Protecting public health and the environment through a comprehensive onsite sewage program

In Florida, 31% of the population is served by estimated 2.3 million onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). These systems discharge over 426 million gallons of treated effluent per day into the subsurface soil environment. The Department of Health, Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs and the county environmental health units through Chapter 381, Florida Statutes and Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code, regulates the use of OSTDS in Florida.

See our online information brochure “Septic Tank Systems.”  For copies of the brochure or educational videos please contact the Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs.

The department shares jurisdiction with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in regard to wastewater treatment and disposal.  An interagency agreement details coordination between the agencies.  DEP has developed a Dredge and Fill Pamphlet to assist applicants seeking a permit for dredge and fill for onsite systems in jurisdictional areas.

The department licenses septic tank contractors and provides a hands-on training center to provide basic and continuing education courses to department staff and licensed contractors.

EPA’s Office of Water announces a new and improved website that provides information on septic systems to homeowners, state and local governments, and industry professionals. EPA's new website provides guidance, technical information, management guidelines, and a wide variety of other information to help citizens manage their septic systems and to help state and local officials strengthen their regulation and management of these potential sources of water pollution.  This new site is part of EPA's ongoing effort to improve its website and to provide "one-stop" shopping on topics that are of interest to the general public: www.epa.gov/owm/septic.