Private option permits including the Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator Permit Option (AOWE) and Engineer Option Permit (EOP) are becoming more common in Wake County. Under these permits, licensed private sector professionals can evaluate, design, and permit wastewater treatment systems. These private option permits do not include authorization for a construction of a well. The Well Permit (GW permit) must be applied for separately and issued by Wake County.

When applying for a Well Permit and utilizing a private option for wastewater permitting, it is highly recommended to have the location of the house and all wastewater system components finalized BEFORE applying. Once the Construction Authorization (CA) for the well is issued by Wake County, any changes to the location of the well or wastewater system could void the permit and require a revision and re-issuance of the Construction Authorization.



Well drillers are responsible for verifying all Local and State required setbacks in the field before drilling. If a well is drilled outside of the area listed on the Construction Authorization, it must be abandoned and re-drilled in the approved area. Well drillers should ensure they are only using the Wake County issued GW permit for location of the well. Any changes that need to be made to a well location must have a revised Construction Authorization issued by Wake County before drilling. If there are any questions about permitting or location of a well, call your Wake County well inspector before drilling. A short phone call or a pre-drill site visit can easily head off expensive delays to completion of the well.

Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division invites you to join the “2024 Spring Onsite Wastewater Installer and Designer Workshop” on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Wake County Commons Building located at 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC. Parking at the Commons Building is free.

Representatives from Anua/Geoflow, Crumpler Plastic Pipe Inc., and American Manufacturing Company, Inc. will present at the workshop and/or perform product demonstrations as needed. Great gratitude to Anua for sponsoring lunch for this event and for Crumpler Plastic Pipe Inc. for sponsoring coffee/break in the morning.

Please find agenda and registration form for the event here. The workshop will be submitted for NC REHS Board for 8 Continue Education hours. 

In Wake County about 80,000 homes depend on septic systems. About half of those homes also have a private well. Many home buyers – both experienced homeowners and first-timer buyers – are not familiar with the responsibilities of managing their own water and wastewater systems. Informed real estate professionals can help. Wake County is pleased to offer a one-hour training to real estate agents on what they and their clients need to know about private wells, stormwater and septic systems. If you are a real estate professional who would like to be better able to advise your clients about these major systems, use this form to request a session for your office.

Effective February 15, 2024, Wake County’s private well and septic system programs were transferred to the Wake County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in a new division called Onsite Water Protection. The county’s sediment & erosion control, stormwater, and water resources programs remain in the Water Quality Division of Wake County Environmental Services Department. Over time, we expect that the move of the well and septic programs to HHS will improve access to water-related public health services for Wake County residents. Though the Onsite Water Protection Division and the Water Quality Division will be in different departments, staff and leadership in both agencies will maintain a commitment to high quality and responsiveness on permit applications and to water issues affecting Wake County residents.

Do you have questions regarding stormwater permits, private wells, water quality testing, or septic systems? We are here to help! Contact us at the numbers below:

• Well Inspections: 919-856-7400
• Water Quality Lab: 919-250-4437
• Wastewater Information Specialists (septic permitting): 919-856-7434
• Wastewater Management (complaints and repair requests): 919-856-7400
• Watershed Management (stormwater and erosion control): 919-856-7436

Wake County Water Quality | wake.gov/water