PSO permit applications
New applications, renewals and modifications of Private Sanitary Sewer Operating permits, with the system inventory, contacts and service agreement DERM asks for.
Private Sewer & Pump Station Permits in Miami-Dade
DERM PSO operating permits and Sewer System Evaluation Surveys for restaurants, shopping centers, offices and condos, signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed engineer.
When you need us
- Your property has its own pump station or private sewer lines and needs a DERM Private Sanitary Sewer Operating (PSO) permit.
- DERM sent a notice that your Sewer System Evaluation Survey (SSES) is due or overdue.
- You bought or lease a property and need to update the PSO permit with the new owner or system details.
- You need new sewer flow approved for a project, and DERM is holding it until the existing system is in compliance.
What we do
SSES reports, Plan A and Plan B
The 10-year Sewer System Evaluation Survey: visual inspection of the pump station, cleanouts and manholes, smoke testing, flow evaluation and a signed and sealed report.
Sewer system drawings
The sanitary sewer collection system drawing DERM requires with each SSES, updated to match what is actually in the ground.
Repairs and re-testing
Design of the repairs the survey finds, coordination with your contractor, re-testing and the follow-up report DERM needs to close the cycle.
How an SSES works
Records
Send us your PSO permit and any DERM notice. We review the permit inventory and past DERM records.
Field inspection
We inspect the pump station, wet well, valves, control panel, alarm, cleanouts and manholes, with photos of each.
Smoke test
We notify DERM, run the smoke test across the system and record where smoke appears.
Report
A signed and sealed report with the updated system drawing, submitted to DERM with the review fee.
Repairs & closeout
If defects are found, we specify the repairs, re-test after the work and file the follow-up report.
Common questions
What is a PSO permit?
Miami-Dade's Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) requires an annual Private Sanitary Sewers Operating permit for privately owned or operated sewer systems, such as a pump station serving a restaurant, shopping center, office or condo. Permit holders also report pump elapsed-time (ET) readings to DERM every month.
What is an SSES and how often is it due?
A Sewer System Evaluation Survey finds rain and groundwater leaking into the sewer (infiltration and inflow) and any illegal connections. In Miami-Dade it runs on a 10-year cycle: the third cycle was due November 12, 2022, and the fourth is due in 2032. Many properties are still completing the third cycle.
Is my property Plan A or Plan B?
Plan A covers systems with a pump station and less than 1,000 feet of gravity sewer pipe. Plan B covers systems with 1,000 feet or more of qualifying pipe, with or without a pump station. Qualifying pipe is 6 inches or larger and outside the building. We confirm the classification from your permit and a site visit.
What does the smoke test involve?
Smoke is blown into the sewer to show where it escapes through cracks, loose cleanouts or storm connections. DERM must be notified at least three working days before the test. The test must reach the whole system, and any defects found are repaired and re-tested.
Who signs the report?
The SSES report must be signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed professional engineer. DERM does not review unsigned or partial submittals.
Requirements are set by Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 24 and DERM’s PSO program and can change. See the Miami-Dade private sewer permit page for current official details.
Have a notice, a permit or a project?
Send us what you have and we’ll tell you what’s needed, what it costs and how long it takes.