Septic Systems
| RECENT UPDATES |
Thank you to those that participated in our engagements sessions and provided feedback on our Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) update. The LAMP provides alternative standards than those set by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy and must still achieve the same water quality and public health protections.
The County Board of Supervisors approved the updated onsite wastewater treatment system (septic systems) ordinance on September 11, 2024, which went into effect on October 11, 2024
The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board unanimously
approved Resolution R9-2024-0130 for San Diego County’s
2025 LAMP on November 13, 2024, and it will go into effect on
February 1, 2025.
In preparation of the roll out
of the new LAMP, the Department of Environmental Health & Quality,
Land Use Program, would like to invite you to a presentation
highlighting the 2025 LAMP updates, with the focus being on providing
information on the new and/or updated program procedures and forms.
Two meetings will be held to maximize opportunities for stakeholder
attendance and the details for each meeting is provided below.
These meetings will cover:
- Major LAMP Changes
- Registered Professionals (Designers, Contractors, & Qualified Service Providers)
- Percolation Test Permit & Results Form
- Septic Layout Report Form
- Ground Water Monitoring Form & Expectations
- Septic Permit Issuance Updates
- Covenant Agreements for OWTS utilizing STS
December Meeting
Date: 12/11/2024
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Location: 5500 Overland Ave, San
Diego, CA, 92123. 1st Floor Lobby Training Room
January Meeting
Date: 1/10/2025
Time: 9 – 11 AM
Location: 5500 Overland Ave, San
Diego, CA, 92123. 1st Floor Lobby Training Room
Your continued participation and support of our local program will ensure a successful rollout of the 2025 LAMP. Please RSVP at LWQDuty.DEH@sdcounty.ca.gov by December 6, 2024 to confirm your attendance in one of the available meetings.
Additionally, you can find a copy of the LAMP final draft, summary of changes and a summary of all comments received with responses by clicking the links below:
Final LAMP approved by the RWQCB - Effective
February 1, 2025
Summary of final changes - Updated 11/13/2024
to reflect RWQCB approval
Summary of comments received - Updated
7/29/2024 with recent feedback
Summary of comments received after BOS
approval - Uploaded 10/04/2024
If you have any questions regarding the LAMP, contact Linda Turkatte
at Linda.Turkatte@sdcounty.ca.gov.
If you have questions regarding future LAMP meetings/trainings,
email Joann.Lee@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Current Version: Local Agency Management Program
Onsite
Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy
The purpose of regulating the design, installation, and maintenance
of onsite wastewater treatment systems (or, septic systems) is
to:
- Ensure that these systems provide a safe and reliable means of wastewater treatment and disposal for properties not served by a sewer system
- Prevent the contamination of groundwater from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent the contamination of surface water from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent premature failure of onsite wastewater treatment systems
Program Services | Useful Information | Types of Systems
- Design review of new onsite wastewater treatment systems and Graywater Systems
- Design review of repairs and modifications to existing on-site wastewater treatment systems
- Installation inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Maintain design records for properties using onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Respond to citizen complaints of failing onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide coordinated review with other agencies for projects that require CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) or involve the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide review of discretionary land development projects that may involve DEHQ related permitting issues
Please note that a Project Issue Resolution Conference is available to applicants for discretionary land development projects processed through the County's Planning & Development Services:
Project Issue Resolution Conference
For land development projects processed through Planning & Development Services, a Project Issue Resolution (PIR) Conference is a meeting that includes an applicant, our Executive Management team, and County Project staff to discuss issues and identify solutions that were not able to be resolved with a County Project Manager due to interpretations of a code or other unique circumstances related to a project. The County is committed to helping customers navigate the land use permit process and ensuring customer satisfaction. The County recognizes land development can be complex and each project is unique. The goal of the PIR process is to help facilitate processing of each permit application in an efficient and timely manner by elevating technical project issues to our Executive Management team. For more information, please see PDS Page.
Currently, DEHQ is approving conventional system and supplemental treatment systems:
- Septic tanks must have IAPMO approval and be approved for use by DEHQ
- Leach lines can be constructed with either rock and pipe or other approved materials that would include plastic chambers
- Horizontal seepage pits are restricted to sites with uniform soil conditions and average percolation rates not exceeding 30 minutes per inch
- Vertical seepage pits are restricted to coastal sedimentary basins that have degraded groundwater caused by salt water intrusion
- Supplemental treatment systems must include percolation testing and a design from a licensed OWTS Professional
- Any site with slopes that exceed 25% must include with the layout a slope stability report or statement from a licensed civil engineer or geologist
| APPLICATIONS |
On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Layout Application Checklist
Septic Repair Application and Authorization
Health Care Trailer Wastewater Discharge Application
Please also complete Planning and Development Services' (PDS) Temporary Health Care Trailer form, and all requirements with PDS.
Sewage Hauler Permit Application
| RESOURCES |
LAMP 5-Year Evaluation Report (January 2022)
Groundwater Separation Requirements
San Diego County Code: Onsite Wastewater System Ordinance
Senate Bill 9 (SB-9) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Guidance
Septic Pumper Truck Inventory Form
EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - (Spanish- Guía del dueño de hogar para sistemas sépticos)
ADU and Second Dwellings Facts
California ELAP Certified Laboratories
| DOCUMENTS LIBRARY |
Scanned records for closed Site Assessment and Mitigation Program cases, Monitoring Well Program and Water Well Program permits, Land Use Program records including septic and greywater systems, boundary adjustments, maps and discretionary projects, Mobile Home Parks Program, and Recycled Water Program plans and inspections are now available online through the Environmental Health Document Library.
If you were not able to find records online please directly submit your request to the (PRRC) and select Department of Environmental Health and Quality - Food, Water and Housing Division (FWHD) to ensure a faster review and processing time.
Questions?
(858) 565-5173 (Duty Desk)
(858) 694-2553 (Septic Inspection Line)
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