Water: Septic (Onsite / Decentralized) Systems
Water InfrastructureSeptic (Onsite / Decentralized) SystemsAdvanced Onsite Technology Products Approved by StateAdvanced Onsite Technology Products Approved by State
A variety of treatment and collection options are available when implementing decentralized wastewater systems. They typically include a septic tank, although many configurations include additional treatment components following or in place of the septic tank, which provide for advanced treatment solutions. Most disperse treated effluent to the soil where further treatment occurs, utilizing either conventional soil absorption fields or alternative soil dispersal methods which provide advanced treatment. Some systems promote water reuse/recycling, evaporation or wastewater uptake by plants.
Various states have reviewed and approved advanced treatment solutions for use in decentralized wastewater systems. EPA’s Decentralized Wastewater Management Program has compiled information on the alternative technology products that have been approved by state as a resource for states and industry professionals to learn about different state approval lists and approval processes, and to better promote the research, development, and implementation of new advanced treatment technologies.
The following is a table which contains links to state web pages with information regarding the advanced technology products approved for use in that state, the product approval process, or, when states’ do not have a product approval process established or the state is in the process of drafting new policy with regard to this area, links are provided to the states’ department with authority over decentralized wastewater management.
Please also note that EPA does not endorse or make decisions about the inclusion of specific products, manufacturers, or service providers nor does it endorse or verify the information contained in these links. EPA is providing access to this information to show how others are identifying and approving products.
Approved Onsite Wastewater Treatment Products and Product Approval (by EPA Region and State)
| Region 1 | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont |
| Region 2 | New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands |
| Region 3 | Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia |
| Region 4 | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee |
| Region 5 | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin |
| Region 6 | Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Region 7 | Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska |
| Region 8 | Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming |
| Region 9 | American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Johnston Atoll, Midway Islands, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island |
| Region 10 | Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington |
Region 1
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Maine Office of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- Rhode Island Bureau of Environmental Protection
- Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Region 4
- Alabama Department of Public Health, Page 69 (PDF) (182 pp, 861K, About PDF)
- Florida Department of Health
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- North Carolina Division of Public Health
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Page 23-45 (PDF) (73 pp, 309K, About PDF)
Region 8
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, page 47 (PDF) (62 pp, 422K, About PDF)
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality
North Dakota Department of Health
- South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality
- Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality