Land Development

The Land program covers on-site wastewater treatment/disposal services, water well construction permits and inspections, and Planning Division requests for review.

On-Site Wastewater Treatment / Disposal

Registered Environmental Health Specialists conduct site evaluations and analyze soil to determine the type and size of an on-site wastewater treatment/disposal system required for a given parcel. Once a site evaluation is completed and the parcel has been approved for a sewage disposal system, an application may be submitted for a standard or alternative septic system permit. Additional permits and services available from Environmental Health include repair permits, loan inspections, on-site consultations, and field inspections.

How often your tank will need pumping depends largely on the size of the tank, the number of people in the household, and the kinds of appliances you use. As a general rule, tanks should be cleaned every three to four years, but the period can vary considerably. The best procedure is to have your tank inspected annually and have it pumped as necessary.

Water Wells

Water wells are permitted and inspected by division personnel in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Lake County Code. Services are provided for domestic wells, public wells, and monitoring wells. Environmental Health assistance is offered for pump tests, well deepening, and consultation services.

Staff recommends that wells drilled before 1989 and those subject to flooding be checked for bacterial quality on a routine basis but at least annually. There is one lab in Ukiah (Alpha Labs) that provides this service. Services are provided for domestic wells, agricultural wells, and monitoring wells.