Act 537 Sewage Facilities

Malfunctioning or improperly functioning sewage disposal systems, regardless of type, can pose a serious threat to public health and the environment.

The purpose of the DEP sewage facilities program is to implement the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Act 537, in order to help address existing sewage disposal needs, and to help prevent future problems through the proper planning, permitting, and design of all types of sewage facilities.

The onlot sewage facility portion of the program is largely administered on the local government level by individual municipalities or groups of municipalities working together (including County Health Departments), which are known as local agencies and joint local agencies, respectively. Local agencies receive technical oversight and financial assistance from DEP.

• Chapter 71
  Administration of Sewage Facilities Planning Program
• Chapter 72
  Administration of Sewage Facilities Permitting Program
• Chapter 73
  Standards of Onlot Sewage Treatment Facilities
• On-Lot System Installers (PDF)
  This list identifies those individuals who have been recognized as successfully completing a DEP-approved installer course
  (Revised March 15, 2024)
• Act 537 Local Agency Program Evaluation Questionnaire
  (3850-FM-BCW0092)
  Used by DEP personnel when conducting evaluations of Local Agency performance as authorized in Title 25, Pa. Code, Section 72.43
• Field Narrative Form
  (3850-FM-BCW0282)
  Used by DEP staff (optional) to record field information, investigations, inspections or other similar activities
• SEO Major Evaluation Report Form
  (3850-FM-BCW0093)
  Used by DEP personnel when conducting evaluations of SEO performance as authorized in Title 25, Pa. Code, Section 72.43