Septic Systems Reports, Regulations, Guidance, and Manuals

EPA released numerous documents on decentralized wastewater technology, the management and operation of these systems and other technical information to help communities establish comprehensive septic (onsite) management programs.

• Reports to Congress
• Regulations
• Guidance
• Manuals
• Frequent Questions on Regulations and Compliance

Reports to Congress

• Report to Congress on the Prevalence Throughout the U.S. of Low- and Moderate-Income Households Without Access to a Treatment Works and the Use by States of Assistance under Section 603(c)(12) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (pdf) (7.89 MB)
  This report responds to Section 4107(b) of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 and includes: a review of the national data sources available on decentralized wastewater treatment use; the prevalence of low- and moderate-income households without access to a treatment works; a summary of four state examples that have robust data on the use of decentralized wastewater treatment systems; and, a description of databases that record the use of state assistance and a graphical representation of the cumulative decentralized wastewater treatment system project assistance under Section 603(c)12 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
• Report to Congress on Alternative Decentralized and Centralized Wastewater Treatment Technology (pdf) (658.34 KB)
  Under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA), Section 4102, codified in 33 USC 1314a: Wastewater technology clearinghouse, this report includes EPA’s historical and current data and technical assistance documents to show the types and amount of information provided to local government and nonprofit organizations on alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies. The report also includes awards to states through EPA-funded loan, grant, and technical assistance programs and demonstrates which states and regions have made the greatest use of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies. Lastly, it includes an overview of programs initiated through EPA seed money, including grant programs, technical assistance tools, guidance documents, and other resources to show which actions taken by EPA's Administrator have assisted states in the deployment of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies.
• Report to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (pdf) (5.54 MB)
  This 1997 report examines the feasibility of decentralized treatment as a lower-cost option for small communities with wastewater treatment needs.

Regulations

• When Is a Septic System Regulated as a Class V Well? (pdf) (1.48 MB)
  Fact sheet to help regulators determine which septic systems to regulate as Class V wells.
• A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule
  Guide for interpreting and implementing the biosolids rule which establishes requirements for the final use or disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids) and domestic septage.
• Seepage Pits May Endanger Ground Water Quality (pdf) (72.97 KB)
  Fact sheet on the prohibition against and hazards of using cesspools for the disposal of sewage.

Guidance

• Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (pdf) (1.23 MB)
  Guide to help communities establish comprehensive management programs so their decentralized systems function properly. The guide focuses on public education and participation, planning, operation and maintenance, and financial assistance and funding.
  • Guidelines Factsheet (pdf) (56.01 KB)
  • Presentation: Understanding the Decentralized Management Guidelines (pdf) (1.11 MB)
• Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (pdf) (1.4 MB)
  “How-to" guide for implementing EPA's Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The guide describes a step-by-step approach to developing a community program for managing decentralized wastewater systems, including community examples, elements for sound management, and links to other resources.
  • Handbook Factsheet (pdf) (134.41 KB)
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Program Strategy (pdf) (1.53 MB)
  Presents EPA's vision, mission, and actions to improve the performance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems and protect public health and water resources.
• National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas (pdf) (5.41 MB)
  Guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes and the public about reducing nonpoint source pollution from urban activities.
• Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters
  Guidance for states and territories on which management measures to include in state and territorial Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs.
• Safeguarding Against Natural Hazards and Weather Events: A Resource Guide for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (pdf) (9.84 MB)
  Provides potential steps that communities can take to increase the reliability of their decentralized wastewater systems. The guide focuses on community planning, infrastructure considerations, policy approaches, and education and outreach. This resource guide is for state, Tribal, and local governments that regulate septic systems, as well as onsite wastewater professionals.

Manuals

• Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems-Design Manual (pdf) (8.79 MB)
  Provides technical information on onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems for those who design, construct, operate, and maintain wastewater systems.
• The Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Manual (pdf) (20.5 MB)
  Provides technical information about onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems. It does not contain standards for those systems, nor does it contain pertinent rules or regulations. The manual assists those involved in the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and regulation of wastewater systems.

Frequent Questions about Septic System Regulations and Compliance

• EPA does not regulate single family home septic systems. In most states, local health departments issue construction and operating permits to install septic systems under state laws that govern public health protection and abatement of public nuisances. Some states add water resource protection provisions to their septic system regulations because of the possible impacts from nitrogen and phosphorus.
  
  Under most regulatory programs, the local permitting agency conducts a site assessment to determine whether the soils can provide adequate treatment. These programs ensure that ground water resources will not be threatened, and stipulate appropriate setback distances from buildings, driveways, property lines, and surface waters.
  
  Some states permit alternative systems if conventional soil-based systems are not allowable. Very few permitting agencies conduct regular inspections of septic systems after they are installed.
  
  Regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems:
  • Individual onsite systems are regulated by states, tribes and local governments, not the federal government.
  • Large capacity septic systems are regulated under EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Well program, large capacity septic systems requirements.
  • Systems discharging to surface waters are regulated under EPA’s Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program.
  • Disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids) and domestic septage are regulated under EPA’s sewage sludge regulation (40 CFR Part 503).
    • A Guide to the Biosolids Risk Assessment for the EPA Part 503 Rule describes the risk assessment process that is the basis for the biosolids rule.
       
• What should I do if I witnessed a violation of environmental quality/law from the neglect of a septic system?
  • If you have witnessed or are aware of an environmental violation, you can file a complaint with your state or local health department. It is imperative to contact your state or local health department as soon as possible to avoid public and/or environmental health risks. You can also report environmental violations to EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance.
• What can I do about an abandoned septic system that is no longer in use?
  • A property owner may be required to properly remove the abandoned septic tank or drainfield, depending on your state or county rules and regulations. Other rules may allow a system to be abandoned in place where there is little potential for environmental, health, or safety impacts. Contact your local permitting authority (i.e., local health or environmental department) about regulations regarding when and how to properly handle an abandoned septic system in your area.