Septic Systems

About

This service area permits private well construction, regulates well repair and abandonment, and inspects newly constructed wells. Staff monitor groundwater through well water sampling and educate individuals and the community of the importance of proper well construction and proper treatment and disposal of wastewater. They assist Emergency Services in evaluating the impact of spills on well-water supplies and the local environment, conduct soil evaluations to determine suitability of property for subsurface wastewater treatment and disposal, design and permit subsurface wastewater treatment and disposal systems and inspect final system installations. Aboveground inspections of existing wastewater treatment and disposal systems are conducted before authorizing new connections to these systems. Complaints concerning wastewater are investigated.

Complaints

Environmental Health receives many calls from citizens complaining that their neighbors have a problem with their septic system. Either sewage is seeping through the surface and running onto the neighbor's property or is causing an offensive odor. An Environmental Health Specialist responds to all complaints and takes appropriate action.

Existing System

Expansion
When a septic systems need to be expanded the citizen applies for an expansion permit. An environmental health specialist makes a visit to the property to determine if an expansion can be installed within the rules of the program.

New Connection
New connection to an existing system. This generally occurs when one mobile home is moved off a lot and another one brought in.

Repair
A septic system must be repaired when the system is failing. After verification of the problem, Environmental Health mails a written notice of violation by certified mail to the owner or occupant, who has thirty days to have the system repaired. The installer calls Environmental Health for an inspection after repair is completed.

Mobile Home Park Program

The Randolph County Zoning Ordinance requires that mobile home park owners provide safe, potable, and adequate water supply. Safe is defined as free of bacteria and chemicals that are detrimental to public health. Environmental Health is charged with enforcing these requirements. One employee in Environmental Health does mobile home park inspections twice a year. He has a master file of mobile home parks in Randolph County, which total around 190. While has is checking the water supply in a mobile home park, he also looks for septic system problems and other violations of the zoning ordinance, such as junked vehicles, solid waste issues, or loose animals.

New Septic System Installation

Prior to installing a new well, a citizen must go to Central Permitting to apply for a permit. The application is forwarded to Environmental Health. Generally the location of the well has already been determined by the field staff who were previously on-site to do septic evaluations. The Environmental Health Specialist and Environmental Health Technician working in this program inspect the installation of wells, including the grouting, well seal, air vent, and faucet.