Health Department

On-site sewage systems are a large part of the work completed by the Environmental Health Division.

Sewage effluent is a concoction of many things such as pathogenic microorganisms, which are capable of transmitting a variety of diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, etc. and bacteria such as E. coli, leading to illness or even death if untreated. Sewage contains inorganic chemicals, such as solvents and pesticides, which are mutagens and neurological toxicants. These contaminants are illegally discharged from homes, often by means of old field tile connections and/or surface failures, finally making their way to surface and drinking water supplies of Boone County. The goal of the health department is to identify such unlawful conditions and abate the conditions through regulatory enforcement. Water sample results and positive dye tests of homes confirm investigations of possible sewage discharges. Onsite sewage systems installed in Boone County are regulated, permitted and inspected by the health department. Sizing of residential onsite sewage systems is based on the number of bedrooms and bedroom equivalents multiplied by one hundred fifty gallons per day per bedroom and divided by the soil loading rate. The soil loading rate is determined during a site inspection performed by the Registered Soil Scientists. You may view a partial list of local Soil Scientists online. The office also maintains a list of onsite sewage system installers. You may obtain this list by request from the Health Department office or view the list of onsite sewage system installers online.

Please contact the Boone County Health Department if you have any questions regarding on-site sewage systems installation in Boone County.  

Procedures for Obtaining a Residential Onsite Sewage System Permit 

Step 1:  Submit a completed application and soil report to this office. The soil report must contain all necessary soil information as required in 410-IAC 6-8.3. This information can be obtained from tests performed by a soil scientist. A list of soil scientists is available from our office upon request or you may view the list online. 

Step 2:  After the completed application, floor plans, soil report, and application fee are on file, a letter of requirements will be mailed to the person specified on the septic application. 

Step3:  The letter of requirements should then be taken to a certified land surveyor or professional engineer, to have a plot plan drawn. It will be helpful to supply the surveyor/engineer with a copy of your soil report. This plot plan must be certified and signed when it is brought to our office for review and consideration. 

Step 4:  Once the plot plan has been obtained it is ready for review by this department. If a field tile is being utilized as an outlet for a perimeter drain, please keep in mind that a portion of this tile will need to be uncovered for an inspection prior to permit approval. If the outlet for the perimeter drain is not located on your property, an easement will need to be signed and recorded at the Recorders Office prior to permit issuance. If the plot plan meets the minimum requirements a PERMIT may be issued.    

It is highly possible that the plot plan will need revisions and you will be contacted if revisions are necessary. The time of year will determine the time frame for the turn around on permit issuance. Please remember that obtaining permits and building a home cannot be done safely in a few days. Our job is to ensure that you are protected from health risks and to enforce written codes.

The Boone County Health Department reserves the legal authority to reject any site or proposed system that does not meet the requirements of the Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and/or Boone County Ordinance 94-7.

You will be notified when your permits are ready.  We request that you bring the correct amount owed for permits when paying with cash. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.