Abandoning a Septic System

  1. When a septic system should be abandoned:
  2. Cottonwood County Septic Ordinance #28 Section 9 Part 4. Abandonment
  3. Any SSTS, or any component thereof, which is no longer intended to be used, must be abandoned in accordance with MN Rules, Chapter 7080.2500. Additionally, any SSTS or any component thereof which has been serving a dwelling that has been abandoned or destroyed must be abandoned in accordance with MN Rules Chapter 7080, Part 7080.2500 within two (2) years of abandonment or destruction.
  4. When does the septic system need to be abandoned by:
  5. Cottonwood County Septic Ordinance #28 Section 14 Abandonment Certification Part 1 Purpose
  6. The purpose of the System Abandonment Certification is to ensure that a treatment system no longer in service is abandoned, within 2 years, following decommissioning, and in a manner that protects public health, safety and water quality. It also terminates all permits associated with the system.
  7. Who can abandon a system:
  8. Cottonwood County Septic Ordinance #28 Section 14 Abandonment Certification Part 2 Abandonment Requirements Subp. C
  9. An owner of an SSTS must retain a licensed business to abandon all components of the treatment system whenever the use of a SSTS or any system component is discontinued. System abandonment shall be completed in accordance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7080.2500. No prior notification of the Department of an owner’s intent to abandon a system is necessary.
  10. Only a licensed and certified business can properly abandon the system
  11. What should be reported on the abandonment form:
  12. Cottonwood County Septic Ordinance #28 Section 14 Abandonment Certification Part 2 Abandonment Requirements Subp. D
  13. A report of abandonment certified by the licensed business shall be submitted to the Department within 30 calendar days of system abandonment. The report shall include:

1) Owner’s name, mailing address and telephone number;

2) Property address; Cottonwood County SSTS Ordinance Page 18

3) System SSTS permit and operating permit numbers;

4) The reason(s) for abandonment;

5) A brief description of the abandonment methods used, description of the system components removed or abandoned in place, and disposition of any materials or residuals;

6) A certified statement from a licensed business that the abandonment was completed in accordance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7080.2500.

  1. An MPCA Abandonment Form must be filled out and sent to the Cottonwood SWCD by the business.
  2. See attached form for what needs to be filled out by the business.
  1. How is a system abandoned:
  2. MN Rules Chapter 7080.2500 System Abandonment subp 1. Tank abandonment parts A-C
  3. A. All solids and liquids must be removed and disposed of according to part 7080.2450, subpart 6, by a licensed maintenance business.
  4. B. All electrical devices and devices containing mercury must be removed and disposed of according to applicable regulations.
  5. C. Abandoned tanks or any other underground cavities must be removed or remain in place and crushed with the remaining cavity filled with soil or rack material.
  6. MN Rules Chapter 7080.2500 System Abandonment subp 3. Removal of system parts A-D. (drain field)
  7. A. Contaminated materials disposed of off-site must be disposed of according to part 7080.2450, subpart 6.
  8. B. If contaminated material is to be spread or used on-site within one year of contact with sewage, the material must be placed in an area meeting the soil and setback requirements described in part 7080.2150, subparts 2, item F, Table VII, and 3 item C, and the material must be covered with a minimum of six inches of uncontaminated soil and protected from erosion. After one year following contact with sewage, the material is allowed to be spread in any location meeting the setback requirement of part 4725.4450, covered with a minimum of six inches of uncontaminated soil, and protected from erosion. After one year following contact with sewage, the material is allowed to be used to fill in the abandoned in-place sewage tanks.
  9. C. Contaminated pipe, geotextile fabric, or other material must be dried and disposed of in a mixed municipal soil waste landfill.
  10. D. The person or business abandoning the system must complete and sign a record of abandonment that states the system was abandoned according to this part.

What our landowners need to know:

  • If your system is no longer going to be in use it must be properly abandoned.
  • A homeowner cannot abandon the system per Cottonwood County Ordinance it must be completed by a licensed business.
  • The homeowner should contact a licensed installer to start the abandonment process. The installer may just hire a maintainer to pump the tank or ask the homeowner to have it pumped. If the installer is not sure what to do, either call another installer or have the installer contact the Cottonwood SWCD.
  • The installer should send a copy of the abandonment form to the Cottonwood SWCD within 30 days of the abandoning.
  • This form will then be filed with the parcel files for a properly abandoned septic system.