Septic Systems

A septic system or on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) is a self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system, most often utilized in rural areas.

The standard septic system involves a septic tank (to hold wastewater from drainpipes until solids settle out in the tank) and a system of pipes that distributes the remaining liquid waste underground over a large area — the leach field. The goal is to make sure that this filtration through the soil is sufficient to clean the wastewater before it reaches drinking water well sources or surface waters.

State and county laws require that a permit is to be issued by the department prior to constructing or making repairs to a septic system.

New Systems:

Completed applications (below) should be returned to the Delta County Health Department. Please note that you must apply for and obtain the Access/Address Permit before obtaining the on-site wastewater treatment system (ISDS) permit "Final Approval." For more information, see the Application Instructions, Development Application and Development Permit Fact Sheet.

Documents to get you started:

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Engineering Firms (Dec. 2020)


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Septic Permit (OWTS) Checklist

Septic Permit (OWTS) Complete Application


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Installers and Cleaners List

Repairs, Alteration, and Replacement Systems 

All major repairs, replacement, alterations of existing OWTS require a permit. An on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) application must be filled out and submitted to the Delta County Health Department prior to construction. For more detailed information, see the OWTS Instructions. 

Soil icon Opens in new windowSoils and Site Evaluation Application

The Engineer evaluates the soil porosity and permeability for the installation of on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS). This application is used for vacant undeveloped land and does not serve as permit to install an OWTS

Related Forms and Information 

Return to the Planning and Community Development web page. 

Return to the Environmental Health Department web page.