting on a septic tank could be fatal if the cover is not adequate regardless if other concerns.

    On 2015-11-12 by Laura

    I am buying a house were the septic system lid was used as a small floor with decorative bricks on top, even though the systems operates well and maintenance is appropriately given. The bank tells me that by federal law, the septic system cannot have any thing built on top and that I have to remove the bricks, if not they will not approve the loan for the house. Is this true? Do decorative bricks qualify as violating federal law if anyway the septic system has a cement lid?

    Question:

    (Aug 13, 2014) Anonymous said:
    I live in Sherburne County, old farm house rental. the landlords upgraded in 1996. how do I get the whole system checked and tested? they choose not to.

    Reply:

    Anon

    You can hire a private home inspector who includes septic system visual inspection, component locaiton, and septic drainfield loading and testing in their services. A few plumbers or septic installers or engineers may also offer that service.

    Note that in some states septic system inspection, testing, or soil tests such as perc testing must be performed by a licensed expert.


    ...

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