Environmental Engineering - Subsurface Sewage

May 20, 2022: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed six Connecticut Counties in the High/Orange category as part of its COVID-19 Community Levels Map. Only Fairfield and Tolland Counties are listed in the Medium/Yellow category. Residents in these counties should wear a mask indoors in public; stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for residents who are at high risk for severe illness. Visit the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels Map for updates.

^{Information on COVID-19 for Sewage Industry Professionals}

An estimated 40% of Connecticut residents, close to 1.5 million people, live in homes served by on-site sewage systems. The vast majority of these sewage systems are conventional septic systems that are under the jurisdiction of the Local Directors of Health, and are the primary means of sewage disposal in rural and low density suburban areas. Septic systems also serve apartment buildings, schools, restaurants, and other commercial buildings in non-urban areas.

Septic systems that are properly designed, installed, and maintained provide a safe and efficient way of disposing domestic sewage. However, when sewage is discharged to antiquated or substandard sewage systems, such as cesspools, renovation of the wastewater by the soil may be incomplete. Sewage contains pathogens (disease causing organisms) and if improperly disposed may result in health hazards and nuisance conditions.

Each year a week in September is chosen to highlight proper maintenance and care of septic systems. Not everyone has one, but if you do, maintenance is key to ensure a properly functioning septic system.

Click on the SepticSmart icon below for more information.

Septic systems on sites with design flows of 7,500* gallons per day (GPD) and less are permitted by the Local Director Health. Additionally, plans for large septic systems serving buildings with design flows of 2,000 to 7,500 GPD must be approved by the CT Department of Public Health. Septic systems, defined as subsurface sewage disposal systems, are regulated by Public Health Code (PHC) Section 19-13-B103 and the associated Technical Standards for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (Technical Standards). Local Health Department contact information. Septic systems on sites with design flows exceeding 7,500 GPD, alternative sewage disposal systems, and community sewage systems are permitted by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP).

*See Circular Letter 2017-17 that concerns new legislation (Public Act 17-146, Section 30) that affected subsurface sewage disposal system jurisdiction.

For general questions and to receive program notifications please e-mail the Environmental Engineering Program at: DPH.EnvironmentalEngineering@ct.gov

Additional Online Resources:

TOPIC INDEX

Statutes, Regulations and Technical Standards for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems
Design Manual
Historical Technical Standards
Circular Letters
Exception Applications
Trainings
Water Treatment Wastewater (WTW)
Homeowners
- Financial Assistance Programs
Inspections of Existing Septic Systems
- Manufactured Select Fill
Approved Septic Tank Precasters
Product Approvals
Proprietary Leaching Systems H-20 Certifications
DPH Code Advisory Committee
Installer/Cleaner Exam Information

Statutes, Regulations and Technical Standards for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems

Connecticut Public Health Code - Section 19-13-B100a Building Conversions and Additions
Technical Standards 2018
Appendix C: Approved Filter Fabric 8/15/19
Technical Standards 2015 Sewage Tank Access (See Circular Letter 2015-29 Tank Covers, Risers & Safety Devices)
Sewage System Installer and Cleaner Statutes

Back to topic index

Design Manual - Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems for Households and Small Commercial Buildings:

Design Manual Part 1 (General Design Principles)
Design Manual Part 2 (Specific Design Considerations)

Back to topic index

Historical Technical Standards

Back to topic index

Exception Applications
All applications are for Local Health Department use only.

We encourage electronic completion and submission utilizing the Electronic Form (eform) including scanned supporting documentation. Please see Circular Letter 2011-70 Water Supply Well Separation Distance Exceptions and/or Circular Letter 2012-42 Central System Exceptions in the Environmental Engineering section under Environmental Health Section-Publications for additional requirements.