Lake Auburn Watershed Septic System Inspection Program, 2025
Information for Property Owners
Prior to a septic inspection,
property owners must take the necessary steps to ensure their septic system can effectively be inspected.
It is recommended that property owners consult with their selected inspectors to understand the conditions
that must be met prior to scheduling an inspection.
Useful information to collect for the preparation of the septic inspections should include, but are not
limited to:
• Location of Septic Design (HHE 200 Forms) https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-
health/plumb/SystemSearch.htm or City Records
• Physical location of Septic Tank
• Physical location of Septic Field (drain field)
To schedule an inspection, the property owner should reach out to one of the qualified inspectors listed in
this letter. If assistance is needed, property owners can reach out to LAWPC staff using the contact
information below.
Upon completion of an inspection, a property owner will be required to submit a copy of their inspection
report to the City of Auburn Planning, Permitting, and Code Department, as completed by the licensed
inspector. The inspection report must be submitted by the end of the year assigned by the City.
Once the inspection is completed and submitted to the City, the property owner may request a
reimbursement from LAWPC for the inspection fee for up to $400.
To be eligible for reimbursement, the homeowner must use a licensed septic system inspector
who meets all qualifications as provided in thisletter. For exceptions, please see the full policy.
Reimbursements will only be considered for inspection costs and basic costs included with an inspection.
Property owners should consult with their selected inspectors to understand the full costs associated with
inspections and related services. The property owner is responsible for paying all costs to the inspector
and should request an itemized receipt of payment, which will be needed to be eligible for reimbursement.
Other information regarding reimbursements and eligibility is laid out below.
Reimbursement and Eligibility
The Commission will reimburse eligible property owners for their inspections up to $400. This Program
will only fund the inspection of septic systems in the watershed, which include locating and examining
the septic tank, inspection of pumps and lines, assessing leach field and soil saturation, and any items
needed to complete the field checklist on page 6 of the State’s HHE-240 Septic System Report form.
The Commission will not reimburse any additional costs incurred to prepare for the inspection or as a
result of the inspection. Property owners must submit the following:
• A copy of their completed inspection report
• An itemized receipt of payment
• LAWPC Septic Inspection Reimbursement Form
All items must be submitted either via email to lakeauburnwater@lakeauburnwater.org or via mail to
Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission, RE: Septic Inspection Program, 268 Court Street,
Auburn, ME 04212.
If a property owner uses an inspector not on the pre-qualified list of inspectors below, documentation
must be provided showing that the inspector met all qualifications required by the Commission as laid out
in the program policy.
The Commission will work individually with property owners who are required to complete an inspection
in the first annual cycle and who went through the inspection process prior to the notification and the
implementation of this Program, after the amendment of the ordinance. The reimbursement maximum for
these owners will not differ from the amount set in this policy, and owners must showcase they met all
requirements requested by the City. Property owners can reach out to the Watershed Outreach Coordinator
for assistance using the contact information provided.
The Commission will evaluate this Program on an annual basis. The Program is subject to change upon
evaluation. The full Lake Auburn Watershed Septic System Inspection Program document, adopted on
February 12, 2025, is available at www.lakeauburnwater.org.
Participating Septic Inspectors:
Gail Guile
Septic Inspector
22 Pearl Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 730-1548
scheduling@septicinspector.net
Larry Winslow
Winslow Co. Septic Solutions
14 Crystal Lane, Windham, ME 04062
(207) 329-8999
lrw62@icloud.com
Richard Browning
Upfront Home Inspection
PO Box 584, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 536-9691
rick@upfronthi.com
Ryan Nickerson
Attentive Septic & Drain, LLC
PO Box 215, Turner, ME 04282
(207) 730-2550
attentiveseptic@gmail.com
James MacNaughton
AnnRuel Home Inspections
11 Church Street, Oakland, ME 04963
(207) 861-1227
jamesruelmac@gmail.com
For questions about this program, please reach out via email to lakeauburnwater@lakeauburnwater.org or
call (207) 333-6665 for Watershed staff. For questions pertaining to the City of Auburn’s ordinance and
requirements, please reach out to the Planning, Permitting, and Code Department at (207) 333-6601.
Overview & Process
Pre-Inspection: Before scheduling a septic inspection, property owners should ensure that all aspects of their septic system can be effectively accessed and inspected. It is recommended that property owners consult with their selected inspector to understand the conditions that must be met prior to scheduling an inspection. Useful information to collect for the preparation of the septic inspection may include, but are not limited to:
- Location of septic design (HHE 200 Forms). It may be useful to contact the Planning, Permitting, and Code Department at the City of Auburn to help with this search, or you can utilize the Permit Search tool on the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website.
- Physical location of septic tank.
- Physical location of septic field (also called the leach field or drain field).
Scheduling an Inspection: To schedule an inspection, the property owner should contact an inspector who is certified in the state of Maine. Certified inspectors will be able to provide a certification number and documentation to the property owner, if asked. (To view a list of pre-qualified certified inspectors who have volunteered to participate in the LAWPC Septic Inspection Program, see the Septic Inspectors page.)
Per the City of Auburn’s ordinance, inspectors are required to use the state’s septic inspection form HHE-240. Property owners should ask their selected inspector to use the form, which can be accessed on the Forms page.
During the Inspection: The purpose of a septic inspection is to evaluate the system, determine if all components are functioning as expected, and catch problems early. The process may vary slightly for each inspector, but will generally involve inspecting the following components of the system:
- Sewer line (may involve using a camera to scope the lines)
- Tank
- Distribution box
- Septic field (may involve digging a test pit to check for pooling of effluent)
- Building sewer and drain (may involve sending water through the system to check flow)
- Lift station
Completed inspection reports must be submitted to the City of Auburn’s Planning, Permitting and Code Department either by dropping it off at their office at 60 Court Street, Auburn ME, emailing permits@auburnmaine.gov, or uploading the report to the SmartGov permitting system.
Reimbursement: After the inspection, property owners can request a reimbursement from LAWPC for up to $400 toward the cost of the inspection. To request a reimbursement, submit the following to LAWPC:
- A copy of the septic inspection report.
- An itemized receipt of payment.
- A completed reimbursement form (found on the Forms page).
These items can be emailed to lakeauburnwater@lakeauburnwater.org, or mailed to
Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission RE: Septic Inspection Program
268 Court Street
Auburn, ME
04212
If property owners would like additional support, LAWPC staff are available to be present on site during an inspection. Contact us for assistance.
Septic Inspectors
The following septic inspectors are pre-qualified by LAWPC, meaning they are familiar with the Septic Inspection Program and have obtained their certification from the state. Property owners are free to use any certified inspector of their choice, however, inspectors not on the list below will need to provide documentation showing that they meet all qualifications required by the Commission as laid out in the program policy.
Participating Septic Inspectors:
Ryan Nickerson
Attentive Septic & Drain, LLC PO Box 215, Turner, ME 04282
(207) 730-2550
attentiveseptic@gmail.com
Larry Winslow
Winslow Co. Septic Solutions
14 Crystal Lane, Windham, ME 04062
(207) 329-8999
lrw62@icloud.com
Gail Guile
Septic Inspector
22 Pearl Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 730-1548
scheduling@septicinspector.net
Richard Browning
Upfront Home Inspection
PO Box 584, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 536-9691
rick@upfronthi.com
James MacNaughton
AnnRuel Home Inspections
11 Church Street, Oakland, ME 04963
(207) 861-1227
jamesruelmac@gmail.com