Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems

Information Sheet

"New Systems"

The Pike County Health Dept. wishes to inform the public of policy and procedures for onsite sewage disposal (Septic Tanks). The County Health Dept. regulates the installation of all septic tanks (systems that do not discharge to the stream). Systems that treat sewage and are discharged to streams (Package Treatment Plants) are regulated by the State Division of Water. These systems also require approval of installations and permitting.

The following is a list of procedures for the permitting of an onsite sewage system:

1. The applicant must submit a detailed drawing of the property. This drawing should consist of width and length of the lot; placement of the home or structure; driveway, any utility lines, wells, other structures, old systems, creeks, roads, easements, hillsides located on or around the site. The fee for this service is $75.00. NO Applications will be accepted without completed drawings. The property boundary lines must be physically marked through use of flags, or other markers.

The homeowner or property owner must arrange to have four (4) postholes or two (2) backhoe pits dug. Place these holes in the general area of where system is to be used for the disposal area. Those holes should be placed 40 to 50 feet apart and dug to a depth of 42 inches.

2. Call the Pike County Health Dept. when the test holes are ready and request an appointment for the site evaluation to be done. Sewage disposal is a High Priority service and the site evaluation will be conducted as soon as possible.

The site evaluation will determine what size tank and how much lateral line would be required for the specific site. The Environmentalist is also looking for water tables that might be in the soil horizons. These water tables will impact the installation and operation of the sewer system.

The sewer system must be located five (5) feet from a driveway, ten (10) feet from a house, (25) feet from a stream or creek, ten (10) feet from utility lines (gas or water, utility poles), seventy (70) feet from any well including neighboring wells, five (5) feet from property line, ten (10) feet from another septic system.

Once the site is determined to be suitable for the installation of an onsite system, a detailed map must be submitted by the certified installer (or homeowner (if) installing the system) of the proposed system layout showing exact dimensions of all setback distances, placement of tank, distribution box(s), and placement of the lateral line(s) and all components. This layout must be approved by the certified inspector from the health department, prior to issuance of a permit to install the system. IF A CERTIFIED INSTALLER IS INSTALLING THE SYSTEM, THAT INSTALLER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE MAP AND APPLY FOR THE PERMIT. The only time a homeowner can apply for the permit is IF that homeowner is installing the system themselves and must sign permit accepting responsibility for installation of said system.

If the site fails because of insufficient space to install system, high water tables, or type of soil, the owner will be referred to the Division of Water for approval of a package treatment plant or is possible allow the property owner to install an experimental system such as an artificial wetlands.

4. The onsite sewage permit is $100.00 for a private home, $150.00 for a commercial installation .The actual installation may be performed by the homeowner on a private installation. A certified installer list may be obtained from the health department by request. Permits will expire one (1) year, if systems are not installed within that time frame another permit must be applied for and homeowner or certified installer will be charged an additional permit fee.

Before the system is covered, a final inspection must be conducted by a certified inspector of the health department. The inspector checks for proper components used in the installation; the tank, distribution box, type and amount of lateral, type of pipe that is used to connect all the components. Once the system meets all the requirements the approval granted; the system may be covered.

Additional fees may be charged for additional site evaluations and inspections if the owner or certified installer fails to inform the inspector of water or gas lines, changes the location of the system; locates a swimming pool in the middle of system or drills a well closer than 70 feet to the proposed installation. The health department receives several calls each week concerning washer or sink lines that discharge to the creek or ditch. These waste lines are considered to be sewage and therefore have to be connected to a system. If you have this situation, contact the Pike County Health Dept. at (606) 437 – 5500, Est. 341. An environmentalist can advise you on how to correct the situation.

Copies of all applications will be made available to the Kentucky
Division of Plumbing through their local plumbing inspector.

For additional information regarding the State Plumbing code, pleas contact Forrest Porter, State Plumbing Inspector at (606) 437- 5500, Ext 309 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. only

For Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Applications for Site Evaluations please come by the Pike County Health Dept.’s Environmental Section or call for additional information. Pike County Health Department (606) 437 – 5500, Ext 341.