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Soil Bores

Explanation and instructions as follows:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Before starting the process for obtaining permits whether for septic, well, building, or zoning certificate, check with the Planning Department to determine whether your property has the correct zoning for building. Without proper zoning, all efforts spent throughout the process for construction will be wasted. The building permit cannot be issued without proper zoning.  Applications must be filled out at the Health Department and a site plan must accompany this application. A copy must then be delivered by the applicant to the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District located at 211 N. Appleton Road. Following is a downloadable soil bore application:

SOIL BORE APPLICATION
To download a soil bore application, click here.  Note: This form cannot be submitted electronically via e-mail.  It must be printed and submitted to our office.  The soil bore fee is payable to the Boone County Department of Public Health at the time of application. 

SOIL BORE DEPTH & FEE
If the area to be soil bored is NOT in an area of bedrock the bore will be to a depth of 60 inches. If it IS in an area of bedrock, the soil bore must be done to a depth of 84 inches.  A map showing areas of bedrock is located at the Boone County Health Dept.  These investigations will provide the information needed to determine the suitability of the soil for a primary septic system and a secondary replacement system. Three to five soil bores will be done at the discretion of the Soil Scientist to determine field site.  Additional borings will be completed for an additional fee.   

ISOLATION OF SOIL BORE AREA
Isolation of the soil bored area per use of caution tape will either be the responsibility of the applicant or Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District if so chosen for a fee.  (see application for description)

FLAGS  
After the paperwork is completed at the Health Department, the applicant will be given eight flags.  Four flags are to be placed so that an area (100' x 110' - 3 bdrm.) or (100' x 150'  - 4 bdrm.) or (140' x 140' OR 100' x 180' - 5 bdrm) is designated as the proposed primary and secondary septic area.  The remaining four flags are to mark four corners of the lot.

SOIL BORES FOR SEPTIC REPAIRS
The soil bore fee is payable to the Boone County Department of Public Health at the time of application.  Eight (8) flags will be given at the time of application.  Four (4) flags for the 4 corners of the lot and 4 flags shall mark the 4 corners of the original septic field.  A replacement field area will be determined and bored as needed.  A waiver of liability (ie. Septic Repair Investigation Contract) will need to be signed to allow the soil scientist to perform the soil bores needed for the replacement site.  Following is the downloadable Septic Repair Investigation Contract. To download the Septic Repair Investigation Contract, click here.  This form cannot be submitted electronically via e-mail.  It must be printed and submitted to our office. 

Soil bores will be completed based on the following:

1. The application is taken to the Boone County Soil & Water District's office. At this time, an appointment for the soil bore will be scheduled.  Soil & Water Conservation District staff ask that applications for soil bores be received at least two weeks before an appointment is to be scheduled. 
2. Weather conditions, equipment, staffing exist which are conducive to the completion of the soil bores in a timely manner.
3. The flags given to the applicant, are in place as requested.                                       

Septic System Plan (Conventional System/Non-Conventional System):

A septic installer or homeowner must submit a septic plan for review.  This plan must be drawn to scale and must include proposed home/building locations.  Using the approved site plan is the easiest way to submit a plan and can be obtained from either the soil bore applicant or the Health Department.  Any variances of Boone County Code must be asked for in letter form prior to approval.  Once the proposed plan is rejected or approved, the applicant is then sent notice.  (Review time is approximately 5-10 business days after receiving septic plan.)  Along with the plan, the applicant must also submit a elevation profile and septic checklist.  To download the elevation profile, click here.  To download the septic checklist, click here.

Fees & Issuance of Permits:

Permit application fees are paid at the time of plan submittal.  The property owner must sign off  on the proposed waste stream and the General Contractor (builder) of the property must have signed off on a “General Contractor Consultation”.  The General Contractor only needs to sign this consultation once annually.  Following is a downloadable Bedroom Signoff and a General Contractor Consultation.

To download a Wastestream Information sheet, click here.  This form cannot be submitted electronically via e-mail.  It must be printed and submitted to our office.

 If the permit applications are approved, the septic and well permits are issued to the applicant or sent to the appropriate contractor.  The septic plan and well application must be approved and permits issued before installation or drilling may begin or before a Boone County Building Permit will be issued

Installation & Inspection:

The installation must be completed by an Illinois licensed and Boone County licensed septic installer.  The system must be installed in accordance with all IDPH and Boone County Health Department private sewage disposal codes.  Boone County Health Department must be notified 48 hours prior to beginning septic system installation.  At that time, the installer will be issued a confirmation number.  This number must be given at the time of final inspection appointment request.  If an inspection is needed sooner than 48 hours, an unscheduled inspection fee may be paid and an inspector will respond as soon as one is available.  The fee may be paid to the inspector, upon arrival, at the site.  A receipt will be issued at that time.   No portion of any private sewage disposal system shall be covered or concealed until after it has been inspected and approved by the health officer.  A call the day before or early on the day of completion is required for a final inspection appointment.

Septic Repairs:

Repair of septic systems require soil bores and a scale drawing just like a new system.  The scale drawing must include placement of the old system and well location.  Also, the well location of adjacent lots is required.  An application and submittal fee is required.  The same rules (like new systems) apply if a homeowner repairs his/her own system.  In addition, you must submit a signed “Septic Repair Investigation Contract”.  Following is a downloadable Septic Repair Investigation Contract.

