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Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal

Florida Department of Health in Monroe County

 

The Onsite Sewage Program has moved to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

NOTE: Effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida's Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks; please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs. If you have questions, please contact OSTDS_Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov.

Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, commonly referred to as septic systems, can be a safe and effective means of wastewater disposal for 30 percent of Florida’s population. The OSTDS program ensures that the OSTDS is properly designed, constructed, and maintained through permitting and inspection and contributes to safe ground water, which provides 90 percent of Florida’s drinking water.  In Monroe County, central sewer is almost universally available, and all locations where sewer is available must be connected.  Septic systems are rare in the Florida Keys now, and the ones that are here are required to be Performance Based Treatment Systems.

The governing authorities for this program and all forms can be found at https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage.

OSTDS Operating Permits 

Operating permits are required for aerobic treatment units (ATU), performance based treatments systems (PBTS), commercial septic systems, and industrial or manufacturing zoned (or equivalent) septic systems.

Downloadable Files: 

Effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida's Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks. Please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs. If you have questions, contact OSTDS_Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov.

Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), commonly referred to as septic systems, are a safe and effective means of wastewater disposal for 30% of Florida’s population.

The OSTDS program ensures that the OSTDS is properly designed, constructed, and maintained through permitting and inspection and contributes to safe ground water, which provides 90% of Florida’s drinking water. 

Bill Pay 

Environmental Health bills and fees can be paid in-person, by mail, or through our online bill pay site.

Location and Contact Information 

Find local contact information at the following FDOH-location-finder

Private Provider Inspections 

Starting July 1, 2022, owners or contractors with owner authorization, have the option to hire a private provider to perform inspections of OSTDS.

DEP has begun implementation of this new law. Visit private provider inspections of OSTDS for more information.

OSTDS Operating Permits 

Only apply to counties that use operating permits.

Operating permits are required for aerobic treatment units (ATU), performance based treatments systems (PBTS), commercial septic systems, and industrial or manufacturing zoned (or equivalent) septic systems.