SEPTIC SYSTEMS GUIDELINES
1.	General Information
a.	Septic installers must be registered with Missouri and Henry County Health Center (HCHC)
b.	Regardless of acreage size, all septic work MUST have a permit and be inspected.
c.	All septic systems, including lagoons, must have a septic tank
d.	Homeowners, on 10ac or more, may install their own system once they have taken a class and registered with the HCHC.
e.	Registered installers and homeowners must obtain a permit by submitting the following, before beginning septic work:
•	Henry County Septic Permit Application (Must be complete and legible)
•	Detailed plan of treatment system (Installer or Engineers plan)
•	Soil morphology (not required for lagoons or tank replacements)
•	Permit fee
f.	Permit must be posted at the construction site before any installation begins.

2.	Setback Requirements
a.	At least 100ft from any potable water source used for human or animal consumption
b.	At least 10ft from rural water lines and meters
c.	Septic tank must be at least 10ft from the house or at least 15ft from the basement wall with one cleanout between the house and tank
d.	Lateral lines must be at least 10ft from property lines.
e.	Lagoons must be at least 100ft from property lines and the residence it serves and at least 200ft from all adjoining residences.
f.	Meet all other set back distances as noted in Table 1 of Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (Green Book).

3.	Septic Tank Requirements
a.	Septic tank size must be a minimum of 1,000-gallon capacity
b.	Tanks must be concrete or state approved polyurethane. No metal tanks allowed. 
c.	A manhole cover shall be provided over the inlet and outlet baffles of each tank and terminate at or above grade and with baffles properly installed.
d.	Tank must be level and adequate fall on the inlet and outlet lines, 1/8” per foot is ideal
e.	4-inch SCH 40 PVC on inlet & outlet of tank and at least 2 feet past excavation hole

4.	Distribution Box Requirements (if a distribution box is used)
a.	Must be laid level on rock 
b.	Must use solid pipe from box to laterals 
c.	All pipes must be sealed water tight  
d.	If trenches are on different grade than system, must be stepped down with the end connection at least 1inch higher than the receiving line or use a drop box. 
                
5.	Conventional Lateral Field Requirements (conventional system types include: Rock and pipe, EZ Flow, Infiltrator Chamber, and 10” SB2)
a.	Minimum lateral footage requirements: 300 linear ft for 2-bedroom house, 400 linear ft for 3-bedroom house, and 500 linear ft for 4-bedroom house
b.	Lateral trenches have a level bottom and all distribution lines must be level
c.	Lateral lines on the same grade must have ends tied together, if not, must be capped
d.	Lateral trenches must be backfilled with un-compacted topsoil and mounded
e.	One inspection port required in the field
f.	Poor soils or small lots may require an alternative system by an advanced installer
g.	Rock and Pipe system requirements:
•	12” of rock is required under the lateral distribution line, 4” around the pipe, and 2” over the top of the line. 
•	Rock must be at least 1 ½” clean, washed screened rock.
•	8” of straw or synthetic fabric to be placed as a breathing barrier on top of the rock cover over the line. Tar paper should not be used.

6.	Lagoon Requirements
a.	Minimum size of the lagoon shall be 30x40ft or 1200sq ft of surface water.
b.	Lagoons for houses exceeding 3 bedrooms will be based on 400sq ft per bedroom.
c.	3ft operating depth and 2ft freeboard equals 5ft deep, 3 to 1 slope inside and outside. 
d.	Minimum 4ft tall fence must be installed. 
e.	Free of aquatic vegetation and shall remain unshaded by trees.
f.	Mowing around lagoon and routine maintenance is required.
g.	No discharge pipe allowed.  
h.	Lagoon agreement signed by homeowner. 
                                                         
7.	Installer Requirements
a.	Must be registered with Missouri and HCHC
b.	Homeowners who want to install their own systems must register with HCHC
c.	HCHC Registration, which includes paying a fee and attending a class.

8.	Inspections
a.	Unless authorized by the HCHC EPHS all septic system installations must be left uncovered until 3:00pm for inspection.
b.	24-hour notice is required for an inspection.
c.	If a system is not inspected by the EPHS, the Installer will complete a “Certification of System without Onsite Inspection” form and provide photos of the uncovered system.
d.	Septic systems installed without a final inspection may result in the system being dug up at the owner’s or installer’s expense. Fines may apply.   
 
9.	Deviations: Any deviations must be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Henry County Health Center during the regular monthly board meeting.