Malfunctioning or improperly functioning sewage disposal systems, regardless of type, can pose a serious threat to public health and the environment.
The purpose of the DEP sewage facilities program is to implement the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Act 537, in order to help address existing sewage disposal needs and to help prevent future problems through the proper planning, permitting, and design of all types of sewage facilities.
The onlot sewage facility portion of the program is largely administered on the local government level by individual municipalities or groups of municipalities working together (including County Health Departments), which are known as local agencies and joint local agencies, respectively. Local agencies receive technical oversight and financial assistance from DEP.
- DEP Regulations, Title 25, Chapter 73
"Standards for Onlot Sewage Treatment Facilities" - Impact of the Use of Subsurface Disposal Systems on Groundwater Nitrate Nitrogen Levels (PDF)
(362-2207-004)
Used by DEP to establish a consistent rationale and policy application for evaluating onlot sewage disposal's impact on groundwater nitrate contamination. - Onlot Alternative Technology Listings
- NSF/ANSI 40 Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems
Used by the local agency in determining if an aerobic treatment unit is in conformance with the Department Standards as per Title 25, Chapter 73.32. Note, this list includes all onlot treatment units that are NSF/ANSI 40 certified including treatment units that are not aerobic. - Alternate On-lot Sewage Pretreatment Technology Verification Policy (PDF)
(385-2208-003)
Used by DEP to evaluate new concepts or technologies applicable to on-lot sewage systems and components that have been classified as on-lot alternate technologies for use in Pennsylvania. - " Working with Nature, New Wastewater Technologies for Pennsylvania - Phase 1 Report" (PDF)
- Innovative Wastewater Technologies (PDF)
A text and pictorial presentation documenting Phase I of a project designed to identify new wastewater technologies for Pennsylvania. - " Working with Nature, New Wastewater Technologies for Pennsylvania - Phase 2 Report" (PDF)
- PENNVEST Homeowner Loans
Low interest loans are available from Pennvest for the repair and replacement of malfunctioning onlot sewage disposal systems. - Dye Testing Procedures (for on-lot systems) (PDF)
- Onlot Sewage Treatment System Fact Sheets
Onlot Sewage System Training Program
- Training Provider Manual for the Pennsylvania Onlot Sewage System Training Program
(385-2314-001)
This document establishes procedures for reviewing and approving third-party provider-based training courses for continuing education of sewage enforcement officers and for training of onlot sewage system installers. - Onlot Sewage System Training Program Official Forms
Official forms associated with the Training Provider Manual for the Pennsylvania Onlot Sewage System Training Program.