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.
Wet Season Testing 2026
The Health Department officially CLOSED wet season percolation testing on March 27th, 2026. The water table levels have indicated a steady decline. The network of monitoring wells will continue to be monitored to determine if wet season conditions return.
Guidance Documents from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
MDE recently provided the local Health Departments with guidance documents regarding record plats, the appeals process and other items related to the onsite well and sewage disposal system regulations. Please see the new dropdown category below titled “MDE Guidance Documents” for details. Additional documents will be added to the list as they are received and updated.
NOTE: One of the documents includes new language required for record plat signatures that will be implemented immediately on all record plats for signature.
Forms & Guidance
- Well and Water Supply System Disinfection
- Well Site Plan Requirements
- Well Site Stake Form
- Well Pump, Pitless Adapter, and Supply Piping Installation
- Groundwater Appropriations Permit FAQs
- Well & On-site Sewage Disposal System Setback Requirements
- Radionuclides & Your Well Water: A Homeowner's Guide
- Test your Well Water
- Percolation Test and Percolation Certification Plan Requirements for Developed …
- Conventional On-Site Sewage Disposal System Design Plan Requirements
- OSDS Design Plan PowerPoint Training
- Well & On-site Sewage Disposal System Setback Requirements
- Storm Management Setbacks to Wells & OSDS
- Residential Septic Design
- BAT Site Plan Requirements
- OSDS Plan Requirements Fact Sheet
- Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04 Water Supply, Sewage Disposal, and S…
- Howard County Code - On-site Sewage Disposal Systems (Septic Systems)
- Approving Authority Plat Signatory Guidance Templates for Subdivision and Relat…
- Howard County Code - Individual Potable Water Supply Systems (Wells)