Caldwell County Convenience Sites continue to operate on their regular schedules. Visit www.caldwellcountync.org/convenience-centers for more information.
Septic System Program | Water & Wells Program
On-site Waste Water (Septic) Program North Carolina general statutes state that a person owning or controlling a residence, place of business, or place of public assembly shall provide an approved sanitary sewage system. As a result, the Commission for Health Services has compiled rules and regulations addressing the placement, design, installation, and maintenance of subsurface ground absorption sewage disposal systems. The Environmental Health program at Caldwell County Health Department acts as agents of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that these rules and regulations are enforced and the public's health is protected.
Applications for Permits for Sewage Disposal Systems and Wells
Applications for lot evaluations for a subsurface sewage disposal permit can be made at the Caldwell County Health Department Central Permitting Office (2345 Morganton Blvd. Lenoir NC 28645). An application fee is required as well as site plan for the proposed property improvements. The Environmental Health Specialist will make a site evaluation based on the following factors:
Once the lot has been evaluated and approved a Septic Improvement Permit and an Authorization to Construct a subsurface sewage disposal system is issued. The Authorization to construct is required to obtain building permits from the Caldwell County Central Permitting office. Once the septic system is installed, another inspection is performed to ensure the system was installed in accordance with the laws and rules of North Carolina.
For more information find the documents below:
For more information about on-site wastewater (septic) program, visit the following NC Public Health links:
Applications for new well installation, well repair or abandonment can be made at the Caldwell County Health Department Central Permitting office. An application fee is required as well as site plan for the proposed property improvements for new wells. The Environmental Health Specialist will ensure your well is installed, repaired or abandoned in accordance with the laws and rules of North Carolina that are established to protect our ground water resources from contamination for current well users and future generations.
An inspection is required during different stages of construction, repair or abandonment as follows:
Field Evaluation
A Caldwell County Environmental Health Specialist will conduct a detailed field evaluation of the topography, landscape position, available space and potential sources of groundwater contamination on or around the site on which your private drinking water well is to be located. The location of the well indicated by the EHS is to provide protection from possible sources of contamination. Flow volume (well yield) is NOT guaranteed at any site by CCHD.
Grout Inspection
The EHS will return to your site during construction of the well to verify well placement and proper grouting of the well.
Wellhead Inspection and Certificate of Completion (COC)
After the pump is installed the EHS will return to your site to inspect the wellhead to verify that well construction is complete and in accordance with applicable laws and rules of North Carolina.
Final power cannot be granted or the well placed into service until a certificate of completion is issued by the EHS indicating the wellhead is approved.
Water Samples
For More information on Wells see Documents below:
Well Disinfection Guidance:
Well Laws and Rules:
For more information about the water and well program, visit the following NC Public Health links.