Documents to Gather Before Contacting an Engineer
Direct answer: Which documents and property facts should a homeowner gather before contacting a civil engineer about a cesspool conversion?
The minimum information for the first call
- Property address and full Tax Map Key.
- Your name and relationship to the property.
- Best contact information and access constraints.
- What you believe serves the property now: cesspool, septic system, ATU, sewer, or unknown.
- The reason for the project and any deadline, sale, refinance, notice, failure, renovation, or new dwelling involved.
You do not need a perfect file before calling. A clear list of what is missing is more useful than an unsupported answer.
Property and survey records
- Deed, title report, or other document showing the legal parcel and owner.
- Boundary survey, plot plan, subdivision map, easements, or condominium property regime documents.
- Building plans, site plans, grading plans, driveway plans, and records for additional dwellings.
- Well, waterline, stream, shoreline, flood, drainage, or utility information that may affect setbacks and access.
Wastewater records
- Cesspool card or existing cesspool information form.
- Approved IWS plans and specifications.
- Approval-to-construct and approval-to-use letters.
- Site evaluation, percolation-test information, as-built plan, inspection report, and contractor certification.
- Septic tank, ATU, pump, alarm, control-panel, or maintenance documents.
- Pumping, service, repair, overflow, backup, complaint, or enforcement records.
Household and project information
- Number of dwellings and bedrooms, including rentals or detached units.
- Current and planned occupancy or use.
- Planned additions, renovations, plumbing changes, pools, accessory structures, or landscaping.
- Known system location and where the building drain exits.
- Areas that must remain open for vehicles, farming, pets, tenants, or future construction.
- Budget questions, preferred schedule, and whether financing or assistance will be needed.
Photos and field notes
Useful photos can show the general yard, slopes, access, possible lids, wet areas, retaining walls, wells, streams, utilities, and the route from the house. Photograph from safe locations. Do not open, enter, or stand on an uncertain cesspool or tank cover.
Mark uncertain information as uncertain. The engineer may need to verify locations through records, tracing, survey work, or field investigation.
What the engineer will still need to do
Documents do not replace professional evaluation. Hawaiʻi DOH’s process calls for the licensed civil engineer to perform or coordinate the site evaluation work, determine wastewater requirements, prepare plans, and submit the IWS package. The engineer may need additional records, survey, testing, or specialist input.
Verify the engineer’s active Hawaiʻi civil-engineer license through DCCA and ask whether IWS design and DOH submittal work are included in the proposed scope.
Official sources
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch — Individual Wastewater Systems
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch — General Information and FAQ
- Hawaiʻi DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Search
- County of Hawaiʻi Wastewater records and maps
This article provides general homeowner information, not legal, engineering, real-estate, lending, or health advice. Property conditions and current agency requirements control. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help coordinates between homeowners and licensed professionals and does not provide engineering services directly.