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Healthcare Provider Information |
Influenza (Flu) Information
Swine Flu
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
CONSTRUCTION OF INDIVIDUAL
SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION
Before construction of a dwelling may begin or a mobile home may be moved on to any property in Garrett County, a permit to install a sewage disposal system must be obtained from ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
Designing and installing a sewage disposal system depends on several factors, such as slope of land, percolation rate, size of dwelling, soil characteristics and actual size of the proposed system.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This department will conduct percolation tests and a soil evaluation. If the soil is found to be suitable for sewage disposal a Sewage Disposal Permit; specifying design criteria such as septic tank size, total drainage trench length, etc.; may be issued.
A sewage disposal system on a new lot within Garrett County must meet the following specifications:
- A minimum 10,000 square foot area is to be reserved for sewage disposal. This sewage disposal area will be shown on a plat or site plan that will accompany the sewage disposal permit. No other construction is to take place in the sewage disposal area.
- The original sewage disposal system should be installed in the upper one third of the sewage disposal area. The remaining two-thirds of the sewage disposal area is the back-up area in which repairs to, or replacements of the original system can be made.
- Install systems during periods of dry weather to prevent smearing and sealing of drainage trench sidewalls that will effect percolation of sewage into the soil.
- All waste from toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and laundry appliances must discharge into the septic tank.
- Surface water from roofs, footer drains, etc. must not discharge into the septic tank.
- Surface water should be directed away from the drainage field.
- Separation requirements from sewage disposal system to:
- Foundations 10 feet
- Foundation down slope 25 feet
- Property lines 10 feet
- Steep slopes (over 25%) 25 feet
- Drainage ways, gullies 25 feet
- Spring seeps 25 feet
- Potable water wells 100 feet
- Streams not a tributary to water
- Supply reservoirs 100 feet
- Water bodies not serving as
- Potable water supplies 100 feet
- Streams that are tributary to
- Water supply reservoirs 200 feet
- When constructing near Deep Creek Lake, no part of the septic system may be installed within 100 feet of the high water (2462 feet) elevation of the lake.
- No part of the sewage system may be covered or used until it has been inspected and approved by the Health Department. Notify Environmental Health Services at least 24 hours in advance of when you plan to backfill.
DESIGN CRITERIA
(Click to View)
Drainfield Trench - Cross Section
Crossover Systems - (use on slopes)
Stand Pipe System - (use on slopes)
FEES
Application Fee for Percolation Test $200.00
Permit and Final Inspection Fee $75.00
Total: $275.00
ASSISTANCE
If during the installation of the septic system difficulties should arise, call Environmental Health Services for assistance. There is no charge for this service.
FINAL INSPECTION
No part of the sewage disposal system may be covered or used until the system has been inspected and approved by the Health Department. Notify Environmental Health Services 24 hours in advance of when you plan to backfill.
MAINTENANCE
Septic tanks are designed and sized to provide sufficient time for solids to settle out so only liquids are discharged into the drainage trenches. In time, solids will build up in the septic tank thereby reducing its efficiency in allowing solids to settle. Those solid then pass into the drainage trenches. If solids are permitted to accumulate to a very high level, the possibility exists for the system to become clogged and sewage may back up into the dwelling and/or break out on the ground surface. When either of these conditions occurs, expensive repairs may be required. Therefore, it is recommended that homeowners have their septic tanks pumped to remove solids, every five years. It is further recommended that homeowners reduce to a minimum the number of solids that are placed into their sewage disposal system.
CONCLUSION
Your septic system is an important and costly part of the construction of your home that will be used for many, many years. The preceding recommendations are made to insure that the system installed is the best available at the time of installation. If the system is not abused and is properly maintained, it should perform trouble free for many years.