Property Owner Septic Installation:

Homeowners (unlicensed) who wish to install their own systems must pay for two additional compliance inspections.  A homeowner installer must call in these two additional mandatory inspections at times in the installation process as set forth by the Health Authority.  Owner-installed septic installation education is available by appointment and is paid for hourly, in advance.  Following is a downloadable homeowner septic installation form:

SEPTIC COMPLAINTS:

Raw sewage or effluent that is on the surface of the ground is a public health hazard.  The Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code prohibits the discharge of “raw or improperly treated domestic sewage to the surface of the ground or to farm tiles, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or other collectors of water”(Sec. 905.20, h).  Septic pumpers must submit proper documentation and receive permission before land applying septage. 

Complaints about failing septic systems, raw sewage back-up into an apartment, surfacing effluent, or illegal septic pumper activities may be submitted to the Boone County Health Department through our nuisance complaint program.

BOONE COUNTY INSTALLER AND PUMPER LICENSE:

State licensed septic installers and pumpers must also have a Boone County Health Department license to operate in Boone County .  To obtain a license, complete the application and submit by fax, mail, or in person along with a copy of your State license and the applicable fee. There is no additional testing necessary.  Boone County licenses are good for one year from the date of issuance. 

Failure to obtain a Boone County license prior to installing any part of a septic system or pumping septage in Boone County will result in an additional fee.  Other disciplinary action may also be taken as permitted by State and local Codes.

SEPTIC MAINTENANCE: Septic tanks require periodic pumping to clean out the accumulated solids.  The Boone County Health Department recommends pumping every 2-3 years, or as recommended by an experienced septic pumper.  Sticking to a regular pumping schedule could save you money and headaches from unexpected back-ups into the house.  Keep vehicular traffic off of the septic field and the line between the tank and the field.  Heavy vehicles or regular traffic over the septic field damages the field lines and reduces soil absorption capabilities. 

FAQ’S  (Frequently Asked Questions):

I had soil bores on some land years ago...are the bores still sufficient?
Soil bores are not required when all three of the following criteria are met:  1)  Field notes are available for a report update  2)  Bores are actually located on the lot  3)  Minimum of 3 bores were done (75-100) feet apart.    OR                          
Onsite evidence as determined by Boone County Department of Public Health justifies existing bores as sufficient.There is a fee for soil bore update and if the accepted bores are over 1 year old, there is a fee for a required site verification.

I cannot meet code requirements for my septic, what can I do?
Variances are tools which may be used when compliance with the Code cannot be achieved any other way.  Variance requests must be in writing and must include: 1)  specific code or parameter (distance, volume, etc.) to be varied  2) parameter value which can be met  3)  justification for the request (cite scientific, geographic, geologic, etc, reasons, cost is not an acceptable reason for granting a variance)Responses to variance requests must also be in writing regardless of finding.  Reasons for denial will be given.

What type of trees/bushes can I plant near my septic?
You should not plant any woody vegetation such as trees and shrubs on top of your septic field lines or in the immediate area surrounding your septic field or tank.  When planting near the septic tank, keep in mind that the tank must remain accessible for maintenance and service.  Flower beds surrounding the tank may be damaged or destroyed during routine or emergency septic services.  Some trees and shrubs have root systems that are known to invade septic system components.  For a more complete explanation, see the section/tab entitled “Septic Education – trees and septics”

How do I tell if my septic is failing?
Common symptoms of septic failure are slow drains and toilets throughout the house, sewage backup into the house, soggy areas in the septic field even when there has not been any rain, persistently high septic tank levels even with regular tank pumping, or runback from the field lines to the tank (observed when the tank is pumped).  

What should I know about maintaining a septic system?
Remember the Four P’s

Proper Disposal – Septic systems are designed to handle human waste.  They are not to be used as garbage disposals.  Keep condoms, feminine products, cotton tipped applicators and cotton balls out of your septic system.  Also do not dump harsh chemicals and liquids such as paints, paint thinners, oil, gas, etc...into the septic.

Pump – Have the septic tank pumped regularly (BCHD recommends every 2-3 years). 

Protect – Keep your septic drainfield free from encroachment by driveways, accessory buildings, swimming pools, buried lawn sprinkler systems and underground utility services, patios, slabs, additions to the original structure or any other structure which limits free access to the system for maintenance, servicing or proper operation.  Protect septic system components from vehicular traffic and woody vegetation. 

Professional – Only hire professional licensed septic installers and pumpers to service your field.  Plumbers are not authorized to work on septic fields.

SEPTIC EDUCATION TREES & SEPTICS

Tree root invasion of septic tanks, absorption fields, and drop boxes is a longstanding problem in the maintenance of on-site wastewater treatment systems.  Many trees and shrubs readily invade these systems because they can provide air space, water, and nutrients.  Not all trees and shrubs invade septic systems.  The following table of plants commonly invading septic systems is not exhaustive, but includes those plants for which there is reliable information.

Trees and shrubs that commonly invade septic systems should not be planted near the septic tank or the septic field lines.  Some sources suggest a minimum setback distance of 100’.