Frequently Asked Questions Water/Wastewater/Land Use

How do I test my water or get test results?
Private wells must be tested by the homeowner at their own expense. It is recommended to test annually for bacteria, nitrates and any other contaminants of concern, i.e., arsenic, fluoride, iron, manganese and sulfur.

A list of State certified labs in San Bernardino County is available. Contact our office at (909) 387-4666.

Test results from public wells must be sent in a Consumer Confidence Report by July 1 each year to those served.

How do I know how much water I use from my well?
Put a meter on the discharge and measure gallons per minute (gpm). Typical homes only need a well that pumps 1-3 gpm.

Conduct a pump test on the well every year to determine its pumping capacity and the motor efficiency (from Southern California Edison or a private company). A list is available at our office. Call (909) 387-4666.

How should my well be constructed for an individual home?
A well permit is required from DEHS and a fee submitted. A registered C-57 well driller must sign the permit. A list of drillers is available at our office. Call (909) 387-4666. For a diagram of a typical individual well, view Typical Individual Well.pdf.

Do I need a permit to construct or destroy a well?
Yes, for all types of wells. The Environmental Health Division permits the construction and destruction of wells for all of San Bernardino County.

How do I obtain a well permit application?
You can call 909-387-4666, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Applications can be sent by mail or picked up at our office at:

Environmental Health Services
385 N. Arrowhead, 2nd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0160

What is an individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS)?
An individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS) is a privately owned and maintained sewage disposal system. They are commonly referred to as septic systems or onsite wastewater systems. All ISDS have two basic components, a two-compartment septic tank and disposal field. The septic tank serves to separate and store solid material and the disposal field allows wastewater to percolate into the ground.

Who designs my Individual Sewage Disposal System (ISDS)?
Due to the potential adverse impacts to public health and the environment from improperly designed or constructed sewage disposal systems, ISDS must be designed by a registered civil engineer, registered geologist, or a registered environmental health specialist. When proposing a repair to an existing ISDS a design by a registered professional may not be required.

If a customer has a design of a proposed septic system that has been approved by Environmental Health Services, can he then proceed with the installation of the septic system?
After Environmental Health Services reviews and approves the proposed septic system, the customer must always obtain a construction permit from the Building and Safety Department that has regulatory authority for the area where the system will be installed. In certain situations, the customer will also have to obtain approval to install the system from the local regional water quality control board. EHS will advise the customer to obtain water board approval when necessary.

How long do septic systems last?
A properly installed septic system should function for 20 to 30 years. The septic system does require care and maintenance. View Taking Care of Your Septic System.pdf (English) or (Spanish).

10.

Why do we size septic systems on the number of bedrooms rather than bathrooms?
The Uniform Plumbing Code sets the sizes of septic tanks based on the number of bedrooms in a residence. The plumbing code also gives the administrative authority (EHS) leeway to require higher requirements when the requirements are essential to maintain a safe and sanitary condition. An example is a 3,000 square foot house that has 9 rooms (excluding bathrooms) and the builder states it's only a 2-bedroom residence with 4 bathrooms. A 750-gallon tank is not appropriate for this residence. EHS would require a minimum 1200-gallon tank.

11.

Does the department investigate sewage odors?
No. Odors may originate miles away and may not be from surfacing sewage. They often come from roof vents or other similar sources. This can sometimes be corrected by raising the roof vent pipe several feet. Also, deodorizers can be purchased that fit over the roof vent to eliminate the odor.

12.

There is an oily substance in water seeping out of a cut bank. Is this sewage?
In most cases, no. It is probably decomposing organic matter. If the seepage is clear with no odor then it is probably not sewage.

13.

There is a building without septic system or water. What can be done?
At this time, the department does not respond to this type of complaint, because no surfacing sewage has been alleged or observed by the complainant. This type of complaint is currently being reviewed by a Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee for further determination. However, if sewage is being discharged onto the ground or into a stream, we will immediately investigate.

14.

What can I do about my neighbor's failing septic system?
You can report this to EHS or Code Enforcement and we will immediately investigate. If a health hazard is verified, the owner will be given a notice to correct the problem. This will be followed up to be sure the corrections are made. Complainant names are confidential and will not be released to the public without a court order.

15.

What do I do if I have a failing septic system?
Sewage that surfaces on the ground or is backing up into your home is a health hazard, and must be eliminated as quickly as possible. This could be caused for a number of reasons. Look at the simplest fixes first, such as a clogged drain line before or after the septic tank, or failed electrical to a sewage pump.

Pumping the septic tank to stop the surface discharge of sewage is necessary if the leachfield is failing. In this situation, the household should go on a water conservation program to reduce water usage to extend the time period before the tank will need to be pumped again. The spill area should be sanitized with a mixture household bleach and water to destroy any bacteria and viruses. You can contact our office at (909) 387-4666 for additional information. Note that most physical repairs to the septic system require a permit.

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