Regulatory & Homeowner
SSTS (Subsurface Sewage Treatment System)
SSTS stands for Subsurface Sewage Treatment System — the formal regulatory term used in Minnesota for private on-site wastewater treatment systems (commonly called septic systems). The term encompasses all components of a private sewage treatment system: the septic tank, any pump chambers or treatment components, the soil absorption system (drainfield), and related piping. Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080 governs SSTS design, installation, maintenance, and inspection standards statewide.
The SSTS designation appears in county permit applications, compliance inspection reports, and property disclosures. When a county inspector says a system is "non-compliant SSTS" or "imminent threat SSTS," they are using this standardized classification to identify systems that fail minimum treatment standards. An imminent threat SSTS is one that poses a public health or environmental risk and requires immediate correction.
What This Means for You
If you see "SSTS" on a county compliance report, it's the formal name for your septic system. The classification on the report — compliant, non-compliant, or imminent threat — determines what you are required to do and on what timeline. Non-compliant systems identified at time of sale typically must be corrected within 12 months after the sale closes, though timelines vary by county.
Related Terms
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) · Septic System Permit · Septic Inspection · Septic Failure