Septic System Owner's Guidebook

The Septic System Owner's Guidebook provides educational tools regarding the proper placement and maintenance of individual septic systems, as well as suggestions to enhance wastewater quality using treatment alternatives.

Septage Management Report

The On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems & Septage Management for Individual Homes and Small Communities report identifies on-site sewage disposal options, describes common management practices, and lists existing regulations. It also provides a description of successful management programs, outlines EPA management guidelines, and presents recommendations for Kent County.

Septic System Suitability Model

A Septic System Suitability Model (SSSM) of Kent County has been created using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to assist townships and municipalities in the placement of individual septic systems by homeowners. The SSSM incorporates information regarding slope, isolation distance from surface water, soil permeability, groundwater recharge areas, surface contamination susceptibility, groundwater nitrate contamination, and soil absorption suitability. The variables listed above were used to determine site suitability throughout Kent County. The SSSM functions as a preliminary tool for anyone planning to install an on-site wastewater disposal system.

Model Ordinances

The two model ordinances created by the Kent County Septage Management Advisory Committee prevent groundwater contamination from individual septic systems, reduce the number of failing systems within the county, and ensure new systems are properly installed and managed.

The Septage Disposal Ordinance regulates the disposal of waste removed from septic tanks. The waste must be subsurface incorporated or disposed of at a wastewater treatment plant.

The Ordinance to Provide Inspection and Maintenance of On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems and On-Site Water Supply Systems requires inspection of wells and septic systems every three years and before a home's sale can be completed.

Municipalities will be able to more effectively oversee the operation and management of individual septic systems with the legal mechanisms the ordinances offer. Both ordinances can be modified for use by a local unit of government.