WELL INFORMATION:
How far should my well and septic systems be from each other?
Plese review our menu item "Well and Water Safety."
What do I need to do to have a well drilled?
You need to submit an application along with the fee according to the type of permit needed (new well or replacement well). After completion of application, an Environmental Health Specialist from our office will go out and draw up a well permit showing an area where the well can be drilled. This permit is required before the well driller you have chosen to do the work can start.
Click HERE for the application
How do I get my water tested?
You will need to submit an application. On the application you will need to select the samples you would like for us to collect and pay the required fee for each sample. When we receive you application someone from our office will go out and collect the samples. They will be sent to the lab in Raleigh for analysis. This process (including getting out to the property and collecting the sample to getting the results back from the state lab) could take from 2-6 weeks depending upon the type of samples needed. You will be notified when the results are back either by phone, letter or both.
Click HERE for the application
What does coliform bacteria mean? What does fecal coliform mean?
Can my water be treated?
Please refer to our menu item "Guide to Water Quality Controls".
How do I disinfect my well?
After the well has been protected according to accepted standards, the entire system
should be thoroughly disinfected.
Please read all instructions before beginning disinfection of the water supply.
Purchase 12 to 24 ounces of Lo-Bax, H-T-H, B-K powder, or other sanitizing agent.
Hardware stores, farm supply stores, home improvement stores, swimming pool product suppliers and drill shops usually carry this type of concentrated chlorine disinfectant. Achieving a chlorine concentration of 100 parts per million in your water is the standard method of disinfection. The Division of Water Quality, Groundwater Section recommends that household bleach, stabilized chlorine tablets, or chlorine that contains disinfectants should NOT be used.
CHLORINE IN HIGH CONCENTRATIONS CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT. Please follow the manufacturers recommendations for use, storage and disposal.
The following steps should be taken to insure that the well and water supply is thoroughly disinfected:
1) Mix chlorine agent in a five (5) gallon container of water. Mix thoroughly in a well-ventilated area
or out of doors.
2) Pour this mixture into the well and try to let the mixture hit the inside of the well casing and lid as
much as possible.
3) A garden hose will be needed to help disinfect the walls of the well casing. After adding the chlorine solution to the well, cut on the water hose. Once chlorine is smelled coming out the hose rinse the inside of casing and well lid.
4) Place the lid back on well.
5) Cut on all the faucets in the house one at a time until a chlorine odor is detected. As soon as you can smell chlorine, cut the tap off. Do not use any water for at least 12 hours. This allows contact time for the chlorine to kill bacteria in the well and water lines.
6) After 12 hours, hook a garden hose up to an outside faucet and pump the chlorine out of the well. It is best to run the mixture either into a road ditch or the woods.
Don't run it into the septic tank or spray it on your lawn since it will upset the bacteriological balance in the septic tank or kill your grass. This process usually takes 4 to 6 hours of pumping to remove the chlorine from the well. Someone should be present during this process to avoid pumping the well dry and damaging the pump.
Five to seven days after the chlorine has been removed from the well, notify the Environmental Health Section and we will resample your water suppy as soon as possible.
You may contact us Monday through Friday at 570-6367 between 8:00am-9:00am, if you have any questions.
How do I abandon a well?
Click here for the application.
Well abandonments must be done by a certified well driller and be witnessed by an Environmental Health Specialist from the Health Department. It is illegal to abandon a well without a certified well driller and an inspector on site.
Where can I get a list of well drillers?
Click HERE for a list
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go to this link to download the viewer - http://download.microsoft.com/download/excel2000/Xlviewer/2000/WIN98/EN-US/xlViewer.exe
SEPTIC INFORMATION:
What do you look for when you do a "perk" test?
First of all, we no longer do "perk" tests. We now perform site evaluations which involves studying soil characteristics that determine soil permeability. Such characteristics include soil structure, soil texture, mineralogy, soil depth to saprolite (weathered rock, an unsuitable characteristic), and the presence of wetness conditions in the soil. A site evaluation also involves maintaining proper distances from wells, ponds, streams, & gullies to septic areas, and it also involves making sure that there is enough space to install a septic system and enough space (called repair area) for a backup system.
Click Here for a site evaluation application($200 fee)
Do I have to have the land surveyed before the site evaluation is done?
No, you would not want to spend money having the land surveyed until you are sure a suitable area for a septic tank system can be found on the property.
Why didn't my land pass? The guy across the street has had a properly functioning septic system for the past 30 years?
