TENNESSEE SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSTALLATION
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ Black water.
Answer: Waste water that comes in direct contact with human excreta
⩥ Percolation coefficient.
Answer: Ratio of trench bottom area to percolation time expressed as the
allowable rate of sewage application in gallons per square foot per day.
⩥ Percolation rate.
Answer: Minutes per inch, required for water to seep into saturated soil
at a constant rate
⩥ Distribution device.
Answer: Watertight structure which receives sewage effluent from a
septic tank, dosing tank or other sewage retention device and distributes
it in equal portions to two or more absorption lines
⩥ Can you begin the physical development of a lot or structure where an
on site sewage management system will be used without first having
,obtained a permit from the county board of health a construction permit
for the installation of an on site sewage management system?.
Answer: No
⩥ How many days does the county board of health have to approve a
construction permit for septic?.
Answer: 20days
⩥ If a public water supply system is to be used which permit needs to be
acquired first? Public water or construction permit for sewage.
Answer: Public water needs to be approved first
⩥ How long do on site sewage management construction permits remain
valid?.
Answer: 12months
⩥ What is the maximum percolation rate on tracts or parcels of land of
three acres or more?.
Answer: 120minutes per inch
⩥ How do you overcome a percolation rate greater than 120min/inch on
a tract or parcel of land less than three acres.
Answer: Include in the application a special soil study by the soil
classifier and a site plan from an engineer licensed in the state
,⩥ When are you allowed to backfill your septic system.
Answer: When you've received your written final inspection
⩥ A conventional or chamber septic tank system must have a septic tank
design capacity between what and what?.
Answer: 1000gallons and 10000gallons
⩥ What must be additionally done if a proposed sewage system is too
produce a sewage flow in excess of 2000gallons per day?.
Answer: Then the plans, specifications, soil data, and absorption test
data shall be submitted to the county board of health for the purpose of
obtaining a construction permit. The information shall also bear the seal
of a licensed engineer
⩥ Beginning at the house what size piping shall be used in all sewer
fittings?.
Answer: Schedule 40 pvc minimum with a minimum of 4inch diameter
⩥ How many ft does a septic tank have to be installed away from wells,
springs, sink holes and suction water lines?.
Answer: 50ft
, ⩥ How many ft away does a septic tank need to be installed from
geothermal boreholes, lakes, ponds, streams, water courses and other
impoundments?.
Answer: 25ft
⩥ How close can you install a septic tank to a property line or pressure
water supply lines?.
Answer: 10ft
⩥ How far must a septic tank be installed from a drainage ditch or
embarkment?.
Answer: 15ft
⩥ How far should septic tanks be from hardscapes, drives, swimming
pools and building foundations?.
Answer: 10ft
⩥ What is the liquid capacity of a septic tank for single family dwellings
for one, two, 3 or 4 bedrooms? What about 5rooms? What about a
garbage grinder?.
Answer: 1000gallons with 250gallons extra per extra bedroom and 50%
greater if a garbage grinder is used!
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ Black water.
Answer: Waste water that comes in direct contact with human excreta
⩥ Percolation coefficient.
Answer: Ratio of trench bottom area to percolation time expressed as the
allowable rate of sewage application in gallons per square foot per day.
⩥ Percolation rate.
Answer: Minutes per inch, required for water to seep into saturated soil
at a constant rate
⩥ Distribution device.
Answer: Watertight structure which receives sewage effluent from a
septic tank, dosing tank or other sewage retention device and distributes
it in equal portions to two or more absorption lines
⩥ Can you begin the physical development of a lot or structure where an
on site sewage management system will be used without first having
,obtained a permit from the county board of health a construction permit
for the installation of an on site sewage management system?.
Answer: No
⩥ How many days does the county board of health have to approve a
construction permit for septic?.
Answer: 20days
⩥ If a public water supply system is to be used which permit needs to be
acquired first? Public water or construction permit for sewage.
Answer: Public water needs to be approved first
⩥ How long do on site sewage management construction permits remain
valid?.
Answer: 12months
⩥ What is the maximum percolation rate on tracts or parcels of land of
three acres or more?.
Answer: 120minutes per inch
⩥ How do you overcome a percolation rate greater than 120min/inch on
a tract or parcel of land less than three acres.
Answer: Include in the application a special soil study by the soil
classifier and a site plan from an engineer licensed in the state
,⩥ When are you allowed to backfill your septic system.
Answer: When you've received your written final inspection
⩥ A conventional or chamber septic tank system must have a septic tank
design capacity between what and what?.
Answer: 1000gallons and 10000gallons
⩥ What must be additionally done if a proposed sewage system is too
produce a sewage flow in excess of 2000gallons per day?.
Answer: Then the plans, specifications, soil data, and absorption test
data shall be submitted to the county board of health for the purpose of
obtaining a construction permit. The information shall also bear the seal
of a licensed engineer
⩥ Beginning at the house what size piping shall be used in all sewer
fittings?.
Answer: Schedule 40 pvc minimum with a minimum of 4inch diameter
⩥ How many ft does a septic tank have to be installed away from wells,
springs, sink holes and suction water lines?.
Answer: 50ft
, ⩥ How many ft away does a septic tank need to be installed from
geothermal boreholes, lakes, ponds, streams, water courses and other
impoundments?.
Answer: 25ft
⩥ How close can you install a septic tank to a property line or pressure
water supply lines?.
Answer: 10ft
⩥ How far must a septic tank be installed from a drainage ditch or
embarkment?.
Answer: 15ft
⩥ How far should septic tanks be from hardscapes, drives, swimming
pools and building foundations?.
Answer: 10ft
⩥ What is the liquid capacity of a septic tank for single family dwellings
for one, two, 3 or 4 bedrooms? What about 5rooms? What about a
garbage grinder?.
Answer: 1000gallons with 250gallons extra per extra bedroom and 50%
greater if a garbage grinder is used!
