Septic Inspections

PSMA/NOF Inspection Services

About the PSMA/NOF

The Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA) was formed in 1988 to unify and advance the onsite wastewater and septage management industry in Pennsylvania by establishing consistent, professional standards. PSMA works collaboratively with industry contractors, inspectors, manufacturers, engineers, sewage enforcement officers, and regulatory agencies to develop and promote best practices for septic system installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and septage handling. Through structured training programs, professional certification, continuing education, technical committees, and regulatory involvement, PSMA helps define industry standards that align with Pennsylvania DEP regulations while improving system performance, environmental protection, and public health. These standards serve as a technical benchmark for professionalism and accountability across the Commonwealth’s onsite wastewater industry.

A PSMA/NOF Inspection is a structured, procedural evaluation designed to determine the observable condition of every accessible component of an onsite wastewater treatment system on the day of inspection.

It is not:

  • A warranty
  • A prediction of future performance
  • A code-compliance inspection
  • A pass/fail certification

It is a methodical inspection that documents conditions and identifies concerns based strictly on observable evidence.

Purpose of the PSMA Inspection

The PSMA/NOF Standard exists to:

  • Create a uniform statewide inspection procedure
  • Ensure inspections evaluate all accessible septic components
  • Provide clear, factual documentation of system condition
  • Identify visible or measurable deficiencies, safety hazards, or signs of malfunction
  • Offer maintenance recommendations when appropriate
  • Provide property buyers, sellers, and owners with an objective snapshot of how the system is operating on the inspection date
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Scope of the PSMA Inspection

A PSMA inspection includes only procedures permitted within the PSMA/NOF Standard and excludes anything outside that scope.

The inspection covers:

1. Administrative & Pre-Inspection Procedures

A PSMA-standard inspection always includes:

  • Property review and general system orientation
  • Interviewing the property owner or person in charge regarding:
    • System age
    • Service history
    • Repairs
    • Pumping frequency
    • Known problems
  • Reviewing available records (permits, designs, as-built plans)
  • Identifying the type of system present based on available documentation and field confirmation

Inspections must clearly define:

  • The purpose of the inspection
  • The inspection limitations
  • The governing PSMA/NOF Standard used

This ensures transparency regarding what the inspection can and cannot determine.

2. Location of Septic System Components

Under PSMA standards, the inspector must locate and identify all accessible components, including:

  • Septic tanks
  • Pump tanks
  • Dosing tanks
  • Treatment units
  • Distribution devices
  • Absorption areas
  • Inspection ports
  • Cleanouts
  • System vents
  • Any structural or mechanical elements required to be inspected according to system type

Excavation is performed only as needed to expose access ports.

3. Accessing & Opening All Required Components

A PSMA inspection requires:

  • Exposing and opening all covers, risers, lids, or access points needed for inspection
  • Ensuring access is full, not partial
  • Providing safe working conditions around open tanks

A component cannot be inspected unless it is fully accessed.

4. Septic Tank Evaluation

The inspection includes:

  • Tank Construction
    • Identifying tank material
    • Assessing visible structural condition
    • Identifying safety hazards
    • Observing for visible leakage or infiltration
  • Internal Components
    • Inlet baffle/tee
    • Outlet baffle/tee
    • Dividing walls (if present)
    • Access risers
    • Lids and seals
  • Operational Indicators
    • Scum layer thickness
    • Sludge accumulation
    • Visible waterline clues indicating improper flow
    • Observation of incoming and outgoing flow when conditions allow

The inspector documents all visible defects and signs of concern.

5. Mechanical & Electrical Components

(Performed only if system type requires them)

For systems that include pumps, aerators, or mechanical units, PSMA requires:

  • Inspecting pump tanks
  • Checking pump condition where accessible
  • Inspecting floats, alarms, and control components
  • Verifying pump operation when conditions safely allow
  • Documenting wiring and control box conditions visible at the time of inspection

Mechanical testing outside PSMA's allowances is not performed.

6. Distribution System Evaluation

The inspection requires that all accessible distribution devices be examined:

  • Distribution boxes
  • Drop boxes
  • Flow-splitting devices
  • Manifolds
  • Siphons (if present)

Inspections include observing:

  • Structural condition
  • Levelness
  • Flow characteristics
  • Evidence of backup or uneven distribution
  • Visible damage or obstructions
7. Absorption Area / Soil Treatment Area Evaluation

The inspector must evaluate:

  • Surface characteristics of the site
  • Vegetative indicators
  • Soil moisture indicators
  • Signs of hydraulic stress
  • Breakout or surfacing effluent
  • Erosion concerns
  • Encroachments that may impair system function
  • Any evidence of malfunction visible on the day of inspection

Subsurface probing is performed only when conditions allow and only as permitted by PSMA standards.

8. Functional Testing

PSMA standards allow for:

  • Controlled flow testing
  • Observation of system response
  • Verification that wastewater moves through the system as intended

However:

  • Excessive loading
  • Stress testing beyond permitted procedures
  • Pressure tests not defined in the PSMA manual

are not part of the PSMA Standard and will not be performed.

9. Inspection Reporting Requirements

The final PSMA-style report must:

  • Identify the inspection standard used
  • Document all observed conditions
  • Provide clear descriptions of deficiencies or concerns
  • Include system component identification
  • Include site and system diagrams as required
  • Document limitations, inaccessible components, and conditions preventing procedures
  • Provide maintenance recommendations when appropriate
  • Provide repair or further evaluation recommendations when required

A PSMA-standard report does not assign a pass/fail outcome.

It is a record of observable conditions, consistent with PSMA’s definitions and terminology.

10. Inspection Limitations

A PSMA inspection:

  • Evaluates only what is visible, exposed, or accessed
  • Does NOT include excavation beyond access points
  • Does NOT include soil testing or percolation analysis
  • Does NOT guarantee the future performance of the system
  • Does NOT certify compliance with local codes or regulations
  • Does NOT provide a warranty or guarantee

These limitations must be disclosed clearly in all reports and agreements, per PSMA Standards.

Service Area – PSMA-Compliant Inspections

We provide true PSMA/NOF compliant inspections throughout:

  • Montgomery County
  • Chester County
  • Bucks County
  • Delaware County

Each inspection is performed strictly within PSMA’s established scope, without deviation.

Why Choose John’s Septic & Excavation

Experienced septic inspectors
Advanced tools & diagnostics
Fast scheduling
Honest reporting, no surprises
Serving all of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Commercial & residential expertise
Licensed & insured

We provide the level of professionalism, detail, and reliability you expect from a contractor who understands every aspect of septic system installation, repair, and on-lot wastewater design.

Schedule a PSMA-Standard Septic Inspection

If you require an inspection that meets the exact PSMA/NOF Inspection Standard, we follow the protocol step-by-step — no shortcuts, no alterations.

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