FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the process for pumping out a septic system and how many times can I do so in a year? The first step is to contact your pumper to schedule the pumpout. Once you know what date the system will be pumped you should contact the Board of Health office to obtain a permit.
The Town of Tisbury does not currently have treatment or disposal facilities available for pumpouts and the effluent must either be shipped off island or brought to the Edgartown Treatment Facility. Through an agreement with the Edgartown Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Town of Tisbury is allowed to dispose of 4,000 gallons of residential wastewater/septage per day at the Edgartown Facility. The gallonage is monitored through the issuance of four Edgartown permits per day, which are valid for 1,000 gallons of residential wastewater/septage, or any part thereof. The cost of the Edgartown permits are $15.00 each and will only be issued the day prior to or the day of the pumpout. All other wastewater/septage must be transported off-island. Permits for these pumpouts cost $20.00 each and are issued anytime during the month in which they will be used.
According to state code, you may pump out your septic system up to four times per year. If you exceed four pumpouts per calendar year you will be required to have the system inspected to determine why it is not functioning properly.
When am I required to have my septic system inspected? At the current time the Board of Health may require a septic inspection if the system in question has been pumped out more than four times in a calendar year, the system has overflowed or shows other signs of possible failure, or in the case of renovations to a dwelling that will increase the flow to an existing septic system. A septic inspection is always required for sale and transfer of a property which has a septic system older than two years that has not been inspected within the past two years. Inspections must be completed by a state certified inspector and submitted to this office within thirty days of completion. Once accepted by this office the report is valid for two years.In accordance with Town Meeting vote, the town is currently in the process of implementing a septic management plan. Once this plan is implemented, all septic systems in the town will need to be inspected and placed on a regular maintenance schedule.
Does the Board of Health limit the number of bedrooms in a dwelling based on the size of the lot? In most cases the Board of Health only limits the number of bedrooms in a dwelling by the size of the septic system that can be constructed on the lot. Exceptions to this are properties within the District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC), a Zone II or lots that are served by well water. Properties within 1,500 feet of mean high water of Lagoon Pond are considered to be located in the DCPC and are limited to one bedroom per 15,000 square feet of land area, with a maximum of three bedrooms for properties under 45,000 square feet. Properties within a Zone II or served by well water are limited to one bedroom per 10,000 square feet of land area. Specific questions about designing a septic system should be addressed with your engineer.
For additional assistance, we suggest that you call, fax, or email the Board of Health
Office.
Telephone: (508) 696-4290
Fax: (508) 696-7341
Email: mvalley@ci.tisbury.ma.us
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