Can I Install My Own Septic System in PA?

A properly installed septic system is crucial for managing household wastewater, especially in rural areas. Many homeowners wonder, can I install my own septic system in PA? While DIY installation may seem like a cost-saving option, Pennsylvania has strict laws and regulations governing septic system installation. Understanding these requirements can help you avoid costly fines and ensure your system functions efficiently.

Table of Content

• Understanding Pennsylvania’s Septic System Regulations
• DIY Septic System Installation: What’s Allowed?
• Steps to Install a Septic System in Pennsylvania
• Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Professional Installation
• Inspections and Final Approval
• Common Mistakes in DIY Septic Installation
• Septic Permit Links by State
• Septic Permit Forms By State

Understanding Pennsylvania’s Septic System Regulations

In Pennsylvania, septic system regulations fall under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local authorities. The Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) mandates that all septic systems meet environmental and health standards. Key requirements include:

• Obtaining a permit before installation.
• Conducting a soil percolation test to determine drainage capability.
• Meeting system design standards based on property size and soil conditions.
• Following installation inspections by a local Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO).

Failing to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines and system failure, leading to groundwater contamination.

DIY Septic System Installation: What’s Allowed?

In Pennsylvania, homeowners can install their own septic system, but strict conditions apply:

• You must secure a septic permit from your local municipality.
• A certified SEO must approve the site and soil tests.
• Your installation must meet state and local construction standards.
• The completed system must pass an inspection before use.

Although DIY installation is possible, Pennsylvania’s strict regulations make professional installation the preferred choice for most homeowners.

Steps to Install a Septic System in Pennsylvania

1. Site Evaluation & Permitting

Before installing a septic system, you must request a site evaluation by a local SEO. This includes:

• A percolation (perc) test to assess soil drainage.
• Evaluation of the property’s slope and water table.
• Determining system type based on soil absorption rates.
• Submitting plans for permit approval.

Without passing these evaluations, a septic permit will not be issued.

2. Choosing the Right Septic System

Several septic systems are available, and the best choice depends on your property’s soil conditions:

• Conventional septic tanks with drain fields.
• Mound systems for properties with poor soil absorption.
• Aerobic treatment units (ATUs) for high water table areas.
• Drip irrigation systems for properties with limited space.

Your local SEO can help determine which system is suitable for your property.

3. Excavation and Installation Process

Once you have a permit, the installation process includes:

1. Excavation – Digging the area for the septic tank and drain field.
2. Tank Installation – Placing the septic tank at the correct depth.
3. Drain Field Setup – Laying perforated pipes in a gravel or sand-filled trench.
4. Connection and Testing – Ensuring all pipes connect properly and conducting an initial system test.
5. Final Inspection – The SEO must inspect and approve the installation before the system can be used.

Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Professional Installation

DIY Septic System Costs

A DIY septic system installation can save money on labor, but it still requires a significant investment:

• Soil Testing & Permits: $500 – $1,500
• Septic Tank: $1,000 – $3,000
• Drain Field Materials: $2,000 – $5,000
• Excavation Equipment Rental: $1,000 – $3,000
• Inspection & Approval Fees: $300 – $1,000

Total DIY Cost: $4,800 – $13,500

Professional Installation Costs

Hiring a licensed septic installer may cost more but ensures compliance:

• Installation & Labor: $4,000 – $10,000
• Total Cost (Including Materials & Permits): $10,000 – $25,000

Though a DIY installation seems cost-effective, errors in design or installation can lead to expensive repairs or complete system failure.

Inspections and Final Approval

Pennsylvania law requires a final inspection before the septic system is approved for use. The local SEO will check:

• Proper system placement and depth.
• Correct drain field installation.
• Compliance with environmental regulations.

If your system fails inspection, you may need costly modifications or risk penalties for non-compliance.

Common Mistakes in DIY Septic Installation

Installing a septic system yourself comes with risks, including:

• Poor site selection leading to slow drainage or flooding.
• Improper tank sizing that causes backups.
• Incorrect drain field design that results in system failure.
• Ignoring setback requirements, leading to legal issues.

To avoid these problems, consult an SEO or hire a professional for complex installations.

Conclusion

So, can you install your own septic system in PA? Yes, but it’s a challenging process that requires permits, inspections, and strict adherence to regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly repairs and fines. If you’re not confident in handling the process, hiring a professional ensures compliance and long-term efficiency.

