Why Have Your Septic System Inspected?
- To make sure the system is not malfunctioning.
- To protect the health of your family and neighbors.
- To extend the life of the system.
- To catch and troubleshoot problems in their early stages before they become serious and
expensive to correct.
- To protect wells, drinking water sources, and watershed areas from contamination.
- To protect life in local rivers, lakes, and ponds and prevent the need for costly rehabilitation
efforts.
- To protect your investment in your home and property.
- To fulfill legal or lending institution requirements for property transfers.
Resale Inspection Procedures
- Application is made at JCED. There is a fee to cover the
inspection costs.
Application (pdf)
Inspection Fees
| Buyer |
$ 175.00 |
| Buyer Agent |
$ 175.00 |
| Seller |
$ 150.00 |
| Seller Agent |
$ 150.00 |
- A licensed sanitary disposal contractor is hired to pump the tank.
- A meeting time is coordinated with the sanitary disposal contractor, inspector, homeowners,
real estate agents, etc.
- The lid to the septic tank needs to be uncovered prior to the inspection.
- Once the inspection is complete, a written report is issued to the applicant.
- If any repairs are needed, they will have to be
completed before the system can be approved. Permits could be required for any repair work done.
The Inspection Process
- The inspector gathers any information ahead of time for the inspection. If there is an
existing file for the property, past drawings, permits, and complaints could be obtained.
- Questions are asked of the current homeowner such as:
- When was the last time the tank was pumped?
- Has the system ever been repaired?
- Has sewage ever backed up into the house?
- Has sewage ever surfaced in the yard?
- How long has the house been vacant?
- How many people live in the house, past and future?
- The septic tank is checked for structural integrity, inlet and outlet tees or baffles, adequacy
of tank size, two compartments, liquid level, and anything else that might be pertinent.
- If there is a pump tank, it must be checked also. Pump and alarm must be in good working
condition.
- The lateral field is located by the inspector and probed to determine the condition of the
lateral lines. Sewage surfacing or any other evidence of failure is noted by the inspector.
- The inspector must have access to the house to verify whether the laundry wastes are drained
into the septic system and the sump pump or foundation drainage is not.
- Roof and foundation drains are located to verify that they are routed away from the septic system.
View photos of a typical resale inspection process
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