Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS):

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Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) simply put, a Type I system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield (or a mound). A Type II system is a holding tank, a privy with a sealed tank under it, or an open pit privy. If you go to the FORMS page and download a Sewer System application, you will find much useful information about SSTS, and the PCA rules that regulate them.

If you download a copy of the Town of Arna's zoning ordinance, you will find all of the towns' SSTS regulations in Section 3.6 of the ordinance.

After a brand new SSTS is built and passes all inspections, it is considered as being compliant by the PCA for five years. From then onward, each successive renewal (by way of a Compliance Inspection) extends compliance for three more years. Whenever your SSTS passes a compliance inspection, the township will send you what is called a Certificate of Compliance. This process applies to all SSTS with a tank under them. However, a privy with an open pit only needs an inspection once (to ensure that the bottom of the open pit is vertically three feet above saturated soils). If you are in the townsite of Markville, or within 300 feet of a river, then your privy must have a sealed tank.

With a few exceptions, consult the ordinance for exact details, you must have a current active certificate of compliance whenever you sell your land, or add an additional bedroom to your property.

All tanks are supposed to be pumped once every three years. Doing this will greatly extend the life of your drainfield. If you send us copies of your tank pumping receipts, then the township will send you a reminder when your tank needs pumping three years later. The link to the Pine County web site below also lists all the tank pumping professionals in the area.

Compliance inspections of existing SSTS do not need to be performed by the Arna Township inspector. These inspections can be performed by any properly licensed Mn PCA inspector of your choice. Click on the link below to go to the Pine County web site, where you will find a list of all SSTS professionals around the area. If you prefer that the Arna Township inspector performs the inspection, then go to the FORMS page to download a Compliance Inspection application.