Septic Permit Links by State

Alabama Septic Tank Permit	https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/onsite/forms.html
Alaska Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/engineering/homeowners
Arizona Septic Tank Permit	https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/engineering/oss.html#where
Arkansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/pdfs/subsurface-septic-tank-app.pdf
California Septic Tank Permit	https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/septics/permits.html
Colorado Septic Tank Permit	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/OWTS
Connecticut Septic Tank Permit	https://portal.ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/environmental-engineering/environmental-engineering—-subsurface-sewage#:~:text=Septic%20systems%20on%20sites%20with,CT%20Department%20of%20Public%20Health.
Delaware Septic Tank Permit	https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Water/Septics/forms/septic-system-permit-application.pdf
Florida Septic Tank Permit	https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting
Georgia Septic Tank Permit	https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage
Hawaii Septic Tank Permit	https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/epermit/app/#/formversion/a7e3ebf0-6183-4cbb-bc89-e5de66e5f619
Idaho Septic Tank Permit	https://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/wastewater/septic-and-septage/
Illinois Septic Tank Permit	https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/water-forms/wastewater-permits.html
Indiana Septic Tank Permit	https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/
Iowa Septic Tank Permit	https://iowacounty.iowa.gov/environmental_health/septic_systems/
Kansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8966/Septic-Tanks-PDF
Kentucky Septic Tank Permit	https://www.lfchd.org/onsite-sewage-septic-tank-program/
Louisiana Septic Tank Permit	https://ldh.la.gov/news/2088
Maine Septic Tank Permit	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/plumb/forms.htm
Maryland Septic Tank Permit	https://septicapplication.mde.state.md.us/Public/StatewideSepticApplication
Massachusetts Septic Tank Permit	https://www.mass.gov/lists/title-5-septic-system-forms
Michigan Septic Tank Permit	https://www.dhd10.org/homeowners/apply-for-a-new-wellseptic/
Minnesota Septic Tank Permit	https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning/onsite-wastewater/apply-for-a-septic-permit
Mississippi Septic Tank Permit	https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,78.html
Missouri Septic Tank Permit	https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/permitappforms.php
Montana Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.mt.gov/twr/assistance
Nebraska Septic Tank Permit	https://onestop.nebraska.gov/onsite-wastewater-septic-permit
Nevada Septic Tank Permit	https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/ISDS/dta/Permits/Individual_Sewage_Disposal_Systems_-_Permits/
New Hampshire Septic Tank Permit	https://onlineforms.nh.gov/app/#/formversion/e5058738-ce6b-4bab-b5f3-25dc1c33091d
New Jersey Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.nj.gov/dwq/wastewater/septic-systems/professional-information/
New Mexico Septic Tank Permit	https://www.env.nm.gov/septic/apply-for-a-permit/
New York Septic Tank Permit	https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/septic_systems.htm
North Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.carteretcountync.gov/207/Septic-System-Permits
North Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.nd.gov/WQ/2_NDPDES_Permits/6_SepticPumper/sp.aspx
Ohio Septic Tank Permit	https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/sewage-treatment-systems/forms
Oklahoma Septic Tank Permit	https://applications.deq.ok.gov/sewagepermit/
Oregon Septic Tank Permit	https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/Onsite-Resources.aspx
Pennsylvania Septic Tank Permit	https://www.pa.gov/services/dcnr/request-water-and-septic-installation-and-modifications-to-your-state-forest-leased-campsite.html
Rhode Island Septic Tank Permit – Cesspool	https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/permitting/septic-onsite-wastewater-treatment-owts
South Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.aikencountysc.gov/DspOfc?qOfcID=SCDESS
South Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Livestock/FeedlotPermit/Septic/default.aspx
Tennessee Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tn.gov/environment/permit-permits/water-permits1/septic-systems-permits/ssp/permit-water-septic-system-related-permits.html
Texas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf/ossfpermits.html
Utah Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/application-forms-for-onsite-professionals-onsite-wastewater-program
Vermont Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.vermont.gov/water/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water-supply-program/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water
Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector/
Washington Septic Tank Permit	https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/forms-publications
West Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/permit/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin Septic Tank Permit	https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/POWTS/Default.aspx
Wyoming Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-wastewater/permitting/small-wastewater-systems/

