Septic Systems

Regulated by the Highlands County Health Department   Call 386-6040

Installation and repair of septic system in Highlands County are regulated by the Highlands County Health Department, a division of the state Department of Health, which can be reached at 386-6040 (ask for Environmental Health).  You must obtain a permit from the Health Department before either installing or repairing a failing system.  For more information regarding septic systems, please visit the Health Department's onsite sewage disposal web site, or view the Septic Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide brochure produced in our office.

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse can also answer all of your questions regarding septic systems - this non-profit organization located at West Virginia University is the national depository for septic system information and they publish a number of excellent resource materials.  Call them at 800-624-8301.

A few things to keep in mind:

• All septic system installation and maintenance companies should be licensed by the state - ask for their license number, or get a list of licensed companies from the Health Department.  Unlawful contracting should be reported to the Health Department at 888-993-9813.
• Septic tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years and the system should be inspected every other year, or if a problem arises
• Tank pumping should cost around $150 and inspections should cost around $200
• All objective reports indicate that additives are a waste of money.  From the National Small Flows Clearinghouse:   "While many products on the market claim to help septic systems work better, the truth is there is no magic potion to cure an ailing system.  In fact, most engineers and sanitation professionals believe that commercial septic system additives are, at best, useless, and at worst, potentially harmful to the system."            
• See our brochure for more detailed information