Madison Septic Regulations
•Apply to new or repaired systems
•Detailed site evaluation required for new systems
•Required setback distances:
–Septic tank: 100 feet
–Disposal field: 100-300 feet
•Volume and location requirements
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The State of Maine regulations are published by the department of human services (DHS) and for this study regulations adopted on June 1, 2000 were used.
Systems in use before  regulations were in place, which are functioning properly are grandfather and not required to be updated.
The site evaluation includes assessment of soil suitability, setback requirements, soil profile and conditions, proposed system location, slope, surface runoff and existing subsurface groundwater drains.
For shoreland residences the proper setback from a major water course (the lake) for a septic tank is 100ft and 100-300ft for a disposal field.
There is a volume requirement for septic tanks based on the size of the residence it is servicing.  For disposal fields an important deciding factor is the way water will flow through the soil.