First, we didn't evaluate the guy's land across the street when we evaluated your lot. Soil patterns change frequently and the guy across the street may have better soil on his land than you do. Second, "perk" tests were conducted 30 years ago, not site evaluations. If a site evaluation had been conducted 30 years ago, the guy's land across the street may have not passed either. That leads to the next question: "If his land wouldn't have passed 30 years ago, then why is his septic system working fine?" A site evaluation involves the use of soil science. Soil Science, just like any other science, is not perfect. Outliers occur in any science and often have scientists scratching their head and wondering why that occurred. However, while soil science is not perfect, it is very accurate. Thus, when a decision has been made on your lot, you can be confident that is the best decision at this time.
How much does it cost to install a septic system?
The cost depends on a number of factors, so it's better to get several quotes from contractors.
Click Here for a list of local septic tank contractors
You may need to download Microsoft's Excel 97/2000 Viewer to open this file,
go to this link to download the viewer - http://download.microsoft.com/download/excel2000/Xlviewer/2000/WIN98/EN-US/xlViewer.exe
How long does a septic system last?
There is no exact amount of time a septic system will last. Simply put, it is impossible to predict! We've seen systems function properly anywhere from 6 months to 60 years! One thing, however, is certain - your septic system will eventually fail. That is why we must find enough space for a backup system when we conduct the initial site evaluation.
EXISTING SYSTEM CHECKS:
I was told I need to get an existing system check to get a building permit for an addition to my house. How do I do that?
Click HERE for the application (50.00 fee)
What do I need to do to have a mobile home moved on a private lot?
We need to do an existing system check of your sewage system. This requires submission of an application (no charge). After the application is submitted an existing system check will be done. If the system is functioning properly, authorization is completed and that authorization is taken by you to building inspections for required permits. How long will it take to have this done? This service will most likely take 2-3 weeks or it could take longer.
Click HERE for the application ($50.00 fee)
What do I need to do to have a mobile home moved in a mobile home park?
We need to do an existing system check which requires submission of an application with a $50.00 fee. This inspection requires all the sewage systems in the park to be checked. If all systems are functioning properly, an authorization will be written for the lot you requested and this can be taken to the inspections department for required permits. How long will it take to have this done? This service will most likely take 2-3 weeks or it could take longer.
Click HERE for the application ($50.00 fee)
How can I get a list of soil consultants?
http://www.ncblss.org/director.html
I need to have my septic tank repaired and was told I need a permit. What do I need to do?
You need to submit a repair permit application, there is no fee for this service. After you complete the application, an Environmental Health Specialist from our office will go out to the property to issue the permit. This permit is required before your septic tank contractor can do the repair.
Click HERE for the application
I have an old septic tank system and need to get a copy of my permit. What do I need to do?
Give us the name of the person that had the system installed, any previous owners and tax map number. Advise us if any repair work has been done to the system and if so, when it was done. We will then research our files to try to find the original permit.
Why does an LPP System have to have a certified operator?
Effective July 1, 1992 all LPP (Low Pressure Pipe) systems installed are required to have a Certified Operator to perform twice a year inspections and submit reports to our office. Your LPP On-Site Wastewater Operation Permit requires that a contract be in effect between you and a Certified Operator for as long as the system is in use. (Laws and Rules for Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, 15A NCAC 18A .1900, Sections .1938 (b) and .1961 (b) (e) (f) (g). Quote from Andy Adams "You are in possession of some marvelous technology on your site! This LPP system has allowed a site that would have been deemed unsuitable years ago to be used for a residence. Use of advanced technology without proper management has proved disastrous in some cases. This was evidenced by a survey conducted by North Carolina State University in several NC counties, which showed that owner neglect and lack of preventative maintenance was a leading cause of LPP failures. LPP systems are much like a sports car engine; there are lots of little things that can go wrong or get ‘out of whack’. These little things can have a bad effect on other little things and soon the system will fail catastrophically. However, experience has shown that by keeping these little things from going wrong by frequent monitoring and inspection by trained and certified individuals, failure can be avoided. That is why these rules were passed concerning system monitoring and maintenance."
OTHER INFORMATION:
I need to have our pool inspected, what do I need to do?
If this is a new public pool you are required to submit plans for the pool and complete an application for an evaluation and permit. There is a $200.00 fee for this service. Also, all public pools are required to be inspected annually and a $75.00 annual fee is required along with submission of an application. Please call us at 570-6367 for more information.
Click HERE for more information