ISDH: Onsite Sewage Disposal Program

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Program Overview

Welcome to the home page for the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Onsite Sewage Disposal Program. The Onsite Sewage Disposal Program promotes use of technologically correct onsite sewage disposal methods for one and two family dwellings beyond the reach of sanitary sewers. Onsite sewage disposal systems (i.e., septic systems) are those which do not result in an off-lot discharge of treated effluent, typically consisting of a septic tank to settle out and digest sewage solids, followed by a system of perforated piping to distribute the treated wastewater for absorption into the soil. More than 800,000 onsite sewage disposal systems are currently used in Indiana. Local health departments issue more than 15,000 permits per year for new systems, and about 6,000 permits for repairs. Program staff provide training and technical assistance about proper onsite sewage disposal to local health departments, consumers and their contractors.

Contact the Program

Indiana State Department of Health
Environmental Public Health Division
2 North Meridian Street, 5-E
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-1325 (ISDH Main Switchboard)
Map

Division Director
Michael Mettler
mmettler@isdh.in.gov
(317) 233-7183
(317) 233-7173 [Administrative Assistant]
(317) 233-7047 [Fax]

Questions: engineering@isdh.in.gov

Directories

City and County Health Departments

Indiana Registered Soil Scientists
This list includes a map showing those counties where the soil scientists are willing to serve.

Pre-approved Exterior Water and Sewer Piping - or - PDF

Pre-approved Mnaufactured Septic Tanks -- or -- PDF

Water microbiology laboratories (Indiana-certified)
Public water supply samples are required to be tested by a certified laboratory.

Bulletin S.E. 11- The Sanitary Vault Privy -- or - PDF
A planning guide including minimum requirements for the construction of vault privies.

Composting and Incinerating Toilets Guidlines
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for the use of composting and incinerating toilets in single family dwellings.

Diseases Caused by Sewage or Sewage Contaminated Water -- or -- PDF

Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by Histplasma capsulatum, a soil fungus common throughout the Midwest. Indiana has the optimum combination of temperature and humidity for the fungus to grow very well. While the illness is usually so mild that it may go unnoticed, for a small minority, usually those who are very young, very old, immunocompromised, or who suffer from a chronic illness, the illness can be quite severe. It can cause permanent damage to the lungs, blindness or death.

Installation of Trench-type Onsite Sewage Disposal Systemss
Onsite systems require care in site selection, design, and construction. This document provides construction guidelines that explain the basic procedure for installation of an onsite system. Proper installation should help ensure years of trouble-free operation..

New (to Indiana) Onsite Sewage Disposal Technologies Information.
This web page provides general information on the department's review and approval process, and includes links to web pages containing information on new technologies that have been approved, and the status of those that are currently under review.

Soil Effervescence to Determine Site Suitability for an Onsite Sewage System - [PDF 27 KB]
This document provides guidance on soil profile interpretations for onsite system selection. It is not intended to dictate how to describe the soil profile. It is to point out the effects of the characteristics of a BC or CB horizon on the performance of an onsite system.

Soil Survey and Plan Review Submittal Status.
This page indicates the current status of a soil survey submittal that has been submitted for review. Follow the county link to see the status of any project ongoing in that particular county.

Tire Chips and Onsite Sewage Systems
This document provides guidance to local health departments and others on the use of tire chips in onsite sewage systems.

Xerolet Toilet Guidlines
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for the use of the Xerolet Eco-System in one and two family dwellings.