Cayuga County Health Department
One important way to help protect water quality is to reduce phosphorus runoff. Phosphorus comes from many sources, including septic systems. Cayuga County has a requirement that septic systems be inspected periodically to ensure that they are not discharging wastewater to the ground surface or to a water body. Owners of properties with septic systems located in the Towns of Genoa, Mentz, and Springport, and non-lakefront properties within 500 feet of Owasco Lake or Little Sodus Bay are required to get their septic systems inspected by November 1, 2019. Property owners who fail to have their septic system inspected as required may be fined up to $2000.
Letters were sent out in April 2019 that included a list of Cayuga County Certified Inspectors. Click here for the list
If your property is vacant land, or has an unoccupied dwelling on it, you may fill out an application for a variance request and a notarized affidavit to request a waiver for the routine inspection. Mail the forms back to the Cayuga County Health Department at 8 Dill Street, Auburn, NY 13021
If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please call the Cayuga County Environmental Health Division at 314-253-1405.