Boone County Wastewater Treatment Ordinance​

Table of Contents

What is it?

The Boone County Wastewater Treatment Ordinance was the recommendation of a 14 person On-Site Wastewater Treatment Committee appointed by the Boone County Commission to study and propose regulations regarding on-site sewage disposal systems in Boone County. At the time in 1993, our county had many failing septic systems because the majority of the county has soils which are incompatible or undesirable for septic systems. Additionally, many of these systems did not have lateral fields as required by law. View the Ordinanceopens PDF file .

Why is it needed?

On-site sewage disposal problems in Boone County are the result of decades of unbridled growth in the unincorporated areas of the county. For most of these years, there were no regulations which covered how on-site sewage disposal systems were designed and built. The zoning and building regulations presently in effect were nonexistent in earlier years. State regulations were not completely effective, and did not address existing conditions.

The Boone County Commission adopted an ordinance for the construction of new on-site sewage treatment facilities construction and for remodeling or repairs of older systems to ensure wastwater disposal in Boone County meets modern public health standards.

What do I need to do?

Are you:

  • Constructing a new home and planning to install an on-site sewage system?
  • Remodeling or renovating an existing on-site sewage system?

If so, you must apply for a permit. Proposed plans will be reviewed and a preliminary site inspection will be conducted.

Septic tank disposal systems, lagoon disposal systems and alternative design systems must follow published design criteria shown below. These standards are uniform within the State of Missouri and are not unique to Boone County.

Although these design criteria do not guarantee the satisfactory performance of a system, they take into account the latest technology and give a higher degree of success for the proper operation of sewage disposal systems. By using this higher degree of technology for constructing/repairing/remodeling on-site sewage disposal systems, it is the hope that public health and the environment will be protected, real estate home sales will be without the present problems, and persons building new homes will receive a greater satisfaction with on-site sewage disposal systems free from past problems.

Applying for a permit

Directions to apply for an on-site wastewater treatment system permit in Boone County, Missouri

  1. For new single family dwellings, fill out an application at: 
    Boone County Planning and Building Inspection Department
    Boone County Government Building
    801 E Walnut, Room 315, Columbia, MO
  2. The permit fee for new construction or an existing home is $440.00 as of January 1, 2020. For repairs of existing systems, contact the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services at 1005 W. Worley, Columbia, MO.
  3. An on-site inspection will be conducted to determine site applicability prior to construction or reconstruction of a system.  We will contact you to schedule a site evaluation.
  4. A list of certified installers and certified persons to conduct soil evaluations will be provided by the Boone County Planning and Building Inspection Department or the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. You must choose an installer from the certified list to work on permitted systems. If you wish to employ an installer not on the certified list, ask them to contact Public Health and Human Services for information on certification prior to doing the work.
  5. If a septic system is planned, contact a soil scientist from the certified list to have a soil evaluation conducted. Results will be provided to Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. The wastewater treatment system is then specified in accordance with the soils evaluation and with the Boone County Wastewater Treatment Ordinance.
  6. A certified installer must install the septic system or lagoon in accordance with the ordinance. NO BACKFILLING IS ALLOWED UNTIL FINAL INSPECTION IS CONDUCTED.
  7. A copy of the permit form is issued to the homeowner after the site inspection has been completed and a review of the proposed plans reveal the system meets the requirements of the Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance.
  8. Neither the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services nor the Board of Review guarantee that permitted systems will function as designed and are not liable for damages.

Lagoons

Lagoon Requirements opens PDF file

What is a lagoon?

  • A lagoon is a small pond that receives wastewater from a home for treatment. The lagoon is three to five feet in depth and the size is determined by the number of bedrooms in a home. A lagoon works to treat domestic sewage by a biological process.

How does a lagoon work?

  • The sewage from the home enters the lagoon on the bottom. The solids stay on the bottom and become sludge. Algae, a microscopic plant that lives in the lagoon, works with carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce oxygen. Other microorganisms use this oxygen to digest the sewage. This is why sunlight and good wind action are essential for a lagoon to work properly. Trees must be cleared around a lagoon for this reason. The lagoon should also be mowed frequently to make sure the lagoon gets plenty of sun and wind.

What should be done to maintain a lagoon?

  • A properly built and maintained lagoon should have little to no odor. The lagoon may “turn over” in the spring and in the fall and have some odor for a few days. If the lagoon has an odor at other times there may be another problem. If a lot of leaves fall into the lagoon, they can cause the lagoon to smell. When the leaves begin to decompose they produce tannic acid which lowers the pH of the lagoon. This kills the algae and upsets the biological process that is treating the sewage. If this occurs, trim or cut the trees that are causing the leaves to fall into the lagoon. The water in the lagoon can be treated with 2 pounds of ammonium or sodium nitrate per day until the odor dissipates. Odors can also be caused when something is put down the sewer that upsets the natural process in the lagoon such as a large amount of chemicals or lack of sunlight as in extended cloudy weather.
  • If the home has a garbage disposal, it is best to have a properly sized and constructed septic tank preceding the lagoon. The tank should have at least 1000 gallons of capacity. This will reduce the fats and solids that will overload the lagoon.
  • The lagoon should be filled with water prior to operation. No additives will be necessary to start the biological process. The bacteria from the sewage will be sufficient for this.
  • The lagoon banks and area around the lagoon will need to be kept mowed and free of trees. The banks should be mowed to the water’s edge. This will prevent tall grass from drooping into the lagoon where it provides mosquito breeding areas and could contribute to premature filling. Mowing debris should not enter the lagoon.
  • Remove trees within 50 feet of the lagoon to keep leaf debris from entering, avoid shading the surface and help control tree roots. Remove any other vegetation or trees which shade the lagoon, especially during the winter months. Watch for damage to the banks, especially from burrowing animals. Repair any damage immediately and reseed with grass as needed. Remove cattails and other vegetation including duckweed and floating algae masses from the lagoon immediately to minimize mosquito breeding and excess organic loading and to improve oxygen transfer. To help reduce damage to the banks, keep the fence in good repair so animals cannot get on the banks.

Septic tanks

Septic Tank Requirements opens PDF file

There are many types of onsite sewage disposal systems in use today. One of the most common is a septic tank, followed by a lateral drain field. Septic systems can be installed only if the soil is permeable. A soil scientist can evaluate the soil and determine a permeability rate. The soil will give the sewage effluent final treatment and disposal.

A standard septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution device (either a flow splitter or a distribution box), and the drain field. Septic tanks can be made of concrete, plastic or fiberglass. They must be of watertight construction. Septic tanks must have a riser that extends to the surface, allowing the tank to be pumped periodically. Effluent filters are recommended to be placed in the outlet sanitary tee of the septic tank. Effluent filters are very effective in stopping solids from leaving the tank and clogging the drain field. A distribution device is not needed if the lateral field is installed level. If it is not level, a flow splitter may be necessary to distribute the effluent equally to all laterals. The drain field. can consist of gravel with perforated 4″ pvc pipe. Recommended alternatives are gravellous pipe or chambers.

Regular maintenance of a sewage system is the best prevention of failure. Periodic maintenance can significantly lengthen the life span of a system. Water conservation and waste disposal habits are also important.

The following guidelines should be followed:

  • Practice water conservation. Water usage should be monitored to prevent flooding the system. (ie: stagger loads of laundry throughout the week instead of doing all of the laundry on Saturday.) Water saving fixtures in the shower and toilets can also greatly cut down on the amount of water used. Any water leaks must be promptly repaired.
  • Do not use your sewage system as a trash can by adding materials other than domestic sewage. Keep chemicals (paint, thinner, pesticides, etc.) and non-degradable items (disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, cigarette butts, etc.) out of the septic system.
  • Restrict the use of a garbage disposal. If a garbage disposal is used the extra solids introduced into the tank can increase the accumulation of sludge by more than 50%, requiring more frequent pumping.
  • Do not pour grease or oils down the sink drain. They can clog up your drain field.
  • Have the solids pumped out of your septic tank periodically. This will need to be done every 3 to 5 years depending on the size of the family living in the home. Keep a record of pumping, maintenance and other inspections. Keep a sketch of the system for future reference.
  • Clean the septic tank filter (if you have one) by hosing the filter off back into the tank annually or as needed.
  • Don’t cover the absorption field with a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt. Grass is the best cover for the field. Grass will not only prevent erosion, but will help remove excess water.
  • Keep surface waters away from the tank and drain field. This includes downspouts from your homes roof gutters. Also keep foundation drain and sump pump discharge out of the system.
  • Do not drive automobiles or heavy equipment on the system.
  • Do not disturb the area near the sewage system or the set aside repair area.

Alternative systems

Onsite wastewater treatment systems and soil properties guide

Certified installers and licensed inspectors