Septic System
Waste Water & Private Septic Systems
The Environmental Health Program regulates private on-site waste treatment systems, provides new septic system inspections, administers the Time of Transfer (TOT) septic inspection program, and reviews waste treatment plans in accordance with rezoning and subdivision requests in Tama County.
Alternative Systems
Based upon the property in questions a contractor or health officer may recommend or require the placement of an alternative septic system. Depending on the system, homeowners may be responsible for having a maintenance contract that mandates an annual service to their septic system. This inspection item is required by the DNR and monitored by the Tama County Sanitarian.
Septic State & Local Regulations
- Chapter 69 Private Sewage Disposal Systems
- IAC Chapter 567-68: Septic Tank Cleaners (Pumpers)
- Tama County Ordinance 5.5: Water Well Construction and Abandonment
- Tama County Ordinance 5.6: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems
Septic Permit and Approved Contractors
- Application for Septic Permit
- List of Time of Transfer Approved TOT Inspectors
- List of Certified Septic Installers
Approved Soil Analysis Professionals
Contractors must carry the IOWWA CIOWAT certification and provide a copy of their liability insurance to install wastewater septic systems in Tama County.
- Lee Swank
319-339-4166
MMS Consultants
1917 S Gilbert St. Iowa City, IA - Charles Schmidt
319-545-7215
Hart Fredericks
510 State St. Tiffin, IA - Trevor Dickerson
319-855-2837
Ground and Down
1920 Park Ave SE. Cedar Rapids, IA - Jack Hrdlicka
563-419-2275
P.O. Box 262 Decorah, IA 52101
Related Websites
- DNR Private Septic Systems
- DNR Time of Transfer
- EPA: Septic Care
- Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association (IOWWA)
- Iowa DNR's Time of Transfer Inspector List
Downloads & Resources
- DNR Certified Time of Transfer Septic System Inspectors
- Iowa Code 567.69: Private Sewage Disposal Systems
- Rules for inspections, environmental regulations, and other items related to private sewage systems.
- Iowa Code 567.68: Commercial Septic Tank Cleaners
- Rules and standards for commercial cleaning of and waste disposal from private sewage disposal systems
- Iowa Code 641.24: Well Testing, Reconstruction, and Plugging - Grants to Counties
- Rules for administering the grants to counties program
