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The On-Site Sewage Disposal Management Program
under the direction of the Barry- Eaton District Health Department
Sanitary Code is a program that endeavors to assure that the residents in
the district will avoid exposure to untreated sewage and to assure that
groundwater and surface water resources are NOT contaminated.
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| The Vacant Land Evaluation is the first step in the process of determining if a piece of land that does not have municipal wastewater services available can be considered for an on-site septic system. After an application has been made, a sanitarian will evaluate the proposed site to determine if the conditions on the site meet the requirements that are in the sanitary code. Some of the specific items that are examined during the evaluation are: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If the results of the Vacant Land Evaluation allow for the parcel to be developed, the next step in the process is the application for a septic system permit. Once the application has been submitted and the appropriate fee's paid, the system can be designed by one of our sanitarian's.
Final Inspections: |
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| Final inspections are performed upon newly installed systems after this office has been notified by the installer that the septic system has been completed. The sanitarian will visit the site and inspect the installation of the system, assuring that it was installed according to the requirements that were indicated upon the permit. After the systems has been given final approval by the sanitarian, an approved tag is provided and the system can then be covered. |
If the parcel does not meet the minimum requirements for
a conventional system, it may be a candidate for an alternative type septic
system. The following types of alternative systems are allowed within the
district by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department:
Each of these types of alternative type of septic systems requires particular minimum standards in order to be used upon a parcel. If you have any questions regarding the use of an alternative type septic system, contact the Environmental Health Division at 517-541-2615 in Eaton County and 616-945-9516 in Barry County. |
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Proper septic system maintenance can prevent many contamination problems from occurring. It will also assure that your system operates effectively throughout is expected lifetime. Replacing a septic system can be costly, so proper maintenance makes good economic sense. There are several important things that homeowners can do to ensure that their septic system is properly maintained:
 | If you don't already know the location of your septic system, find out. Keep a sketch of the location and the dimension of the system with your maintenance records for service visits. |
| Divert other sources of water such as roof drains, footing drains, water softener discharge, and sump pump discharge away from the septic system. |
| Keep soil slightly mounded over your septic system to help surface water run-off and provide a grass cover on the top of the system. |
| Keep automobiles, heavy equipment, machinery and livestock of the drainfield. |
| Practice water conservation--repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets, run washing machines and dishwashers only when full, avoid long showers, and use water saving devices in faucets, shower heads and toilets. |
| Use bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels. Take leftover hazardous household chemicals to an approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal. |
| Have you system inspected annually by a licensed professional and your tank pumped regularly (typically every 2-3 years). |
| Keep a detailed record of permits issued, inspections, pumping, repairs, and other maintenance activities. |
| Contact a professional whenever you experience problems with your system or if there are signs of system failure. |
Complaint investigation is one of the components of the on-site sewage
program that allows residents within the district to file a
complaint with this office regarding a failed on-site sewage system that is a
potential health threat. Once this office receives the complaint, a Sanitarian
will investigate the complaint and if warranted will require that corrections be
made to remedy the situation. To download a complaint form, click here.
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Michigan Department of Environmental Quality |
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Environmental Protection Agency |
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Michigan Department of Community Health |
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Septage Waste Information |
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National Small Flows Clearinghouse |
