Plymouth Septic Inspection

There are a number of regulations to be aware of when you are having your Title 5 septic inspection in Plymouth, MA. As with all towns in Massachusetts, Plymouth must comply with Title 5 of the state environmental code, which governs on-site sewage treatment systems. There are also additional standards that are more stringent than the state Title 5 code. These supplemental regulations are very important to be aware of when you are preparing to have a septic inspection prior to selling your home or when adding an addition.

Typical Criteria For A Septic Inspection

There are many thing your septic inspector will be looking for when inspection your septic system. 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 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?
• Are static liquid level in the distribution box above outlet invert due to an overloaded
  or clogged SAS or cesspool?
• Did the system required 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* or the septic tank (whether metal or not) structurally unsound?
• Does the system have a septic tank and soil absorption system (SAS) and the SAS is within
  100 feet of a surface water supply or tributary to a surface water supply?
• Does the system has a septic tank and SAS and the SAS is within 100 feet of a private water
  supply well?
• Does one or more system components as described in the “Conditional Pass” section need to be
  replaced or repaired?
• Does the pump Chamber pumps/alarms operational.

Supplemental Title 5 Septic Regulations in Plymouth MA

The following regulations are supplemental rules voted on by the Plymouth board of health.  The most important to note is that cesspools have been disallowed.

1. All cesspools or cesspits constitute an automatic failure when found to exist at the time of a disposal system inspection or when making major or minor changes to a structure that requires a building permit. An approved Title V inspection report is required for any major or minor additions and/or alterations to the structures serviced by an onsite septic system designed between 1950 and 1979 before the Health Department will sign off on a building permit for such additions. The Title V inspection report must show the location of all septic components, including a reserve area. No permanent structures are to be place on a reserve area.

Note: Through MassHousing low interest loans are available for homeowners whose systems have failed a Title 5 inspection. Also, the Commonwealth provides a Tax credit of up $6,000 over a four year period to help mitigate the cost of a new system. You will need an inspection in order to take advantage of these loans and credits.

3. All 750 gallon tanks also constitute an automatic failure and must be upgraded to current Title V standards.

4. Variances from Local Rules & Regulations or Variances Requiring a Hearing a. Requested in writing from the Board of Health b. Approved by a majority vote of the Board of Health c. Be granted in writing by the Board of Health d. A copy must be maintained in the permanent files of the Board of Health e. Any variances so granted may be revoked, modified or suspended with just cause.

5. There should be risers installed on the D-Box and the Outlet Cover brought to within 6 inches of or up to grade during all routine Title V inspections.

Septic Inspector

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 Plymouth, MA can be confusing, make sure your inspector is familiar with the rules and regulations of the town you live in.