Construction of New Sewage Treatment System

If you are constructing a home or business that will not be connected to a sanitary/public sewer system, you will need to install a sewage treatment system (septic system). All new subdivision plans and individual plots unable to access sanitary sewer lines are reviewed by Health District sanitarians. Sanitarians review the soil and topography of the plot and make recommendations on the type of system to be installed. Additionally, staff conduct inspections for room additions and work with property owners throughout the process of replacing failing household sewage treatment systems.

Sewage Treatment System technology has made great advances in the last several decades and Hamilton County Public Health has a nationally recognized inspection program. There are many steps that go into the design and installation of a septic system, and a system that works for one property may not work for another.

The following information should help you through the process of designing and installing a new septic system. Should you have questions, Water Quality staff are available to help.

Requirements for design of a septic system

Hamilton County Public Health recommends hiring a household sewage treatment system designer who is familiar with the requirements of the State of Ohio Technical Standards for Advance Sewage System Guidance and additional requirements of this office. The following is a list of household sewage treatment system designers known by this office to understand these rules and regulations.

  • Clear Creek Environmental 1-800-299-4257
  • Miller Designs 513-947-2667
  • T.M. Gates, Inc. 513-248-1025
  • D.P. Rehm and Associates 513-202-9000
  • Stream Key, Inc. 513-792-9225
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Application requirements

  1. Complete the Application to Construct or Replace a Household Sewage Treatment System. A tip sheet accompanies the application to provide assistance in completing it.
  2. Detailed soil report performed in accordance with ASTM standard D 5879 or D 5921 and a septic system design from a qualified septic system designer/engineer. This design should include the following items:
  • One copy (1) of the soil morphology indicating limiting conditions. 
  • Four copies (4) of a plot/site plan with scaled drawings of the system on the lot with soil sampling locations shown. 
  • Four copies (4) of the elevation plan with system components that are proposed for installation. 
  • Four copies (4) of the detailed on-site treatment system components to be used in the installation. 
  • One copy (1) of system design calculations for the home based on soil/site conditions.
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Site plan requirements

  1. Scale, north arrow, and date of drawing.
  • Scale should be 1 inch = 50 feet or less. (Ex. 1 to 40, 1 to 30 etc.).
  1. System designer’s/preparer’s name, address, and telephone number. 
  2. Street address of the property where the system will be installed. NO LOT NUMBERS. 
  3. Subdivision name or owner’s name, address and telephone number. 
  4. Property boundaries with courses and distances. 
  5. Road right-of-way and easement areas with boundary descriptions. 
  6. Topographical contours at 2 foot intervals for lots having average slope of 25 percent or less. 
  7. Location of the existing or proposed house, accessory buildings, driveways and all sewage system components and replacement area on the subject lot. 
  8. Photocopies of all recorded easements, plus easement must be drawn on plot plan. 
  9. Location of all bodies of water, streams, ditches, sewers, drain tile, existing and proposed potable water supply sources and water service lines on this or adjacent lot within 150 feet of the proposed subdivision.
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Actions to take at the construction site

  • When surveyed, all property corners of each proposed lot shall be field staked prior to the submission of final individual site plans. 
  • Septic system location, house location, and any other building structures will need to be flagged at the site. 
  • Septic system location needs to be caution taped off to keep undisturbed.
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Other required items

  • If there will be a private water system on the property, five (5) copies of the plot plan and a private water application fee ($250.00) are required. 
  • Copy of recorded deed for the property. 
  • One copy of the building plan for the proposed structure(s) or addition(s) must be submitted with the application. 
  • Application fee of $335.00 per proposed home site.
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Next steps

A sanitarian will review the submitted information and make a site visit. If approved, the sanitarian will return the approved application to the applicant. The approved application and design materials should be used to get bids from contractors to install the system. Search for a registered and bonded contractor to help you with your project. It is always a good idea to get at least three bids when hiring a contractor.

Once you select a contractor, he or she will obtain the permit from our office to install the system.

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