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California Laws on Above Ground Septic Tanks

Septic systems ensure safe and adequate sewage removal from household and commercial residences. In California, laws concerning septic systems are drafted by the California Environmental Protection Agency and Water Resources Control Board. An above ground septic tank or holding tank is designed to hold waste only until it can be cleared by a licensed sewage pumper. It is only allowed to be installed in areas where underground tanks are not suitable.

  1. California Legislation

    • The Assembly Bill 885 was passed into California law in 2000, in attempts to limit water contamination,. This gave the California Water Resources Control Board the responsibility of devising and maintaining uniform standards for acceptable operation of sewage treatment. Owners were required to arrange an inspection every five years at a cost of $325 to ensure adequate waste management. The legislation was redrafted in 2009 with greater emphasis on more hazardous septic tanks.

    Installation

    • According to legislation, holding tank installation is restricted to certain areas such as commercial sites, parks and other recreational areas. Installation at family residences is allowed only in emergencies or when existing systems are under repair. Holding tanks must be fitted with adequate reserve storage space, a high water alarm and sampling wells to monitor contamination risk. Installation permits are issued along with a schedue for routine pumping.

    Other Requirements

    • Durability is a strict requirement for holding tanks, hence construction material must be corrosion resistant plastic or concrete. Holding tanks must also be watertight and have a minimum storage capacity of 50 gallons. They must be equipped with an overflow and emergency drain that does not have a shutoff valve. Considerations must be made for waste decomposition and expansion by ensuring proper ventilation for air displacement.

    Maintenance

    • The legislation strongly recommends that the septic system is pumped and tanks cleared if levels of waste including scum and sludge surpass 25 percent of the septic tank capacity. This is a preventative move to protect against tank overflowing, which causes an array of problems such as drain clogging, septic odors, backed-up toilets, or standing water accumulation contributing to groundwater pollution.

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