Title 5 Inspections

Official Massachusetts Title 5 Inspection form

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Big Septic Service

Title 5 Inspections:

B.I.G. Septic Service has experienced Title 5 inspectors who have knowledge in all aspects of septic systems and how they operate. B.I.G. can accurately inspect your septic system because we know how it works.
A liscensed B.I.G. inspector is proficient in the updated Title 5 regulations and comes equipped with state of the art locating equipment, saving time and money.
We also offer Title 5 assessments for customers who want complete confidentiality.

What is a Title 5?

As of March 31, 1995, the state environmental code governing septic systems, commonly referred to as Title 5 regulations, requires inspections of septic systems and cesspools prior to a home being sold or enlarged. In most instances, systems that fail inspection must be repaired within 2 years. Title 5 of the Massachusetts State Environmental Code, 310 CMR 15.000, is a regulation that protects you and your community.

For How long is a Title 5 Inspectoin Valid?

A Title V inspection is considered valid for two years. However, if the homeowner has his septic system pumped every year, it is valid for three years.

What Can I Expect During a Title 5 Inspection?
A liscensed Isnpector will inspect and view every part of your septic system including the septic tank, distribution box and cesspool. Your leach filed or drain field will also be checked during this process. The inspector will try to locate all of the components for your system and check for signs of hydraulic failure. Construction will be checked, determining where the high groundwater elevation is located and the overall design flow of your system. In some cases, the inspector will request that the homeowner get the “as-built” plans that are held on file at the Board of Health, or to see pumping and/or maintenance records for the last two years in order to complete the report. Make sure you have everything available or can get the required information if it is requested by the inspector.

What Do the Results Mean?
There are three results provided from a Massachusetts Title 5 Inspection: pass, conditional pass or fail. What happens next depends upon your results and what the inspector suggests in his report.

PASS – A passed Massachusetts Title 5 Inspection of residential septic systems is good for two to three years, depending on your pumping schedule. The Board of Health will not need to do anything if your system is passed. Inspection information must be shared with the buyer – whether it is passed or failed – if you are in the process of selling your home.
CONDITIONAL PASS – A conditionally passed Massachusetts Title 5 Inspection is an indication that some component of your septic system has broken down or failed and needs to be replaced. Examples of this would be a crushed pipe, a septic tank that is leaking, a distribution box that has failed or a broken baffle, among other things. The good news is that the repairs that are required for a conditionally passed system to become Title 5 compliant are usually substantially less expensive than what it would cost to completely replace the system under a failed inspection. Under a conditional pass, once the repair has been made it becomes Title 5 compliant and achieves a passing result. A new report is submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Health to show that the system has now passed the Title 5 inspection.
FAIL – A failed Massachusetts Title 5 Inspection of residential septic systems can go one of two ways. If it is determined that your system poses a threat to public health, you will need to replace or repair your system within a specific allotted amount of time. However, if your system failed, but is not considered a threat to public health, the inspector will give you two years to complete all of the work necessary to get it to pass. The work can only be done by a septic system repair technician that is licensed and certified in the State of Massachusetts. Soil testing will need to be completed and a new septic system that will work better with your home and usage will need to be designed and installed.