REGULATIONS GOVERN HOME SEWAGE SYSTEMS

JACKSON -- Moving to a home in the country for many means beautiful scenery, quiet lanes and room to roam.

But for city dwellers, making the move to country homes, brings another, not so romantic, reality. Most homeowners outside of cities operate their own sewage treatment plants.

Howard Courtney, sanitarian with the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said the growth of unincorporated areas of the county has brought with it a host of questions and problems concerning onsite sewage systems.

"Our county population is about 66,000," Courtney said. "And it's predicted to be somewhere over 90,000 by 2002 or 2005. Use of onsite systems will almost double as a lot of those people move into the county."

Already he sees the change as many farms are being broken into subdivisions.

Often new country dwellers have little or no experience with septic systems. They aren't sure what to look at when purchasing an existing home and they aren't sure what to consider when installing a new system.

That's where the health department steps in to help.

Installation and management of sewage systems is governed by Missouri's Department of Natural Resources.

Courtney deals with both property owners and installers to help insure that the laws and regulations are followed.

When installing a new system, property owners need to get an application, which includes a state permit. There is a $90 fee.

A permit is needed if

-- the property is less than three acres.

-- the property of any size contains two or more residences.

-- the property of any size contains a business and a residence.

-- there has been a complaint.

-- the system has failed in the past.

A soil test should be done to accurately determine where the system should be installed on the property, Courtney said.

Installers of sewage systems meet with health department personnel twice a year to discuss problems, solutions and new developments. The most recent meeting was held in December.

Installers can also attend a two-day certification course, which is voluntary.

A list of certified installers is available from the health department.

The department also has a list of those certified to do soil testing.

Sanitarians are also available to help property owners with tricky installation situation.

For information, contact the health department's Jackson office at 243-5233.