The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly one in four households depend on septic systems or other types of onsite systems for wastewater treatment. To protect surface water and groundwater, as well as public health and welfare, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s Onsite Wastewater Program regulates these systems through Title 124 – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Because these systems are so prevalent, NDEE has compiled the following overview of Title 124 to help prevent prohibited discharges of human waste to the environment and assist Nebraska residents who rely on septic systems.

NDEE performs three primary regulatory actions in its administration of Title 124: the department sets usage standards for septic systems, standardizes design requirements, and regulates certification of onsite professionals that construct and maintain these systems.
The type of waste that can be directed to an onsite wastewater treatment system is limited to domestic wastewater, which is defined as human body waste and household type wastes including bath and toilet wastes, household laundry wastes, household kitchen wastes and other similar wastes from a dwelling or a non-dwelling facility.

The following wastes are prohibited from entering an onsite wastewater treatment system:

· Ground water infiltration, discharge from roof drains, discharge from foundation tile drains, and swimming pool wastewater or other clear water discharges
· Any chemical substance designated as hazardous in accordance with Title 128 – Nebraska Hazardous Waste Regulations.
· Motor vehicle waste, agriculture equipment waste, and maintenance shop wastes
· Wastewater containing high strength disinfectants, biological inhibitors, or deodorants or similar chemicals (such as those used in camper waste tanks, laboratories, medical or veterinary facilities, or industrial facilities)

 

NDEE regulates minimum design requirements for onsite systems to prevent accelerated degradation of the system that could result in prohibited discharges. A septic tank or holding tank used in an onsite wastewater treatment system must be watertight and constructed of materials not subject to excessive corrosion or decay. Acceptable tank construction materials are concrete, fiber reinforced plastic, high density plastic and fiberglass. To minimize corrosion and degradation of the concrete, all concrete interior surfaces of a tank that are exposed to air must be coated with a bitumastic or similar protective compound.

Beyond approved construction materials, NDEE also regulates minimum capacity, inlet and outlet location and connection specifications, manhole dimensions, and inspection pipe parameters. When holding tanks are connected to a water supply, they must also be equipped with an alarm or visible float capable of indicating when a tank reaches a capacity of 90 percent.

Onsite septic systems must also meet specific setback requirements; they cannot be located within 100 feet of any surface water or private drinking water well, and they cannot be located within 1,000 feet of community public drinking water supply wells. Additional information on design, capacity, and placement requirements can be viewed in NDEE’s Traditional System General Permit.

Septic tanks require regular maintenance. Only a certified professional, a professional engineer, a registered environmental health specialist, or a person under their direct supervision may engage in the inspection, pumping, siting, layout, construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, repair, closure or changing of an onsite wastewater treatment system.

NDEE certifies these professionals through an examination process. The department also requires a record of continuing education from these professionals in order to meet certification renewal requirements. Additional information on professional certification requirements for onsite wastewater treatment systems can be viewed on NDEE’s website at https://dee.nebraska.gov/water/wastewater/onsite-wastewater-program/professional-certification