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Browse by Topic

Find Resources by Subject Matter

Whether you're looking for applications, technical standards, training materials, or specific system types, this page helps you navigate by topic.

📝 Applications & Permits

Permit Applications

Forms for new systems, repairs, expansions, and special situations across all 7 health districts.

What's Included:

New system permits - Standard residential applications
Repair permits - System fixes and upgrades
Expansion permits - Adding capacity
County-specific applications - CDH has separate forms for Ada/Boise, Elmore, and Valley
Accessory use applications - Additions to existing properties
Speculative site evaluations - Pre-construction assessments
Transfer permits - Property transfer requirements

Coverage:

All 7 health districts provide application forms, most updated in 2025.

Most Current: Eastern Idaho (June 2025 permit application)

Explore Applications →

📏 Separation Distances & Setbacks

Separation Distance Requirements

Setback requirements from wells, property lines, surface water, buildings, and other features.

What's Included:

Property line setbacks - Minimum distances from boundaries
Well protection distances - Drinking water source separation
Surface water buffers - Stream, lake, and wetland setbacks
Building foundation clearances - Structure proximity limits
Replacement area reserves - Future system space requirements
Comprehensive reference tables - Quick lookup charts

Key Documents:

Separation Distance Reference (all districts)
Standard Distances for Septic Tank/Drainfield (CDH)
Septic Separation Distances chart (Eastern Idaho - Sept 2025)

Best Quick Reference: Eastern Idaho's September 2025 chart

Explore Separation Distances →

🏗️ Alternative & Advanced Systems

Alternative Treatment Systems

Non-standard systems for difficult sites, sensitive areas, or special requirements.

System Types Documented:

Aerobic treatment units (ATUs) - Enhanced biological treatment
Pressure distribution systems - Uniform wastewater distribution
Mound systems - For shallow soils or high groundwater
Sand filters - Additional filtration
Gravelless drainfields - Emerging technology (May 2025 guidance)
Extended treatment systems - Multiple treatment stages
Large Soil Absorption Systems (LSAS) - Commercial/high-flow

Key Resources:

Aerobic Treatment & Drainfields Brochure (CDH)
Complex Installer Training (63 pages) - North Central
Gravelless Systems Guidance (May 2025) - South Central
DEQ Technical Guidance Manual - Alternative systems section

Latest Guidance: South Central's May 2025 gravelless systems

Explore Alternative Systems →

🎓 Training & Education

Installer Training & Certification

Comprehensive training materials for basic and complex installer certification.

Training Materials:

Basic Installer Training (98 pages, 13 MB) - North Central
Complex Installer Training (63 pages, 10 MB) - North Central
2025 Installer Course (20 MB) - South Central
Homeowner installer manuals - DIY education
Installer education and exam info - All districts

Topics Covered:

System design principles
Installation procedures
Regulatory compliance
Soil evaluation
Common mistakes
Alternative technologies
Troubleshooting

Exam Information:

Online installer exam through Idaho DEQ: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/

Explore Training Materials →

🧪 Site Evaluation & Soils

Site Assessment & Soil Science

Understanding soil characteristics, percolation testing, and site suitability evaluation.

What's Included:

Soil science fundamentals - Soils/wastewater relationships
Site evaluation procedures - Assessment protocols
Percolation testing - Infiltration rate determination
Groundwater monitoring - Temporary well installation
Speculative evaluations - Pre-development assessments
Difficult site guidance - Challenging conditions

Key Documents:

Soils/Wastewater Relationships Factsheet (Southeastern)
Temporary Groundwater Monitoring Well Installation (Southeastern)
Site evaluation applications (all districts)
DEQ Technical Guidance Manual - Site evaluation section

Explore Site Evaluation →

💰 Fees & Financial Assistance

Permit Fees & Grant Funding

Cost information for permits, inspections, and financial assistance programs for low-income homeowners.

Fee Schedules (by District):

Central District Health: $94-$1,505 (highest fees, urban services)
Panhandle: FY2023 Environmental Health Fees
North Central: Complete EH fee schedule (Feb 2025)
Southwest: Online portal with fee information
South Central: Fee schedule available
Southeastern: Fee schedule included
Eastern Idaho: Fee information in applications

Grant Funding:

RCAC Household Septic System Grants (Southeastern District)
- For low-income homeowners
- System repairs and replacements
- Eligibility requirements and application process

Highest Fees: Central District Health (Boise metro) Grant Info: Southeastern District (unique resource)

Explore Fees & Grants →

🔧 Maintenance & Troubleshooting

System Care & Problem Solving

Homeowner guides for maintaining systems and addressing common problems.

