On-Site Sewage

On-Site Sewage

An on-site septic system is used when a city sewer connection is not available. A septic system is a waste water treatment system that collects, treats, and disposes of waste water. A septic system consists of two main parts: a primary treatment unit, and a leach field, evapo-transpiration lagoon, etc. The primary treatment unit, or septic tank, operates through the bacterial breakdown of sewage solids. After breakdown has occurred, effluent is discharged to the leach field for disposal and further treatment. The leach field is the final step in the waste water treatment process. The leach field treats the waste water by evaporation and soil absorption.

How to Size a Septic System?

The size and type of septic system is determined by two main factors:

1. The amount of water anticipated to be discharged into the system on a daily basis (number of bedrooms is used to determine this).
2. The site evaluation (soil criteria), which is performed by a certified inspector.

How to get a Septic System?

1. Apply for a site evaluation:
Visit the Local Health Department Environmental Office during their normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-9:30am) and complete a site evaluation application (site evaluation fee $300). Please have information such as number of bedrooms, acreage of property and location of the property.
Or submit application and fee with the links below.

SITE EVALUATION APPLICATION FEE SITE EVALUATION APPLICATION FORM

*Backhoe pits may be required by the inspectors to complete site evaluations at applicants expense.

2. Contact a Certified Septic System Installer.
A list of certified installers can be provided by the Local Health Department. The installer will then use the site evaluation to design and layout the system, including a proposed drawing listing all setbacks and grade shots. A Certified Inspector will issue a permit to the Certified Installer to construct the system.

Permit Fees
New construction – $420
Repair septic – $220
Existing septic functioning statement – $200

3. Final Inspection by the Local Health Department.

After the installation of the septic system is complete, a Certified Inspector from the Local Health Department will conduct a final inspection of the system. The inspector will determine if the system has been constructed according to the permit and meets the requirements of the Kentucky Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations.

Septic system records may be on file at the local health department if a septic system was in installed after 1985. In order for the inspector to find the septic system record they will need to know the year the new residence was built/installed or if it was a repair to a septic system we will need to know the year the septic system was installed.