Well & Septic

COSA (Certificate of On-Site Systems Approval) Process

There are a number of detailed sources of information relating to COSA requirements. Garness Engineering Group Ltd. Is one such contractor that has detailed info on their web site (www.garnessengineering.com). In addition, the MOA also has detailed info on their web site (www.muni.org/onsite ). For those who wish to get more detailed information, I would recommend these two sites. There may be other engineering firms also that provide services.

If one looks at a well source for water at a residence: In all likelihood the seller will need to have the head for the well replaced. The MOA has required that all wells presently have a head with a rubber seal so that nothing can drain into the well irrespective of how high out of the ground the well casing protrudes. Sullivan Water Wells (PO Box 670269, Chugiak, AK 99567 Tel 688-2759) is a good source to refer to and direct any related questions. This is a fairly simple process and takes about an hour to complete the process. The charges are approximately $220 – $250.

The actual testing includes both the well and septic system. Here is an accounting note by a recent selling client:

The actual testing of both the Well and the Septic System were conducted. The test included pumping of the well to provide 150 gallons per bedroom or in my case 750 gallons (5 bedrooms). As I recall they completed the pumping over about a four hour period but I believe the regulations allow for the pumping to be completed over a 24 hour period and still have the well responding. Given that the well did not have any challenge, they were able to pump it in essentially 4 hours. They pumped the water into my septic system on the other side of the tank (to insure that they did not push any solids into the septic field). The technician checked the site tube sometime in the afternoon and found that there was still some minor water in the tube but not a lot; he came back early the next morning and checked and there was no water at all at the end of the site tube. It is my understanding that the test is over a 24 hour period as such with the lack of any water after 24 hours; the septic system was in very good shape.