DWQ Home > Onsite Wastewater Program
Onsite Wastewater Program
The Onsite Program includes certification of Onsite System Professionals, review of designs and plans for onsite septic systems (including large underground systems), operating permits and information about financial assistance available through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program for repair or replacement of septic systems when applicants meet the requirements.
Onsite (Septic) Wastewater Systems
R317-4 Onsite Wastewater Systems Stakeholders Workgroup- Rule—Utah Administrative Code R317-4
- Checklist and rule for Manufactured Septic Tank Review
- List of Health Departments/Counties with Alternative Onsite System Approval Authority
- Septic Tank Certification Process Flowchart
- List of Approved Septic Tanks and their Manufacturers
- Operating Permits for Large Underground Wastewater Disposal Systems
- Maintenance Specialists List—Individuals who have Onsite Professional Certification Level 2 and/or Level 3 who have requested that their name be put on this list to be called on to perform the annual inspections for these operating permits.
- UIC Inventory Information Forms
- Financial Assistance Application
- Variance Request Procedure
Onsite Certification
Certification of Professionals—Original and Renewal
NOTE: Utah Administrative Code R317-11 was recently reviewed and changes adopted on June 27, 2012 by the Water Quality Board. Here is a summary of the changes as presented during the Utah On-Site Wastewater Association Conference. This text of the proposed changes was published in the May 15, 2012 State Bulletin. The official comment period was from May 15, 2012 through June 14, 2012 through the Division of Administrative Rules. Some written comments were received and the Response Summary is available.
A single certificate will now be issued to all qualified applicants. The certificate will bear the highest level of certification that the applicant has achieved. There will be gradual transition to a single, concurrent expiration date for all levels of certification held by an individual.
Onsite Professionals may become certified 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
Levels 1, 2, and 3 are each valid for up to 3 years. A single application may be submitted to the Division of Water Quality for all Levels, or they may be done separately. Each certificate issued will require a separate fee. In order to be certified at Level 2 or Level 3, current certification at the lower level(s) is required. During the transition period to the new certifications, the following procedures are in effect:
- If any of the lower level certifications are due to expire less than 18 months after the date of application for the higher certificate, attendance at the recertification classes for those lower levels may be required prior to the higher certificate being issued.
- A single certificate is issued at the highest level to which the person qualified.
The application form and certification fee must be submitted to the Division of Water Quality. A $25 certificate fee is required each time a new certificate is issued. However, if application for multiple levels is on one form, only one certificate will be issued, and only one $25 fee is required. Any over payments of $25 or less will be applied as a credit. (Local health officers should contact DWQ for more information on the fee payments.)
Certification application and fees are separate from the registration and fees for training through the Utah Onsite Training Program.
Please note: The course completion certificate issued by the Utah Onsite Training Center is NOT a certification as an Onsite Professional by the Utah Division of Water Quality, but may be helpful for tracking continuing education for other professional licenses.
- Application Forms (must include Citizenship/Alien ID Certification form)
- Training Information for Professionals
- Current Training Calendar and Registration available through the Training Center
- Rule—Utah Administrative Code R317-11 (Note: The recent changes are not yet reflected in this version, but will be updated in the future. Until then, see the changes here.)
- List of Certified Onsite System Professionals (Note: Due to technical problems, this list may include "expired" certificates - please check the expiration date to see if the certification is valid)
- Required renewal classes must be attended prior to expiration. There is now a "reinstatement" option which allows for reinstatement of a certificate within 6 months after expiration by attending the required renewal class(es) and submitting the renewal application with appropriate fees.
- SB81—Beginning July 1, 2009, the Division is required to verify the lawful presence in the United States of an individual at least 18 years of age (includes sole proprietor doing business under assumed name) who has applied for Onsite Professional certification, Wastewater Operator certification, or who has applied for Federal SRF funding. A Citizenship/Alien ID Certification form is available that must be completed, notarized, and submitted to the Division along with a copy of photo identification such as a driver license, passport, or similar.
- Fee Change for Onsite Professional Certificate Issuance—New fees became effective July 1, 2009. Onsite Professional certificates are now $25 for each Level certificate. Fee must accompany application—NO "On-line payments" are yet available.
Reinstatement Option
Expired certifcations may be reinstated within 6 months after the expiration date by:
- completing the refresher course(s) as provided by the Training Center, and
- submitting a renewal application and reinstatement fee to the Division of Water Quality.
After the reinstatement period, initial certification requirements must be met in order to be certified.
Onsite Related Rules
- "Onsite Wastewater Systems"—Utah Administrative Code R317-4
- "Large Underground Wastewater Disposal Systems"—Utah Administrative Code R317-5
- Operating Permits for Large Underground Wastewater Disposal Systems—Utah Administrative Code R317-5-1.4
- "Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program"—Utah Administrative Code R317-7
- "Certification Required..."—Utah Administrative Code R317-11
- "Graywater Systems"—Utah Administrative Code R317-401
- "Rules for Waste Disposal By Liquid Scavenger Operations."—Utah Administrative Code R317-550
- "Rules for the Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Vault Privies and Earthen Pit Privies"—Utah Administrative Code R317-560
Variance Request Procedure
- Onsite Wastewater Systems—"Variance Request Procedure"—Guidance Document
Program Contacts
Onsite Professional Certification
Judy (801-536-4344)Technical—Designs, Plans
David (801-536-4329)Financial Assistance
David (801-536-4329)Other
Ed Macauley (801-536-4340)
