Onsite Wastewater System Resources

Onsite Wastewater System Resources

Resources

Onsite Wastewater Systems Regulations

The Alameda County OWS Regulations and Amendments (effective January 15, 2009) were developed under the authority of the Alameda County General Ordinance Code, Chapter 15.18.040.B. The Regulations are designed to provide for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal of sewage. The County Regulations provide minimum standards for the construction and operation of OWS’s, to safely treat and dispose of sewage in order to prevent environmental degradation including pollution of surface water and groundwater and to protect public health, safety and welfare to the greatest extent possible. The County Regulations are not intended to replace requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board or other local agencies such as the Zone 7 Water Agency, which must also be met.

The Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (State OWTS Policy) was adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on June 19, 2012, and became effective on May 13, 2013. The Policy recognizes that local agencies can provide the most effective means to manage OWTS’s on a routine basis. Therefore as an important element, it is the intent of the Policy to utilize and improve upon necessary existing local programs through coordination with State and Local Agencies.

Regulatory Documents

ACEHD Documents

June 2018 LAMP Documents for Public Review

Other Agency Documents

OWS Design Professionals and Contractors List

A list of local OWTS Design Professionals & Contractors is accessible through the link above. This list does not represent an endorsement of any particular professional by ACEHD. Careful selection of the licensed professional, and clear communication in the beginning, is the foundation of a successful project.

State Regulations Governing OWTS Design Professionals

Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS), Registered Geologists, and Registered Civil Engineers are authorized by the State of California and Alameda County OWS Regulations to design OWS’s. If your project requires the design of any fixed works for drainage, water supply, purification of water, grading; geotechnical evaluation for slope stability; and/or land surveying in connection with your OWS design, these activities must be performed under direction of a Licensed Civil Engineer and/or Licensed Land Surveyor. State Regulations Governing these professionals are provided below.

  • California Health & Safety Code, Article 1: Registered Environmental Health Specialists (§§ 106600 – 106735)
  • Geologists & Geophysicist Act, Business & Professions Code (§§ 7800 – 7887)
  • Regulations Relating to the Practices of Geology and Geophysics, California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 29 (§§ 3000 – 3067)
  • Professional Engineers Act, Business and Professions Code (§§ 6700 – 6799)
  • Professional Land Surveyors’ Act, Business and Professions Code (§§ 8700 – 8805)
  • Board Rules and Regulations Relating to the Practices of Professional Engineering and Professional Land Surveying, California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 5 (§§ 400 – 476)

Homeowner Guides and Fact Sheets

ACEHD OWTS Program recommends that homeowners review the following guidelines to gain more knowledge before selecting a professional for their project.