Please note: The Maine Drinking Water Program/Subsurface Wastewater Unit does not license Local Plumbing Inspectors (LPIs), nor do we appoint LPIs to municipal posts. For information on LPI licensing, contact the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office.
Background
Subsurface wastewater disposal systems are used extensively throughout the State of Maine to treat and dispose of domestic and commercial wastewater.
The concept of site evaluation for wastewater disposal system design began in Maine in the early 1970's as an improved and more reliable method for determining soil suitability -- previously, soil percolation tests were utilized in Maine to determine the suitability of the soil and the appropriate design of the disposal system.
Rules requiring on-site soil evaluations for design of all subsurface wastewater disposal systems became effective in July 1974.
Site Evaluator Licensure
Maine requires that individuals who design disposal systems be licensed. Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Environmental and Community Health administers the licensing of these individuals.
Site evaluation combines on-site soil evaluation with consideration of site conditions. Licensed Site Evaluators are required to have the education, experience, skill and ability to properly identify and accurately report soil textures and limiting factors so they can adequately classify soils, recognize site limitations and properly size disposal systems.
For more information, contact State Site Evaluator Brent Lawson: brent.lawson@maine.gov or (207) 592-7376.
Site Evaluator Exam Application (PDF)
The Site Evaluator's Examination Application requires the following information:
- Educational background with a description of any completed courses pertaining to soil evaluation or subsurface wastewater disposal.
- Work experience involving soil investigation or subsurface wastewater treatment design.
- Three (3) references (PDF) shall be submitted by persons who have a professional knowledge of the applicant's work, one of which shall be a Licensed Site Evaluator.
- The applicant's request for examination, along with the completed application and reference forms, must be received by the Department no later than 30 days prior to the examination date.
- An application fee of $25.00 dollars shall be submitted with the application and is non-refundable.
Qualifications: Education or Experience
- Education
- A graduate from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate degree in engineering, geology, pedology, or similar disciplines.
- Twelve [12] months or more of experience which indicates that the applicant is competent to perform site evaluations.
- Experience
- Must have a high school education or equivalent.
- Four [4] years or more of experience which indicates that the applicant is competent to perform site evaluations.
Examinations
- Only qualified persons will be admitted to the examination.
- Examinations shall be held on dates and places as determined by the Department, but in no case shall the Department hold less than one [1] examination per calendar year.
- The examination consists of written and field portions which focus on the principles and practices of Site Evaluation. Either portion of the examination may be taken prior to the other.
- The written portion will test the applicant's knowledge of soils and familiarity with the Code and will consist of three parts: 1) Rule requirements, 2) Soils, and 3) System Design. A copy of the Code may be used as a reference during the examination. The fee for the written portion of the exam is $25, payable prior to each exam session.
- The field portion will test the applicant's ability to identify soils with regards to parent material, textural classification, drainage conditions, and depth to limiting factors in accordance with the Code. The fee for the field portion of the exam is $75, payable prior to each exam session.
- The passing grade for both portions shall be a score of seventy [70] unscaled.
- Applicants failing two or more sections of the written exam must re-take the complete examination at the next scheduled date. Applicants failing one section of the written exam may re-take the failed section at a date scheduled by the Department. An applicant who fails to pass a failed section after two tries must re-take the complete written examination.
- An applicant who passes either the written or field portion of the exam, but fails the other portion, must take the entire exam again, unless the applicant successfully passes the failed portion within twenty-four (24) months.
Licensure
- The Department shall issue a license to an applicant who passes both portions of the examination.
- Licenses shall be renewed the first day of March of each odd numbered year by submitting the updated correction card and licensing fee.
- A Site Evaluator who allows a license to lapse may renew it any time during the following two (2) year period, provided his/her record of conduct is acceptable to the Department. Failure to renew a license after the two (2) year grace period shall require a re-examination.
- A Site Evaluator shall not perform site evaluations with an expired license.
- The license fee is one hundred [$100.00 US] dollars for a two [2] year period; and beginning with the 2007-2009 licensing period, each licensee shall earn a minimum of twelve (12) professional development hours within each license period in order to obtain license renewal.
- Please contact the Division if you would like to have a a Site Evaluator application packet sent to you, or download the following documents.
Licensing Assistance
For assistance, contact Tina Lemieux, Licensing Clerk
dwplicensing.dhhs@maine.gov or (207) 287-5699
Mailing Address:
286 Water Street, 3rd floor, SHS #11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Certifications
The Subsurface Wastewater Team offers voluntary certification programs for Certified System Inspectors and Installers.
For assistance, please contact Fran Simard: Email fran.simard@maine.gov or phone (207) 287-8074.
Onsite Sewage Disposal System Inspectors (Voluntary)
This voluntary program is being promoted as an important component of the real estate transaction process, and is required by law in the shoreland zone. Please see details in Sections 15, 16, and 17 of the Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, 10-144 Chapter 241.
What is a System Inspection?
The Department has established minimum criteria for evaluating and reporting on existing subsurface wastewater disposal systems. The report criteria are not intended to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the various system components, or an analysis of site characteristics that are best evaluated by licensed site evaluators, but will provide the following important information:
- Approximate age of the disposal system;
- Verification that a design plan and plumbing permit exist or don't exist;
- A general description of the system components and their present condition;
- A list of differences (if any) identified between the design plan and actual installation; and
- Identification of any malfunctions or surface discharges needing correction under the current Rules.
