An INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM is a single system of piping, tanks, or other facilities serving only a single lot and disposing of sewage or other liquid wastes into the soil of the lot.

The Chemung County Sanitary Code states that individual sewage treatment systems shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the standards of the State Commissioner of Health as set forth in 10 NYCRR Part 75 titled Standards for Individual Water Supply and Individual Sewage Treatment Systems, 10 NYCRR Appendix 75-A titled Wastewater Treatment Standards-Individual Household Systems, and the NYSDOH Individual Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems Design Handbook.

No person shall construct a system or facilities for the private treatment of waterborne sewage, domestic, or trade wastes, to serve any building, dwelling, or premises in or from which such wastes may be discharged without first having obtained a "Construction Permit" from the Chemung County Health Department.

To download a copy of the Application for a Permit to Construct a Sewage Treatment System, click here.

REALTY TRANSACTION POLICY

"Homeowner Registration Exemption Form"

NO PERSON SHALL UNDERTAKE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ALTER, EXPAND, REPLACE, REPAIR, OR PROVIDE A SYSTEM OR ANY COMPONENT OF A SYSTEM OR FACILITIES FOR THE PRIVATE TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER WITHOUT FIRST HAVING REGISTERED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. There is an "exemption" for a homeowner that wants to construct the wastewater treatment system by themself.  To download the "Homeowner Registration Exemption Form", click HERE.

PROPERTY OWNER'S PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN A NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM PERMIT

List of Registered Contractors

CONTRACTOR'S RESOURCE PAGE

WASTEWATER TREATMENT STANDARDS - INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMS (Appendix 75-A)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SANITARY CODE REQUIREMENTS

PERMIT RENEWAL POLICY

An STS permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued.  A permit can be renewed 4 times after initial issuance of the permit.  Application for renewal must be made prior to the expiration of the current permit.  To download a copy of the STS Permit Renewal Application, click here.

EFFLUENT FILTERS

Homeowners are urged to have an effluent filter installed in their septic tank.  It is now required for all new septic systems and in replacement septic tanks.  Effluent filters will protect your absorption area by filtering out solid particles that would plug your absorption system causing failure.  One could look at the installation of an effluent filter as an "insurance policy" for their septic system as long as the filter is properly maintained.  Effluent filters need to be NSF approved for use in Chemung County.  For a listing of NSF approved effluent filters. click HERE. 

SAND FILTERS

For more information on sand filters and filter sand specifications, click HERE.

AEROBIC TREATMENT UNITS

For more information on aerobic treatment units, click HERE.

WINTER CONSTRUCTION POLICY    

Winter weather conditions can cause problems when constructing a sewage treatment system.  However we do recognize that an existing STS may fail during winter months leaving a homeowner with no choice than to replace the system.  Therefore, the Chemung County Health Department has made a policy that there be no new winter construction of new STS's. For a copy of the complete text of the Winter Construction Policy, click here.

WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD REQUIREMENTS