Northwest Georgia Public Health

On-Site Sewage Program

NWGA On-Site Sewage Program

Through our sewage program we provide many services that help to protect public health as well as Georgia's natural resources. These services include septic tank permits, repair permits, existing system evaluations, site evaluations, and subdivision plan reviews. Inspections are also required on both septic tank permits and repair permits. Each inspection is performed by an Environmental Health Specialist according to the Rules and Regulations for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Chapter 290-5-26). These inspections help to ensure correct installation and proper repair of domestic on-site sewage management systems. Through regulating the installation and repair of on-site sewage systems, our department helps to protect Georgia's groundwater, drinking water, and surface water from harmful organisms and chemicals.

"A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems" is a resource developed by EPA that provides a good explanation on how septic systems work. This booklet also contains many helpful tips on properly caring for and maintaining your septic system. An on-line version of the guide is available by clicking on the picture to the right.

The State of Georgia's Division of Public Health has also developed another helpful resource entitled "Homeowner's Guide: On-Site Sewage Management Systems" that is available using the link below.

Homeowner's Guide:
On-Site Sewage Management Systems

To view an online video for Homeowners about their septic tanks click here.

* This video was created by Environmental Health Staff in Georgia

To view a list of septic systems DOs and DON'Ts click here.

Subdivision Development Procedures

It is strongly recommended that you meet at the site of the development with a Certified Soil Consultant to determine that suitable soils exist in sufficient quantity to warrant proceeding further. If the soil consultant finds suitable soils, obtain a copy of a boundary survey with accurate topography and sufficient ground control for the soil consultant to use to map the soils.

Bring the survey with the soils information to the Environmental Health Office for review and sizing of lots.
Bring the survey with the soils information to the Environmental Health Office for review and sizing of lots.
Submit at least two copies of preliminary plats with the following information to the Environmental Health Office for plan review, on-site evaluation, comments, and stamping of plats.

Allow a minimum of 10 working days.

A vicinity map
Proposed lots and streets including lot identification, dimensions, building lines, and square footage of lots
Topography depicted in two foot (2') contour intervals overlaid on plat
Soil information overlaid on plat
Groundwater pollution susceptibility defined and stamped on plat by Storm Water Department *not necessary in all counties*
The location of all present and proposed wells, water systems, water courses, flood plains, sewage systems,structures, right-of-ways, utilities storm water drainage systems, and easements on the property and within one hundred (100') outside the perimeter of the property
The name, registration number, and seal of the professional surveyor or engineer that prepared the development plan

After the initial rough in of streets and other improvements, have the soil consultant conduct a Level 3 soil survey and include this information on at least two copies of the final plat.
Submit at least two copies of the final plats with the following additional information to the Environmental Health Office for approval.

Allow 10 full working days for stamping of final plats.

The Level 3 soil information overlaid on the plat
Any changes specified by Environmentalist based on the preliminary plats

Note: Final Plats must still show all the information
required on the Preliminary Plats

Lot Sizing

Minimum Lot Sizes
Lot size depends on many factors and is analyzed on a case-by-case basis. For more information on minimum lot sizes either view the lot sizing requirements and policies information sheet for your county by clicking on the link below (not available in all counties) or by contacting your local Environmental Health Office.

Catoosa County Lot Sizing Requirements and Policies

Curtain Drain Use

Many of the soil types that are indicative to Northwest Georgia and the surrounding area have formed soil conditions which support the occurrence of wet weather springs and perched water tables. Some soil types in our area contain a restrictive soil horizon or restrictive layer located at 20-40 inches, which decreases the downward movement of water through the soil. Other soil types in our area form a restrictive layer, known as a hard pan, that are often located at depths of 3-4 feet. Hard pans consist of a hard cemented layer made up of soil minerals and salts, which have been dissolved by groundwater and later deposited when the groundwater has become completely saturated. Since the installation depths for conventional field lines generally occur between 24-36 inches, they can be susceptible to the effects of groundwater caused by restrictive soil horizons or hard pans present in the soil. However, groundwater problems can sometimes be resolved if they are dealt with ahead of time through the use of curtain drains. A curtain drain is a gravel trench containing a pipe that is installed above the septic to intercept the ground water and outlet it below the system. The pictures below show how a properly designed curtain drain works. As part of permitting process the state of Georgia requires that a soil report must be conducted by certified soil scientist to identify the soil type and the conditions associated with that soil. When a soil scientist identifies the presence of certain soil conditions, they will require the installation of a curtain drain to deal with the potential ground water problems associated with that soil type.

Overview of a curtain drain

*The setback minimum above the system is
15 feet not 10 feet in the state of Georgia

Side view of a curtain drain

*The setback minimum above the system is
15 feet not 10 feet in the state of Georgia

The side view of the curtain drain shows the curtain drain going into the restrictive layer, which forces the ground water in the perched water table to follow the gravel into the drainage pipe that will outlet at a point below the septic system. The gravel trench is also lined with a plastic lining on the down hill slope to prevent the ground water from bleeding through. The side view also shows the installation of additional soil called a berm to shed off any surface water that may be affecting the system. With a properly constructed berm, surface water can also be drained through the curtain drain to a point below the septic system.

Installer Resources

Licensed Installers, Pumpers & Soil Classifiers

Any individual performing services related to site approval or the design, location, installation, inspection, and maintenance of on-site sewage management systems, must be certified by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

State Approved Residental Installers

State Approved Commercial Installers

State Approved Pumpers

State Approved Soil Classifiers

Drip emitter system design criteria

The state of Georgia requires that all drip emitter systems be installed by a licensed installer and meet the following criteria.

All equipment proposed for use must be certified and warranted by the manufacturer that it has been tested for use with wastewater.
All prepackaged systems must be approved by the Department prior to sale in the sate of Georgia.
A state of Georgia registered engineer must design drip irrigation systems designed on a site-specific basis.

Call your local health department, regarding any questions related to drip emitter installers or approved system designs. (See Contact Us)

State Study Guide

In order to become a licensed installer in the state of Georgia you are required to pass a contractor certification exam. There are six exams offered: Residential, Commercial, Pumper I & II, Drip Emitter Systems, and Mound Systems. Exams are usually given monthly at the District Environmental Health office in Rome, Georgia as well as other locations around the state. Please call Brenda at 706-295-6651 for more information.

On-Site Sewage Contractor Certification - Residential
On-Site Sewage Contractor Certification - Commercial
Septic Tank Septage Removal and Disposal - Part I
Septic Tank Septage Removal and Disposal - Part II
Drip Emitter System
Mound and Area Fill

CEU Course Information

For information on Contractor Continuing Education Units (CEUs) click here.