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Arkansas Septic Basics

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A plain-English summary of how septic systems work in Arkansas, based on Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) rules and EPA guidance. This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific property, ask your county's ADH health unit.

Who regulates septic systems in Arkansas

ADH's Onsite Wastewater program sets statewide policy and works with Environmental Health Specialists in each county's local health unit. It reviews permit applications for systems under 1,500 gallons per day. Larger systems are reviewed by the Division of Environmental Quality. Locally, call your health unit and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist: the Sebastian County Health Unit in Fort Smith (479-452-8600) or the Crawford County Health Unit in Van Buren (479-474-6391).

Permits

• A permit for construction is required before anyone builds, alters, repairs or extends a septic system for someone else.
• A new or modified system can't be used until it's inspected and approved and the owner has a permit for operation.
• The installer must notify the authorized agent at least 24 hours before starting work. Emergency repairs can begin without that notice if a permit is obtained within 10 working days.
• 10-acre exemption: a single residence on ten or more acres, with all parts of the system more than 200 feet from any property line (including roads), doesn't need a permit, but the system must still meet state requirements.

Who's licensed to do what

• Septic Tank Cleaner license: required to pump or clean septic tanks, holding tanks, marine sanitation devices or portable toilets for pay, or to haul septage. Licensees must pass an ADH exam, and pumper trucks carry an ADH decal.
• Installer license: required to install septic systems. Applicants must pass an ADH exam.
• Designated Representative (DR): licensed to do soil tests and design septic systems. DRs include engineers, land surveyors, sanitarians and master plumbers who have passed ADH's exam.
• Onsite Maintenance Provider license: also issued by ADH after an exam.

ADH has a searchable database of onsite wastewater licensees, linked from its FAQ page.

Soil, not just perc tests

Designing a system starts with checking whether the soil is suitable. Arkansas requires at least two soil pits, one in the proposed primary absorption area and one in the secondary area. ADH explains that soil pits show depth to rock, impervious layers and wet-season groundwater levels, which a percolation test alone can't. Absorption systems can't be installed in fill material. There's no minimum lot size. The space needed depends on the soil, the number of bedrooms and the 100-foot setback from water wells.

Finding your septic permit

To get a copy of a septic permit, ADH says to call the health unit in the property's county and ask for the Onsite Environmental Specialist. It helps to know the year the home was built, the subdivision and lot number, and the original owner or developer.

Taking care of your system

The EPA recommends:

• Inspecting the system every 1 to 3 years
• Pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years, or as needed
• Spreading out water use, such as doing laundry over the week
• Flushing only human waste and toilet paper

Routine maintenance is the property owner's responsibility.

Sources: Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater program; Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater FAQs; 14 CAR § 21-301, Code of Arkansas Rules (permits); 14 CAR § 21-601, Code of Arkansas Rules (soil suitability); ADH Rules Pertaining to Septic Tank Cleaners; U.S. EPA, Resolving Septic System Malfunctions.