Health Department - Environmental Health Programs
Small Wastewater Program
Septic Systems
Our mission in the Small Wastewater Program is to protect the waters of Laramie County and the health of the public. We complete our mission through inspections, education and consultations on small wastewater systems.
All small wastewater systems (residential and commercial) must be permitted prior to installation, repair or modification.
The Division of Environmental Health is charged with permitting all small wastewater systems generating less than 2000 gallons of domestic waste per day. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Division permits larger wastewater systems and waste that is not considered domestic.
View the regulations (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Septic System?
A septic system is a method of disposing household wastewater in areas where public sewers are not available. The standard type of septic system involves a septic tank (to hold wastewater from toilets and drainpipes until solids settle out in the tank), and a system of pipes that distribute the remaining liquid waste underground over a large area --the leach field-- where the wastewater "percolates" through the soil, which helps to clean the water. The goal is to make sure that this filtration though the soil is sufficient to clean the wastewater before it reaches drinking water well sources or surface waters.
What should I do if I need a septic system?
Contact the Environmental Health Division for a permit. We can refer you to contractors who do soil tests according to current regulations. Upon receiving the soil tests from your contractor, you submit that information with an application. We will then do an inspection of your site to insure the system can be constructed in compliance with state and county regulations and that soil and groundwater conditions are satisfactory for a septic system. Once your septic system has been constructed by a licensed septic system contractor, we will perform an inspection to insure that the contractor constructed the system to meet permit conditions and current regulations.
What should I do if my septic system is failing?
Contact the Environmental Health Division of the department. We will consult with you on the causes for failure and advise you on how the failure can be remedied. We can also advise you on contractors who are licensed to perform repairs. A repair permit is required before beginning any system upgrade.
Is a septic system permit required and what does it cost?
County regulations require that a permit be issued by the department prior to constructing or making repairs to a septic system. There is no cost for a permit to construct repair or modify a system. An inspection fee of $200.00 is required at the time an application is submitted to our office.
How often should my septic tank be pumped?
Regulations require that septic tanks be pumped by a licensed pumper every 3 to 4 years. An average of every 3 years is recommended for most families.
Why is it necessary to have my septic tank pumped?
The cost of a septic system is a major investment. To protect that investment and prolong the life of your system, it is necessary to have the septic tank pumped out every 3 to 4 years. Since all solids in your household wastewater settle out in the tank, it's important to have the tank pumped to avoid having sludge block the pipes that allows the liquids to move on to the leach field for filtration. Failure to routinely pump the septic tank may result in the clogging of your leach field and cause a premature malfunction of the system.
More Resources:
Wyoming DEQ
EPA On-Site Septic Information
National Small Flows Clearinghouse |
