The document summarizes the history and current regulations of Arizona's onsite sewage system inspection program. It began in 2002 with a voluntary transfer of ownership inspection program and became mandatory in 2006. Inspectors must now be certified after completing an approved training course. The process requires qualified inspectors to inspect systems, fill out a report of inspection form, and submit it along with a notice of transfer form within 15 days of a property sale. Over time, the training program in Arizona has expanded to educate more stakeholders on proper inspection and maintenance of onsite sewage systems.

1. The Arizona Inspection
Program
Kitt Farrell-Poe, Ph.D.
Prof of Ag & Biosystems
Engineering
University of Arizona in Yuma

2. History: AZ Inspector Program
Regulations
 Before January 1, 2002
 Beginning January 1, 2002
 Beginning July 1, 2006

3. History: AZ Inspector Program
Regulations
 Before January 1, 2002
 No required inspections

4. History: AZ Inspector Program
Regulations
 Beginning January 1, 2002
 Transfer of Ownership Inspection Program born
 Required transfer of ownership inspections on
onsite sewage systems built after 1-1-01
 Created guidelines for categories of “eligible”
inspectors
 Created procedure
 Created form

5. History: AZ Inspector Program
Regulations
 Beginning July 1, 2006
 Specified in rule
 Required inspections on ALL
onsite sewage systems
 Qualified inspectors must:
 Have knowledge of system to be
inspected AND the inspection
process
 Hold a “certificate of training”
from a course recognized by
ADEQ
 Hold a license in one or more of
5 professions

6. History: AZ Inspector Program
Regulations
 After Nov 11, 2005
 Regulations (Code)
 http://www.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_18/18-09.pdf
(pages 43 & 44)
 Onsite Notice of Transfer Program
 http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/onsitenot.html

7. Notice of Transfer Process
Qualified Inspector inspects facility within 6
months before property transfer
Inspector completes Report of Inspection
and gives to Seller
Prior to property transfer, Seller gives Report
of Inspection to Buyer with any other facility
documentation in Seller’s possession
Buyer submits Notice of Transfer form with
fee to indicated address within 15 days
after date of property transfer

8. Forms
 Report of Inspection Form
 http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/
download/inspection.doc
 Notice of Transfer Form
 http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/
download/presale.doc

9. 1 page of instruction
6 pages to the form
14 sections to fill out

10. Report of Inspection
 Property information
 Current owner information
 Inspector information
 Inspector qualifications
 Documents consulted
 Facility information

11. Report of Inspection
 General treatment & disposal works
information
 Septic tank inspection & pumping information
 Disposal works inspection
 Other components/appurtenances
 Other comments
 Inspection summary
 Inspector’s certification
 Sketches/Plans/Maps

12. 4 pages of instruction
2 pages to the form
8 sections to complete
in the form

13. Notice of Transfer Form
 Property information
 Transfer/Seller/Former Owner of Property
 Transferee/Buyer/New Owner of Property
 Exemption clause
 Inspector information

14. Notice of Transfer Form
 Inspector information
 Date of facility construction
 Facility type
 Inspection information
 Buyer acknowledgment of transfer of
ownership of property & operation &
maintenance requirements to comply with
aquifer protection permit

15. History: AZ Inspector Program
Education & Training
 Started in 2002 as voluntary effort by University
of Arizona professor (me)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
78 70
95
14
342
76
'02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07

16. NAWT Training in Arizona
 2-day training
 Recognized by State of Arizona
 Day 1: overview of onsite wastewater treatment
 Day 2: specifics of inspecting onsite wastewater
treatment systems
 No pre-requisites
 Certification lasts 2 years
 Working with NAWT over the 4 years, has
evolved program that
 covers Arizona’s Transfer of Ownership Program,
 contains more Arizona examples, and
 shows photos of Arizona properties & inspections

17. One small step for Kitt, One giant leap
for Arizona …
 Attended a NAWT training class
 Brought to Arizona as voluntary class
 Progressed to an optional class in order to
qualify for State eligibility
 Now an Arizona state-approved course &
fulfills a requirement
 Used as a pre-requisite for other classes
 Model is being used for soil & site
evaluation education/training

18. Looking into the Crystal Ball
 First step was educating inspectors &
regulators
 Second step was educating soil and site
evaluators & regulators
 Future steps will include educating
 Operation and maintenance providers
 Designers
 Installers
 Realtors, escrow & title officers
 Homeowners

19. How About Your State?
 Will this model work for your state?
 Find a Champion to bring education and
training to your state
 An individual
 An organization
 NAWT will work with your training needs

20. Questions?