Taunton Health Department

45 School Street

 508-821-1400   fax: 508-821-1403

Getting Around

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City of Taunton

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Common Title 5 Questions 

The purpose of Title 5 is to provide for the protection of public health, safety, welfare, and the environment by requiring the proper setting, construction, upgrade, and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems and appropriate means for transport and disposal of septage.

 1. What do I do if I am selling my home?

“a system shall be inspected at or within two years prior to the time of transfer of the title…”  - 310 CMR 15.301 (1). You must get a Title 5 inspection by a licensed Title 5 inspector. A list of licensed inspectors is available online on the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) site or at the Board of Health (2 pages at .25 a page). A copy of the inspection shall be submitted to the buyer.  A copy is also submitted the either the Board of Health or the DEP.

If the system is in compliance the Board of Health will review the report and stamp the document for approval.  

If the system is not in compliance (it fails the inspection) than you have two years to repair the system and bring it up to code. How this affects the transfer of the title is up to the present owner and the prospective buyer.  

2. What do I do if my system is in Failure? (Local regulations state that all cesspools are automatic failure due to their inability to protect the water from contaminates) 

Upon receiving a failed Title 5 inspection the owner of the property has two years to upgrade the system. The Board of Health has the right to shorten the period of time allowed based on any imminent health hazard. (310 CMR 15.305). If the municipal sewer is available the owner must tie into the sewer system.  

The first step is to hire an engineer to conduct a Percolation test on the soils on your property. From that test they are able to design a successful system.  Then an installer needs to be hired, the engineer may refer you to local installers. A list of licensed installers may be picked up at the Board of Health.  We recommend getting several estimates on the work to be done.  

The installer should know the procedure and must get a Disposal Works Construction Permit from the Board of Health, before beginning any construction on your system. Upon the completion of the upgrade or repairs, the Board of Health will issue a Certificate of Compliance to the installer. The homeowner will need to get the certificate from the installer. The certificate is valid for two years.

 3. Can I install a pool if I have a septic system? 

Inground pool: The pool must be 10 feet away from your septic tank and 20 feet away from the soil absorption system (the field, chambers, pit etc.)

Above ground pool: the only stipulation is that it cannot be place on any of the septic system components.

4. How do I know where my system is?

 Depending on the age of your system the Board of Health keeps files on your system. Your system will either be listed my address or by Lot number. If available the lot number will immensely help with the search for your property’s records. 

5. I am putting an addition on my house, what do I need to do? 

If you are doing any construction on your home, you need to get a Title 5 inspection from a licensed inspector. Only then will the Board of Health sign off on the building permit.

 6. How far does my septic system need to be from my well?

The septic tank needs to be at least 50 feet from the private well

The absorption systems needs to be at least 100 feet from the well

(If the will is only used for irrigation and is a nonpotable water source, than the tank only needs to be 10 feet from the well, and the soil absorption system needs to be 25 feet from the well)

7. When does the DWCP expire? 

The permit is good for two years from the date it was issued. Two years from the date the plans and the application were approved.

 8. When do I need a well permit? 

When constructing any type of well, including irrigation well.  

9. How often should I get my system pumped? 

We recommend that tanks be pumped every 2 or 3 years depending on the usage (if you have a garbage disposal, at least once a year). It is important to keep your pumping records.