Septic Systems

RECENT UPDATES |
Important Notice about the Trial ADU Fee Waiver program:
The County of San Diego's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) fee waiver
program that went into effect January 9, 2019, was funded for 5 years,
and will be ending on January 9, 2024.
Projects that are submitted for onsite wastewater treatment system (septic) layout review and septic installation permits obtained prior to January 9, 2024, will have fees waived. Septic layouts and permits that expire after January 9, 2024, or are submitted/obtained after this date will not meet the requirements of the fee waiver program. If your project is currently under review, we will be working to provide any corrections as soon as possible so that your design team can work to update the plans and obtain your septic installation permit prior to January 9, 2024. Please work with your design professionals to get plans updated and returned to the County so that projects may be approved in a timely manner.
If you have any questions about this trial fee waiver program or you feel you will not be able to provide your plans for review prior to the January 9, 2024 date, please reach out to us at lwqduty.deh@sdcounty.ca.gov.
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On September 15, 2022, DEHQ held the first Stakeholder input meeting
to introduce the Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) evaluation and
revision process. Over the past few months, stakeholders provided
feedback, staff reviewed collected comments, took into consideration
and made the following
summary of changes. To view the updated
draft LAMP Version 2, stakeholders can pick from either viewing
the Clean Copy version or version with Edits Copy in red lettering.
Please
use this linked feedback form to submit comments
for consideration by August 15, 2023.This is your
opportunity to provide us final feedback based on your real-world
experience to support the Regional Board’s consideration of
alternative standards for San Diego County.
The LAMP provides alternative standards than those set by the State Water Resources Control Board’s OWTS Policy and must still achieve the same water quality and public health protections. Please consider this Policy requirement when providing your feedback.
We will also be hosting an in-person feedback/input meeting on July 12, 2023 (4-530 PM) at the County Operations Center, located at 5500 Overland Ave. Lobby Training Room 120. San Diego, CA 92123.
If you have any questions regarding the first draft of the LAMP, contact Linda Turkatte at Linda.Turkatte@sdcounty.ca.gov. If you have questions regarding the LAMP feedback form, contact Joann Lee at Joann.Lee@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Version 1: Clean Copy version or version with Edits Copy in red lettering.
Thank you for your support of our local program, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Current Version: Local Agency Management Program
Onsite
Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy
The purpose of regulating the design, installation, and maintenance
of onsite wastewater treatment systems (or, septic systems) is
to:
- Ensure that these systems provide a safe and reliable means of wastewater treatment and disposal for properties not served by a sewer system
- Prevent the contamination of groundwater from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent the contamination of surface water from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent premature failure of onsite wastewater treatment systems
Program Services | Useful Information | Types of Systems
- Design review of new onsite wastewater treatment systems and Graywater Systems
- Design review of repairs and modifications to existing on-site wastewater treatment systems
- Installation inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Maintain design records for properties using onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Respond to citizen complaints of failing onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide coordinated review with other agencies for projects that require CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) or involve the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide review of discretionary land development projects that may involve DEHQ related permitting issues
Please note that a Project Issue Resolution Conference is available to applicants for discretionary land development projects processed through the County's Planning & Development Services:
Project Issue Resolution Conference
For land development projects processed through Planning & Development Services, a Project Issue Resolution (PIR) Conference is a meeting that includes an applicant, our Executive Management team, and County Project staff to discuss issues and identify solutions that were not able to be resolved with a County Project Manager due to interpretations of a code or other unique circumstances related to a project. The County is committed to helping customers navigate the land use permit process and ensuring customer satisfaction. The County recognizes land development can be complex and each project is unique. The goal of the PIR process is to help facilitate processing of each permit application in an efficient and timely manner by elevating technical project issues to our Executive Management team. For more information, please see PDS Page.
Currently, DEHQ is approving conventional system and supplemental treatment systems:
- Septic tanks must have IAPMO approval and be approved for use by DEHQ
- Leach lines can be constructed with either rock and pipe or other approved materials that would include plastic chambers
- Horizontal seepage pits are restricted to sites with uniform soil conditions and average percolation rates not exceeding 30 minutes per inch
- Vertical seepage pits are restricted to coastal sedimentary basins that have degraded groundwater caused by salt water intrusion
- Supplemental treatment systems must include percolation testing and a design from a licensed OWTS Professional
- Any site with slopes that exceed 25% must include with the layout a slope stability report or statement from a licensed civil engineer or geologist
RESOURCES |
LAMP 5-Year Evaluation Report (January 2022)
On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Layout
Application Checklist
Groundwater Separation Requirements
San Diego County Code: Onsite Wastewater System Ordinance
Senate Bill 9 (SB-9) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Guidance
Septic Pumper Truck Inventory Form
Septic Repair Authorization Form
Sewage Hauler Permit Application
EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - (Spanish- Guía del dueño de hogar para sistemas sépticos)
ADU and Second Dwellings Facts
Questions?
(858) 565-5173 (Duty Desk)
(858) 694-2553 (Septic Inspection Line)