Septic Tank Systems and Permits in Utah

How much does a septic tank design and permit cost?

Typical Range: $2,000 - $6,000

Find out how much your design and permit will cost.

Getting a septic tank permit varies by county, but the typical process is as follows:

Determine Environmental Requirements

Percolation Test and System Design

Obtain Your Permit

Start Construction

Get the demo

Turn leads into customers with less effort today

Septic Tank Systems Design in Utah

Choose the right system for your needs.

Our septic system designers are highly experienced and skilled in designing modern-day treatment systems. They will assess your site to find the optimal septic system design, down to local regulations and possible risks. We facilitate all of the necessary permits so that you can get started on construction ASAP.

Septic Tank System and Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Design in Utah

Designing a septic tank system has never been so easy. We are the leading experts on all wastewater solutions, from design to permitting. Let us find out what is best for you without any hassle to have more time to play!

Design and Install a Septic Tank in Utah

If you’re considering a septic tank or onsite wastewater treatment system in the Utah Area, there are two things that you should know. First, it is illegal to install a septic tank without obtaining a permit from the local health department. Second, installing and maintaining your system can be expensive if poorly designed.

The main reason you need a septic system is that you cannot connect to a municipal sewer system. This is due to the high cost of installing pipes and providing services to homes far from municipal sewage systems.

Topics Covered Below

What is the process to get a permit for a septic tank?

The process for getting a permit for a septic tank for your house or onsite wastewater treatment system varies by county. The Utah Department of Health has this information on its website, but the typical process is as follows:

  • Contact your city or municipality’s engineering department to determine if there are land-use restrictions or sewer-connection requirements.
  • Contact the sewer district that serves your area and confirm your house does not need to be connected to the local sewer system and a septic system is allowable for your area.
  • If the house will be connected to a public water system, confirm you will have year-round water availability.
  • Conduct a soil analysis on the house lot to determine the rate of soil absorption of wastewater.
  • Determine the septic tank system. The design includes minimum tank size and minimum volume; the depth of installation; gallons per day of tank effluent to be treated; pipe size in inches; the inlet and outlet location; the size and depth of the drainfield.
  • Prepare design and construction drawings.
  • Obtain a permit from your county environmental department.

How much does it cost to design and permit a septic tank system in Utah?

The cost to design and permit a conventional system in Utah ranges between $2,000 and $6,000. The range is dependent on the following components:

  • Time required to complete the soil analysis/percolation test to determine the proper location for the inlet and outlet, septic tank location, septic tank size and capacity, anticipated flow, the drain field location, and drain field size.
  • The size of the building/home and location on the site.
  • The location of the building/home and county and state requirements.
  • The type of septic tank design and system needed. A conventional septic tank design is generally less expensive than an alternative septic system.

Who can design a septic system in Utah?

Utah septic tank design and onsite wastewater treatment systems are required to be designed by professionals certified by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality – Water Quality in the following categories:

  • Level 1 – Soil Evaluations and percolation testing.
  • Level 2 – Design, inspection, and maintenance of conventional underground wastewater disposal systems, including soil evaluations and percolation testing.
  • Level 3 – Design, inspection, and maintenance of alternative or conventional underground wastewater disposal systems, including soil evaluations and percolation testing.

How much does it cost to install a new septic system?

A new traditional anaerobic septic system costs $2,000 to $10,000 for most tanks and systems. Aerobic systems cost $8,000 to $20,000. You might pay more for alternative, specialized drain or leach field, depending on your property size, soil composition and water table depth. A septic system contains three main parts: a septic tank, piping, and the drain/leach field.

Septic Tank

A conventional septic tank is a container that could be made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It sits below the house elevation near the drain field and stores wastewater to an absorption area from the residence. Septic tanks are often dark in color because they’re in direct contact with (and brightening) substance.

Drainfield

A septic drain field is the part of a septic system where wastewater flows out through perforations in the pile and into a layer of coarse sand, aggregate, or gravel.

What are the different type of septic systems?

