Subsurface sewage treatment systems

The Olmsted County Inspections team administers the Septic System Ordinance through the SSTS Ordinance (Chapter 3400 of the Code of Ordinances) and MN Rules Chapter 7080-7083. Olmsted County regulations pertaining to septic systems are coordinated with the requirements of the Minnesota's Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Program (SSTS) and provides the following program services:

  • Permitting of new systems and repairs and modifications to existing on-site wastewater treatment systems.
  • Installation inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems.
  • Maintain SSTS records.
  • Respond to resident complaints of failing onsite wastewater treatment systems.
  • Provide coordinated review with other agencies for projects that require Environmental Quality Reviews.

Regulating the design, installation, and maintenance of septic systems (subsurface sewage treatment systems) is important:

  • To establish minimum requirements for the regulation of ISTS and MSTS for the treatment and dispersal of sewage within the applicable jurisdiction of the county;
  • To protect public health and safety, groundwater quality, and prevent or eliminate the development of public nuisances;
  • To serve the best interests of the county’s residents by protecting the county’s health, safety, general welfare, and natural resources.
  • To protect lakes, rivers and streams, wetlands, and groundwater in Olmsted County essential to the promotion of public health, safety, welfare, socioeconomic growth, and development of the county.
  • To regulate proper SSTS construction, reconstruction, repair, and maintenance.
  • To prevent the entry and migration of contaminants, thereby protecting the degradation of surface water and groundwater quality.
  • To establish minimum standards for SSTS placement, design, construction, reconstruction, repair, and maintenance.
  • To prevent contamination and, if contamination is discovered, to identify and control its consequences and to abate its source and migration.
  • To provide for appropriate utilization of privy vaults and other non-water carried sewage collection and storage facilities.
  • To provide for the proper management and disposal of septage and other products of SSTS maintenance.
  • To provide for technical assistance and education, plan review, inspections, SSTS surveys, and complaint investigations to prevent and control water-borne diseases, lake degradation, groundwater-related hazards, and public nuisance conditions.

The department administers the program for Eyota, Marion, and Quincy Townships and the cities within Olmsted County that do not administer an SSTS ordinance. For other townships or small cities in Olmsted County, please see Township Information.

See Building, Well & Septic Permit Application & Fees for more information.

SSTS contractor information

SSTS loans/funding

There are various funding sources available to homeowners within Olmsted County that may help cover some of the cost of septic system replacement. The programs have different eligibility requirements but all are loans or grants that can be secured through different agencies. None of the programs listed apply to SSTS for new housing.

To obtain additional information regarding the:

Additional information

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides an abundance of information on septic systems, how they work, and care and maintenance. The MPCA requires that all businesses associated with the design, inspection, installation, operation, and care and maintenance be licensed. A list of licensed businesses can be found on the MPCA website. With the authorization of the MPCA, Olmsted County provides this link to assist the residents of Olmsted County in the search for licensed SSTS businesses.

The University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program