Show All Answers

1. Why should I be concerned about water resources?

Drinking water is a diminishing resource. Water is a valued resource, necessary for the daily activities of work, life, and play. Water is necessary for all human, animal, and plant life. Humans have a responsibility to protect this necessary resource or we will lose it, along with our standard of living.

Thus, assuring that wastewater treatment systems are not placed in locations that could contaminate drinking water supplies, and that wastewater is not surfacing upon the ground within Jefferson County are important steps in protecting the drinking water resources of the county.

2. How do I know if I need a wastewater permit?

Persons building a new home or building that will have running water within it needs to have an approved wastewater system treat all wastewater. Adding to a current residence, small business, or structure already having water within it or adding water to the structure requires having the system evaluated to assure the wastewater system currently serving those structures will be sufficient to manage the reported use of the structure. When access to water is added to a standing structure, appropriate treatment of the wastewater generated will be necessary in order to protect preventable pollution to ground surfaces and water supplies.

Property owners with concern that their current wastewater system is not working properly or managing the volume of wastewater generated should contact the Jefferson County Health Department at (785) 863-2447 to request a wastewater system consultation. Based on those findings, appropriate repairs can be made when indicated.

Wastewater and private well water permit applications are only accepted for county properties with appropriate Planning and Zoning Code building permits.

3. What is the process to obtain a wastewater permit?

1. Bring a copy of the applicable Zoning Building Permit to the Jefferson County Health Department at 1212 Walnut - U.S. Highway 59 in Oskaloosa, along with a pre-site drawing showing the location of structures on the property, desired placement of the wastewater system, and all private active or abandoned water wells.


2. Complete the Permit Application form and pay the current permit fee at the Health Department.


3. Schedule an appointment for the Jefferson County environmental specialist (ES) to complete a site visit to confirm appropriate placement of the wastewater system.


4. Have a Jefferson County licensed installer install the wastewater system.


5. Notify the Health Department when the system has been laid in the ground and prior to covering the system.


6. Following the final inspection and approval of the ES, cover the system.


7. Assure the installer submits the as-built drawing of the system to the Health Department.


8. The permit is then issued to the owner, with a copy sent to Jefferson County Planning and Zoning.

4. What is the process to obtain a well water permit?

1. Bring a copy of the applicable Zoning Building Permit to the Jefferson County Health Department at 1212 Walnut - U.S. Highway 59 in Oskaloosa, along with a pre-site drawing showing the location of structures on the property, desired placement of the wastewater system, and all private active or abandoned water wells.


2. Complete the Permit Application form and pay the current permit fee at the Health Department.


3. Schedule an appointment for the Jefferson County environmental specialist (ES) to complete a site visit to confirm appropriate placement of the wastewater system.


4. Have a Jefferson County licensed installer install the wastewater system.


5. Notify the Health Department when the system has been laid in the ground and prior to using the system.


6. Request a final inspection of the ES.


7. Assure the installer submits the as-built drawing of the system to the Health Department.


8. The permit is then issued to the owner, with a copy sent to Jefferson County Planning and Zoning.

5. What should be done if a wastewater system may not be functioning correctly?

Property owners with concerns that their current wastewater system is not working properly or managing the volume of wastewater generated should contact the Jefferson County Health Department to request a wastewater system consultation to determine if repairs are necessary.

6. Can a property owner know where to place a wastewater system or private well prior to being ready to build a structure?

Yes, property owners considering the addition of a building with water access, or increasing the size of a structure with water service, may contact the Jefferson County Health Department ES and schedule a consultation. Any fee paid for the consultation will be applied to any necessary permit fees, should the project need a wastewater system, system repair / addition, or a well water permit, and that project should be completed within a year of the consultation.

7. What penalties apply to violation of the Jefferson County environmental / sanitation code?

Administrative penalties may apply to wastewater and well water systems within Jefferson County that do not meet or comply with the code or are not maintained per county code. Such fines can be up to $400 per day that a violation is allowed to exist without action to remediate or correct.

8. What can be done to increase the efficiency and life use of a septic system?

• Size the absorption field appropriately when the system is built


• Have the septic tank pumped every three to five years; allowing solids to fill the tank will eventually force solids into the lateral lines, blocking the effluent water from accessing the lateral treatment field and causing the system to fail and require replacement


• Do not place improper items in the system such as tin cans, diapers, clothing, or swiffer mops


• Keep the grass in the lateral field mowed for necessary soil evaporation


• Keep vehicles and livestock off lateral fields


• Do not plant row crops over lateral fields


• Do not place cement or buildings over any part of a septic or lagoon system

9. What can be done to increase the efficiency and life use of a lagoon?

• Size the lagoon cell appropriately when the system is built


• Maintain the structure of the berm by keeping livestock and vehicles off the berm


• Remove all tree shoots from the berm


• Remove all burrowing vermin from berms and fill any holes created by such


• Keep the grass berms mowed to allow wind to act upon the lagoon water, as that provision of oxygen is needed for appropriate wastewater treatment


• Do not allow cattails or other vegetation to grow in the lagoon, as such vegetation prevents wind action and appropriate treatment can not occur


• Keep the fence around the lagoon pond at the bottom outside edge of the berm maintained to keep livestock, pets, and small children from entering the treatment pond


• Do not dispose of improper items into the lagoon system