Anaerobic System Septic Cost

An anaerobic system is a traditional septic system that uses no oxygen and relies on microorganisms to digest solid waste. Anaerobic septic systems are a simple technology that uses microorganisms to break down sewage and other household wastes. The system is a simple design with a pipe leading to a tank, and then another pipe leading from the tank to the drain field. Low cost and easy to install, this system is prevalent. Anaerobic systems are the most popular type of septic system in use today.The size of the system depends on the gallons per day of effluent (wastewater) needing treatment.

Aerobic Septic Tank System Cost

An anaerobic system is similar to an anaerobic system but it relies on oxygen inside the septic tank to aid in the breakdown of tank effluent (wastewater). Like an anaerobic tank, aerobic systems use microorganisms but with oxygen and varying temperatures to break down solids from liquids.Although this type of system is more expensive than an anaerobic system, it has some distinct advantages over the older style systems. Aerobic systems break down the waste faster than other systems. This can be an advantage in areas where the water table is high and leach fields are near. Having a waste breakdown speed of up to 2 times faster than traditional systems, aerobic systems use less space than other septic designs.Aerobic septic tank system cost usually ranges between $8,000-$20,000 depending on the size of your property and water table depth. The amount of maintenance required will depend on the type of aerobic system you have installed.

Alternative Septic Systems

If one of the above systems doesn’t work, alternative systems can be used instead of a conventional system. The main alternative systems are:
  • Mound
  • Sand Filter
  • Drip
  • Evapotranspiration
  • Built Wetland
  • Chambered

Mound Septic System

A mound septic system is a sewage disposal technology whereby the solid waste material from an on-site wastewater treatment process is decomposed by slowing passing through 3 feet or more of dry soil.The earth within these chambers are loosely compacted but tamped periodically to prevent any massive voids forming therein, with liquid effluent flowing passively through the media being dispersed by percolation in 25-30 inch layers once reaching the bottom of each chamber.

Sand Filter

A sand filter septic system uses a layer of sand and gravel like an air filter. Solids sink to the bottom and water runs through natural pre-existing holes in the media. The water is then filtered using a final layer of finer material such as dirt, peat moss, or perlite, which acts like an activated carbon filter, removing any remaining solids from the wastewater before entering the soil.

Drip Septic System

A drip septic system is a type of sewage disposal that continuously drops water in the soil. It also breaks down solids from liquids. This can be an advantage over traditional systems because it breaks down the waste faster and uses less space than other septic designs.

Evapotranspiration

An evapotranspiration septic system is a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative to conventional wastewater treatment. It was designed to provide drinking water without chemicals or other additives and has become popular in drought-stricken regions as an environmentally friendly approach for small-scale rural households.

Built Wetland

A wetland septic tank system is an aerobic treatment plant that processes human waste by causing it to break down in a shallow pond known as a constructed wetland. Wetlands are very effective at naturally removing nitrogen and phosphorus from water due to the bacteria that break them down. This type of septic system has no worries of nitrates building up and being released into groundwater.

Chambered

A chambered septic system is a type of septic tank that has spaces or compartments in the tank. Each compartment holds one specific kind of solid waste material. The solid waste is separated by using a screen, layer of gravel or plastic. Solid waste material in each chamber decomposes at different rates based on oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture present.Like an anaerobic tank, aerobic systems use microorganisms but with oxygen and varying temperatures to break down solids. The process works in chambers by using the aerobic bacteria to break down substances, traveling to a leach field. If there is no oxygen in the septic tank system, the solids can turn into floating sludge and block pipes.

What is the standard size of s septic tank?

For a house in Utah, the standard size of a septic tank is between 500 and 1,500 gallons.

What is the best septic system design?

There are a lot of factors to consider when designing a septic system. Factors include effluent flows per day, soil type, the soil absorption rate of wastewater, available land for a drainfield, and cost.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers we get about permitting and septic tanks.

A septic system is a sewage treatment system that relies on the natural decomposition of organic matter. It consists of three main parts: a tank, pipes, and a drainage field. These systems are designed to keep untreated waste material from entering groundwater or nearby surface water supplies by using an aerobic or anaerobic process to break down solids into sludge and liquid effluent.

