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Title
5
"The
purpose of Title 5, 310 CMR 15.000, of the Massachusetts Environmental
Code is to provide for the protection of public health, safety,
welfare and the environment by requiring the proper siting, construction,
upgrade, and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems (septic
systems). ~(Department of Environmental Protection Website Regarding
Title 5)
Learn More About Title 5…
(Please Click the Links Below)
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| Title
5, when does it affect you? |
- When you
are selling your home
- When you
are planning an addition to your home
- When you
are experiencing a problem with your existing sewage system, i.e.
odor, backup, and/or wet areas in your yard
- When your
existing system is a cesspool, drywell or other pre-Title 5 system
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The process
of Title 5 sewage system can be complicated and lengthy. Often the
sale or purchase of your home or building of an addition can be
delayed by this sometimes-overwhelming process.
Stenbeck &
Taylor, Inc. has over 50 years of evaluation, design and permitting
experience. We understand the process thoroughly. Let us put that
knowledge and experience to work for you.
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 The
following briefly outlines the scope of engineering services required
for a Title 5 Septic Plan. Your local Board of Health and the Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) website are additional resources
for further information. If you would like to speak with an engineer
please contact us (781) 834-8591 for a consultation. We welcome
the opportunity to be of service to you.
Scheduling
of Soil and Percolation Tests
The first phase of your project is the soil evaluation and percolation
testing in which needs to be witnessed by the Board of Health agent.
Each town has its own policy and procedure to adhere to with the
coordination of the percolation test date. Generally, a fee paid
in advance is required and usually an application form needs to
be completed, too. Please contact your local Board
of Health for further information. If you need help with
this step of your project, we will be more than happy to assist
you. We will coordinate with your local Board of Health to schedule
a date and time. There are some cases in which the scheduling needs
to be done immediately. Most towns have an outside consultant to
witness tests on a separate fee schedule. Just let us know if your
project requires this type of expediency and we will advise whether
or not there is the option to schedule with a consultant in your
town.
Research
Please provide a copy of your deed along with the signed proposal.
This gives a point of reference to work from. Research is then done
at the Registry of Deeds for any other applicable deeds and surveyed
plot plans.
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Performing Soil and Percolation Test
With an area for the proposed septic determined, soil testing is
required in this location. The soil test consists of digging a minimum
of two (2) holes, approximately 10' - 15' deep, with either a backhoe
or excavator. A soil profile is taken and a percolation test is
performed. The results of these tests dictate the type and size
of the system. The holes are then filled in and roughly graded
over. We are not responsible for returning the grounds to their
original condition. If unsuitable soil conditions are found more
testing may be necessary, resulting in additional billing. These
additional charges will be billed accordingly as they pertain to
your project.
 Field
Work
A survey crew is sent to the property to locate, as necessary, lot
boundaries, structures, roadways, topography, test pits, existing
wells and sewage (on locus and also on abutting properties), wetlands,
and or other relevant information.
Preliminary
Draft
Once field work is completed, the information will be computed and
drafted into a site plan. A suitable location for the Title 5 System
is then determined. The client's preference for the location of
the system can be implemented if options exist and code requirements
can still be met.
Design
The system is then designed to meet the proposed or existing dwelling
water usage. The site plan with the septic system location, topography,
cross-section view of septic components to be used, design calculations,
and soil tests are then incorporated into a "Site Plan Showing
Proposed Sewage System".
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Final Plans
A copy of the final plan will be given to the client for review
and comment. Upon receipt of payment due per proposal, copies of
the plan will be provided for distribution to septic system contractors
for bidding purposes. We will be happy to refer you to reputable
contractors. Copies of the final plan are also submitted to the
local Board of Health for review and approval, along with the Disposal
Works Construction Permit Application and permit fee (fee to be
provided by the client).
 Construction
Phase
Once a contractor has been selected and the permit for installation
of the sewage system obtained from the Board of Health, it is necessary
to have the contractor contact our office to schedule inspections
of the sewage system as it is being constructed. A final as-built
survey of the constructed sewage system is performed before the
system can be covered. In many cases an additional survey for finished
grading over the system must be performed as well. An estimate for
this additional service is provided in your proposal.
As-Built
Plan and Certification
Title 5 Regulations require the Designer to certify that the septic
system was installed in accordance with the approved Septic System
Plan. A "Certificate of Compliance Letter" is then sent
to the Board of Health certifying the installation. An "As-Built
Plan", detailing actual locations, is required before a Certificate
of Compliance will be issued.
It is recommended
that the As-Built Plan be kept handy for future use in uncovering
and pumping the septic tank and any future inspections in later
years.
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Permitting from Local and State Agencies
This additional work adds significant time in obtaining approval
for your project. Stenbeck and Taylor, Inc., should be able to determine
in advance if any of these filings are required. However, some projects
depend on necessary field work to be done before this can be concluded.
Contact us for details.
Permitting from the Board of Health: Variances NOT required
Board of Health approval or approval of the Board of Health Agent
is required when the proposed sewage system meets all of the local
and state regulations. The procedure is as follows:
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Stenbeck
and Taylor, Inc. shall:
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Prepare
the Disposal Works Permit Application
- Submit
the application and required number of prints to the Board of
Health
(permit fee to be paid by client)
- Review the
plan with the Health Agent
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Permitting
from the Board of Health: Variances Required
Board of Health variances are needed when regulations cannot be
met.
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Stenbeck
and Taylor, Inc. shall:
- Prepare and
file request for variances to obtain a public hearing date with
Board of Health
- Notify abutting
property owners of hearing date and variance requests by certified
return receipt mail
- Provide representation
at the Board of Health public hearing, discuss environmental concerns
and explain need for variance(s) at hearing
- Notify the
client of any restrictions the Board of Health may impose
- Obtain copies
of the Board of Health approvals within a few days of the hearing
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Fees associated
with this filing include Board of Health variance filing fee, Disposal
Works Permit (DWP) fee, certified mailing fees (fees to be paid
by client)
Permitting
from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
DEP approval is needed when State regulations cannot be met.
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Stenbeck and Taylor, Inc., shall:
- Prepare and
file an application for approval of variances with the local Board
of Health and DEP
- Once the
local Board of Health has approved the variances, send copies
of the approval to DEP for review and approval
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Fees associated
with this filing include the DEP variance filing fee and certified
mailing fees (fees to be paid by client)
Permitting
from the Conservation Commission
Conservation Commission approval is needed for all work done within
one hundred feet (100') of any wetland areas.
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Stenbeck and Taylor, Inc. shall:
- Prepare
and file a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission
and DEP
- Notify
property owners within 100' of locus regarding hearing date
by certified return receipt mail
- Provide
representation at the Conservation Commission public hearing
- Record
the Commission's approval, the "Order of Conditions",
at the Registry of Deeds
- File
for "Certificate of Compliance" from the Conservation
Commission, upon notification by owner that all conditions
set forth in the
- Order
of Conditions" have been met
- Record
the Commission's approval, the "Certificate of Compliance"
at the Registry of Deeds
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Fees associated
with this filing include Notice of Intent filing fee, certified
mailing fees, and the Registry of Deeds recording fees (fees to
be paid by client)
Permitting from other Agencies
If your project is located in an environmentally sensitive area,
such as the North River Corridor, approval from these agencies will
be required. This only pertains to projects located in these sensitive
areas.
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