Septic systems are critical for dealing with household waste, especially in homes in areas that aren’t served by municipal sewage systems. Whether you need to install a system on a new construction or replace an aging or faulty system, it’s important to understand the requirements. Use this guide to better understand septic systems and what you need to know about permits and regulations.
Understanding Septic Systems
A septic system typically includes two main components: the septic tank and field. Waste is deposited in the septic tank first. This works to separate wastewater, called effluent, from solids that sink and floatable matter like oil and grease. The effluent then drains from the tank to the septic field. The bacteria in the septic tank slowly digests the waste that’s left behind, allowing it to eventually drain into the field.
The drain field has perforated pipes that are buried between 6 and 18 inches under the soil. The pipes are laid in trenches that are commonly 2 to 3 feet wide and are filled with gravel to help ensure the water can disperse into the soil.
While soil septic fields are the most common, there are other options available for the right situations. These options include sand, organic matter like peat or sawdust, constructed wetlands and a variety of other media that can neutralize or remove harmful pathogens and pollutants.
The Importance of Regulations and Permits
While regulations may seem daunting or like a nuisance, those pertaining to septic systems play a key role in maintaining septic safety. It’s important to remember what’s going into a septic system and why you want it draining away from your house. Aside from being smelly, this waste can carry plenty of potentially harmful risks including parasites, viruses and bacteria, not to mention excess nitrogen and phosphorous and chemicals from cleaning and personal care products.
The regulations for septic fields ensure that you can easily get rid of this waste from within your home while protecting your property, neighboring properties and wildlife. For instance, if the septic field isn’t draining properly, known as perking, or if the pipes aren’t buried deep enough, the effluent will saturate the surface soil. This presents the risk of both public nuisance from odors as well as health hazards for anyone who comes in contact with the contaminated soil. The septage can more easily runoff into sensitive areas, increasing the risk of exposure. Further, it can attract wildlife to dig up the septage, which can further spread pathogens.
Permits are key to ensuring the safety of everyone on and around your property. Regular inspections ensure the system is both properly installed and working as intended.
How the Permit Process Works
Before jumping into a septic project, it’s helpful to understand the entire process. For septic systems, this includes how to apply for a permit, how long it takes, and common mistakes in the application process.
Applying for a Septic System Permit
In Nampa, it’s required to get a plumbing permit from Nampa Development Services for all septic installation work aside from emergencies. Repairs and leak correction do not need permits to resolve.
In addition to the Nampa Development Services permit, septic installation may require a permit from Southwest District Health. This is often a prerequisite to obtaining a building permit, which can include the plumbing permit. A licensed plumber must apply for these permits, as the work is required to be completed by licensed contractors.
Approval Timelines
It’s important to give yourself ample time to get the permits approved before you plan to start the project. Depending on how your permit applications are submitted, it can take as long as three months to get approved. Additionally, septic installations may require a pre-development meeting with Southwest District Health. This may add time, depending on how quickly the district can coordinate the meeting.
Common Application Mistakes
Application errors can significantly extend the time required to obtain the required permits. These may include incomplete or inaccurate information, misunderstanding local codes and failing to supply required soil tests. Working with an experienced plumber who has worked in the area helps reduce the risks of these mistakes and streamlines the process.
Understanding Regulations
While regulations may seem annoying to have to deal with, they do serve a purpose. Let’s look at state-specific regulations and how local zoning and land-use regulations impact septic installation and maintenance.
State and Local Regulations
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality stipulates the codes for septic systems in Rule 58.01.03. This set of rules lays out the minimum tank size based on the dwelling size, the minimum tank construction specifications and the minimum and maximum liquid depth in the tank. It also outlines the specifications for the drain field. These are the minimum standards that meet the requirements of Southwest District Health. However, local regulations may be more stringent, depending on the exact location of the property, proximity to others, soil type and more.
Zoning and Land Use
Zoning is used to help prevent overpopulation, water source contamination, soil erosion and other potential environmental hazards. These regulations may stipulate the minimum lot size for septic use and the maximum number of dwellings per acre. Further, soil and terrain may influence whether a septic system is approved and specifically what’s required to ensure that the system can drain properly. All of these laws may vary between urban and rural settings, with urban zoning being more stringent due to the population density and availability of public utilities.
Maintenance and Inspections
Like most things in your home, the septic system needs routine maintenance and inspections. Learn what maintenance looks like and what inspectors look for when they come out to check your system.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance is critical for keeping septic systems running correctly. Maintenance is typically having the tank inspected, pumped and cleaned. For most homes with conventional septic systems, inspections and pumping are needed every three to five years. However, if you have an alternative septic system that has electric components, it may need an inspection every year.
Remember, pumping doesn’t only remove solids from the tank but helps to balance the bacteria in the tank. Waiting until the system has a problem to have it pumped causes a host of other issues that could be avoided by simply ensuring the tank’s balance is properly maintained.
What Inspectors Look For
Inspections aim to ensure that septic systems are not only flowing properly to the tank and then to the field but that the tank isn’t overfilled and that the septic field is draining properly. They’ll start by checking the liquid level in the tank. They’ll check for signs of leaks and assess the pipes’ condition. Finally, they’ll check the health of your septage, checking to make sure there’s the right balance of bacteria to ensure it can digest the solids. This health check is important because things like drain cleaners and other household chemicals can throw the system out of balance.
People around Nampa have turned to Express Septic & Drain Cleaning for their septic, sewer and drain needs since 2006. Our team provides septic inspections, testing, installation, maintenance, pumping and repair, drain cleaning and repair, field rejuvenation and sewer line cleaning, repair and replacement. Call to schedule a septic system inspection, pumping or replacement with one of our septic experts at Express Septic & Drain Cleaning today.