A properly functioning system contains natural organisms to digest and treat waste. We recommend you only flush wastewater and toilet paper. Do not put:

  • grease or oil down the toilet
  • disposable diapers
  • chemical down the toilet
  • tampons or sanitary napkins.

Check the tank regularly for any waste accumulation. If you find that it has been backed up due to a clog, properly clean the drain field and remove all blockages as needed. Pump out the septic tank as needed depending on how much your household generates. Have a professional service the tank every three-to-five years or more as needed.

One of the main indications that your septic system isn’t working properly is when you notice a sewage backup or a decrease in flushing ability. Many places from the drain to the drain field can become clogged, affecting the system’s performance.

Septic systems and tanks are a huge benefit because they allow you to be independent of the municipal sewer system. They also allow for house construction in rural areas that would otherwise not be possible.

Yes, installing a septic tank is regulated by any local ordinance so they are not legal to install without a permit. Septic tanks are a great way to manage wastewater and sewage in the home. They can be a cost-effective system for homeowners, especially if they live in rural areas. But there are some things you should know about installing septic tanks before you get started. One of them is that it’s regulated by local ordinances so make sure you have everything covered with your permit before installation starts.

Yes, but you’ll need to check your region’s regulations.

As long as your septic tank is in a safe location and does not endanger the natural resources of the area it’s installed, it can be installed in an alpine environment. You must find a suitable location for the septic system before installation begins to avoid or minimize damage.

A septic system can be expected to last 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced.

There are many different options for the life expectancy of a septic system. The specific age depends on what type of components you chose and if you’re living in an area that is environmentally stable or not. One thing is certain, though, regardless of when the backup occurs, the sewage will eventually flow out, giving homeowners some time. That being said, it’s best to have periodic inspections and maintenance checks done because this will help prevent costly repairs down the line, which are often required due to a clog or concrete lining failure over time. A failure here means you may need at least $5k+ in labor hours spent removing and replacing the septic tank, which can be very costly.

A concrete septic system uses a thin layer of cement (concrete) to line the inside of the tank for two purposes: 1- To strengthen the walls so that they don’t crack or collapse, and 2- To keep contaminants from entering the groundwater.

The necessary components of a septic tank system include a pipeline from the building for the effluent flows, a septic tank, and a leach field for further treatment. In conventional septic systems, the septic tank must have an inlet and outlet to allow the effluent to enter the tank, and then the wastewater exits the tank through the outlet pipe into drainfield. The sewage flows through the drainfield that contains a bed of gravel, sand or crushed rock. This allows water to infiltrate into the soil and safely release the waste matter into the environment without contaminating groundwater. If high groundwater is apparent, a conventional wastewater treatment system of a septic tank may not be an option, and an alternative system may be required.

It depends on the age of the septic tank and what type you have – it ranges from 2-5 years.

The frequency for inspections and service varies by age, several toilets, amount of water used per day, size of the septic system, and other contributing factors. A good rule is to have your tank inspected once every two to five years until servicing.

Regular maintenance is required for septic tanks for many reasons. Maintenance inspections often reveal any weaknesses in the tank or deterioration that needs to be addressed before it can result in system failure. This includes an annual inspection, at least one substantive inspection every five years, and additional inspections when problems are detected during an excavation process on a leach field. The inspection may find cracks below the ground surface which might only need maintenance hole access covers installed to prevent groundwater contamination or leaks from sewage pipes contaminating soil near the leach fields if discovered early enough.

Bleach will be broken down by bacteria in the septic tank and result in two very harmful concerns: 1- The liquid bleach may wash into drainfield, resulting in bacteria growth throughout the system, which is not desirable; 2- The bleach that does stay within the tank will react with any residual sludge leftover from previous tanks. This can result in hydrogen sulfide gas which is toxic even if only moderately exposed.

No. Unless you meet the certification requirements for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality – Water Quality. To design a septic system, you need to be at a minimum a Level 2 Onsite Professional.