Onsite Wastewater Program | Louisiana Department of Health

Onsite Wastewater Program | Louisiana Department of Health
For Businesses
Onsite Wastewater Program
Onsite Wastewater Program
The Onsite Wastewater Program's mission is to prevent untreated or improperly treated sewage from being discharged into the environment and thus to protect the health of the citizens of Louisiana. The program licenses and regulates onsite wastewater treatment system installers, haulers, sub-manufacturers, and manufacturers of wastewater systems in this state. Sanitarians located in the health units of each parish serve to inform, advise, and operate a permitting system with regard to onsite sewage treatment. Select the
Parish Health Units
for local contact information.
Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Information
- USDA Rural Development has a loan and grant program available for homeowners who need financial assistance for maintaining or replacing a failing sewage treatment system. This is
not
a program of the Louisiana Department of Health.
Private Water Well Initiative Website
- Request Private Water Well Samples and/or lending institution letters online.
Highlighted Facts
A total of 475,299 onsite wastewater treatment systems have been permitted as of August 2023.
In 2023, 731 installer and maintenance licenses have been issued to qualified individuals.
To date, 57 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana have enacted onsite sewage ordinances.
Approximately 54,750,000,000 gallons of wastewater per year is treated by onsite wastewater treatment systems in the state of Louisiana.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Installer Applications
Three types of licenses are issued by the Onsite Wastewater Program (OSWW) including Basic, Combination, and Maintenance licenses. Licenses are issued on an annual basis with the licensing period starting on February 1st and expiring on January 31st. Renewal packets are due in the OSWW office by December 1st; renewals received after December 1st are subject to appropriate late fees. Please see the related item "Licensing Instructions" listed below for details on the licensing procedure.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Installation Information
There are numerous types of individual onsite wastewater systems that can be utilized for the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage. The following documents are the Louisiana State rules and regulations governing the installation of these different types of systems.
Design Summary Package 3000 gallons or less
Distance Requirements
Service Requirements for ATUs
Mechanical Plant with ER Field Regulations
Mechanical Plant with Mound or Drip Regulations
Mechanical Plant with Overland Flow Regulations
Mechanical Plant with Rock Plant Filter Regulations
Mechanical Plant with Spray Irrigation Regulations
Septic Tank & Field Bed Regulations
Septic Tank & Oxidation Pond Regulations
Septic Tank & Sand Filter Regulations
Active Lists
The active installers list shows the current list of installers with basic and/or combination licenses. A basic license is required to install a septic-tank system. A combination license is required to install an aerobic treatment unit (ATU).
Click
here
for the most current active installers list (updated April 17, 2026).
Any individual sewage treatment system requires proper routine maintenance. Your installer should provide you with a maintenance contract as part of your initial installation and homeowners are required to maintain their systems in perpetuity (for as long as they occupy the dwelling in question). LDH also maintains a list of installers with active endorsements from a system manufacturer. You should choose a maintenance provider who has an endorsement for the type of system that is installed at your residence.
Click
here
for the most current active maintenance providers list (updated April 17, 2026).
Resources
Onsite Wastewater Installer's Workshop
Licensed Manufacturers of Individual Mechanical Treatment Plants
Licensed Manufacturers of Limited Use Systems (LUS)
Sewage Complaint Form
Homeowner Information
Homeowner Certification
Permit Application Information
Forms for Installers
What to do after a flood and/or power outage?
Sewerage Treatment Plant Identification Tag Ordering Information
Contact
Keenan Glover
Field Operations Administrator
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
225-342-8959
Fax:
225-342-7552
Richard Grabert
Program Specialist
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
225-219-0179
Fax:
225-342-7552
Paula Guient
Assistant Administrator,Specialty Onsite Wastewater
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
225-342-8958
Fax:
225-342-7552
Surgeon General
Evelyn Griffin, MD
Secretary
Bruce D. Greenstein
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