State guide
Mississippi
Mississippi runs onsite wastewater through the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Division of On-site Wastewater, and the property-owner application is statewide and online. MSDH says the soil and site evaluation often called a “perk test” is performed by the local Environmentalist, and that evaluation leads to the Permit/Recommendation needed for a water meter and installation decisions.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- Mississippi onsite wastewater is regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of On-site Wastewater, with regional and county environmental staff handling evaluations and inspections.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- MSDH says the local Environmentalist performs the soil and site evaluation for residential lots; MSDH also certifies Professional Evaluators whose designed systems are reviewed by staff engineers for certain projects.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- State fee
- Notice of Intent + Final Approval is currently $197.50; Notice of Intent + Exemption is currently $100.
Official resources in Mississippi
Main state page for applications, contacts, rules, certification, and program explanations.
State online portal to start residential and commercial onsite wastewater applications.
Printable application and notice forms for new and existing onsite systems.
Official FAQ page listing current published fees and basic permit guidance.
Official regulations page linked by MSDH for onsite wastewater rules and design standards.
Key facts for Mississippi
- Environmentalists offer Soil and Site Evaluations and issue the Permit/Recommendation needed for a water meter.
- MSDH says the local Environmentalist performs the soil and site evaluation, often called a “Perk Test.”
- A Notice of Intent + Final Approval is currently $197.50.
- A Notice of Intent + Exemption is currently $100.
- Mississippi does not recognize gray water; it is classified as wastewater.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Mississippi
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Soto County Health Department De Soto | Hernando | 662‑429‑9814 | County health department page with local office contact information for a high-growth rural county served by MSDH. |
| Pearl River County Health Department Pearl River | Carriere | 601‑798‑6212 | County health department page for a rural county; residents use MSDH county offices for local environmental coordination. |
| Stone County Health Department Stone | Wiggins | 601‑928‑5293 | County health department page with office information for a rural county. |
| Lamar County Health Department Lamar | Purvis | 601‑794‑1055 | County health department page for a rural-lot county in southeast Mississippi. |
| Forrest County Health Department Forrest | Hattiesburg | 601‑583‑0291 | County health department page covering another large south Mississippi market with rural septic demand. |
| George County Health Department George | Lucedale | 601‑947‑4217 | County health department page for a rural county on the coastal regional page. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Start with the online Notice of Intent application and gather a plot plan, directions, and parcel details before paying.
- Wait for MSDH’s soil/site visit and Permit/Recommendation before buying or installing septic equipment.
- If you want installer pricing, use MSDH’s certificate-holder database and compare multiple certified installers.
Not seeing your county office or county?
Not every county office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Mississippi's population center, for comparison only):
- Washington Parish (Franklinton) Health Unit, Louisiana · about 121 miles
- Tangipahoa Parish (Amite) Health Unit, Louisiana · about 143 miles
- Ouachita Parish Health Unit, Louisiana · about 146 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.MSDH On-Site Wastewater
Website →Phone: (855) 220-0192 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Mississippi page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.