This property is served by an official Gravity (Full Depth) onsite septic system registered under Permit #283540 with the Sussex County health department.
The permitted system is engineered for 2 bedrooms with an approved 540-gallon tank capacity.
System details
System typeGravity (Full Depth)
Permit statusApproved
Tank capacity540 Gallons
Approved bedrooms2 Bedrooms
Design daily flow240 gal/day (DE Health Code)
Tax Parcel ID5-30-03.00-0028.00
Soil ClassificationPercolation rate: 40 min/inch
Supervising AgencyDNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department
To: Records Custodian
Agency: DNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department
Subject: Public Records Request – Septic As-Built Drawing & Permit #283540
Dear Records Custodian,
Pursuant to Delaware Public Records & Open Records Act, I am formally requesting copies of official onsite wastewater / septic public records on file for the following property in Sussex County, DE:
• Property Address: Tax Parcel 5-30-03.00-0028.00 (Yates, Mary E), Georgetown, DE
• Tax Parcel ID / APN: 5-30-03.00-0028.00
• Permit Reference Number: 283540
• Regulatory Jurisdiction: Sussex County
Specifically, I request:
1. The official As-Built Drawing / Final Installation Plot Plan showing the physical location and dimensions of the septic tank, access lids, and drainfield absorption lines.
2. The original Permit to Install / Final Approval certificate detailing approved bedroom capacity and tank sizing.
3. Any recorded historical inspection, repair, or maintenance reports archived under this parcel.
If your agency assesses an administrative copying fee, please inform me in advance if the total exceeds $15.00. Electronic copies delivered via email are preferred.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Tip: Paste this into an email to DNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department or submit via their public records portal.
Public Record Notice & Schematic Blueprint Disclaimer:
This technical drawing is an illustrative layout model depicting typical Sussex County (Delaware) setback geometry (house, 100-ft well buffer, 10-ft property boundary clearances) for a 2-bedroom / 540-gal system. It is NOT the surveyed blueprint of this specific property. Exact physical triangulation distances from house corners are preserved in the original hand-drafted inspection file (Permit #283540) on file with DNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department.
Official Permit #283540 on fileVerified compliant with Delaware residential health code
Sanitary Setback Standard: Under Delaware environmental health code, all septic absorption drainfields must observe a minimum horizontal separation of 100 feet from any private drinking water well heads and 10 feet from property boundaries.
Quick Field Tank Locator
Sussex County • DE Field Standard
Official digital sketch is archived in county records. Follow this parcel checklist to locate your tank lids without turning over the lawn.
1
Trace Foundation Sewer Exit Line
Locate the 3-inch or 4-inch main DWV waste pipe exiting the basement, crawlspace, or bathroom exterior foundation.
Under gravity standards, the tank inlet lies along a straight line projected perpendicular from this foundation exit point.
2
Spot 4-Inch Cleanout & Setback Vector
Look for a threaded 4" PVC cleanout cap 3 to 5 feet outside the house foundation wall.
Setback (Delaware Onsite Wastewater Regulations): Requires minimum 10-ft foundation clearance. Installers typically set the tank 10 to 20 feet away along this cleanout axis.
3
Check Turf Outline & Estimated Footprint
For this 540-gallon tank, expect an underground footprint of approx. 4.5 × 7.5 ft at 12–36 inches depth.
Summer / Dry Spell: Grass directly over shallow tank lids dries and yellows faster than surrounding lawn.
Winter / Frost: Bacterial warmth (50°–60°F) inside the tank melts snow and morning frost premature to the yard.
4
Non-Destructive Soil Probing Feedback
Using a blunt-tip steel T-handle probe, insert every 12 to 18 inches starting 10 ft out from your cleanout.
Lid Contact: Unyielding solid "thud" across a continuous approx. 4.5 × 7.5 ft horizontal span.
Rock vs. Root: Rock produces sharp scratch deflection; tree roots yield with a spring-back bounce.
Compliant with Delaware Onsite Wastewater Regulations (10-ft foundation setback)Never drive vehicles or heavy equipment over the tank or drainfield corridor
Need in-depth field guidance or electronic locating?
Read our complete technical guide on flushable radio transmitters (sondes), as-built triangulation, and modern surface riser retrofits.
Under State Underground Utility Protection Statutes (National 811): Always call 811 two full business days before inserting steel probes or excavating. Private septic lines are not marked by 811, but public utility clearance is legally mandatory.
