Onsite Wastewater Permit (Sewage)

On-Site Wastewater Rules are available from the Cole County Health Department office during normal business hours or by downloading

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Permit Applications

Permit applications are available from our office during normal business hours, or if you are making an application for an Onsite Sewage Disposal System or repair of an existing system you will need to submit the following items:

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Certified OWTS Installer


A registered installer is required to install an On-site Wastewater Treatment System, to find Registered On-site Wastewater Treatment System Installers (By County, Select on Map) go to the MO Department of Health & Senior Services, On-Site Program installers list at:
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/counties/index.php

Soil Evaluation


All permitted On-site Systems require a soil test to determine the suitability of the proposed site to accept and effectively treat sewage. Go to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Registered Soil Evaluators (By County, Select on Map);
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/ose/index.php
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Licensed OWTS Inspectors/Evaluators
It is difficult for the property owner, buyer, or lender to know the condition of an existing onsite system since most components are underground. The help of a licensed inspector can be obtained to check the condition of the system. Individuals are licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to perform private assessments of existing on-site systems. There are two distinct types of assessments performed by these licensed individuals: inspections and evaluations.

An inspection provides a thorough assessment of the condition of an on-site wastewater treatment system and all components. In addition, a Hydraulic Test is conducted to determine whether a soil treatment system can accept normal anticipated wastewater flows. An evaluation reports on the functionality of the tank component(s), observable condition of the soil treatment system, and any signs of past or present system failures.

Go to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Licensed OWTS Inspectors/Evaluators (By County, Select on Map); https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/inspectors/index.php