- What is a (legal) septic system?
By Indiana Administrative Code, "Any dwelling which is not connected, or cannot be connected, to a sanitary sewage system and which does not utilize a sanitary privy for its residential sewage disposal system shall be provided with a residential sewage disposal system which consists of a septic tank and a soil absorption system, which has not failed."
If your system does not have a septic tank and an absorption field, (leach field) it is NOT legal.
If your system drains to a field tile, drain, creek, stream, side-ditch, or something other than a leach field, it is NOT legal.
If your system consists of an aeration unit, or a sand filter, which is not connected to a leach field, it is NOT legal.
- When do I need a permit?
You will need a septic permit (issued by the Grant County Health Department) prior to repairing, replacing, constructing or otherwise altering your septic system. The portion of your plumbing that is 2 feet outside of your foundation is considered part of your septic system; therefore any repair or replacement beyond this point will require a septic permit.
- How do I locate my septic system?
- Click here to view our flow chart.
- Do I need a building permit?
The Building Department will need a letter from the Environmental Division before a building permit can be issued. You MUST contact the Environmental Division to inquire if there are any records of a septic system on file. If you are in the process of a new construction house and repair or replacement systems, once the septic permit issued, a copy of the new construction septic permit will be provided to the building department once it is purchased and picked up. This will act as the letter to obtain the building permit.
- Septic system maintenance
- What are signs of a failing septic system?
A failing septic system is a system that exhibits one or more of the following:
- The system does not accept sewage at the rate of design application thereby interfering with the normal use of the plumbing in the home, such as gurgling toilets, back-up of drains, slow drains, etc.
- The system does not accept sewage at the rate of design application thereby causing ponding, seepage, or other discharge of effluent to the ground surface or to surface waters.
- Effluent is discharged from the system thereby causing contamination of a water source. This includes those systems that do not have a leach field (or drain into a field tile). aeration unit, or sand filter.
- FORMS
Homeowners packet
- Homebuyers Brochure
- List of Registered Installers
- List of Soil Scientists
- Septic Permit Application (return by email, mail or in-person)
- OSS Ordinances
- FEES
Once all paperwork is complete and ready to be submitted, please call our office to make an appointment to pay the fees.
Fees:
- Becoming a registered installer?
You must complete/submit the following:
- Installer Application
- Any Installer Paperwork (materials sheet, etc.)
- Grant County Health Department Test - 3 hour limit & must call and set up an appointment.
Below is a list of Grant County Registered Installers in alphabetical order. To view a printable list of Registered Installers, please click here.