Septic Permit Forms By State

Alabama septic permit form	https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/onsite/forms.html
Alaska septic system application form	https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development-services/wells-septic/pages/forms.aspx
Arizona septic installation permit form	https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/engineering/not.html
Arkansas septic tank permit form	https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/EHP-6-Shot-Sheet.pdf
California septic system application form	https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/publications_forms/forms/docs/form200.pdf
Colorado OWTS permit form	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/water-quality-biosolids-permits
Connecticut septic permit application form	https://portal.ct.gov/deep/municipal-wastewater/permit-application-for-wastewater-discharges-from-domestic-sewage-treatment-works
Delaware septic system permit form	https://cdn.stage.expertly.cloud/Link+to+Existing+Water+License+Instructions+v3.pdf
Florida septic tank permit form	https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-forms-and-publications
Georgia septic tank permit form	https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage
Hawaii cesspool permit form	https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/iws/
Idaho septic permit form	https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/admin/LEIA/index.html?view=folder&id=3045
Illinois private sewage permit form	https://cookcountypublichealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WS-Eval-Request-v4.1.pdf
Indiana septic system permit form	https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/
Iowa septic installation permit form	https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/water-quality/wastewater-construction/sewage-sludge-disposal
Kansas wastewater permit form	https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/632/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Permitting-For
Kentucky septic system permit form	https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/PermitCert/KPDES/Pages/default.aspx
Louisiana septic tank permit form	https://ldh.la.gov/news/2088
Maine subsurface wastewater permit form	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/plumb/forms/hhe200-pg1-08-2011-fillable-online.pdf
Maryland septic system permit form	https://mes-mde.mde.state.md.us/WastewaterPermitPortal/
Massachusetts Title 5 septic permit form	https://www.mass.gov/lists/title-5-septic-system-forms
Michigan septic permit form	https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/joint-permit-application
Minnesota septic system permit form	https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/wastewater-permit-forms
Mississippi septic tank permit form	https://www.misscohealth.com/sewage.php
Missouri septic tank permit form	https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/permitprocess.html
Montana septic permit form	https://deq.mt.gov/twr/assistance
Nebraska septic system permit form	https://dee.nebraska.gov/water/wastewater/onsite-wastewater-program/registration-requirements
Nevada septic system permit form	https://ndep.nv.gov/water/water-pollution-control/permitting/individual-permits-npdes-state-permits
New Hampshire septic approval form	https://onlineforms.nh.gov/Home/d59c2b65-8cfd-4b02-a46e-155a22c7fa94
New Jersey septic system permit form	https://dep.nj.gov/dwq/permitting_information/permits_application_forms_and_checklists/
New Mexico liquid waste permit form	https://www.env.nm.gov/forms/
New York septic system approval form	https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/wastewater-stormwater-water-withdrawal/spdes-permit-program/application-procedures-forms
North Carolina septic permit form	https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/septic-application-forms
North Dakota septic system permit form	https://deq.nd.gov/Forms/WQ/2_NDPDES/SFN4869_SepticApp.pdf
Ohio sewage treatment system permit form	https://www.wayne-health.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Septic%20Permit%20to%20install%20fillable%20form.pdf
Oklahoma septic permit form	https://www.deq.ok.gov/environmental-complaints-division/on-site-sewage/on-site-sewage-treatment/
Oregon septic system permit form	https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/residentialseptic.aspx
Pennsylvania septic permit form	https://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Advisory%20Committees/AdvCommPortalFiles/SAC/10-26-22/06_-_3850-FM-BCW0290_APPLICATION_FOR_AN_ON-LOT_SEWAGE_SYSTEM_PERMIT.pdf
Rhode Island OWTS permit form	https://dem.ri.gov/online-services/applications-forms
South Carolina septic permit form	https://des.sc.gov/permits-regulations/septic-tanks/permits-licenses/septic-tanks-residential-single-home-builder
South Dakota septic system permit form	https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Livestock/FeedlotPermit/docs/checksheet.pdf
Tennessee septic system permit form	https://www.tn.gov/environment/permit-permits/water-permits1/septic-systems-permits/ssp/wr-sds-online-application-for-ground-water-protection-services.html
Texas OSSF permit form	https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf
Utah septic permit form	https://health.utahcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2021/05/Onsite-wastewater-application-updated-04-2021.pdf
Vermont wastewater permit form	https://anronline.vermont.gov/Home/83836795-4a4f-4915-bf44-2be0f8efd76e
Virginia septic permit form	https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/2025/02/Septic-and-Well-Application-11-11-24-1.pdf
Washington septic system permit form	https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/337-075.pdf
West Virginia septic permit form	https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/permit/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin POWTS permit form	https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Programs/POWTS/POWTSLicenseRenewalInformation.pdf
Wyoming septic permit form	https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-wastewater/permitting/small-wastewater-systems/