Onsite Sewage

Buying additives/chemicals for your tank?  Think again !
Buyer beware!  Disciplinary Actions Against Septic Tank Contractors
Floods and Septic Tanks
Guide to Septic Tanks
Videos:  Understanding Your Septic Tank
              The Septic System Challenge
Welstrom - Online Mapping Tool
        Septic Tanks, Wells, Soils, and More! 

Installers
Pumpers
Portable Sanitation Providers
Soil Classifiers

1. Review the certification requirements for individuals and companies.  Click here .
2. Study for the exam(s). As a contractor you must demonstrate knowledge of all standards and criteria found in the DPH Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems. However, it will be helpful in preparing for the exam(s) to focus on Section A- Rules and Regulations ,  Section D- Pretreatment , Section E- Effluent Distribution and Dosing Devices , and Section F- Dispersal .  Septic Tank Pumpers, focus on  Section I- Removal and Disposal . Portable Sanitation Pumpers focus on Rule 511-3-6 . You must pass at least the Residential Exam to install and the Pumper Exam if you are going to pump septic tanks. Additional exams are required for installing Commercial systems, Subsurface Drip Systems, and Mounds.  
3. Contact your County Environmental Health Office to schedule your exam. Click here .
4. Complete the application(s) and bring them to your county.
5. If starting a new company, pay your company certification fee.
6. If you are a pumper company, you'll also need to have your truck(s) inspected by the county and be issued a County Septage and Removal Permit. 

Important Notes: 

• If you were previously certified and have been non-certified for over 2 years, you must reapply and retest. 
• If you are changing companies, need to change your contact information, or have any questions about certification, please call the State Environmental Health Office at 404-657-6534.

The next renewal cycle is 2/28/2022.

Installers and Pumpers (Septic Tanks)

• Must be working under a certified company.
  • If new starting a new company or renewing late, complete the  company application  and email it to us.  
• Continuing education every 2 years (Installers = 8 hrs; Pumpers = 6 hrs).
• Company fee payment ($100 late renewal fee).  Payment link.
• County pumper permit must be current for all pumping companies.
• If you were previously certified and have been non-certified for over 2 years, you must reapply and retest. 

Portable Sanitation Providers

• A current County Septage and Removal Permit. 
• One person from the company is required to receive 6 continuing education hours in order for the company to renew. 
• Return of the company renewal application.
• Company certification fee payment ($100 late renewal fee).  Payment link.

Soil Scientists 

• Renewal payments of $400 per individual. Payment link.
• 40 hours of continuing education hours are required for renewal. 
  Related links:  course requirements  -  reporting form  ( in Word )
• Insurance must be current and on file with the State Environmental Health Office. Email policy to: environmentalhealth@dph.ga.gov

Southeastern Building Trade Association (online and in-person classes)
Call 888-882-7282 or click here for details and to register.

Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association (GOWA) Courses
Call 706-407-2552 or click here for details and to register.​

Onsite Wastewater Consultants, out of Talmo Georgia
Call Natalie Connell, (404) 433-6790.

Soil Science Inc. (in-person classes)
Call Donnie Bradshaw, 770-307-7311, 6360 Lower Mill Rd, NE; Crawfordville, GA 30631.

Certification Requirements  (read this first!)
Contractor Application  (installers & pumpers)
Company Application  (click here to pay)

Geologists  ( Word version )
Engineers  ( Word version )
Soil Classifiers (Word version)

Portable Sanitation:  511-3-6  
Summary Brochure for Event Organizers/Construction Site Owners

Septic Tanks:  511-3-1  

Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems Rules   - Updated June, 2019
Technical reference guide for the siting, design, permitting, inspecting, and troubleshooting of residential septic tanks. 

View the Manual by section:

Table of Contents/Introduction

Section A – Rules and Regulations
Section B – General Site Provisions
Section C – Soil Information
Section D – Pretreatment
Section E – Effluent Distribution and Dosing Devices
Section F – Dispersal Systems
Section G – Experimental On-site Sewage Management Systems
Section H – Site Modifications
Section I – Septage Removal and Disposal
Section J – Sewage Flow Schedule
Section K – Field Inspections
Section L – Operation and Maintenance
Section M – Lot Sizing
Section N – Certification
Section O – Appendices

Variance and Waiver Request Form  ( Instructions Page )

Insurance must be current and on file with the State Environmental Health Office in order to remain on the Approved list.
Email policy to: environmentalhealth@dph.ga.gov

Applications:

Geologists  ( Word version )
Engineers  ( Word version )
Soil Classifiers (Word version)

* Please call 404-657-6534 if you have any questions. 

Additional Information:

Professional Reference Form
Code of Conduct
CEU Requirements  
CEU Reporting Form  ( editable Word version )
Payment Link

Soil Classifiers Certification Advisory Committee (SCCAC):

The SCCAC is responsible for certification, oversight, performance assessment and recertification of persons who classify soils for on-site sewage management systems. Visit the Onsite Sewage Page and Click on Committee to view the meeting members and minutes.

• Alternative and Non-Conventional Absorption Field Product Approvals
• Aerobic Treatment Units
• Concrete Septic Tank Manufacturers
• Effluent Filters
• Plastic and Fiberglass Distribution Devices
• Plastic and Fiberglass Septic Tank Manufacturers
• Pre-Packaged ATU/Drip Emitter Systems
• Risers

To request review and approval for a product not listed, please complete our  Product Review Application .

Variance and Waiver Request Form  (Instructions Page)                                           

For additional information on Alternative and Chamber Product Approvals, please contact the State Environmental Health Office at (404) 657-6534.

Certification Review Committee (CRC)

The CRC assists the Department in the certification of persons who install, inspect, pump, maintain or repair on-site sewage management systems.

Certification Review Committee Members
Meeting Minutes

Technical Review Committee (TRC)

The TRC makes recommendations to the department regarding the approval of new systems, assist the Department with the development and revision of standards and guidelines for new technology, assists with the adoption of periodic updates to the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, and serves as the final authority in contested interpretation issues of the Rules and the Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems.

Technical Review Committee Members
Meeting Minutes

Soil Classifiers Certification Advisory Committee (SCCAC)

The SCCAC is responsible for certification, oversight, performance assessment and recertification of persons who classify soils for on-site sewage management systems.

SCCAC members
Meeting Minutes

COVID-19 Guidance for Installer and Pumpers
Background and Use of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems in GA
Design Criteria for Peak Sewage Flow
Facilities Accepting Septage (EPD approved)
Impact of Onsite Sewage Systems on Ground Water Nitrogen
Welstrom - Online Mapping Tool
        Septic Tanks, Wells, Soils, and More! 
         Welstrom User Manual

• Minimize health problems related to untreated human sewage.
• Regulation and inspection of new on-site sewage management systems (septic tanks/field lines). 
• Investigation and inspection of repairs made to improperly functioning on-site sewage management systems.
• Education, training, and certification for environmentalists, septic tank installers, pumpers, soil scientists, geologists, and engineers involved in installing, maintaining, and repairing on-site sewage management systems.

Program Responsibilities