Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Details & Specifications

These specifications are adapted from the New York State Department of Health Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Design Handbook and the Tompkins County Sanitary Code.

Details and Specifications:

1. Separation Distances
2. Piping and Distribution Box
3. Septic Tank
4. Pumps
5. Sand Suppliers 
6. Absorption Trenches
7. Sand Filter
8. Downstream Modified Absorption Trenches (DMAT)
9. Absorption Bed
10. Gravelless Trenches
11. Modified Dispersion Trenches (MDT)
12. Shallow Absorption Trenches
13. Deep Absorption Trenches
14. Enhanced Treatment Unit (ETU)

All OWTS permits issued by Tompkins County Environmental Health contain the following permit requirements, in addition to location-specific requirements:

• The construction permit must be available on-site during construction and inspection.
• The system must be inspected by the Health Department before covering.
• If any of the permit conditions cannot be met, call TCHD prior to construction.
• Confirm property boundaries on-site before construction.
• TCHD recommends removing trees in close proximity to the sewage system to help prevent root infestation.

For additional assistance or to request an inspection please contact us at (607) 274-6688 or tceh@tompkins-co.org M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm