On-Site Disposal System (Septic) Program

PDEQ is authorized to review and approve plans for on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems in order to ensure they are designed in accordance with Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) Rules. This approval is called a "Construction Authorization."

In order to apply for a "Construction Authorization" for a conventional system (AAC R18-9-E302 (4.02)), the applicant shall submit the completed Site Suitability Determination Checklist and the conventional "Notice of Intent to Discharge" forms.

For an alternative system (AAC R18-9-E303 (4.03) through R18-9-E323 (4.23)), the applicant shall submit the alternative "Notice of Intent to Discharge" form and any system-specific supplemental information and forms.

Prior to using the septic system, it must be inspected to ensure it was constructed to the approved design. A conventional on-site disposal system requires a final septic inspection by PDEQ personnel using either the Trench System Final Inspection Sheet or the Chamber System Final Inspection Sheet. Upon approval of the inspection, the "Discharge Authorization" is issued.

An alternative system requires the design engineer to perform a final inspection with PDEQ personnel present for verification. The engineer then submits four copies of the "As-built" plans, final inspection results documented on the Alternative System Final Inspection Sheet , a Certificate of Completion ("Certificate of Compliance") , and all the other documents required under AAC R18-9-A309.C.2 to PDEQ. Upon review, and if acceptable, PDEQ will issue the "Discharge Authorization."

A "Discharge Authorization" is required before the on-site disposal (septic) system can be used.

What's New?

Brochure: Cesspools in Pima County: What You Need to Know (pdf)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS	CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM FORMS	LINKS OF INTEREST
• What Do I Need to Know About a PDEQ Septic Inspection? •How Do Septics Work? • What is the Difference Between Conventional and Alternative Systems? • What Factors are Considered in a Septic Design? • When is a Percolation Test Acceptable? When is an ASTM Soils Analysis Required? • What are the Differences Between a Trench System and a Chamber System? • What are Setback Requirements? • How Can I Find a Septic System Designer and/or Installer? • What is the Pima County Septic Approval Process? • How Do I Schedule a Septic Construction Inspection? • What Do I Need to Know When Selling or Transferring Property With a Septic? • What Do I Need to Know About Using Gray Water At Home? • What Do I Need to Know About Maintaining My Septic System?	• Notice of Intent to Discharge • Site Suitability Checklist • Alternative Feature Request (A312G) • Request for Waiver • Watertightness Test • Inspection Checklist (Trench) • Inspection Checklist (Chamber) • Advance Payment Account (APA) Application	• Pima County Department of Development Services • Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) • Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18 • Pima County Code, Chapter 7 • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Arizona Registrar of Contractors • Board of Technical Registration of Arizona • University of Arizona Cooperative Extension • Pima County Mapguide • ASTM D5921-96 (2003) • ASTM D1452-80 (2000) ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM POWERPOINT PROGRAM • Internet Explorer formatted version • PDF formatted version (12MB) SEPTEMBER 2008 PDEQ CESSPOOL BROCHURE • PDF MARCH 2007 PDEQ SEPTIC BROCHURE • PDF JUNE 2007 PDEQ SEPTIC BROCHURE • PDF DECEMBER 2007 PDEQ SEPTIC BROCHURE • PDF CONVENTIONAL FEE UPDATE FLYER • PDF ALTERNATIVE FEE UPDATE FLYER • PDF VIRTUAL CHAMBER INSPECTION POWERPOINT PROGRAM • Internet Explorer formatted version • PDF formatted version VIRTUAL GRAVEL INSPECTION POWERPOINT PROGRAM • Internet Explorer formatted version • PDF formatted version
	ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM FORMS
	• Request for Discharge Authorization • Notice of Intent to Discharge • Watertightness Test • Inspection Checklist • Alternative Feature Request (A312G) • Request for Waiver • Certificate of Completion ("Certificate of Compliance") • General Requirements • R18-9-E303 (4.03) Composting Toilet • R18-9-E304 (4.04) Pressure Distribution • R18-9-E305 (4.05) Gravelless Trench • R18-9-E306 (4.06) Natural Seal Evapotranspiration bed • R18-9-E307 (4.07) Lined Evapotranspiration bed • R18-9-E308 (4.08) Wisconsin Mound • R18-9-E309 (4.09) Engineered Pad System • R18-9-E310 (4.10) Intermittent Sand Filter • R18-9-E311 (4.11) Peat Filter • R18-9-E312 (4.12)Textile Filter • R18-9-E313 (4.13) Denitrifying System Using Separated Wastewater Streams • R18-9-E314 (4.14) Sewage Vault • R18-9-E315 (4.15) Aerobic System • R18-9-E316 (4.16) Nitrate Reactive Media Filter • R18-9-E317 (4.17) Cap System • R18-9-E318 (4.18) Constructed Wetland • R18-9-E319 (4.19) Sand Lined Trench • R18-9-E320 (4.20) Disinfection • R18-9-E321 (4.21) Surface Disposal • R18-9-E322 (4.22) Subsurface Drip Irrigation • R18-9-E323 (4.23) 3000 to Less than 24,000 gpd Design Flow • Table 1
	PROPERTY SALE/TRANSFER FORMS
	• Report of Inspection • Notice of Transfer

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On-Site Disposal System (Septic) Program