Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal (Septic) Systems

In Florida, 31% of the population is served by estimated 2.3 million onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). These systems discharge over 426 million gallons of treated effluent per day into the subsurface soil environment. The Department of Health, Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs and the Lee County Environmental Health section of the Health Department through 381.0065, Florida Statutes (FS) and Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code, regulates the construction and use of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal (septic) systems in Lee County.

Buying a home with a septic system? Read our Homebuyer's Guide

Please select an area below for more information:

• NEW - How to apply for a new OSTDS (septic) permit
• REPAIR - How to apply for a permit to repair your system
• VARIANCE - Permit denied? You may request for a variance
• ABANDONMENT - Connected to sewer? Application for system Abandonment
• HOLDING TANK - Construction Trailer? Apply for a Holding Tank Permit
• EXCAVATION - Excavation Inspection?
• INSPECTION - Procedure to request a system construction inspection
• ATU - Information for Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) System Owners
• PBTS - Information for Performace Based Treatment System (PBTS) Owners
• INSTALLERS - List of Licensed Septic Tank Contractors by County
• FILLING A LOT - DEP has developed a Dredge and Fill Pamphlet to assist applicants seeking a permit for dredge and fill for onsite systems in jurisdictional areas
• CONTRACTOR LICENSING - The Bureau in Tallahassee licenses septic tank contractors and provides a hands-on training center to provide basic and continuing education courses to department staff and licensed contractors.
• CONTRACTOR VIOLATIONS - Check for Enforcement Actions on DOH Licensed Septic Tank Contractors
• ACTIVE INSPECTIONS - Check The Status Of Your Septic System Permit Application or Inspection Online

• PERMIT LOOKUP - Access our scanned data which includes:
  ► Septic systems permitted and constructed for the years 2008-present
  ► Many systems permitted and constructed 2005-2008
  ► System repairs applied for after January1, 2012
  ► Please call our office if you are looking for a permit not in the scanned data..
• Looking for other forms? Forms and Memos - Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs

• Buying a home on a septic system? View Septic Videos below for helpful information.

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Links to OSTDS Information

• State of Florida
  Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs
  The bureau develops statewide rules and provides training and standardization for County Health Department employees responsible for permitting the installation and repair of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) within the state.

• EPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  This site offers valuable information and resources to manage onsite wastewater systems in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment and allows communities to grow and prosper.


►SepticSmart
►Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems
►A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems

• NOWRA
  The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
  The largest organization within the U.S. dedicated solely to educating and representing members within the onsite and decentralized industry.

• Pipeline Newsletter
  The National Small Flows Clearinghouse
  Popular with small community officials, citizens, maintenance and inspection personnel, and community educators, each quarterly issue of Pipeline focuses on a single wastewater topic and presents it in an easy-to-read format.

• NESC
  National Environmental Services Center
  They have an extensive holding of free and low-cost educational publications, fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures, guidebooks, posters, DVDs and other similar materials. Browse our many drinking water, wastewater, and training products.

• CDC
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Health Services Program
  Onsite Wastewater

• CHNEP
  Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
  The CHNEP is a partnership that protects the estuaries and watersheds from Venice to Bonita Springs to Winter Haven.
   

• SWFLRPC
  Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council
  ►Resolution: Managed Care Model Guidance for Onsite Wastewater Systems Planning, Treatment and Management