Steps to Constructing a Building with No Public Sewers or Public Water

To construct a building where there are no public sewers or public water requires permits from the Torrington Area Health District to install a septic system and to drill a well. The TAHD is an independent agency that represents all its constituent towns for purposes of septic systems and well approvals. In addition to TAHD approval, other approvals must be obtained from local officials. The final step with any building is the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) that is obtained from the local building official. The following steps are the typical sequence before the CO is issued.

  1. The lot owner hires a professional engineer to do soil testing and submit a site plan to the TAHD that shows all the details of how the lot will be developed.
  2. If inland-wetland soils exist on the lot, it may be necessary for the engineer to use a soil scientist to outline the wetland soils.
  3. The engineer submits two sets of his design and a set of the house plans to the TAHD with a check for the appropriate amount for review and approval.
  4. Once approved, the TAHD issues a sewage disposal permit to the lot owner.
  5. The lot owner brings his house plans with his site plan to other people that have jurisdictions such as the zoning enforcement official, building official, inland-wetland commission, state highway, and utility companies.
  6. All necessary permits and approvals are obtained and construction begins.
  7. The lot owner must hire a state licensed septic system installer to construct his system. The installer takes out a permit to construct from the TAHD.
  8. The septic system is constructed and the TAHD inspects and approves it before it is covered.
  9. The TAHD signs off on the well permit and the well is drilled.
  10. The lot owner is responsible to test the well water and submit the results to the TAHD.
  11. The TAHD issues a Permit to Discharge for the septic system and approves the water supply if all requirements are satisfied.
  12. All other inspections and approvals are obtained in a timely manner.


The local building official issues a Certificate of Occupancy and the building can be legally used.

EPA has a link offering advice on the proper care of your septic system.

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