&EPA
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Region 9 Ground Water
Office (WTR-9)
EPA 909-F-04-003
APRIL 2004
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System
Maintenance Checklist
Keep this checklist in a folder where you retain your onsite wastewater treatment system records and receipts, to ensure
treatment system performance, remind you of timely maintenance, and protect your property values and our environment.
Fill out this form in pencil as information may change.
System Owner:
Site Address:
Land Use:
Site water source:
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Design flow:
# Compartments:
Access Risers?
Additional treatment
components?
single family residence multi-family dwelling
non-residential/food or lodging non-residential/other
private well public water system
Tank material:
other:
concrete fiberglass polyethylene
liters/gallons (circle one)
Total volume:
Effluent filter?
yes no bttluent filter? yes
no yes (circle all applicable features)
single-pass filter or mound recirculating filter
aerobic treatment unit disinfection unit
other:
cubic feet
no
EFFLUENT DISPERSAL (circle all applicable features)
METHOD
Electrical Components?
Yes No
Installer Name/Company:
Installer Telephone:
Installer Address:
Maintenance Contract?
Operating Permit?
Local Regulatory Agency:
Telephone Number:
distribution box
pump (to gravity)
leachfield
seepage pit
Other:
diversion valve
pump (pressure dose)
leaching bed
at-grade or wetland
siphon
telemetry unit
graveless trench(es)
irrigation/reuse system
100% replacement area? yes no
Date constructed:
no
no
yes
yes
Expiration date?
Expiration date?
Staff
IF SYSTEM FAILS, CALL:
Pumper:.
Date of Inspection, Pumped? yes or no _ Recommended follow-up/next Inspection date
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STORE WITH THIS SHEET:
0 A diagram showing the
location of your system and your
replacement area in relation to all
property structures, property lines
and other important features
(such as water supply wells and
large trees.)
0 Receipts, bids and contracts
from all service providers
0 Your operating permit, if one
is required from your local
regulator
0 Numbers of organizations to
contact in an emergency
1. drinking water well
2. septic tank
3. distribution box
4. absorption field
5. soil absorption (unsaturated zone)
6. ground water (saturated zone)
Graphic courtesy National Small Flows Clearinghouse
CARING FOR YOUR SYSTEM
Warning signs:
- Slow-draining toilets, tubs or sinks
- Lush growth or "burnt" growth over dispersal area
- Sewage surfacing over the dispersal area or other parts of the
system, or sewage odors in the yard
To Avoid Trouble:
Do have your tank inspected by a professional (licensed) pumper
at least once every 3 to 5 years, and have it pumped when the
combined solid and scum layer exceed half the volume of the first
compartment of the septic tank.
Do keep all your wastewater treatment system records.
Do practice water conservation. Understand your design flow and
try not to exceed it. For example, avoid laundry during and
immediately after large parties.
Do divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides
away from the system. Keep sump pumps and house footing drains
away from the system as well.
Don't allow anyone to pave, build, drive or park over any part of the
system. The area over the dispersal area and the replacement
area should be left undisturbed with natural ground cover.
Don't use commercial septic tank additives. Most of them are not
helpful and some of them may endanger you or the environment.
Human waste contains the organisms needed by onsite wastewater
treatment systems to break down and treat waste.
Never use a toilet as a trash can. Onsite wastewater treatment
systems are designed to treat waterborne sewage, not cigarette
butts, household chemicals and paints, nor any paper products other
than toilet paper.
For general assistance with onsite wastewater treatment systems, contact your local environmental health
agency, building department, or the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, at (800) 624-8301, or see their
website: www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/. Information also available from ERA'S Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline at
(800) 426-4791, or see their website: www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/decent.
In California, for regulations, training and technical assistance, please see also the following organizations:
CalEPA/State Water Resources Control Board
California Environmental Health Association & CCDEH
California Onsite Wastewater Association
California Rural Water Association
California Wastewater Training and Research Center, CSU-Chico
Office of Water Programs, Sacramento State University
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
DISCLAIMER: The statements in this document are intended
solely as guidance. This document is not intended, nor can it be
relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in
litigation with the United States. EPA or the program Primacy
Agency may decide to follow the guidance provided in this
document, or to act at variance with the guidance based on its
analysis of the specific facts presented. This guidance may be
revised without public notice to reflect changes in EPA's approach
to implementing the authorities discussed in the document or to
clarify and update text.
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