Onsite Wastewater (Septic System) Application Packet

1 Onsite Wastewater (Septic System) Application PacketAugust 2, 2022 Dear Onsite Wastewater Customer: DHEC has had a significant increase in the number of permit applications for septic tanks, also called Onsite Wastewater systems. More i nformation may be found on our webpage at: As of the end of July 2022, we have about 3,000 pending permit applications. At this time, in some areas, it s tak ing up to 18 weeks to process septic tank applications from the time the Application is deemed complete, and the s ite is prepared by the a pplicant for evaluation. Applications are p rocessed on a first come, first serve basis. We recognize this has significant implications for building or siting a home or business on a piece of property, and we regret the impact these delays are h aving.

2 Please k now we are w orking to reduce these delays as quickly as possible. There are several options for obtaining a septic tank permit, if you need your permit more quickly, including hiring a private professional soil classifier and/or professional engineer (PSC/PE) to evaluate the site and design the system. More i nformation regarding these options is outlined within this Packet and on our webpage. If you decide to hire a PSC/PE, please be sure to communicate with us, so we can update your permit Application information. Additionally, digging backhoe pits in advance and/or placing the pits in the wrong location can negatively impact your site evaluation.

3 We w ill contact you to schedule your backhoe pits, and your DHEC representative will instruct your contractor on where to dig the pits during your scheduled appointment. As we have more i nformation about the status of your permit Application , s taff will be reaching out to you. We ve created a customer service office to respond to questions regarding your Application . Contact our team at 1-855-731-2504 or by email at Sincerely, DHEC s Onsite Wastewater Team Application : If your property is located within a subdivision, please visit: Complete the entire document with required information. Save as a PDF file. Obtain a copy of the official plat or deed with the property dimensions from the county Registrar of Deeds Office.

4 The property owner or their legal representative must complete the Property Owner Permission Letter section of the Application to give DHEC representatives permission to enter the property. E-mail all documents to the local Environmental Affairs office for the county where the property is located. Once received, office personnel will review all documents for completion. If your Application is complete, you will be contacted for payment. If it is determined that your Application is incomplete, you will be contacted to discuss the missing information. Your Application will be placed on hold until we receive the missing information. Applications will become void one year after being placed on hold.

5 Evaluations using backhoe pits are required if your property is located above the Fall Line ( ). Once your Application has been submitted, a DHEC representative will be in touch to schedule a site evaluation. You, the applicant, are responsible for having the pits dug ( ). Do not dig pits in advance of your DHEC scheduled meeting as improperly dug pits can negatively impact your site evaluation. The DHEC representative will instruct your contractor on where to dig the pits during your scheduled : Cash payments are not accepted. Debit/credit card payments of $150 plus a $1 convenience fee can be made over the phone. Once payment is received, a receipt and further instructions will be provided via Preparation:(Site and Septic System Location Cards with Instructions on Pages 10 & 11 of the Application .)

6 Read and follow the Location Card Instructions. Print (on white paper) and post the Site Location Card at the entrance of the property. Print (on white paper) and post the Septic Location Card at the proposed location of the system. Proof of site preparation in the form of pictures must be submitted before the Application can be : Sites are evaluated on a first come, first serve basis. Department staff will also consider location when scheduling site visits and attempt to group sites to evaluate based on where they are located to achieve maximum efficiency. Please note: Weather conditions may affect processing times as saturated soil conditions will negatively impact soil Issuance: If the site will support a conventional/alternative septic system, a Permit to Construct will be created and emailed to the applicant.

7 Provide a copy of the Permit to Construct to your septic system installer. A list of licensed installers can be found here: If it is determined the site will not support a conventional/alternative septic system, a letter providing instructions and additional options will be emailed to the for Submitting Onsite Wastewater ApplicationsEnvironmental Affairs Local OfficesCountyMain OfficePhoneFaxEmailAiken Barnwell EdgefieldSaludaAiken(803) 642-1637(803) 260-5585(864) ColletonHamptonJasperBeaufort(843) 846-1030(843) Charleston DorchesterCharleston(8 43) 953 - 0150(8 43) 953 - Lexington Newberry RichlandColumbia(803) 896-0620(8 03) 896 - 0 Darlington Dillon Florence Marion MarlboroFlorence(8 43) 661- 4 825(843) PickensGreenville(864) 372-3273(864)

8 Laurens McCormick GreenwoodGreenwood(86 4) 227-5915(864) Georgetown WilliamsburgHorry(843) 915-8801(8 43) 915 - LancasterYorkRock Hill(803) 909-7096(803) Bamberg Calhoun OrangeburgOrangeburg(803) 533-5490(803) Union SpartanburgSpartanburg(864) 596-3327(864) KershawLee SumterSumter(803) 778-6548(803) 4) 638 - 4185(864) System Permitting OptionsOnsite Wastewater system applications are processed on a first come, first serve basis from the date that you activate your Application . Please note: Weather conditions may affect processing times as saturated soil conditions will negatively impact soil 1 Apply through DHEC s traditional permitting process using the Septic Tank Permits, Licenses and Reports webpage.

9 Once your Application has been received, DHEC will contact you to confirm receipt of your Application and to discuss payment options and any missing 2 Hire both a private Professional Soil Classifier and Licensed Professional Engineer to evaluate the site and design a system consistent with SC Regulation 61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems. An Application , Onsite Wastewater Soil Report Verification Form, and septic system design must then be submitted to DHEC. The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) provides resources to help you find a Professional Soil Classifier and a Licensed Professional Engineer. This option should reduce the amount of time that it takes to process your Application .

10 Option 3 Hire a private Professional Soil Classifier to conduct a soil evaluation on the site and provide a system layout. An Application including the system layout and an Onsite Wastewater Soil Report Verification Form must then be submitted. This option should reduce the amount of time that it takes to process your 4 Hire a private Professional Soil Classifier to conduct a soil evaluation on the site. An Application and certified soil report must then be submitted to DHEC. The professional soil classifier will also need to complete an Onsite Wastewater Soil Report Verification Form and submit it along with the Application . This option should reduce the amount of time that it takes to process your Application .