Private Sewage Disposal

Malfunctioning or improperly constructed and maintained private sewage disposal systems can pose serious health hazards. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems). Staff also review and approve plans for private sewage disposal systems and alternative private sewage disposal systems before construction. There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans, either by authority of a local ordinance or as an "agent" of the Department. IDPH also licenses or certifies Private Sewage Disposal Installation Contractors, Private Sewage Disposal Pumping Contractors, Portable Sanitation Businesses, Portable Sanitation Technicians and Portable Sanitation Technician Trainees.

Resources

• Private Sewage Contractor Renewal
• List of Continuing Education Courses for Licensed and Certified Individuals
• Private Sewage Contractor Search

Forms

• Application for Continuing Education Sponsor Form
• Application for Portable Sanitation Business License Form
• Application for Portable Sanitation Technician and Technician Trainee Certification Form
• Private Sewage Disposal System Evaluation Form

Laws & Rules

• Section 2 of the Department of Public Health Act
• Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act
• Public Area Sanitary Practice Code
• Private Sewage Disposal Code
• Private Sewage Mound Code
• Printer-Friendly Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code 2013

Publications

• After the Flood Comes the Clean Up: A Resource Guide for Cleaning Up After Flooding or Sewer Backups - English
• After the Flood Comes the Clean Up: A Resource Guide for Cleaning Up After Flooding or Sewer Backups - SpanishEn Español
  

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