On-Site Sewage Disposal

Procedures for obtaining a sewage system permit:

1. Gilmer County Health Department environmental health staff conducts a site evaluation of the proposed location of the sewage disposal system.  This evaluation includes the excavation of an observation hole to assess soil conditions and compositions especially for the presence of bedrock, limiting soil layers and ground water.  Proximity to property lines, streams, roads, water wells, man-made cuts, ditches, water lines, right-of-ways, available land area, etc. are also evaluated.  The property owner is responsible for all excavation during the evaluation.
2. A certified sewage system installer conducts a percolation test of the site for the proposed sewage disposal system.  This test assess the soils capacity for absorbing water.
3. Based upon the findings of the site evaluation and the percolation test results, Gilmer County Health Department environmental health staff determine the minimum design standards for the sewage disposal system.
4. The property owner and a certified sewage system installer design a sewage system based on the minimum design standards.  Designs for sewage disposal systems may exceed any minimum standards designated by Gilmer County Health Department.
5. The property owner or a certified sewage system installer submit a completed Application for a Permit to Install or Modify an Onsite Sewage Disposal System to Gilmer County Health Department with payment of appropriate fees.
6. Gilmer County Health Department evaluates the sewage system design detailed on the application against the minimum design standards.  If approved, Gilmer County Health Department may issued a permit for the sewage system.  Permits expire after one year if the sewage system is not installed.  Permits may be renewed with payment of additional fees if the the site conditions of the proposed sewage system are unchanged.
7. With the permit in hand, the property owner and a certified sewage system installer may install the sewage system as detailed in the permit.
8. Gilmer County Health Department environmental health staff conducts a compliance inspection of the installed sewage disposal system prior to covering and before placing the sewage system into service.  Any corrections to the system required by Gilmer County Health Department are completed before final approval.  Upon final approval the property owner and a certified sewage system installer may place the system into service.