Septic
Sewage Treatment System Standards
Chisago County has adopted Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Standards Chapter 7080, and Chisago County Subsurface Sewage Treatment Ordinance 10-1 (PDF). For a homeowner’s septic system care guide, please call 651-213-8370.
SEE LINK TO THE LEFT FOR POINT OF SALE SEPTIC INSPECTION PROCEDURE
System Requirements
A perc test, specific design proposal, and septic permit are required for the installation, repair, alteration or addition to a septic system. NOTE: Applications are in triplicate and not available on line. Please call our office if you would like an application mailed to you. Payment cannot be made over the phone.
A septic tank must be 10 feet and a drain-field must be 20 feet from an occupied building. Septic systems must be located a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines, including road right of way.
For questions regarding septic systems and designs, contact Troy Davidsavor at 651-213-8370.
Inspection Requirements for NEW System Installations
(SEE POINT OF SALE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING SYSTEM INSPECTIONS links on left of page) Septic inspections require a 24 hour notice, although cannot be guaranteed during the busy season. Inspections are not to be scheduled with inspectors or in the field. Their inspection schedule is set up and maintained at the office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Please call Patty Perreault at 651-213-8370 to schedule inspections. You will always need the name, site address and permit number when calling to schedule. You may leave a request for an inspection on voice mail as long as you have complete information, but it will not be considered confirmed until you speak directly with a staff person.
Contractors
Note: Chisago County does not endorse or recommend contractors, has compiled a list of private individuals who are currently licensed through the state and have provided us with those licenses - Licensed Contractors in Minnesota (PDF). Any licensed designer, installer or maintainer may be used - and home owners are allowed to install their own system.
LINKS
- Application for Septic Certification (Point of Sale Inspection) (PDF)
- Application for WINTER Septic Certification (PDF)
- Link to PCA Area Septic Designers, Installers, and Maintainers (Pumpers) with Current State Licenses
- List of Septic Service Providers (PDF)
WELLS
Chisago County does not have any standards or regulations governing or controlling the suitability or acceptability of well water, or the design, installation, or maintenance of water supply systems (wells).
The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Well Management Program protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper construction of new wells and borings, and the proper sealing of unused wells and borings. MDH Wells Page.
Neither the County nor the Minnesota Department of Health perform well water testing.
Is the water from the well required to be tested at the time of property transfer? The State of Minnesota does not require testing private well water at the time of property transfer. However, many lending institutions may require testing, typically for coliform bacteria and nitrate, as a condition for approving a loan for the purchase of the property.
Drinking water should be tested by a laboratory certified by MDH to perform the requested test(s). The laboratory will supply sample bottles, sampling instructions, and analysis costs. Water testing laboratories can also be located by looking in the yellow pages under "Laboratories, testing."
This list was compiled using the search feature of the above link to MDH certified labs in surrounding counties of Anoka, Isanti, Washington, and Hennepin:
(No labs were found in Chisago, Pine, or Kanabec)
| EPA ID | LAB NAME | CITY | PHONE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MN01013 | Techtron Engineering, Inc. | Anoka | 763-712-9502 |
| MN00059 | Interpoll Laboratories, Inc. | Circle Pines | 763-786-6020 |
| MN01003 | Minneapolis Water Department | Fridley | 612-661-4923 |
| MN00076 | Instrumental Research, Inc | Fridley | 763-571-3698 |
| MN00911 | Tri-City/William Lloyd Analytical Lab | Bloomington | 952-563-4904 |
| MN01019 | City of Eden Prairie Utilities Laboratory | Eden Prairie | 952-949-8530 |
| MN00905 | Twin City Water Clinic, Inc. | Hopkins | 952-935-3556 |
| MN00064 | Pace Analytical Services, LLC | Minneapolis | 612-607-1700 |
| MN01034 | Engel Water Testing, Inc. | Minnetrista | 952-955-1800 |
Disclaimer:
These laboratories held valid accreditation at the time this database search was conducted. This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement of a particular laboratory. Other laboratories may hold accreditation for the identified tests and may not appear here due to pending applications or other exclusions not entered into the original query. If you have questions about the accreditation status of a particular laboratory, please contact MNELAP at 651-201-5324 or email MNELAP.
For additional information regarding wells and property transfer visit the wells disclosure page.