The Stamford Health Department, Environmental Health and Inspections Division, regulates the installation of Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS), otherwise known as septic systems.  Providing plan review, site evaluation and final inspections on newly installed systems, the department permits only correctly installed SSDS’s thus ensuring the Public Health.

The regulations for SSDS installation are in the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut, §19-13-B100a; §19-13-B103; the Technical Standards, (pursuant to §19-13-B103); and the Design Manual, Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems for Households and Small Commercial Buildings. Frequently Asked Questions: Q. Does the Health Department have a record of my SSDS and/or well? A. Most likely, if your SSDS was installed after the combining of the Town with the City of Stamford in 1949.  After that time, record keeping was   required for all of Stamford.  In the past, drinking water well information was not supplied to the department as required with septic systems.  If available, well information would be located with any SSDS information. Q. Can I receive a copy of my SSDS and/or well? A. Yes.  Customer service, office duty hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:45 A.M. – 11:30 A.M., while phone hours extend until noon at 203-977-4382.  Provide an address, and a lot number as listed by the Assessor – 203-977-5888.  Any other useful information such as age, location on road (corner property?) and other features as in ponds or streams. Q. May I add to my house? A. The Public Health Code, §19-13-B100a, sets forth requirements that must be addressed before additions and other similar projects are permitted.  The Code was written to ensure preservation of an acceptable area for SSDS expansion based on occupancy.  The staff at the Health Department is available to discuss the details of any project during normal office duty hours. Q. Can the Health Department inspect my SSDS? A. The Health Department will only inspect a new installation, not an existing system. Q. If I have a working system, be it a cesspool or SSDS, do I have to upgrade it? A. If the system is not in failure – a breakout to the SURFACE of the ground – no upgrade is required.  (Upgrades may be elective but also may be required if the occupancy of the structure is changed to greater than 50% of the current value.) Q. How often should I pump my tank? A. Approximately every two years, but this will vary based on usage and occupancy. Q. May I install a garbage grinder or disposal? A. These units are not permitted to be connected to SSDS.  The action of the units creates finely divided particles that float out of the tank and can clog the fields.Your SSDS is designed to be a passive system, requiring only regular pumping and cleaning.  By limiting the amount of material that is introduced to the system, especially avoiding grease and oil, a long and productive life can most likely be expected.