Septic Systems & Liquid Waste

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Northern Nevada Public Health Environmental Health Services (EHS) division has regulatory authority over sewage and wastewater disposal within Washoe County.  The regulations cover residential on-site sewage disposal systems (septics), sewage and wastewater pumping contractors,  non-sewered toilet operators (portable toilets) and waste water dump stations.  The division also responds to complaints of improper sewage releases that could expose the public to risk.  

Commercial septic systems do not fall under EHS authority by state statute; contact Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Pollution Control for commercial septic permitting.

Development of properties that will be served by a septic system are required to undergo a design process to ensure that effluent discharge will not impact groundwater or create a public exposure risk. 

The first step in the planning process of a new residential septic system is a test trench inspection. During this inspection, EHS staff will look for limiting layers, perform a simple soil profile, and determine if percolation tests of the soil are needed.   A licensed engineer would perform any such required percolation testing. Refer to the Test Trench Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for specifics on what is needed for a test trench permit and how to construct the trench. Once a test trench has been inspected, EHS staff will issue a report outlining ideal septic system type, soil profile, property limitations or concerns. The test trench report will become part of the permanent record for the property.

New septic designs must be permitted along with the Building Permit for the building it will serve. EHS staff review Building Permits alongside all other agencies and will conduct a site visit for every permit application. Refer to the Septic System Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for the minimum requirements for all septic related building permits. Additional items may be required based on site conditions.

EHS also reviews all building permits for property build outs (e.g. additions, garages, barns) on properties served by septic to ensure the existing septic is not impacted and that sufficient space remains for future replacement of the disposal field. Refer to the Septic System Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for the minimum requirements for all building permits for properties served by septic. Additional items may be required based on site conditions.

When a septic system does fail, a similar process is used to permit a replacement disposal field. 

Septic System Resources

• Regulations of Northern Nevada Public Health Board of Health Governing Sewage, Wastewater, and Sanitation
• Septic System Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish)
• Test Trench Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish)
• Nevada Approved Infiltrator Quick4 and Quick5 Chamber Sizing Chart
• Nevada Approved Infiltrator ARC36 Chamber Sizing Chart
• Water & Sanitary Sewer Financial Assistance Program (WC Community Services Department)
• Septic System Plan Review Fees

 

Contact the Program

Latricia Lord, REHS - Septic Systems, Domestic Wells, Public Water Systems
Senior Environmental Health Specialist
llord@nnph.org 
(775) 328-2689

Luke Franklin, REHS - Liquid Waste Haulers
Senior Environmental Health Specialist
lfranklin@nnph.org 
(775) 399-3599

David Kelly, REHS - Parcel Maps, Septic Systems, Domestic Wells, and Public Water Systems
Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor
dakelly@nnph.org 
(775) 846-6623

General email
HealthEHS@nnph.org