 SEPTIC
PERMITS
Page County Environmental Health is responsible for permitting and inspecting
all on-site waste water treatment systems replaced or repaired within Page
County. We require and conduct percolation tests on all systems. The fee for the
percolation test is $250.00 and the septic permit fee is $150.00.
Prior to construction or re-construction the owner is required
to obtain a permit from the Environmental Health Office. The size of a system is
determined by State Code, Chapter 69, based on factors such as soil types and
the number of bedrooms in the house. In all cases a soil test known as a
percolation test is needed to determine the length of drain field.
Tank size is determined by the number of bedrooms. All systems
must receive prior approval and be inspected before the system is completely
installed and operable. The key to a successful septic system is the analysis
before installation and proper care of the system by the homeowner once the
system is in place.
WELL
PERMITS
All new private water wells, heat pump wells and monitoring wells are permitted
and inspected. Prior to drilling, a site assessment is conducted. Another
inspection is made upon completion of drilling. A well permit is $125.00, the
well permit shall be obtained prior to having the work completed and the well
driller must also be a state certified well driller in order for them to work in
the State of Iowa.
WATER
TESTING
Coliform Bacteria and Nitrates are the most common forms of contamination found
in private water wells. Water tests through the Grants to Counties Program are
FREE, and our staff will take the sample and mail it to a certified lab and you
will get a copy of the results. We also will make recommendations on how you can
correct the problem if your well is contaminated. Our staff makes every effort
to determine the source of contamination for unacceptable test results.
WELL
PLUGGING AND REHABILITATION
Page County administers the Department of Natural Resources water well grant
each year. This grant assists property owners with cost share monies to properly
plug abandoned wells. Property owners are reimbursed the cost of materials up to
$400 per well and $300 per cistern. The Grants to Counties Program also provides
cost share assistance to correct well construction problems that may allow
contaminants to enter the well and the groundwater supply, once rehabilitated,
they will produce good well water again.
REAL
ESTATE TRANSFER INSPECTIONS
Page County’s environmental ordinance requires that all rural property being
transferred must be inspected prior to transfer. All wells are identified,
sampled and inspected, the on-site septic system is inspected for compliance,
and old solid waste dumping sites are identified. The inspection fee is $125.00.
The seller is responsible for having the inspection completed and presenting the
report to the prospective buyer, prior to or during the negotiation of the sale.
There is no requirement to repair or upgrade the well if the sample is
contaminated, but there is a requirement to upgrade the septic system if there
is any illegal discharge or other evidence of non-compliance.
RADON
Page County also offers radon kits that are available year round for a minimal
fee and has other radon reference materials available to the general public.
POOLS
Page County Environmental is also responsible for inspection of municipal
swimming pools in Page and Taylor and motel pools in Clarinda. If you think
there is a lot of chlorine in the pool it’s because it is necessary and required
to protect pool users from transmitting and contacting diseases through the
water. The county sanitarian conducts a comprehensive inspection of all pools in
the contracted areas. Items such as water quality, disinfection, testing,
construction, safety and lifeguard certification are all scrutinized on an
annual basis to provide a safe environment for the public. |
