Application for Construction/Operating Permit & Instructions
This information is provided by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to assist the public and regulated community.
Form #: 12-022 Applications and Forms Revised: 12/7/23

Application for Construction/Operating Permit & Instructions

When an onsite wastewater treatment system requires a permit in accordance with
Title 124 – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, the owner must obtain a construction permit from the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy (NDEE) prior to start of the work and an operating permit from the Department prior to use of the system. The construction permit and the operating permit for a single system are covered by one application.

Construction Permit

To obtain a construction permit, submit to the NDEE for review:

1. a completed Application for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Construction/Operating Permit,

2. a non-refundable permit application fee of $450, and

3. three (3) sets of all plans, specifications, reports, and technical documents prepared by a Professional Engineer.

For domestic wastewater flows of 1,000 gallons per day or less for an onsite wastewater treatment system that does not endanger human health or cause pollution and which meets all the provisions for setback distances and reserve area, but that does not meet all the provisions for design prescribed in Title 124 to be covered under the general permits, the plans, specifications, reports, and other technical documents submitted as part of the application may be prepared by a Master Installer.

The Department will review the construction permit application and supporting documentation. Additional information may be required to ensure proper engineering design and operation. A construction permit will be issued in the name of the facility owner for the legal location of the facility and will be valid for one year from the date of issuance. The Department may require as a construction permit condition submittal of an operation and maintenance manual or plan to provide for the proper operation of the onsite wastewater treatment system and/or a groundwater monitoring plan if there is a potential for groundwater pollution.

The onsite wastewater treatment system must be constructed, reconstructed, altered or modified according to the Department approved design. The owner must notify the Department of any changes to the approved design or changes in wastewater characteristics (quality or quantity) and obtain Department approval prior to changes being made in the system. If the Department determines that any of the changes are significant modifications to the previously approved design, the Department may require submittal of a new application and application fee. If a new construction permit is issued, the previous construction permit will become null and void.

An onsite system construction/operating permit application expires one year from the date the initial application is received by the Department unless the owner submits a written request for reauthorization or extension from the Department prior to the expiration date and the reauthorization or extension is approved by the Department. Such reauthorization or extension shall be subject to requirements in effect at the time the reauthorization or extension is issued, and such reauthorization or extension will be valid for no more than one year from the date of issuance. Additional reauthorization or extension may be requested in writing prior to expiration.

Operating Permit
The Department can issue an operating permit when the following has occurred:
  • Construction that complies with the approved construction permit documents has been completed,

  • The Professional Engineer who designed the system or the Master Installer for a system designed by the Master Installer as provided in Title 124 submits a construction completion notice to the Department. The submittal of the system registration can be used to satisfy this requirement. The construction completion by the Professional Engineer shall include the following or be submitted on a form provided by the Director:
  • The words “Notification of Construction Completion of an Onsite System”,

  • The onsite system construction permit number,

  • The owner’s full name as identified on the permit application,

  • A short description of the onsite system,

  • The name of the Master or Journeyman Installer, Professional Engineer, or Registered Environmental Health Specialist under whose direct supervision the system was constructed,

  • The statement “I swear or affirm that the information and documentation submitted are true, complete, and accurate and certify that construction agreed with approved construction permit documents or subsequent changes approved by the Department”,

  • The engineer’s name and Nebraska issued Professional Engineering license number or the Master Installer’s name and certification number, and

  • The engineer or installer’s signature and the date signed.

  • The system registration form, system registration fee, and any applicable late fee have been received by the Department.

The Department may require as an operating permit condition groundwater monitoring for any onsite wastewater treatment system if there is a potential for groundwater pollution and/or implementation of a Department approved operation and maintenance plan to ensure proper operation of the onsite wastewater treatment system.

The permittee must operate and maintain the onsite wastewater treatment system in compliance with any permit conditions, Title 124 and all other applicable rules and regulations.

Any transfer of ownership of a permitted or systems authorized by the general permits shall automatically authorize the new owner to operate under the existing permit or authorization by rule. A subsequent owner is under the same obligations and conditions of the permit or authorization by rule as was the original or previous owner.


Note: Effective Oct. 1, 2009, any individual submitting any application or form that would derive public benefit from the state must also fill out a United States Citizenship Attestation form. This applies to individuals submitting the forms on their own behalf. If applicable, please fill out the United States Citizenship Attestation form below and submit it with the relevant applications and forms.

United States Citizenship Attestation Form
This Complete Form is only available as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file.
File size is 97 KB



Download
Download the application form, the instructions, and the fact sheet from above.

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Questions?

Contact:
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy

NDEE phone: (402) 471-2186

Toll-free: (877) 253-2603

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Visit our home page: http://dee.ne.gov

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