On-Site Wastewater Septic Program
The Environmental Health Division of the Appalachian District Health Department is responsible for permitting any on-site sub-surface septic system within the district. The permiting process is done in accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes which state that: Any person owning or controlling a residence, place of business, or place of public assembly shall provide an approved sanitary sewage system. Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) acting as authorized agents of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ensure that the rules and regulations addressing the placement, design, installation, and maintenance of on-site sub-surface septic system are enforced in order to protect the public's health.
Once the application and site preparation has been completed the EHS will make a site evaluation based on the following factors:
- Shape and slope of the lot (ex. hill or depression)
- Soil composition: texture-causing mixtures of sand, silt, and clay and the sizes of the particles
- Soil structure: arrangement of the soil particles
- Soil wetness conditions: location of the seasonal high water table or perched water table, and as determined by observation of colors of chroma 2 or less using the Munsell Color Chart.
- Soil depth: amount of suitable soil before an unsuitable factor such as rock or saprolite.
- Restrictive factors: soil that is capable of perching ground water or sewage effluent, also called “hard pans”
- Available space: amount of suitable soil that can be used for the septic system and repair area
If the site is approved then this department will issue an Improvement Permit. Once the property lines and the locations of the house, driveway and well have all been finalized and approved then our department will also issue an Authorization for Wastewater System Construction, which along with a well permit is required when applying for a building permit.