Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Laws, Regulations & Manuals
Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Laws - Regulations - Manuals
Laws:
701.025 Definitions
701.027 Scope of Coverage
701.029 Operation of onsite sewage disposal system, restrictions
701.031 Disposal of sewage, who, how, exception
701.033 Department of Health and Senior Services -- powers and duties -- rules, procedure
701.035 Local regulations and standards, requirements -- private right to action not preempted
701.037 Violations, notice of, contents, prosecuting attorney to institute proceedings, when -- emergency situation, when
701.038 Sewage complaints, investigation by department, when -- right to inspect adjoining property, procedure requiring notice, exception
701.039 Clean water commission may take action, rules not to conflict
701.040 Standards for sewage tanks, lateral lines and operation of onsite sewage disposal systems, duties of department -- rules authorized
701.043 State standards, content
701.046 Modification or major repair to onsite sewage disposal system, requirements -- form -- fee, how set -- additional fee may be set for training contractors performing percolation tests
701.047 City or county may adopt more restrictive standards
701.048 Modifying or repair of onsite sewage disposal system, noncompliance with standards prohibited.
701.049 Fees collected by department to be deposited in public health service fund, purpose
701.050 Construction or repair notice -- requirements and inspection -- failure to comply with standards, effect
701.051 Inspections by department, who may request -- fee -- department may license contractors to inspect
701.052 Violator found guilty not to begin construction for another person without bond or letter of credit -- forfeiture when, effect -- emergency repairs of -- effect.
701.053 Registered onsite disposal system contractor, form, qualifications -- registration issued by county to be deemed state registration
701.054 Registration of contractor may be denied, suspended or revoked, procedure, appeal -- reregistration application may be made when -- official roster of contractors published by department, content
701.055 Property owners may install, modify or clean their own onsite sewage disposal system in compliance with requirements, no permit required for cleaning
701.057 Violations, penalties and fines
701.059 Creation of a nuisance on certain residential property is an infraction -- sewage disposal system in violation, statute of limitations starts to run, when
Regulations:
19CSR 20-3.060 to 20-3.080
19 CSR 20-3.060, page 16, Minimum Construction Standards for Onsite Sewage Systems
(1) Definitions, Setback Distances, and Flow Rates
(2) Site Evaluations and Percolation Tests
(3) Building Sewers
(4) Sewage Tanks
(5) Absorption Systems
(6) Alternative Systems and Variances
(7) Soils Morphology Evaluations
19 CSR 20-3.070, page 49, Inspection/Evaluation of Existing Onsite Sewage Systems related to the sale of real estate
19 CSR 20-3.080, page 52, Requirements for Percolation Testers, Onsite Soils Morphology Evaluators, and Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installers
Manuals:
Onsite Sewage Laws & Rules Reference Manual
Environmental Health Operation Guidelines
Missouri Laws Governing Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
A bill passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor in August 1994 addresses the protection of Missouri's groundwater (the source of much of our drinking water) and the prevention of the spread of disease organisms. The law governs sewage systems that treat and disperse wastewater, generally on the lot where it was produced - onsite systems.
The onsite sewage law covers soil absorption systems serving single or multiple residences or businesses with domestic wastewater flows of 3000 gallons per day or less and lagoons serving a single residence. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates all other sewage lagoons and sewage treatment facilities with daily flows of more than 3000 gallons, including public sewer systems. Anyone subdividing or developing property must comply with DNR residential development regulations as well as the onsite sewage law.
Under the law, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has developed minimum standards for the size and location of sewage tanks and soil absorption trenches. County or city governments may adopt the state standards or stricter standards by ordinance.
Also under the law, DHSS lists persons who may conduct percolation tests and those who may conduct soils morphology evaluations for the design of onsite systems. In addition, DHSS provides training and registration for onsite system installers and licenses individuals to inspect or evaluate existing onsite sewage systems related to a real estate sale.
When a neighbor or other aggrieved person lodges a complaint about a failing system, the law provides for an investigation. If the system presents a nuisance or a health hazard, the nuisance must be abated. Major repairs, as well as new systems, must comply with minimum standards.
Missouri Regulations Governing Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' (DHSS) rules governing onsite sewage systems cover minimum construction requirements, system inspections at the time of property sales, and requirements for percolation testers and soil evaluators. These rules became effective in January 1996.
In just under one half of Missouri counties, the Local Public Health Agency, or DHSS staff, regulate new system construction and existing system repairs according to state standards. The state standards establish minimum requirements for the size and type of an onsite system based on an evaluation of the site and soil conditions. In the remaining counties and some cities, either the state construction standards, or more stringent local standards, have been adopted by ordinance. In those areas the authority for onsite sewage may be the Local Public Health Agency or another agency, such as a sewer district. To determine what type of authority governs onsite sewage in a county, check this Missouri Map.
Unless the property is exempt based on its size, a construction permit is required before system installation can begin. Contact the local administrative authority to begin the permit process. The health department in your county can help you with the process or refer you to the proper agency.