Sewage Disposal

NOTICE OF SSDS TASK FORCE PUBLIC MEETING

The Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) Task Force will hold a public meeting on Friday, January 23 at 9:00 a.m. in the Auditorium in the Williamson County Administrative Complex (1320 W Main St. in Franklin).

The purpose of this public meeting is to encourage individuals to provide comments and input regarding SSDS regulations, and specifically which regulations above and beyond the State of Tennessee SSDS regulations should be enacted in Williamson County.


UPCOMING EVENTS - SSDS TASK FORCE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

December 12th 2025 Meeting notes
January 6, 2026 Public Meeting 6:00 pm Auditorium
January 9, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room (AGENDA)
January 23, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room (AGENDA)
February 6, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room
February 20, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room
March 6, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room
March 20, 2026 Task Force Meeting 9:00 am Exec Conf Room

 Meetings to be held in the Executive Conference Room at the Williamson County Administrative Complex (1320 W. Main St. in Franklin). 

SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (SSDS) TASK FORCE

The Williamson County Board of County Commissioners has formed a Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Task Force to study the State SSDS regulations and provide recommendations to the County Commission and the County Board of Health on what, if any, SSDS regulations should be enacted in Williamson County that are above and beyond the State of Tennessee regulations for SSDS systems that are enforced by TDEC. The final report of the Task Force is due by April 1, 2026, and the report is to be presented at the May 2026 County Commission meeting.

SSDS TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Rogers Anderson – County Mayor

Mike Matteson – Community Development Director

Judy Herbert – County Commission Member

Mike Haarbauer – Soil Scientist

Keith Brotherton – Surveyor

Steven Clifton – Engineer

Scott Hill – Installer

Britton Dotson TDEC Representative

Jennifer Tapp – Dept. of Sewage Disposal Management


IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS

The recommendations of the Task Force will result in changes to the regulations affecting septic systems in Williamson County. These regulatory changes will be made after the County Commission’s acceptance of the Task Force report. Therefore, property owners and consultants who have applications in the septic review process, or who are working towards an application, are advised to consider whether to pursue approval under the current regulations or to wait until the new regulations have been adopted.



Overview


The Department of Sewage Disposal Management is charged with the task of ensuring that the laws of Williamson County regarding the use and placement of individual, onsite septic tank / sewage disposal systems (septic systems), are fairly implemented and enforced so as to protect:

  • The health and well-being of the general public.
  • The irreplaceable groundwater resources of the county.
  • The quality of the environment which the citizens of the county enjoy.

Flooded Water Well Notice

Find out what to do with a water well after a flood.
Emergency Relief Measures

If you are experiencing a septic system backup into the internal plumbing fixtures of a structure, please view information for emergency relief measures available during periods when the office is closed.

wellThe Division of Laboratory Services at the state’s health department is offering FREE well-water test kits.  The kits are available at no charge through July 2023.  The kit includes:  gloves, bottles and directions for sampling water from the faucet.   Also included is a prepaid shipping label.  Water samples will be tested for Total Coliform and E. coli, Fluoride, Nitrite, Nitrate, Total Dissolved Solids, Lead, Copper and Arsenic.  These are common contaminants that should be checked annually according to the EPA.

 

To order a free kit or for more information, please contact TDOH-ENVLogin.Health@tn.gov or call (615) 262-6337.

RESIDENTIAL RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS…WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW