Septic System Installation & Inspection

Program Goal & Overview

This program's goal is to minimize potential health hazards and protect surface and ground water by ensuring that septic systems located within Cayuga County operate satisfactorily.

This program provides services in the following areas:

  • Enforces the Cayuga County Sanitary Code that requires that all septic systems be inspected periodically and at the time of a property transfer.
  • Reviews plans for new and modified/repaired septic systems proposals.
  • Investigates complaints related to septic systems.
  • Provides technical assistance to septic systems installers and designers.
  • Provides a list of registered septic system installers and septic tank pumpers.
  • Answers questions from the public regarding septic system operation and maintenance.

Instructions for a Routine Inspection

  1. Hire a Cayuga County certified inspector to do an inspection of the septic system. A list of certified installers is available near the bottom of this page.
  2. As part of the inspection, the inspector will add dye to some of your fixtures, such as your toilet, and run 20 gallons of water per bedroom with a maximum of 100 gallons.
  3. Once the inspection is completed, the inspector will turn the paperwork into the Health Department.
  4. If the septic system fails the inspection, the system owner will be required to correct the violation.

Instructions for a Property Transfer Inspection 

Prior to all property transfers in Cayuga County, the Sanitary Code requires that the septic system be inspected and the septic tank pumped. The septic system should be inspected prior to the pumping of the tank. If the tank is pumped first, it will be necessary to wait 30 days before the septic system can be inspected. 

Note: If you are due for a routine sanitary code inspection, but plan on selling your home soon, you may want to consider getting the property transfer inspection done instead of the routine inspection. The property transfer inspection is valid for one year and would count for the routine inspection.

  1. Hire a Cayuga County certified inspector to inspect your septic system. A list of certified installers is available near the bottom of this page.
  2. As part of the inspection, the inspector will add dye to some of your fixtures, such as your toilet, and run 55 gallons of water per bedroom, if the home is currently occupied. If the home is not occupied, 110 gallons of water per bedroom over a period of three days will be added.
  3. Once the inspection is completed, the inspector will turn the paperwork into the Health Department.
  4. As part of a property transfer, it is also necessary that the septic tank be pumped and a “Waste Transporter Certification” form be turned into the Health Department. A list of certified Waste Haulers is available on this page..
  5. If the septic system fails the inspection, the system owner will be required to correct the violation.
  6. If the septic system passes the inspection and proof that the tank has been pumped is submitted to the Health Department, a discharge permit will be issued.