Maintenance Guides:

EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - Federal standard
Care and Maintenance guides - District-specific (Panhandle 9-page guide)
Septic system checklists - Maintenance task lists
Homeowner reference guides - Practical troubleshooting

Common Topics:

Pumping schedules by household size
What not to put down drains
Drainfield protection
Water conservation
Signs of system failure
When to call a professional
Tank additives (benefits questionable)

Emergency Procedures:

Proper Sewage Clean-Up Procedures (Southwest) - Emergency response

Explore Maintenance Resources →

👷 Licensed Professionals

Find Licensed Installers & Pumpers

Find qualified septic professionals in your area - current lists, applications, and verification guidance.

Statewide Lists:

DEQ Permitted Installers - Complete Idaho registry (1.1 MB)
DEQ Permitted Pumpers - Statewide pumper list (255 KB)
Certified Service Providers - Specialized professionals (61 KB)

District-Specific Lists:

Panhandle Health District - Licensed installer list (May 2025)
North Central District - Installers and pumpers (Aug-Oct 2024)
Southeastern District - Approved installer list (April 2025)
Other Districts - Use statewide DEQ lists

Become Licensed:

Installer applications - All 7 districts
Pumper applications - Multiple districts
Bond requirements - Surety bond forms
Training courses - Basic and complex installer training
Exam information - DEQ online testing

Find Licensed Professionals →

🏘️ Subdivisions & Development

Multi-Lot Development & Planning

Resources for subdivision planning, engineering reports, and large-scale development.

Subdivision Requirements:

Subdivision applications - All districts
Subdivision Engineering Reports (SER) - Templates (Southwest)
SER sanitary restriction language - Legal plat language
Subdivision evaluation reports - Technical assessments
Acreage requirements - Minimum lot sizes
- Policy 795: 1-acre minimum (South Central)
- Policy 799: < 1-acre alternative standards (South Central)

Planning Coordination:

Planning & Zoning review forms - P&Z coordination
Large Soil Absorption Systems (LSAS) - Commercial/high-flow
Non-residential requirements - Letter of intended use

Best SER Resources: Southwest District (templates and language) Unique Acreage Policies: South Central District

Explore Subdivision Resources →

🏛️ Regulations & Technical Standards

Regulatory Framework & Standards

Idaho Administrative Code rules, DEQ guidance, and district policies.

Statewide Regulations:

IDAPA 58.01.03 - Individual/Subsurface Sewage Disposal Rules
IDAPA 58.01.15 - Rules Governing Cleaning of Septic Tanks
DEQ Technical Guidance Manual (350+ pages, 15 MB) - Authoritative reference
20 DEQ Guidance Memorandums (1993-2021) - Regulatory interpretations

District Policies:

Onsite Sewage Disposal Rules - District-specific frameworks
South Central Policies 795/799 - Acreage requirements
May 2025 Rule Changes - Latest updates (South Central)

Technical Standards:

System design specifications
Installation requirements
Material standards
Inspection procedures

Most Comprehensive: DEQ Technical Guidance Manual (North Central collection)

Explore Regulations →

📦 Approved Materials & Products

Approved Aggregate & Products

Current lists of approved gravel pits, construction materials, and manufactured products.

Gravel Pit Lists:

2025 Approved Lists - Most districts (most recent: Sept 2025 - Eastern Idaho)
Supplier contact information - Phone numbers and locations
Product specifications - Quality requirements
Construction media - Alternative materials

Approved Products:

DEQ Approved Products Database - 50+ manufacturers (North Central collection)
Extended treatment system products - Proprietary technologies
Gravelless system products - Emerging technologies

Quality Requirements:

Aggregate gradation specifications
Permeability standards
Material testing requirements

Most Current List: Eastern Idaho (September 2025)

Explore Approved Materials →

💧 Well Water & Water Quality

Well Disinfection & Water Quality

Resources for well water testing, disinfection, and quality issues.

Well Water Topics:

Well disinfection procedures - Step-by-step chlorination
Hydrogen sulfide issues - "Rotten egg" odor solutions (Southwest)
Water quality testing - Coliform, E. coli, nitrate, nitrite
Mortgage survey applications - Well testing for real estate (Panhandle)

Common Issues:

Hydrogen Sulfide - Causes, treatment, prevention
Bacterial contamination - Disinfection protocols
Well maintenance - Proper care procedures

Unique Resources: Southwest District (hydrogen sulfide guide)

Explore Water Quality →

🏠 Real Estate & Property Transactions

Pre-Purchase & Property Transfer

Resources for property buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.

Pre-Purchase Resources:

"Before You Buy to Build" (4.8 MB) - South Central
Mortgage survey applications - Property transfer inspections (Panhandle - unique)
Speculative site evaluations - Buildability assessments
Existing system evaluations - Assessment forms