Some counties in Missouri have their regulations for septic systems set at the state's standard requirements. However, Christian County in Missouri has a few septic system regulations that vary from the state's regulations.
NOTE: It's important to understand that some regulations may vary per circumstance.
Missouri vs. Christian County Regulations
The following includes information on Christian County's septic system regulations that are different than the state's minimum requirements.
Identifying Location
- State: No requirement to mark locations of system's components in the field before permitting.
- County: All system components must be marked and identified in the field before application is submitted.
Setback Variances
- State: The state allows local jurisdictions to allow variances related to setbacks.
- County: Christian County does not allow any setback variances for new construction except for provisional variances for lots platted before May 1st, 1992. However, Christian County will sometimes allow setback variances for replacement systems. Source: Christian County Health
Flow Rates
- State: The state requires single family dwelling flow rates to be based on 120 gallons per bedroom regardless of the occupancy of dwelling.
- County: When the occupancy of a single family dwelling exceeds 2 persons per bedroom, Christian County allows flow rates to be determined by the maximum number of occupants at a rate of 60 gallons per person per day.
Securing The Tank
- State: The state makes no mention of anchoring septic tanks against flotation.
- County: Christian County requires fiberglass and plastic tanks to be anchored against flotation.
Both the state and Christian County share similar regulations regarding the use of aeration tanks, alternative materials for effluent distribution within the disposal/treatment field, advanced treatment and distribution systems such as drip tubing, etc.
Missouri Septic System Regulations Compared To Christian County
The following covers some specifications for the state of Missouri's standard septic system regulations.
Missouri Septic Tank Info
- The sewage tank shall be placed so that it is accessible for the removal of liquids and accumulated solids.
- The sewage tank shall be placed on firm and settled soil capable of bearing the weight of the tank and its contents.
- The sewage tank must be watertight and designed and constructed to withstand all lateral earth pressures under saturated soil conditions with the tank empty.
- The sewage tank must be designed and constructed to withstand a minimum of two feet (2′) of saturated earth cover above the tank top.
- Access to the sewage tank shall be provided over both the inlet and outlet devices and to each tank compartment by means of either a removable cover or a manhole. Where the top of the tank is located more than eighteen inches (18″) below the finished grade.
Missouri Septic Tank Sizes
- 1-3 bedrooms minimum tank size = 1000 gallon tank
- 4 bedrooms minimum tank size = 1250 gallon tank
- 5 bedrooms minimum tank size = 1500 gallon tank
- 6 + bedrooms = calculated gallon tank size
Missouri Septic Tank Setbacks
- Septic tank from private well = 50 ft.
- Septic tank from public well = 300 ft.
- Septic tank from property line = 10 ft.
- Septic tank from cistern = 25 ft.
- Septic tank from spring = 50 ft.
- Septic tank from stream, lake or impoundment = 50 ft.
- Septic tank from open ditch = 25 ft.
- Septic tank from building foundation = 5 ft.
- Septic tank from basement = 15 ft.
- Septic tank from swimming pool = 15 ft.
- Septic tank from water lines under pressure = 10 ft.
- Septic tank from suction water lines = 50 ft.
Missouri Septic System Disposal Area Setbacks
- Lateral lines from private well = 100 ft.
- Lateral lines from public well = 300 ft.
- Lateral lines from property line = 10 ft.
- Lateral lines from cistern = 25 ft.
- Lateral lines from spring = 100 ft.
- Lateral lines from stream, lake or impoundment = 50 ft.
- Lateral lines from open ditch = 25 ft.
- Lateral lines from building foundation = 15 ft.
- Lateral lines from basement = 25 ft.
- Lateral lines from swimming pool = 15 ft.
- Lateral lines from water lines under pressure = 10 ft.
- Lateral lines from suction water lines = 100 ft.
The above information is sourced from MO Dept. of Health & Senior Services (pdf), which you can view to find more information about the regulations that Missouri has in place.
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