What do I do if my system fails?

If your system or cesspool fails inspection, Title 5 allows up to two years for the completion of repairs or an upgrade. The first thing you should do is contact your local board of health, which needs to approve all upgrades and most repairs, and can tell you what will be required.

Shop around. Get written estimates, check qualifications and references. Remember that you are under no obligation to have the person who inspects your system perform any other work on it. In fact, you may want to hire separate contractors. While most septic system professionals are honest business people, as in any other profession there may be a few “bad apples” who try to take advantage of the consumer. If you ever believe you have been treated unfairly by a system inspector, soil evaluator, engineer, or system installer, call the Massachusetts Environmental Strike Force at (617) 556-1000.