443-523-1700
Environmental Health reviews and approves properties for the installation of private septic systems and wells in Somerset County.
Services include conducting perc tests, determining septic system design requirements, issuing construction permits for private septic systems and wells, inspecting private septic systems and wells, investigating illegal installations of private septic systems and wells, testing private well water, reviewing and approving commercial development and subdivisions.
Individuals providing on-site wastewater service must be licensed by the Maryland State Board of On-Site Wastewater Professionals.
Click here for information and to register.
Individuals engaged in inspecting on-site sewage disposal systems for property transfers must be licensed by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Click here for licensing information for property transfer inspectors (PTIs).
well water testing
SCHD Environmental Health can provide a routine well water test for a fee, or you may contract with another laboratory of your choosing.
Additional types of tests may be performed but there may be additional laboratory fees.
When a well application is submitted and a drinking well installed, the environmental health department samples the well under the well application in order to issue a Certificate of Potability and verify that the well is safe to drink.
For more information, please visit this link: Guidelines for Testing Well Water
Well protection in flood prone areas
Do you know what to do to protect your well and your family if you live in a flood prone area?
Anyone who lives in a low lying area or near water in our county is susceptible to flooding.
Click here for the facts and what you can do.
Perc Tests
A perc (percolation) test is a procedure used to determine the rate at which water or sewage effluent will percolate through the soil. The perc test is only a part of the total lot evaluation used to determine the suitability of a site for on-site sewage disposal.
Most lot evaluations in Somerset County are required by Maryland Department of the Environment Regulations to be conducted at the time of the year when the highest water table can be expected. This usually means during February, March, and April, however, monitoring wells are checked weekly to determine the exact testing period. There are a few circumstances that will allow the test to be conducted anytime during the year.
If you are interested in having a perc test, contact us first, at 443-523-1700, to ensure that the test can be conducted.