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On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

Phone: (636) 528-6117 option 2

Many Lincoln County residents use on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) for wastewater treatment and/or disposal. An OWTS receives, treats and disposes of domestic wastewater on the property from which it originates.

In Lincoln County, Ordinance 1995-12 and its amendments govern OWTS. This ordinance took effect in 1996 and the amendments were added in 1999. It is based on Section 701 of Missouri Law and Title 19 Division 20 Chapter 3 of Department of Health Rules.

• View the Lincoln County Ordinance 1995-12. (PDF -- 450 KB)

Most OWTS in Lincoln County are of conventional design. That is, sewage flows from the home into a septic tank, where it is separated into three layers: solids on the bottom; fats, oils and greases on top; and effluent in the middle. The effluent flows out of the septic tank and into a soil absorption field (drain field).

In Lincoln County, a permit is required for installing a new OWTS or making major modifications to an existing system. However, with single-family residential lots over forty acres, no permit is required. Certain state rules still apply; contact us if you have any questions regarding applicability.

OWTS require routine maintenance to keep them running properly. There are also many things to avoid placing into an OWTS. For more information, see our "Do's and Don'ts" page here