Onsite Repair Fact Sheet
This guidance document is advisory in nature but is binding on an agency until amended by such agency. A guidance document does not include internal procedural documents that only affect the internal operations of the agency and does not impose additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties or include confidential information or rules and regulations made in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. If you believe that this guidance document imposes additional requirements or penalties on regulated parties, you may request a review of the document.

Form #: 12-035 Guidance Documents Revised: 10/11/22
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126 KB 12-035_Repair_Fact_Sheet.pdf


A repair is defined in Title 124 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems as the correction of a mechanical, electrical, or minor structural defect in an existing onsite wastewater system component such as, but not limited to:
  • Sealing a crack in a tank lid;
  • Repairing or replacing a tank baffle or access manhole riser;
  • Repairing or replacing a pump or electrical switch;
  • Leveling a distribution box;
  • Replacing a building sewer pipe; or
  • Replacing a cracked pipe between the septic tank and soil absorption system.

Repair does not include:
  • Replacement, reconstruction or modification of a tank or soil absorption system;
  • Extension or enlargement of a soil absorption component and system;
  • Replacement of a distribution pipe; or
  • Repair or replacement of a metal or concrete block tank.

Repairs and maintenance can be performed on an onsite wastewater treatment system that functions properly without being subject to the registration and design requirements of Title 124 if:
  • The repair is to fix a minor structural defect of the existing system such as: to seal a crack in a tank lid; level a distribution box; or to repair or replace a manhole riser, inspection pipe, tank baffle, building sewer pipe, or a pipe between the septic tank and soil absorption system; or
  • The repair is to fix a mechanical device, such as repair or replacement of a pump, blower, or electrical equipment.


Only a certified professional, a professional engineer, a registered environmental health specialist, or a person under their direct supervision, may engage in the repair of an onsite wastewater treatment system. “Direct supervision” means the person overseeing the work is physically present on the site where the work is being done and has control over, responsibility for, and professional knowledge of the work being done.