SEPTIC INFORMATION
The Individual Sewage Treatment System (septic) program is administered by Hennepin County Environmental Health. Visit www.hennepin.us/septic for more information.
Hennepin County provides consistent regulation across city boundaries through issuing septic permits, managing inspections, and enforcement to protect ground surface waters, and prevent waterborne illness.
CONTACT:
Hennepin County Environmental Health
1011 First Street South, Suite 215
Hopkins, MN 55343
(612) 543-5200
www.hennepin.us/septic
[email protected]
[email protected]
FREQUENCY OF PUMPING
The septic tank MUST be periodically cleaned (pumped) to remove floating scum and sludge that accumulate. If either floating scum or sludge is allowed to enter the soil treatment system (drainfield) it will cause expensive and often irreparable damage. How often to clean a septic tank depends on its size, use and operating condition.
Not paying attention to sludge buildup in the tank or putting off having a tank pumped could cause toilet backups and possibly damage the septic system drain field, resulting in expensive repairs. Not pumping the tank when needed can also cause the entire system to fail, and it would need to be replaced.
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New Home Installation: Tank should be cleaned after 6 - 12 months of use as a precautionary measure to ensure good bacterial activity and proper functioning. In new homes, wastewater from painting, varnishing, staining, and other construction functions can reduce the initial levels of bacterial activity causing damage to the soil treatment system. If finishing work is still being completed, the tank should be cleaned before it is used for sewage.
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A Typical Household: Calculate a cleaning frequency of 18 - 30 months. If there is a smell of sewer gases in your home, immediately call a plumber or other reliable sources.
For more information on septic systems visit the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program website at www.septic.umn.edu/. Here you will find information about how septic systems work and educational videos, brochures, and tips on maintaining and managing your system as well as a link to search MPCA licensed installers.
HENNEPIN COUNTY SEPTIC INFORMATION:
Hennepin County Enviornmental Health
Hennepin County Septic Brochure
Septic Handbook
WELL INFORMATION
The Minnesota Department of Health Well Management Program protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper construction of new wells and borings, and the proper sealing of unused wells and borings. Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water, and one million Minnesotans rely on private wells. Wells and borings used for drinking water, irrigation, industry, groundwater monitoring, heat pumps, hydraulic elevators, and other purposes must be properly constructed, maintained, and sealed (filled with an impervious material) when removed from service, to protect both public health and our invaluable groundwater resources.
The Well Management Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Health.