Septic System Management

New Resources for Homeowners!
Effective April 1, 2007 people who buy a new home in Georgia built on a septic system will receive an educational folder and DVD at time of closing. This video produced by the Georgia Department of Human Resources (GA DHR) is currently being distributed statewide to educate homeowners about their septic system.

Plan Recommendations

The Long-term Wastewater Management Plan includes recommendations for improved planning and management of septic systems.
The key points are:
• Identifying and Managing Critical Areas
• Local Planning
• Education

Critical areas are those areas where the risks and / or potential impacts of septic system failures are higher. Each jurisdiction should identify critical areas that are either current problems or could possibly cause problems in the future. Once these critical areas are identified, the plan provides management options for septic systems in these critical areas. In determining critical areas for septic systems the following areas should be considered: 
• Septic systems in small drinking water supply watersheds
• Septic systems found around lakes or other water features
• Areas with high failure rates
• Areas with limited soil conditions, rock, steep slopes
• Other problem areas as defined by local Health Departments or Jurisdictions

Local governments should develop local wastewater management plans to identify areas for long-term septic system use, as well as those areas where public sewer service will eventually be available. These plans should identify sewered and unsewered areas for the planning period. The plans will also provide for future transition to sewer in those areas that are planned to be sewered in the future. In addition, local jurisdictions shall develop a plan for the disposal of septage from within their jurisdiction at local wastewater treatment plants or alternative disposal locations.

Local jurisdictions need to focus on educating homeowners about how to properly maintain their septic systems. The following educational materials are available:
• Educational Septic Brochure  (PDF) (in English and Spanish)
• UGA Septic System Brochure (PDF)

The District has worked with the Septic System Subcommittee to develop a septic system maintenance folder for homeowners. This folder is available to any jurisdiction in the District. Contact us if you would like more information on customizing this brochure for your community.

The Clean Water Campaign has also developed materials to help educate homeowners about proper septic system maintenance.

The Septic Systems Status and Issues Working Paper was developed in 2005 / 2006 to better understand the issues surrounding septic systems in the District. 

Septic Links
UGA Onsite Wastewater Management Page
US EPA’s Septic System Page
National Small Flows Clearinghouse
GA DHR – Septic System Documents