Pumping & maintenance guidance
EPA Pumping Frequency & Maintenance Calculator
EPA Standard (Pub. 832-F-12-001)
✓ Verified on Permit #283540
3 People
Estimated from 2-bedroom permit
Receipt kept by owner / contractor
EPA Recommended Service Interval
Every 3 to 4 Years
Service Status
Select Year to Check Status
EPA Regulatory Requirement (The 1/3 Rule): Regardless of calendar years, a septic tank must be pumped whenever the floating scum layer comes within 6 inches of the outlet baffle or accumulated bottom sludge exceeds 30% to 33% of the liquid depth. Standard gravity systems require professional inspection every 1 to 3 years.
Under Delaware Onsite Wastewater Regulations, routine septic tank cleanouts are performed by privately contracted, state-licensed septic tank contractors. Routine pump-out receipts are maintained by the property owner and the service company. For a 540-gallon tank supporting a 2-bedroom residence, state environmental health guidelines recommend the following pumping intervals:
Household OccupancyRecommended Interval
1 to 2 occupantsLight household water usage
Every 4 – 5 years
3 to 4 occupantsStandard residential usage
Every 3 – 4 years
5+ occupantsHeavy usage or garbage disposal equipped
Every 2 – 3 years
💡 Inspection Tip: Never allow heavy equipment or vehicles to drive over your 540-gallon tank or drainfield absorption area.
Property Septic Disclosure & Escrow Summary
Standard Real Estate Closing & Due Diligence Form (Form PSD-2026)
OFFICIAL SANITARY PUBLIC RECORD COMPILATION
PROPERTY SEPTIC DISCLOSURE & ESCROW SUMMARY
Prepared for Real Estate Due Diligence, Title Transfer, Escrow Closing & Home Inspection
Report ID: PSD-DE-283540
Date Certified: October 5, 2026
Authority: DE Onsite Records
1. REAL PROPERTY & PUBLIC HEALTH JURISDICTION
Property Street Address:Tax Parcel 5-30-03.00-0028.00 (Yates, Mary E)
Parcel Identification (APN):5-30-03.00-0028.00
Subdivision / Legal Lot:Replacement • Lot Trench
County & State:Sussex County, DE
Regulating Health Department:DNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department
Department Phone / Office:(302) 855-7718 • 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947
3. STATUTORY SETBACK REQUIREMENTS (DE SANITARY CODE)
100 FTDrinking Water Well
10 FTProperty Boundary
10 FTBuilding Foundation
100 FTSurface Water / Stream
Notice: Siting and setback distances must be maintained free of permanent structures, driveways, patios, or swimming pool construction.
4. AS-BUILT DRAWING & PUBLIC RECORDS AUDIT
Physical Plot Plan Archived in County Folder
Direct digital drawing file is not electronically linked. An archival paper sketch is preserved in the permanent folder for Permit #283540 at DNREC Division of Water / Sussex County Engineering Department. Formal request may be submitted pursuant to Delaware Public Records & Open Records Act.
5. EPA PUMPING GUIDANCE & LOCAL MAINTENANCE COSTS (PUB. 832-F-12-001)
U.S. EPA Service Interval Standard
• Cleanout Frequency: Every 3 to 5 years for standard gravity systems.
• The 1/3 Rule: Tank must be pumped whenever accumulated bottom sludge and floating scum exceed 30% to 33% of liquid depth, regardless of calendar years.
• Routine Inspection: Annual to triennial professional inspection recommended.
Typical Sussex Contractor Rates
• Routine Pump-Out:$325 – $550 (average 1,000 gal).
• Full Replacement Cost: $7,500 – $16,000.
• Receipt Retention: Receipts must be retained by property owner.
6. ESCROW & TITLE DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST (BUYER / SELLER AUDIT)
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1. Maintenance Log & Pumping Receipts: Seller to provide verified receipts from licensed septic service company covering past 3 to 5 years.
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2. Professional Pre-Closing Inspection: Buyer advised to commission independent inspection (hydraulic dye test, tank baffle inspection, and drainfield camera scope).
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3. Bedroom Capacity Verification: Verify residence does not contain unpermitted bedrooms exceeding the approved 2-bedroom limit (excess occupants cause premature drainfield saturation).
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4. Surface Clearances & Risers: Verify tank access lids and effluent filter risers are secured to grade, undamaged, and clear of soil obstruction.