Septic Systems and Wells

The Health Department enforces the 310 CMR 15.00 of the state Environmental Code Title V: Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage. Originally adopted in 1978, title V was completely rewritten and revised in 1995. The new regulations took effect on March 31, 1995, with the exception of the soil evaluation provisions which were implemented on January 1, 1996.

The role of the Board of Health in enforcing the Title V regulations is to:

• Review preliminary and definitive subdivision plans, as well as plans for individual septic systems, to ensure appropriate citing and designs.
• Witness and record the results of deep hole observation and percolation tests
• Consider and act upon applications for permits to install, modify and repair septic systems with design flows of less than 10,000 gallons per day.
• Inspect septic systems installations, repairs and upgrades to determine their compliance with Title V of the State Environmental Code.
• Ensure proper septic system construction and appropriate handling of septage by considering and acting upon annually renewable permits for disposal works installers and septage transporters.
• Order corrective measures and take necessary enforcement actions when Title V violations are found.

Copies of the Title V Code can be purchased from the Health Department, Room 210, City Hall for $9.65.

Local Regulations:

In Addition to the Title V code, Massachusetts General Laws, c..111, section 31 authorizes local Boards of Health to adopt septic system regulations equal to or more stringent than the State Codes. The following are local regulations pertaining to septic systems that the Haverhill Board of Health has adopted. A copy of these regulations can be obtained through the Haverhill Health Department.

• Licensing of Septic Installers, dated 2/3/87
• Dye Testing Fee, dated 1/24/89
• Waste Haulers Regulation, dated 4/26/89
• Septic Systems for Condos/Duplex Housing, dated 4/24/90
• Distance Regulations Title V, dated 11/24/87
• Submission of Definitive Subdivision plans, dated 1/16/96
• Percolation and Deep Hole Regulation, dated 5/27/2014

Fees Associated with Septic Systems:

• $150 per percolation test (2 percs and 2 deep holes) additional test are $100.
• $225 Design review & construction permit (upgrade)
• $350 Design review & construction permit (new)

Variances:

Except where variances are specifically prohibited (310 CMR 14.41) and for schools, the Board of Health may vary the provisions of the 1995 Code when enforcement would be manifestly unjust and the applicant can prove that the proposed system design achieves the same degree of environmental protection as the 1995 code. A description of the variance procedure can be found in 310 CMR 15.410-15.422

Hauled Waste Discharge

Septic System Management for Homeowners

If you are not connected to the City sanitary sewer collection, your home is probably connected to a septic system. A septic system is a decentralized wastewater treatment facility that biologically treats the wastewater from the home connected to it. It is important to maintain septic systems to avoid blockages, overflowing, and other possible damages to the leach field.

Hauled Waste Discharge for Haulers

Domestic septage can be discharged at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant at 40 South Porter Street. Only domestic septage may be discharged at the facility.  Industrial waste and commercial waste may be discharged at the facility on a case by case basis.

What Is Domestic Septage?

Domestic septage is either liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, portable toilet, or a similar treatment that receives only domestic sewage. Domestic septage does not include liquid or solid material received from commercial or industrial wastewater. It also does not include grease removed from a grease trap or interceptor.

Non-domestic septage may be accepted if prior approval has been authorized by the Deputy DPW Director. It is required to request approval in advance.

Permit Requirement

All haulers must obtain a Hauled Waste Discharge Permit prior to discharging septage at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant. Permits are issued to haulers that meet the following requirements:

1. Completed Hauled Waste Discharge Permit Application Form
2. Provided vehicle registrations of all vehicles
3. Obtained permit with the Haverhill Board of Health Department
4. For Domestic Trailers, a completed Domestic Trailers Waste Application Form

Haulers must have a satisfactory record of compliance with all conditions and requirements to receive a permit renewal. Haulers must purchase hauled waste discharge manifests prior to discharging at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant. Any hauler that discharges at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant without leaving a hauled waste discharge manifest could result in immediate revocation of the haulers' disposal privileges. 

Violation of any of these permit conditions can result in the suspension or revocation of the permittee's disposal privileges.     

Manifests

Haulers must complete and return a City of Haverhill Hauled Waste Discharge Manifest for each source of waste on a truck load. Manifest forms are available at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Prohibited Sources

The following are all sources that are prohibited from hauled waste discharge at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant:

1. Grease traps and/or interceptors
2. Commercial and industrial waste (exceptions for approvals)
3. Hauled waste is only accepted from the following communities (exceptions to discharge hauled waste outside of the following communities may be approved by Haverhill’s Deputy DPW Director.

Hauled Waste Discharge Fees
Septage truck fees are based on truck capacity.  Hauled waste discharge fees are as follows:

Receiving Procedures

Hauled waste is only received at the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant at 40 South Porter Street. Hauled waste can be received during our regular business hours, excluding City recognized holidays. 

All haulers must take a sample of the waste from every truck load and test the pH prior to discharging.  Click here for the Hauled Waste Haulers Sample and pH Standard Operating Procedures.  Hauled waste discharge manifests must be completely filled out and left in the mailbox in the hauled waste sample area.  Click here for directions on completing a hauled waste manifest.

Hauled waste cannot be discharged without prior official City authorization.