New wells are permitted here in our office.  Contractors often complete the application and submit for the homeowner.

Homeowners can acquire a permit by completing the form and attaching a check for $100 payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The construction of the well will be inspected by someone from this department.  A copy of the Well Construction Code and/or the Pump Installation Code are available from this office.

Drinking water can be tested through the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratories.  Testing is "free" for new water wells, in cases where waterborne disease is a concern or when an infant resides in the home.

Upon request of a homeowner, drinking water from a private well can be tested for common bacteria and nitrate levels for a $15 fee.  This includes collection of the sample, shipping to the laboratory, translation of the report and mailing the report and any recommendations to the homeowner. Water samples for health reasons, pregnancy and infants in the home are free. 

All new systems or renovated systems require a permit prior to installation.  Once a permit is obtained, our office must be notified at least 48 hours prior to beginning construction.

Permit applications are often completed and submitted to our office by the licensed contractor.  A homeowner can obtain a permit.  The forms are available at our office and must be returned with a $75 fee, checks made payable to the Fayette County Health Department.

The installation of the system will be inspected by someone from this department.

A list of contractors is available upon request from the health department. 618-283-1044

Illinois Private Sewage Code is a minimum code designed to apply to all of Illinois.  Illinois soils and population density varies greatly across the state.  Department staff are willing to counsel homeowners about choices available for specific sites in Fayette County.

A copy of the Code is available upon request.

SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION

RECORD OF SERVICE FORM

AEROBIC SYSTEM DO'S AND DON'TS

 

DO'S		DON'TS
DO maintain the service arrangement offered by the manufacturer after the initial two-year period has expired. It is very important that aerobic units receive regular maintenance. DO keep your system accessible for inspections and pumping, yet protected from unauthorized entrance. If access to your system is locked, make sure that your service contractor has a key. DO call a service professional whenever you experience problems with your system whenever the alarm is activated, or whenever there are any signs of system failure. DO keep detailed records about your aerobic system, including a map of where it is, and general information, such as model name, capacity, state license, date installed, contract service agreement, records of service visits, and maintenance performed.   DO conserve water to avoid over-loading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets. DO divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps away from the aerobic system. DO become familiar with how your own particular system operates, and the way it looks, sounds, and smells when it is working correctly. This way, you may be able to identify problems before they become serious and alert your service provider to anything unusual. DO be sure to ask your service provider questions about how to know if your unit is malfunctioning.	DO NOT FLUSH: coffee grounds dental floss disposable diapers kitty litter sanitary napkins tampons cigarette butts condoms fat, grease, or oil paper towels and hazardous chemicals, such as: paints varnishes thinners waste oils photographic solutions pesticides These items can quickly fill your aerobic treatment unit with solids that cannot be treated, and will require that you contact a licensed contractor to pump the system more frequently.   VERY IMPORTANT When doing laundry, do not wash all of the clothing in one day. Loads of laundry must be staggered throughout the week, ideally one or two loads daily. Too much soap in the unit at one time can cause excessive foaming, causing problems and possibly failure of your aerobic unit. Never flush medications down the toilet or allow them to go down any drain. Many medications can kill off the microorganisms living in the aerobic unit that are essential for proper treatment of sewage.	DON'T allow anyone to drive over or park on any part of the system. DON'T make or allow repairs to your aerobic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed. DON'T use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your aerobic system can accommodate this additional waste. DON'T use your toilet as a trash can or poison your aerobic unit and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.  DON'T attempt to clean or perform maintenance on any sealed aerobic unit components. DON'T allow water softener backwash to enter your aerobic system before checking with your local regulatory agency.   REMEMBER Aerobic treatment plants must be maintained and monitored frequently. They should be pumped out by an Illinois licensed pumping contractor every 3-5 years, or as often as needed.

HOLDING TANK DO's AND DON'Ts

 

DO's		DON'Ts
DO learn the location of your septic tank. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance record for service visits. DO have your septic system inspected annually and pumped out regularly by a licensed contractor. DO keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers if necessary. DO keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued, and other mainenance activities. DO conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets. Be sure to exercise appropriate caution when inspecting a septic tank. Never allow anyone to inspect a tank alone or go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes- even just looking in the tank can be dangerous.	DO NOT FLUSH: coffee grounds dental floss disposable diapers kitty litter sanitary napkins tampons condoms cigarette butts fat, grease, or oil paper towels and hazardous chemicals, such as: paints varnishes thinners waste oils photographic solutions pesticides These items can overtax or destroy the biological digestion taking place within your system. These items also make your septic tank fill up more quickly, which requires more frequent pumping of the tank.	DON'T go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking in. DON'T allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the tank. DON'T make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. DON'T use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system. DON'T use your toilet as a trash can or poison your septic system by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. It is important to monitor the liquid depth level in the tank. If it gets too high, it may back up into the building. Always hire a pumping contractor licensed by the State of Illinois. The Fayette County Health Department has listings of licensed contractors in the area.

BURIED SAND FILTER AND CHAMBER SEEPAGE SYSTEM DO's AND DON'Ts

WASTE STABILIZATION POND/LAGOON SYSTEM DO's AND DON'Ts

CUPS OF LAUNDRY BLEACH TO BE USED AS WELL DISINFECTANT

Procedure for Disinfection

1. Add laundry bleach to approximately 10 gallons of water.

2. Pour solution in well, be certain to splash the bleach solution onto well lining.

3. Once you have added chlorine (bleach) to the well for disinfection, re-circulate the water back into the well by using the outside hydrant and a garden hose.

4. Run water through every faucet until strong chlorine smell is present.

5. Allow water to stand overnight in pipes, this will bring fresh chlorine into pipes and aid in disinfection.

6. Run water until smell or taste is no longer evident, water may be retested after 2 weeks or when all chlorine is absent.

 

If you wish another sample to be taken following disinfection, please call 283-1044 after all odor of chlorine is gone.

Disinfectant charts, pamphlets, and videos are available at the Health Department.