THE BASICS
Community wastewater management and adequate sewer systems play important roles in sanitation and disease prevention. Wastewater can contaminate the local environment and drinking water supply, thereby increasing the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, to improve health, it is vital to develop a system to manage community wastewater and sewage. In many countries, proper wastewater management is not practiced due to lack of resources, infrastructure, available technology, and space.
Our Environmentalist plays an important role to establish operation and maintenance standards and to promote the effective management and installation of wastewater treatment systems for the life of the systems. By inspecting wastewater systems within our county for proper installation, we can ensure the level of treatment necessary to adequately protect public health and surface and groundwater quality.
An inspection and permit are required from Pike County Health Department for those installing a septic system on less than 3 acres. It is important to know there are many different types of wastewater systems that are designed to fit the needs of your specific soil type and more. Our Environmentalist can help guide you through this process to ensure you are installing the proper system for your property.
For more information contact our Environmental Specialist, Stefanie Davis at 573-324-2111 ext. 113
Missouri Laws
Missouri's onsite disposal systems are regulated to ensure public health and environmental safety. The state has established minimum construction requirements for these systems, which include requirements for design, installation, operation, and maintenance. The Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) oversees the implementation of these standards and provides guidance on the proper functioning of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS).
Soil Evaluators
One crucial step you can’t afford to overlook when installing an onsite system: a geotechnical survey. This type of soil test evaluates the physical properties of the ground, including its strength, stability, and drainage. Installing the correct type of system protects public health and helps maximize the longevity of the onsite system. The button below will direct you to a list of Professional Soil Evaluators that you can contact for more information.
Complaint Form
Please use this form to alert our Environmental Specialist of potential sewage/septic hazards. Household wastewater is loaded with disease-causing bacteria and viruses, as well as high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. It is important to the health of the community to ensure area residents have a properly functioning septic system as it helps remove these pollutants so well water and nearby surface water doesn’t get contaminated.