Well & Septic Program

The Well and Septic Program ensures that the installation and repair of all drinking water wells and on-site sewage disposal systems in Howard County are performed properly. Our program reviews all proposed designs for on-site sewage disposal systems to ensure they follow State and Local regulations. Environmental Health Specialists conduct inspections of wells and onsite sewage disposal systems and test water from private drinking wells to protect residents from diseases associated with germs found in wastewater.

Environmental Public Information Act (PIA) Request

Wet Season 2022

Wet season testing for 2022 has ended. Testing in wet season soil units other than for repairs to failing systems will not be scheduled until the next designated wet season. Please contact the Well & Septic Program at 410-313-1771 with questions.

I want to report or repair a failing septic system

Report a failing septic system: The Well and Septic Program may investigate complaints of failing septic systems and may enforce abatement of systems causing a public health nuisance, such as sewage on the ground surface. If you believe that a septic system is failing and causing a public health nuisance, you may report it to the main Program number at 410-313-1771. Alternatively, you may email AskHealth.

Repair a failing septic system: The Well and Septic Program oversees and inspects the repair and replacement of failing septic systems by conducting percolation tests as needed and issuing septic permits to septic contractors. If you believe your septic system is failing and in need of repair or replacement, you or your septic contractor may contact the Well and Septic Program at 410-313-1771. You may visit the public file search to obtain any existing Well and Septic Program records. A perc test application and septic system information form must be submitted to initiate the repair process.

Percolation Test Application Septic System Repair Form

I want to find Health Department records on a septic system and/or a well

The Bureau of Environmental Health has completed a multi-year project converting paper files to electronic records that are now available on our website. The Public Files Search link contains Health Department Well and Septic Program residential property files from approximately 1985 to the present. Some properties constructed before 1985 may contain a file in this system if activity such as a building permit or sewage disposal system repair occurred after 1985.

Search Public Records by clicking here.*

(*Note: When searching for property records in the database, enter only the numbers of the street address and choose the requested property from results given.)

Non-residential properties, undeveloped lots, subdivision master files, properties in which development is ongoing, and properties in which no activity has occurred since before approximately 1985 are not in this system. If you do not find the property file in this system, please submit a Public Information Act Request.

Public Information Act Request form

On-site Sewage Disposal System (OSDS) Information

Percolation Test and Plan Requirements for Developed Lots

Conventional On-Site Sewage Disposal System Design Plan Requirements

Non-conventional Plan Submission Guidance Document

Howard County Code - On-site Sewage Disposal Systems (Septic Systems)

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04 Water Supply, Sewage Disposal, and Solid Waste

Septic System Facts

Residential Septic Design

Geothermal Well Setbacks

Well & On-site Sewage Disposal System Setback Requirements

Information on Private Drinking Water Wells