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The Massachusetts State Environmental Code, Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000) requires that all systems with a design flow greater than 2000 gallons per day be designed by a Massachusetts Registered Professional Engineer.

Although smaller systems are not required by law to be designed by an Engineer, the homeowner should carefully consider the wisdom of entrusting the design of a septic system that is likely to cost thousands to anyone other than an experienced, properly licensed Engineer. With over 1000 septic systems designed and over 60 years experience between father and son, Sieruta engineering prides itself with having the experience and knowledge to take on any septic design project

Soil testing is the first step in designing a new septic system — it determines how large the system must be and how deep in the ground the system can be placed. State regulations require that soil testing be performed by a licensed Soil Evaluator and that the testing be witnessed by an agent for the local Board of Health.

Sieruta Engineering will arrange for an excavating company to provide a backhoe to excavate deep test holes for soil evaluations (usually 10 to 12 feet deep) and scratch holes for percolation tests.

Deep test holes are used to determine the class of soil and establish the high groundwater elevation. Percolation tests are used to estimate the permeability of the soil.

For a Repair or Upgrade (where the new system will have the same or smaller capacity than the existing system), testing usually only needs to be performed in the area where the new leaching field will be constructed.

For New Construction (for a new house or for a system with an increased capacity), testing must also be performed in the required Reserve Leaching Area which will be reserved for possible use in the event of a future system failure.

After soil testing, Sieruta Engineering will perform a Topographical Survey of the property to locate significant site features such as buildings, driveways, fences, utilities, wells, trees, wetlands, test holes, etc. as well as obtain elevations in the area where the new system will be built. From this information we can generate and existing conditions plan.

Using the data obtained during soil testing and the topographical survey, Sieruta Engineering will design a new septic system and prepare the Proposed Septic System Plan.

The system design will be carefully tailored to the specific situation, taking into consideration the required capacity and site conditions while minimizing costs and disruption to the existing landscaping. The required capacity of the system will be based upon the number of bedrooms in the house.

The size of the system will be based upon the required capacity, the type and permeability of the soil and whether a garbage grinder is installed. The height or depth of the leaching system will depend upon the depth of groundwater at the leaching system.

Sieruta Engineering will submit the Proposed Septic System Plan to the Board of Health for review.

Administrative approval by Health Department staff can take up to 45 days. More time may be required if variances to Title 5 or local regulations are needed for the new design and the plan requires approval at a Board of Health meeting, or if there are wetlands nearby and Conservation Commission approval is required. Sieruta Engineering can attend all city/town meetings per the request of the client/owner

When the plan has been approved by the Board of Health, a Construction Permit will be issued to the homeowner.

In order to construct the system, the homeowner must hire a Licensed Septic System Installer.

Sieruta Engineering will supply several copies of the final plan to send to the local installers for prices. We usually recommend that the client gets at least 3 bids. We have a list of recommended installers in the area, all of which come highly recommended. The homeowner may then select an installer and enter into a contract for construction.

Construction may begin as soon as the Construction Permit has been issued, as well as any other necessary permits (such as an Order of Conditions for work near a wetland).

During construction, the Board of Health will usually be on site several times to conduct their inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.

After construction of the septic system has been substantially completed, and before it has been backfilled, Sieruta Engineering will measure the locations and elevations of the septic system components in order to prepare an As-Built Plan.

The As-Built Plan will show the actual location of the completed system, allowing the manholes and inspection ports to be easily located for future maintenance and inspections.  A series of measurements and elevations will be recorded and shown on the final copy of the As-Built Plan set. Final Copies of the As-Built Plan will be provided to the homeowner and to the Board of Health.

If everything is satisfactory, the Board of Health and the Designer will then issue a Certificate of Compliance to the homeowner.