Septic and Well Permitting in Putnam County: Process and Requirements

A combined septic and water-supply application

Putnam County's Division of Environmental Health Services uses a combined application -- form ST-19, "SSTS/Water Supply for Single Family Residences" -- covering both the septic (sewage treatment) system and the private water supply for a single-family home in one submission, rather than two separate permit tracks. Applications are available at the department's office (1 Geneva Road, Brewster, NY 10509; 845-808-1390). A construction permit, once issued, is valid for two years from the date of issuance and can be renewed through a separate construction permit renewal application if a project runs longer than that.

All private water systems intended for drinking water -- new wells, an existing well being connected to a new dwelling, and even a pond used for that purpose -- require a permit through the health department as part of, or alongside, this process. Budget for both halves of the ST-19 application together rather than assuming a well can be handled informally once septic approval is in hand.

Septic repairs: a genuinely hands-on soil-testing process

For a septic system repair specifically -- as opposed to a new system -- the department requires soil testing in the form of test pits and/or percolation tests, witnessed directly by a representative of the department's own Engineering Staff rather than accepted on a contractor's say-so. The results are then used jointly by the health department and the septic contractor to determine the appropriate repair approach, and once a repair permit is approved, health department staff inspect the repaired system before backfilling to confirm compliance. This is a more hands-on, multi-step process than a simple repair-and-report approach some other counties allow.

A county-specific requirement: the contractor has to be licensed too

Putnam County requires that anyone providing or offering septic system contractor services in the county hold a specific septic system contractor license issued by the Commissioner of Health, under Article 3 of the Putnam County Sanitary Code -- a requirement layered on top of whatever other licensing a contractor may hold. Not every septic installer licensed or working elsewhere in New York is automatically authorized to work in Putnam County; confirm a contractor's current Putnam County license status directly with the Division of Environmental Health Services (845-808-1390) before hiring for installation or repair work.

What this means if you're buying land or a home in Putnam County

If you're buying raw land and planning a new septic system and well, expect the combined ST-19 application to be the operative form, and budget realistic time for the county's own review rather than assuming a fast approval. If you're buying a property with an existing septic system that needs repair, expect the health department's engineering staff to witness soil testing directly -- this isn't a paperwork-only process -- and confirm the repair contractor holds a current Putnam County septic contractor license. Either way, ask for the property's permit history and construction-permit validity dates, since an older or lapsed permit may need renewal or a fresh application before any work can proceed.