Date: December 5, 2005

To: Professional Engineers, Licensed Septic Installers, Home Builders

From: Robert Miller, MPH, RS, Director of Health

CC: Health District Staff

RE: As –Staked or “Red-Lined” plan required prior to permit to construct approval for all engineer designed septic system.

I would like to clarify Eastern Highlands Health District’s requirements concerning engineered and non-engineered septic system design plans. Currently, we accept plans that are designed using aerial topographic survey data rather than actual site-specific contour elevations. Our rationale in accepting such plans has been that the design engineer must supervise field staking of engineered septic systems, and a licensed septic installer stakes non-engineered septic systems. Adjustments of the elevation and orientation of system components to match site topography is made at the time of staking. However, these changes due to field-truthing are not being accurately communicated to the Health District sanitarians using a memorandum format.

The purpose of this memo is to inform you that as of January 17, 2006, a permit to construct a sewage disposal system will not be issued for engineered designs unless an As-Staked or “Red-Lined” plan has been received and approved by the Health District sanitarian. The red-lined plan must be a copy of the approved plan that includes spot elevations in the area of the leaching trenches, a benchmark conveniently located to the leaching trenches, and any adjustments in the elevation or location of system components that occurred at the time of field staking. In those cases where the septic system is field staked in accordance with the approved plan, and no field adjustments are necessary, a red-lined plan will still be required showing as-staked data. A staking “memo” will no longer be accepted.

For non-engineered designs, red-lined plans will not be accepted from installers. A district sanitarian must inspect the field staking prior to permit approval.

It is the responsibility of the design engineer to ensure that these revised plans are sent to the Health District sanitarian. License installers will be informed that, for engineered designed systems, no permit approval/permit to construct will be issued until the red-line plan has been approved by EHHD.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please contact your local Eastern Highlands Health District Sanitarian.