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Liquid Waste Program

 

Draft Statewide Septic Systems Policy Now Available For Public Review

 

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has drafted a policy to comply with a legal mandate that requires the SWRCB to develop statewide regulations or standards for septic systems. The public comment period for the current revision ends May 4, 2012.

 

The draft Statewide Septic Systems Policy updated 03/20/2012
is available for public review.

 

The second public comment period is now in progress. Public comments must be received by the SWRCB by noon on Friday May 4th, 2012.

 

A policy adoption hearing has been scheduled at the SWRCB, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, on Tuesday June 19th at 9 A.M in the Coastal Hearing Room.

 

For more information regarding the Draft Policy, please visit the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or the Public Information Announcement.  Additional information, including the most up to date hearing and adoption schedules, can be obtained at the California State Water Resources Control Board website. 

 

Note that the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has issued a Position Statement regarding this Draft Policy.


If you have specific questions regarding the Draft Policy that are not answered by the EMD FAQs or the SWRCB webpage, you may leave a message at (916) 875-9278.

 

 

The Environmental Management Department Liquid Waste Program oversees the following activities throughout the County of Sacramento:

  • Design, construction, and installation of on-site wastewater treatment systems and wastewater holding tanks.
  • Businesses and vehicles engaged in the cleaning of septic tanks, portable toilets, and wastewater holding tanks.
  • On-site wastewater processing and or treatment facilities

Installing an on-site wastewater treatment system (septic system) within Sacramento County

 

The type of system your parcel will require depends primarily on where the parcel is located.  The most frequently installed system is the standard pit system.  This type of system is used in areas where it has been determined that the system would be less likely to degrade groundwater quality, and the soil conditions are such that effluent will be more readily absorbed into the pit area.  If your parcel is in an area where the water table is high, or soil conditions are poor, a shallow leach field or deep trench type disposal field may be required. 

 

There are cases where it is not possible to install any of the above systems.  In these situations, an engineered or alternative system, designed by a registered professional, will be required.  Registered professionals include Registered Environmental Health Specialists, Civil Engineers, or professional Geologists.

 

Regardless of the system that is installed on your parcel, it is important that the septic tank be approved for use in Sacramento County. 

 

You may notice that the regulations for septic systems vary from county to county.  The regulations for Sacramento County are dictated by the geology of the region where the system is installed.

Environmental Compliance Staff:

  • Issue permits
  • Design systems based on soil evaluation
  • Inspect installation of septic systems
  • Review engineering/Percolation test documents
  • Approve plot plans as part of the building permit issuance process
  • Maintain a database that includes information on permitted septic systems in Sacramento County
  • Respond to complaints relating to surfacing sewage and/or septic system failures

Forms, Documents & Applications