Northern Utah Onsite Wastewater Systems
What is an Onsite Sewer System?
Obtaining a Septic Permit
There are eleven local health departments that distribute septic permits in the state of Utah. Each local health department may use a different process for permitting onsite sewer systems but the "rules" are basically the same. The first step in obtaining a permit is to contact your local health department or River Logic to get their permitting process. You can click on the Health Department Logos to the right for permitting procedures, applications, and/or contact information.
The permitting process usually consists of an application and fee, a Site Evaluation, Soil Evaluation, and a Perk Test. Depending on your Health Departments requirements, we can either set up or conduct your site and soil evaluations and perk testing. We recommend that you have a Level 2 Certified Designer design your onsite sewer system and provide construction drawings to ensure a proper design and provide system details for maintenance after the system is in use.
In some cases, groundwater monitoring may be required before you can obtain a septic permit. In other cases, an Alternative Onsite Sewer System must be used due to high groundwater or poor soil conditions. River Logic can help you conduct a groundwater monitoring program or provide you with an Alternative Onsite Sewer System design.
A Site Evaluation consists of locating site features such as existing slope, water supply sources, watercourses, property boundary and building foundation. All the required setbacks from an onsite sewer system must be maintained. Proper site selection for your onsite sewer system is the first step to ensure the success of your system and to avoid environmental problems in the future.
A Soil Evaluation consist of digging a 10 foot deep exploratory pit near the proposed absorption field site and inspecting the soil layers. You can dig your own pit but a certified soil evaluator or someone from your local health department must do the soil evaluation. A soil evaluation can detect seasonal high groundwater and determine the soil's capability to properly treat and dispose of wastewater.
A Perc Test consists of digging 1 or more 8" to 12" wide and 15" deep hole within the proposed absorption field area and estimating the percolation rate of the soil. The percolation rate is the time it takes for water in a hole to drop 1 inch. Percolation rates between 1 and 60 minutes per inch are required in Utah for conventional systems, but percolation rates between 10 to 30 min/inch are recommended. Perc tests must be conducted by a certified perc tester.
For more info, contact info@river-logic.com or call at (801) 391-7481.
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Requirements and Applications
