Typical Criteria For A Title 5 Septic Inspection In Marshfield

There are many things your Title 5 septic inspector will be looking for when inspection your septic system in then town of Marshfield, MA. The following are the most important criteria that can be the difference from your system passing, failing or needing a repair.

• Is there backup of sewage into the facility or system component due to overloaded or
  clogged SAS or cesspool?
• Is there discharge or ponding of effluent to the surface of the ground or surface waters
  due to an overloaded or clogged SAS or cesspool?
• Is the static liquid level in the distribution box above the outlet invert due to an overloaded
  or clogged SAS or cesspool?
• Did the system require pumping more than 4 times in the last year NOT due to clogged or obstructed pipe(s)?
• Is any portion of the SAS, cesspool or privy below high ground water elevation?
• Is the septic tank metal and over 20 years old, and is the septic tank (whether metal or not) structurally unsound?
• Does the system have a septic tank and soil absorption system (SAS) and is the SAS within 100 feet of a surface water supply, tributary to a surface water supply, or a private supply well?
• Does one or more system components described as a “Conditional Pass” need to be replaced or repaired?
• Does the pump chamber have pumps and/or alarms, and are they operational?

Title 5 of the Massachusetts Environmental Code, as administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) governs septic systems in Massachusetts. These regulations dictate the design, construction, operation and inspection of septic systems. The town of Marshfield, Massachusetts requires several supplemental criteria in addition to these state-mandated regulations to pass Title 5 inspection. 

1. 1. The Board of Health reserves the right to request a soil evaluation as part of any Title 5 inspection to assist in determining the seasonal high groundwater determination.
   2. Upgrading of substandard on-site sewage disposal systems. Septic systems consisting of one cesspool shall be upgraded to conform to 310 CMR 15.00, the State Environmental Code, Title 5, Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage, and the Town of Marshfield requirements.
   3. Cesspools with an overflow system or leaching pit(s) may continue but will require further evaluation by the Board of Health as specified by the following procedure: A cesspool with a leaching pit/system will require that a soil evaluation be conducted by a licensed soil evaluator to determine the seasonal high water determination. Systems with any part of the soil absorption area below the seasonal high groundwater shall constitute a failure. This regulation shall apply to any septic system inspection conducted in accordance with 310 CMR 15.301 of the State Environmental Code, Title 5. This regulation shall also be strictly enforced during the building permit application process.

Frequently asked Questions

When is a Title 5 Inspection Required in Marshfield?

• Any transfer of property if the septic system is 2 or more years old
• Prior to changing the building footprint of an existing structure

What can I expect during a Title 5 inspection?

• Our licensed Title 5 inspector will contact the local Board of Health to obtain the necessary documents (permits, as-built plans, etc.) to complete the inspection
• If plans are incomplete or not available, the inspector is equipped with state of the art locating equipment and fiber optic pipe cameras. This technology allows the inspector to effectively and efficiently locate components without as-built plans
• The inspector will locate all system components, groundwater information and drinking water setbacks (well, reservoirs, etc.)
• If it is necessary to dig in the yard in order to access the components, the inspector will always use tarps and cut sod if possible. The inspectors at Title 5 specialists do their best to leave the yard as undisturbed as possible
• During the inspection, the tank is pumped to remove solids and check the interior tank structure

When will I get my Inspection Report?

• The inspector will provide verbal results on site immediately following the inspection
• Your final Title 5 inspection report with be delivered via email with 24 hours of the on-site inspection

What if my Septic System Fails?

• Less than 10% of inspections performed fail
• Approximately 15% of inspections require small repairs that can be performed shortly after inspection
• Over 75% of inspections pass

If my system fails, do I need to repair it?

• State code requires a Title 5 inspection to sell a property, but does not require the system to be upgraded for 2 years. Therefore if you are able to negotiate with a potential buyer, the system can be upgraded after the sale of the property.
• If no sale occurs, we are allowed to categorize your inspection as voluntary. If this is the case, no report will be sent to the board of health

Septic Title 5 Inspector in Marshfield

As always, have your septic system inspected by an unbiased company that wants to see you pass and does not gain any business by your system failing. A Title 5 inspection in Marshfield can be confusing, make sure your inspector is familiar with the rules and regulations of the town you live in.