Charlotte County has four (4) types of sewage disposal currently in use. 

  1) Onsite Waste (Basic Septic) Systems
  2) Managed Septic Systems
  3) Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU's)
  4) Sewer Systems
        a) Charlotte County Utilities
        b) Englewood Water District

Services for onsite waste systems are conducted at the Environmental Health Office located at 18500 Murdock Circle, Suite 203, Port Charlotte.  The office receives and processes applications for new, repair, and modification of Onsite Waste (Basic Septic) Systems.

Environmental Specialists review septic tank permit applications which have been prepared by registered engineers and septic tank contractors to ensure that systems, as proposed, will meet the requirements of the State of Florida and Charlotte County. All septic tank installations in Charlotte County are inspected by Environmental Health staff.

In areas zoned for industrial or manufacturing activities, the public health department evaluates the potential for each new business to introduce toxic chemicals into their septic system and determines that proper handling and disposal procedures are in place prior to the business being granted a Certificate of Occupancy or an Occupational License by the County Building or Zoning Departments.

Many homes and businesses in Charlotte County are equipped with Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU's) as their septic waste treatment system.  These systems require yearly permits issued by our office.  Stop in, and pick up free information on septic tank use and maintenance.

You may also wish to view the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Homeowner's Guide To Septic Systems. (.pdf / 1.27mb)

The Environmental Health Manager at Highlands County Health Department contributed an article to a local newspaper. In the article he explains how a septic system works and how to properly maintain it. Read the article.

Septic permits from 1972-1986 may be viewed online at www.ebridge-solutions.com. User name is PUBLIC and password public, and the file cabinet name is Charlotte CHD.

For Septic System Permits issued, construction permit approval, Final System Approvals, and Contractor Information visit: www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata