Water & Private Sewage

The Private Water Supply Program is designed to assure the residents of St. Clair County a safe and adequate supply of drinking water through compliance with the St. Clair County Water Supply Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Drinking Water Systems Code & Water Well Construction Code.  Our program focuses on individuals who obtain drinking water from a source other than a municipal water supply.

The Private Sewage Disposal Program regulates methods of sewage disposal from facilities and homes that are not served by public sewer systems.

By ensuring that all sewage is discharged to a properly designed and operated waste facility, the Private Sewage Disposal Program helps eliminate transmission of disease, disease organisms and nuisances.

For More Information Contact:

St. Clair County Health Department
19 Public Square, Suite 150
Belleville, IL 62220-1624
Telephone: 618-233-7769
email: SCCHDenvironment@co.st-clair.il.us​

Water Supply Code Ordinance
Private Sewage Disposal Code Ordinance

Private Sewage Information for Homeowners

Private Sewage Information for Contractors

Well Information for Homeowners

Well Information for Contractors

Private Sewage Information for Homeowners

The Private Sewage Disposal Program regulates methods of sewage disposal from facilities and homes that are not served by public sewer systems.

By ensuring that all sewage is discharged to a properly designed and operated waste facility, the Private Sewage Disposal Program helps eliminate transmission of disease, disease organisms and nuisances.

IDPH licenses the private sewage installers, private sewage pumpers, portable sanitation businesses and portable sanitation technicians. St. Clair County licenses private sewage installers, private sewage pumpers, private sewage pumper trucks and aeration service providers. Any contractor licensed with IDPH can be licensed with St. Clair County.

BEFORE constructing or repairing a Private Sewage System in St. Clair County, a permit must be obtained from our office. A Private Sewage Disposal System MUST be installed by a Licensed State of Illinois Contractor and Licensed St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Contractor OR a homeowner. There is a $300.00 fee required at time of application submission.

All applications are reviewed and often on-site consultations are conducted to verify the design of the system meets all current IL Department of Public Health Private Sewage Licensing Act & Code and St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance requirements.

HOMELOAN INSPECTIONS

Staff conducts property transfer, or “homeloan” inspections for a fee of $300.00.

COMPLAINTS

Anonymous complaints may be filed with our department (618-233-7769) regarding possible failing private sewage disposal systems. Please be prepared to provide information such as: property address, directions, specific concerns and/or other information as requested. All complaints received are inspected for verification that the system is in violation of the IL Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act & Code and/or the St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance.

Septic System Homeowner Reference Guides

Private Sewage Information for Contractors

The Private Sewage Disposal Program regulates methods of sewage disposal from facilities and homes that are not served by public sewer systems.

By ensuring that all sewage is discharged to a properly designed and operated waste facility, the Private Sewage Disposal Program helps eliminate transmission of disease, disease organisms and nuisances.

IDPH licenses the private sewage installers, private sewage pumpers, portable sanitation businesses and portable sanitation technicians. St. Clair County licenses private sewage installers, private sewage pumpers, private sewage pumper trucks and aeration service providers. Any contractor licensed with IDPH can be licensed with St. Clair County.

BEFORE constructing or repairing a Private Sewage System in St. Clair County, a permit must be obtained from our office. A Private Sewage Disposal System MUST be installed by a Licensed State of Illinois Contractor and Licensed St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Contractor OR a homeowner. There is a $300.00 fee required at time of application submission.

All applications are reviewed and often on-site consultations are conducted to verify the design of the system meets all current IL Department of Public Health Private Sewage Licensing Act & Code and St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance requirements.

MANUFACTURERS/DEALERS

All manufacturers and dealers of septic tanks and aerobic treatment units must be registered at the St. Clair County Health Department, as well as with the IL Department of Public Health.

SUBDIVISIONS

ALL subdivisions in the County to be served by Private Sewage Disposal Systems MUST be reviewed by our office for approval, as well as submit a Subdivision Application with appropriate fee.

COMPLAINTS

Anonymous complaints may be filed with our department (618-233-7769) regarding possible failing private sewage disposal systems. Please be prepared to provide information such as: property address, directions, specific concerns and/or other information as requested. All complaints received are inspected for verification that the system is in violation of the IL Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act & Code and/or the St. Clair County Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance.

Private Well Information for Homeowners

The Private Water Supply Program is designed to assure the residents of St. Clair County a safe and adequate supply of drinking water through compliance with the St. Clair County Water Supply Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Drinking Water Systems Code & Water Well Construction Code.  Our program focuses on individuals who obtain drinking water from a source other than a municipal water supply.  All newly installed or renovated wells must be constructed by an Illinois Department of Public Health licensed well driller. All installations must obtain a permit for $ 200.00 from this office. Personnel are on-site during the construction and again for final inspection once the well is completed.  

Many homes in rural areas are not connected to a municipal water system, but instead have a private well for their daily water supply. When installing, repairing or replacing a well, the owners will need to hire a Licensed Well-Pump Contractor for existing wells and a Licensed Well-Driller for a new or replaced well.

A free water sample is offered for all new AND existing wells.  Samples are collected by the staff on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only. Water bottles are also available in our office for testing private well water. The Illinois Department of Public Health Lab offers bacteria sampling at no charge and provides a UPS shipping label to ship the sample to the lab. Water sample results are reviewed by staff and sent to the homeowner with any necessary recommendations.

In an effort to enhance ground water protection and protect public health and safety, abandoned wells are sealed, with staff being onsite during the sealing process. Water samples must reach the lab within 24 hours to be tested. All public complaints are investigated by staff, and upon validity, corrective action is required. Educational information, in the form of groundwater kits, in-service presentations, well abandonment displays, news releases, and pamphlets are available to the general public.

Staff also inspect, sample and monitor all Non-Community Public Water Supplies for compliance with the St. Clair County Water Supply Code, the Illinois Department of Public Health Drinking Water Systems Code and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Primary Drinking Water Standards.

This program covers the residents of St. Clair County located within the 18 townships under the jurisdiction of the St. Clair County Health Department who obtain drinking water from a source other than a municipal water supply.

Private Well Information for Contractors

The Private Water Supply Program is designed to assure the residents of St. Clair County a safe and adequate supply of drinking water through compliance with the St. Clair County Water Supply Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Drinking Water Systems Code & Water Well Construction Code.  Our program focuses on individuals who obtain drinking water from a source other than a municipal water supply.  All newly installed or renovated wells must be constructed by an Illinois Department of Public Health licensed well driller.  All installations must obtain a permit for $ 200.00 from this office. Personnel are on-site during the construction and again for final inspection once the well is completed.

Many homes in rural areas are not connected to a municipal water system, but instead have a private well for their daily water supply. When installing, repairing or replacing a well, the owners will need to hire a Licensed Well-Pump Contractor for existing wells and a Licensed Well-Driller for a new or replaced well.