The inspection is completed by an individual who has attended a voluntary certification program established by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, in cooperation with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The process includes a search of property owner, municipal, and state records, along with a visit to the property. The inspection report may include additional information beyond the minimum requirements and is the property of the inspector and the client. Copies are not provided to the municipality or the state by the inspector.
Purpose
The voluntary inspection process is designed to provide the buyer and seller of property utilizing a subsurface wastewater disposal system with information regarding the age, status, and general condition of the system. The process will help identify those problems representing public health hazards such as system malfunctions and surface discharges that are required by law to be corrected; at a time when there are funds available to provide for a corrective action. The inspection program also provides assurances to the federal government that the state of Maine has adequate administrative controls relative to subsurface systems.
Interpreting an Inspection Report
The report is structured in a checklist format to aid both the inspector and the client. Page 1 includes general information and the inspector's findings and recommendations. The supplement to the report form contains descriptions of what YES, NO, UNKN, and N/A mean for each of the line items on page 2. Pages 3 and 4 include a list of problem areas found including a description of the specific problems and what corrective action, if any, is recommended by the inspector. The report may also include additional explanatory information provided by the inspector, along with photographs, sketches, and copies of existing design plans. Please read the disclaimer statement on page 1.
If the report indicates that corrective action is recommended, an existing or potential health threat has been identified and the property owner could be subject to administrative action if the problem is identified by the local plumbing inspector. If the report notes system deficiencies, but does not recommend corrective action, the deficiencies do not pose a health threat and do not require action by the property owner.
Results
For property buyers, the information contained in the report may be useful in negotiating a purchase price. If corrective actions are recommended, the costs could be incorporated into the final agreement. As the seller; the report information can be used to increase the value of your property by dealing with any problems in advance or documenting that no problems exist. Recipients of the report are not obligated to forward copies to any federal, state, or local officials.
Questions
The first source of information is the inspector who completed the report. If you have questions regarding the format and intent of the state report form (HHE-240) you may contact the Subsurface Wastewater Unit: Email or phone 207-287-2070. Please note that we will not have a copy of your report for reference and will not be able to comment on any observations, conclusions, or recommendations made by your inspector that go beyond the minimum criteria established by the Department.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal System Installers (Voluntary)
The Division of Environmental and Community Health has developed a non-regulatory incentive driven program to broaden the use of proper septic system installation techniques, for individuals who install onsite wastewater disposal systems. A secondary purpose is to recognize installers who make an effort to educate themselves on these techniques and to provide an incentive to continue education efforts on proper installation techniques.
Malfunctioning and improperly installed septic systems are a health hazard. With nearly 20,000 new septic systems being installed in Maine each year, proper installation is critical to protecting the health of Maine citizens and the quality of Maine waters. During the winter of 1998 to 1999, the Division of Environmental Health, Subsurface Wastewater Unit developed a training and certification program to broaden the use of proper septic system installation techniques by installers, to address the installation issue.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the program is to protect the public health from malfunctioning onsite sewage disposal systems, by creating an incentive for Maine septic system installers to become educated on proper septic system installation techniques. A secondary purpose is to recognize installers who make an effort to educate themselves on these techniques and to provide an incentive to continue education efforts on proper installation techniques.
The Program
Certifications are awarded to applicants who meet following criteria:
- Attendance at one (1) full-day basic training session; and
- Submission of two (2) HHE-200 Forms (wastewater disposal system designs) the certification applicant installed, for which a permit was issued and an inspection performed by the Local Plumbing Inspector; or other relevant qualifications, reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
In lieu of the approved designs, an installer may submit evidence of other relevant training, which will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Certifications are valid for a period of 5 calendar years. In addition to the initial certification requirements, the certified installer must attend at least 6 hours of training each 5 years thereafter, or the certification will lapse. Alternately, one may attend other relevant training(s) (for example, product manufacturer demonstrations) to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
A list of Certified Installers is available from the Subsurface Wastewater Unit upon request.
Training
- Brent Lawson SSWW Trainings -- 8 CEUs
March Dates TBD on Zoom
Brent Lawson will be providing his yearly spring training series (PDF), highlighting changes of the 2023 Amended SSWW Rules.
Site Evaluator Training Providers (PDF)
Other Training Opportunities
- Norweco Singulair Green Training -- 2 CEUs
Friday, March 22, 2025
Windsor, ME
Contractors Choice LLC will be holding a morning session for contractors/installers and an afternoon session for Site Evaluators. Each session will be 2 CEUs. For more information, please email contractorschoiceme@gmail.com. - GSOWA Conference & Expo -- 12 CEUs (6 CEUs per day)
Monday, March 31, thru Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Manchester, NH
Granite State Onsite Wastewater Association (GSOWA) is hosting a conference and expo. For more information, please visit GSOWA's event and registration page. - Septic Systems Installer Workshop -- 4-8 CEUs (depending on SE/LPI or Contractor, see event link)
Thursday, April 3, 2025 -- 8:30am - 4:00 pm
Owls Head Town Office Community Room -- 224 Ash Point Drive, Owls Head, ME
This will be a full-day classroom-style workshop with multiple presenters. For more information, please visit Knox-Lincoln's Events/Workshops webpage.
For more information, or request copies of previous years' training materials, please contact: