Subject 511-3-1 ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
This Chapter shall apply to all on-site sewage management
systems except those under the jurisdiction of and regulated by the Department
of Natural Resources; any public or community sewage treatment system; and
other systems subject to shared jurisdiction by Memoranda of Agreement or other
agreements.
| (a) |
"Absorption Field" means a configuration of absorption trenches
installed in a portion of land and used for the absorption and final
treatment of sewage. |
| (b) |
"Absorption Line" means a pipe line of perforated pipe laid in an
absorption trench to serve as a conduit for sewage effluent. |
| (c) |
"Absorption Trench" means an
excavation in which an absorption line is laid. |
| (d) |
"Absorption Trench Bottom and Side
Wall Area" means the total interface of bottom and side soil area with
undisturbed soils of all absorption trenches in an absorption field and
occurring horizontally and downward from the point of distribution into the
soil, expressed in square feet. |
| (e) |
"Aggregate" means washed
gravel or washed stone meeting the Georgia Department of Transportation
standards for hardness or other materials approved by the Department that shall
be one half inch (1/2") to two inches (2") in diameter. |
| (f) |
"Alternative On-Site Sewage
Management System" means an approved on-site sewage management system
which differs in design or operation from the conventional or chamber septic
tank system or privy. |
| (g) |
"Approved" or "Approval" means compliance with applicable specifications
or criteria developed or accepted by the Department. |
| (h) |
"Auxiliary System" means a
system to serve a portion of a residence, a pool house, or other adjunct
facility. |
| (i) |
"Bedroom" means any room that is intended primarily for sleeping
purposes, as shown on the building plan. |
| (j) |
"Black Water" means
wastewater generated by fixtures or appliances that come into direct contact
with human excreta or solid organic matter, such as toilets, urinals, bidets,
kitchen sinks and garbage disposals. |
| (k) |
"Building Drain" means that
part of the lowest piping of a building drainage system inside the walls of a
building, which receives the discharge from soil, waste or other drainage
systems and conveys the discharge to the building sewer. |
| (l) |
"Building Sewer" means that
part of the horizontal piping of a building drainage system beyond the building
drain which receives the discharge from the building drain and conveys it to a
public sewer, private sewer, on-site sewage management system or other
disposal. |
| (m) |
"Central
On-Site Sewage Management System" means an on-site sewage management
system serving more than one building, business, residence or other facility
designed or used for human occupancy or congregation on an individual lot or
single parcel of land. |
| (n) |
"Chamber Septic Tank System" means a septic tank with a chamber system
as defined in definition (o) below. |
| (o) |
"Chamber System" means a
system of chambers with each chamber being a molded polyolefin plastic, arch
shaped, hollow structure with an exposed bottom area and solid top and louvered
sidewall for infiltration of effluent into adjoining bottom and sidewall soil
areas. Chambers may be of different sizes and configurations to obtain desired
surface areas. |
| (p) |
"Conventional System" means a traditionally used system that is composed
of perforated pipe surrounded by gravel or stone masking for the infiltration
of effluent into adjoining bottom and side wall areas. |
| (q) |
"Conventional Septic Tank
System" means any septic tank and conventional system as defined in (p),
but does not include alternative or experimental systems. |
| (r) |
"County Board of Health"
means a County Board of Health organized pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 31-3-1et
seq. |
| (s) |
"Department" or "DPH" means the Georgia Department of Public
Health. |
| (t) |
"Distribution
Device" means a watertight structure which receives sewage effluent from
a septic tank, dosing tank, or other sewage retention device and distributes it
in equal portions to two or more absorption lines. |
| (u) |
"Dosing Tank" means an
approved watertight tank, located after a septic tank or other sewage retention
device, to receive and retain sewage effluent, and so equipped as to discharge
sewage effluent intermittently to a distribution device, either by pump or by
siphon. |
| (v) |
"Experimental
On-Site Sewage Management System" means any on-site sewage management
system proposed for testing and observation, and provisionally approved for
such purposes by the Department, but which has not been fully proven under
field use. |
| (w) |
"Failure" or
"failed" meansthe on-site sewage system constitutes a health hazard by
reason of inadequate treatment or disposal of sewage. |
| (x) |
"Filter" means an approved
device that removes solids or other materials from the effluent that could
cause failure of an on-site sewage management system. |
| (y) |
"Flood Plain" means a
generally flat plain or depression susceptible to being flooded from any
source, including small and intermittent water courses and coastal areas
subject to intermittent tidal action. |
| (z) |
"Gray Water" means
wastewater generated by water-using fixtures and appliances that does not come
into direct contact with human excreta or solid organic matter. |
| (aa) |
"Grease Trap" means a
device in which the grease content of sewage is intercepted and congealed, and
from which grease may be skimmed or otherwise removed for proper
disposal. |
| (bb) |
"Hardscape" means any area devoted to a landscape made up of hard
wearing materials such as stone, concrete, decking and other similar
construction materials. |
| (cc) |
"Individual Water Supply System" means a non-public system of piping,
pumps, tanks or other facilities, utilizing groundwater to supply a single
family dwelling. |
| (dd) |
"Lot" means a portion of a subdivision, or any other parcel of land,
intended as a unit for transfer of ownership, or for development, or both. It
does not include any part of the right-of-way of a street or road. |
| (ee) |
"Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems" means the most current version of the technical
handbook adopted and periodically updated by the Department in the
implementation of this Chapter. |
| (ff) |
"Mobile Home Park" means a
parcel of land developed for subsequent rental, lease, or placement of two or
more mobile homes. |
| (gg) |
"On-Site Sewage Management System" means a sewage management system
other than a public or community sewage treatment system serving one or more
buildings, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, residences, or other facilities
designed or used for human occupancy or congregation. Such term shall include,
without limitation, conventional and chamber septic tank systems, privies, and
experimental and alternative on-site management systems which are designed to
be physically incapable of a surface discharge of effluent. |
| (hh) |
"Percolation Coefficient"
means the ratio of trench bottom area to percolation time, expressed as the
allowable rate of sewage application in gallons per square foot per
day. |
| (ii) |
"Percolation
Rate" means the time, expressed in minutes per inch, required for water
to seep into saturated soil at a constant rate. |
| (jj) |
"Percolation Test" means
the method used to measure the percolation rate of water into soil as described
in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. |
| (kk) |
"Person" means any
individual, partnership, corporation, association, and bodies both political
and corporate. |
| (ll) |
"Physical
Development" means the alteration or improvement of real property,
including site preparation, erection of any structure or road, well
construction, or installation of on-site sewage management systems. |
| (mm) |
"Privy" means a structure
and necessary appurtenances used for the sanitary disposal or storage of human
wastes without the aid of water carriage. It does not include chemical,
composting, portable or incinerator toilets. |
| (nn) |
"Public Water Supply System"
means a system for the provision of piped water to the public for human
consumption, if such system has at least fifteen service connections, or
regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five individuals daily, at least
sixty days out of the year. |
| (oo) |
"Septage" means a waste
that is a fluid mixture of partially treated or untreated sewage solids,
liquids, and sludge of human or domestic waste, present in or pumped from
septic tanks, malfunctioning on-site sewage management systems, grease traps,
or privies. |
| (pp) |
"Sewage
Treatment System" is a system that provides primary treatment and
disposal, including absorption field components, devices, and appurtenances
intended to be used for disposal of sewage by soil absorption. It does not
include a conventional or chamber septic tank system. The system shall be
designed to be physically incapable of a surface discharge of
effluent. |
| (qq) |
"Septic
Tank" means an approved watertight tank designed or used to receive
sewage from a building sewer and to affect separation and organic decomposition
of sewage solids, and discharging sewage effluent to an absorption field or
other management system. |
| (rr) |
"Sewage" means and includes human excreta, black water, water-carried
wastes, and liquid household waste from residences or commercial and industrial
establishments. |
| (ss) |
"Sinkhole" means a depression in the land surface, generally in a
limestone region, which communicates or has the potential to communicate with a
subterranean passage developed by solution. |
| (tt) |
"Site" means the location
where the absorption field will be installed, to include replacement
area. |
| (uu) |
"Soil
Classifier" means a person who has been approved by the Department to
conduct soil evaluations to determine suitability of a sit for an on-site
sewage management system. |
| (vv) |
"Subdivision" means any
division of a tract or parcel of land into five or more lots, building sites,
mobile home sites, or other divisions, resulting in at least one single lot of
less than three acres, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or
legacy, and includes re-subdivision. It does not include:
| 1. |
The combination or recombination of
previously platted lots or portions thereof where the total number of lots is
not increased and the resultant lots conform to the standards of these rules;
or |
| 2. |
The division of land into
parcels, all of whichare three acres or more in size with minimum width of one
hundred and fifty feet (150') for a distance sufficient to provide an adequate
area for the placement of structures and improvements including wells and
approved installation of approved on-site sewage management systems. |
|
| (ww) |
"Well" means an
excavation or opening into the ground by which groundwater is sought or
obtained. |
| (1) |
If public or
community sewage treatment systems are not available, the owner of a building,
residence, or property that is designed or intended for human occupancy or
congregation shall provide an approved on-site sewage management system
sufficient for the number of persons normally expected to use or frequent the
building, residence or other property for two hours or more.
| (a) |
Connection shall be made to a public or
community sewage treatment system if such system is available within two
hundred feet (200') of the property line, or available in a public right-of-way
abutting the property. If a public or community sewage treatment system is to
be constructed, or an existing public or community sewer is to be extended to
serve a lot, or an approved on-site sewage management system is to be used,
then the building sewer shall be installed so that it will insure gravity flow
at a self-cleaning velocity throughout. If an existing on-site sewage system
fails, immediate connection shall be made to a public or community sewerage
system if such a system is available. |
| (b) |
A residential on-site sewage systems of
less than two thousand gallons per day that is failing may be exempted from
connecting to sewer if the repair or replacement of the system will meet the
criteria set forth in the Manual for Onsite Sewage Management
Systems and has sufficient area and usable soils as determined by the
County Board of Health. |
| (c) |
Any
facility that produces a waste stream with BOD5
(biochemical oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids) higher than 200
mg/L shall be required to pretreat the waste to reduce the
BOD5 and TSS to 200 mg/L or below before disposal
through a conventional or chamber septic tank system. |
|
| (2) |
No person may begin the physical
development of a lot or structure where an on-site sewage management system
will be utilized, nor install an on-site sewage management system or component
thereof, without having first obtained from the County Health Department a
construction permit for the installation of an onsite sewage management system.
| (a) |
Application for such a construction
permit shall be made in writing on forms provided by the County Board of
Health. The County Board of Health shall approve or disapprove such application
within twenty days after the receipt of a completed application. The
application shall include:
| 1. |
Name and
address of the owner and the applicant, if other than the owner; |
| 3. |
Plans and specifications showing the
location and design of the proposed on-site sewage management system, including
surface and subsurface drainage and piping; |
| 4. |
Nature of the facility to be
served; |
| 5. |
Location of all water
supplies, geothermal borehole, or other utilities and trash pits on or off the
lot, which will bear upon the location of the on-site sewage management
system; |
| 6. |
Number of bedrooms in
the dwelling, or the number of persons to be served in other types of
establishments, or other sewage flow or water usage data; |
| 7. |
Soil characteristics, including soil types
and capabilities, frequency and evaluations of seasonal high groundwater
tables, occurrence of rock and other impervious strata; |
| 8. |
Signature of the owner or agent applying
for permit; and |
| 9. |
Any additional
information deemed necessary to determine the suitability of the
site. |
|
| (b) |
The County
Board of Health may waive submission of part of the information required for
the application if it determines that sufficient information already is
available from previously submitted subdivision or mobile home park data, or
from other sources, to determine the acceptability of the proposed lot for the
installation of an on-site sewage management system. |
| (c) |
Repairs, replacement, or additions to
existing systems must be permitted and inspected. |
| (d) |
Any person preparing to modify a lot or
structure for the purpose of obtaining a construction permit for the
installation of an on-site sewage management system shall submit plans showing
the type and extent of modifications. No modifications shall be carried out
prior to the approval of the plans by the County Board of Health. Such approval
shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Department's Manual
for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. |
|
| (3) |
On-site sewage management system
construction permits shall be issued only after a site inspection by the County
Board of Health shows favorable findings relative to absorption rates, soil
characteristics, groundwater, rock, and any other factors which would affect
the acceptability of the lot. If a public water supply system is to be used,
then no construction permit for an on-site sewage management system shall be
issued until the public water supply system is approved.
| (a) |
Lot suitability and approval will be
determined by the criteria set forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. Lots shall be sized according to the regulations
of the County Board of Health. The County Board of Health may deny or revoke an
on-site sewage management system construction permit upon finding the lot
unsuitable or for failure of the applicant to comply with the provisions of
these rules. On-site sewage management construction permits shall remain valid
for not more than twelve months from the date of issue. |
| (b) |
Issuance of a construction permit for an
on-site sewage management system, and subsequent approval of same by
representatives of the County Board of Health shall not be construed as a
guarantee that such systems will function satisfactorily for a given period of
time; furthermore, said representatives do not, by any action taken in
affecting compliance with these rules, assume any liability for damages which
are caused, or which may be caused, by the malfunction of such
system. |
| (c) |
On tracts or parcels of
land of three acres or more, a conventional or chamber septic tank system may
be utilized if thepercolation rate does not exceed 120 minutes per inch.
Percolation rates greater than 120 minutes per inch shall be considered
unsuitable for these systems unless the application for the construction permit
includes the results of a special study by the soil classifier and a site plan
from an engineer licensed in the state which demonstrates the adsorption
limitations can be overcome by design. All other conditions must comply with
the requirements of the regulations for on-site sewage management
systems. |
|
| (4) |
No person
may backfill or use an on-site sewage management system until a final
inspection has been made by the County Board of Health, and written approval
has been issued by the County Board of Health.
| (a) |
A copy of the final inspection report of
an on-site sewage management system shall be provided to the owner, builder,
developer or agent, whichever is appropriate. |
| (b) |
Grading, filling, digging trash pits or
other landscaping or construction activities on the lot subsequent to final
inspection by the County Board of Health which may adversely affect the on-site
sewage management system shall render the approval void. Removal or alteration
of system components after final inspection by the County Board of Health shall
render the approval void. |
|
| (5) |
A conventional or chamber septic tank
system must have a septic tank design capacity of no less than one thousand
gallons and no greater than ten thousand gallons. |
| (6) |
If a proposed on-site sewage management
system will produce a sewage flow in excess of two thousand gallons per day,
then plans, specifications, soil data, and absorption test data shall be
submitted to the County Board of Health for the purpose of obtaining a
construction permit. This information shall bear the registration number and
signature of an engineer licensed in this State. If a proposed on-site sewage
management system will produce a sewage flow of two thousand gallons per day or
less, then the County Board of Health may accept plans, specifications, soil
data, and absorption test data from any person whom it determines to have
sufficient knowledge of on-site sewage management system design. |
| (7) |
Soil evaluations shall be conducted by
individuals certified by the Department as meeting the requirements set forth
in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. In
addition, the soil classifier, engineer, geologist or other professional
approved by the Department shall be required to attach to any soil evaluation
submitted to the County Board of Health a copy of a current liability insurance
certificate with limits of liability of no less than one million
dollars. |
| (8) |
Soil evaluation
reports shall be preparedin compliance with the requirements established by the
Soil Survey Report Checklist in Section C of the Department's Manual
for On-Site Sewage Management System. The county board of health shall
issue on-site sewage management system permits on sites deemed suitable by soil
evaluations conducted in accordance with requirements established by the
checklist in Section C of the Department's Manualfor
On-Site Sewage Management Systems. If the county board of health finds
the soil evaluation is deficient, then it shall notify the person or entity
that submitted the evaluation in writing by mail within 3 business days stating
all deficiencies and measures needed to correct deficiencies. |
| (9) |
Engineer designs shall be prepared in
accordance with the Engineered Site Plan Checklist in Section F of the
Department's Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, and
shall include a copy of the engineer's current professional liability insurance
certificate with limits of liability of no less than one million dollars.
Engineer designs shall be evaluated within 20 days of submission and a written
determination mailed to the applicant within 3 business days of the findings by
the county board of health. If the permit application is denied due to
rejection of the engineer design, then the County Board of Health shall so
notify the submitter listing the deficiencies found, the measures needed to
correct the deficiencies, and the applicant's right to appeal the
decision. |
| (10) |
If an on-site sewage
management system, alternative system, or soil fill installation is installed,
the installer shall delivered a notice to the owner of such property stating
the type of installation, design, and maintenance needs. In the case of newly
constructed homes or commercial buildings, such notice must be delivered to new
owner by the homebuilder or contractor at the time of conveyance of such
property. |
| (1) |
Sewers
connecting component parts of on-site sewage management systems shall be of
sufficient size to serve anticipated flow conditions. |
| (2) |
All solid pipes and fittings used in an
on-site sewage management system, beginning at the house, shall be NSF
International schedule 40 PVC or equivalent and shall be a minimum of four
inches in diameter. Sewers under driveways or similar areas of load or impact
shall be of material capable of withstanding anticipated loads or installed so
as to provide protection from crushing. |
| (3) |
Sewers, other than perforated pipe or
drain tiles used in absorption fields, shall be laid with sealed, watertight,
root-resistant joints. Such sewers shall be laid on a firm foundation, shall
not be subject to settling, and shall be installed on a grade that will insure
a self-cleaning velocity. Where on-site sewage management systems are used, and
where installation of building drains and building sewers is not covered by
duly adopted local plumbing codes, or in the absence of a local plumbing code
or plumbing inspection, the County Board of Health may verify the adequacy and
acceptability of all or any portion of the building sewer or the building
drain. |
| (1) |
Design and Construction. Septic tanks
shall provide a minimum of 24 hours of retention and shall be designed and
constructed to equal or exceed minimum design and construction criteria set
forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. Any
person seeking approval of septic tanks to be used in on-site sewage management
systems shall submit detailed plans and specifications for tank manufacture and
other information as may be required by the Department. Manufacturers and
suppliers are subject to inspection and approval by the County Board of Health
or the Department. Both the inlet and outlet tees shall be ASTM 3034 rated or
equivalent. In addition, an approved filter shall be installed on the outlet
end of the septic tank in compliance with the Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. |
| (2) |
Location. No septic tank shall be installed less than fifty feet (50') from
existing or proposed wells, springs, sink holes, or suction water lines, and
tanks shall be located downgrade from wells or springs if physically possible;
less than twenty-five feet (25') from geothermal boreholes, lakes, ponds,
streams, water courses, and other impoundments; less than ten feet (10') from
pressure water supply lines, or less than ten feet (10') from a property line.
No septic tank shall be installed less than fifteen feet (15') from a drainage
ditch or embankment. Septic tanks shall be installed so as to provide ready
access for necessary maintenance, and should be at least ten feet (10') from
hardscape, drives, swimming pools and building foundations. The County Board of
Health, after site inspection, may allow lesser separation distances or require
greater distances than cited herein due to unusual conditions of topography,
site configuration, subsurface soil characteristics, or groundwater
interference. |
| (3) |
Capacity. The
liquid capacity of septic tanks for single family dwellings shall be one
thousand gallons for one, two, three or four bedrooms and 250 additional
gallons for each bedroom over four. Septic tank capacity shall be increased by
(50%) if a garbage grinder is to be used. Auxiliary systems serving single
family residences or other facilities shall be based on the maximum daily
flow. |
| (4) |
Compartmented
Tanks. Two compartment tanks shall be required. The first
compartment shall be at least 2/3 the liquid capacity of the tank. |
| (5) |
Tanks in Series. The County Board of
Health may approve the installation of tanks placed in series as equivalent to
a single compartmented septic tank. Tanks in series should be single
compartment tanks, with the first tank being at least 1000 gallons and equal to
2/3 of the required liquid capacity. When tanks in series are used, they shall
be connected with a sealed sewer line, and all sewage shall initially enter the
first tank. |
| (6) |
Foundation and
Backfill. Septic tanks shall be installed level on a foundation that will
prevent settling. Backfill shall be placed so that a stable fill results and
undue strain on the tank is avoided. Earth backfill shall be free of voids,
large stones, stumps, broken masonry, or other such materials. A minimum earth
cover of six inches (6") over the tank is recommended. With proper
documentation the County Board of Health may approve less cover. All openings,
risers, and manholes shall be constructed so as to prevent the entrance of
surface water. |
| (1) |
Distribution devices shall be designed
and constructed in accordance with minimum design and construction criteria set
forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management
Systems. |
| (2) |
Where
required, dosing tanks shall be designed, constructed, and installed in
accordance with the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management
Systems. |
| (1) |
Absorption Area.The absorption area shall
be based upon the anticipated volume of treated sewage and upon the
characteristics of the soil in which absorption fields are to be located as
specified in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems.
Soil characteristics and other related data, including percolation tests, may
be required by the County Board of Health. Absorption areas shall be classified
as follows: aggregate, non-aggregate and other. |
| (2) |
Prior Approved Systems. Any "prior
approved system" as defined in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section
31-2A-11(a)(4) is
approved for installation according to the manufacturer's
recommendation. |
| (3) |
Location. No
absorption field will be constructed less than one hundred feet (100') from
existing or proposed wells, springs, or sinkholes; less than ten feet (10')
from water supply lines and buildings with basements and less than five feet
(5') from buildings without basements, other structures, drives, hardscape, and
property lines; less than fifteen feet (15') from an embankment, swimming pool
foundation, drainage ditch or trash pits; not less than fifty feet (50') from
geothermal boreholes and the normal water level of any impoundment, tributary,
stream, or other body of water, including ponded areas of wetlands. If the
water supply line crosses or comes within ten feet (10') of the absorption
field, the water supply line shall be installed at least twelve inches (12")
above the top of the aggregate layer of the absorption line, non-aggregate
absorption line or other absorption line, and shall be encased in a single
length of larger diameter water pipe. No absorption field shall be installed in
areas where groundwater, soil characteristics, or adverse geological formation
may interfere with the absorption or effective treatment of sewage
effluent. |
| (4) |
Minimum Design and
Construction for Absorption Fields. Absorption lines and absorption trenches
shall be designed and installed in accordance with the minimum design and
installation criteria set forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. |
Privies shall be designed and constructed in accordance with
minimum design and construction criteria set forth in the Manual for
On-Site Sewage Management Systems.
An alternative on-site sewage management system is an on-site
sewage management system which differs in design or operation from the
conventional or chamber septic tank or privy, and which has been approved by
the Department. Alternative on-site sewage management systems shall be designed
and constructed in accordance with the minimum design and construction criteria
set forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems.
The Department shall maintain a list of approved alternative on-site sewage
management systems.
Experimental on-site sewage management systems proposed for
testing and observation may be provisionally accepted for such purposes by the
Department's technical review committee, and shall be subject to limitations
imposed by the Department's technical review committee.
| (1) |
Permits. No person shall engage in the
removal or disposal of the contents of septic tanks, pit privies, or other
on-site sewage management or experimental systems without having first obtained
a septage removal permit issued by the County Board of Health for such
activities. The application for such septage removal permit shall be filed in
the county where the business's base of operations is located, on forms
provided by the Department or the County Board of Health, at least ten days
prior to engaging in such activities. The application shall include the
business name and address, name and address of the applicant, the manner by
which such contents are to be removed, transported and given final disposal,
and such other documentation as may be required by the County Board of Health,
and including evidence that septage removed and transported will be accepted at
approved disposal sites. |
| (2) |
Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Renewal. The permit shall be valid for one
year and must be renewed annually. The following are grounds for suspension,
revocation, or denial of renewal:
| (a) |
A
material misrepresentation or omission on an application or manifest; |
| (b) |
A pending judicial disciplinary action(s)
related to on-site sewage services; |
| (c) |
A civil judgment against the individual
or company related to on-site sewage services; |
| (d) |
An unfair or deceptive trade practice as
defined by Code Section
10-1-393; and |
| (e) |
A violation of the Department's Rules and
Regulations for On-site Sewage Management Systems or the Manual for On-Site
Sewage Management Systems.
A lesser sanction, including probation on specified terms,
may be imposed where the circumstances of the violation do not merit suspension
or revocation of the permit.
|
|
| (3) |
Pumping and Disposal Methods. Approved
methods of pumping and disposal of septage from on-site sewage management
systems shall be by direct discharge to a system approved by the Environmental
Protection Division; these systems include public or community sewage treatment
plants, septage handling facilities, or direct land disposal sites. Pumping and
disposal shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Manual for
On-Site Sewage Management Systems. |
| (4) |
Vehicle Identification. The name of the
person or firm engaging in the removal of septage from on-site sewage
management systems and the permit number shall be lettered on both sides of
each vehicle used for septage removal purposes. Letters and numerals shall not
be less than two inches (2") in height and shall be readily visible. |
| (5) |
Vehicle Maintenance. Every vehicle used
for removal of septage from on-site sewage management systems shall be equipped
with a watertight tank or body and properly maintained. Liquid wastes shall not
be transported in open bodied vehicles. All pumps, hose lines, valves, and
fittings shall be maintained to prevent leakage. |
| (1) |
Grease traps shall be required for
commercial or industrial establishments with on-site sewage management systems
if the County Board of Health determines that the amount of grease introduced
into the system may exceed 50 mg/l. |
| (2) |
Plans and specifications for grease traps
shall be prepared in accordance with minimum design and construction criteria
set forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems
and submitted to the County Board of Health for approval. Effluent from grease
traps shall be disposed of in a septic tank and not directly discharged to the
absorption field. Grease traps shall be located, installed and constructed so
that the temperature of the sewage will be reduced to permit congealing or
separation of grease and easy access for cleaning is provided. |
The design sewage flow of an on-site sewage management system
shall be determined in accordance with the Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. The daily sewage flow may be determined by the
Department after due consideration of data submitted by the owner or his agent
on design criteria. Calculations will be made on the basis of peak flow and not
on long term averages.
| (1) |
Approval. No person may sell, offer for
sale, lease, rent, or begin construction or otherwise begin the physical
development of a lot in a subdivision or mobile home park until written
approval of plans for water supply and sewage disposal in the subdivision or
park has been issued from the County Board of Health. This approval constitutes
general acceptance of all lots for development with on-site sewage management
systems. |
| (2) |
Pre-development
Review. It is recommended that developers considering subdivision or mobile
home park development where public or community sewage treatment systems will
not be available seek a predevelopment review by the County Board of Health. A
predevelopment report which indicates disapproval or tentative approval may be
obtained by submitting a boundary plat including a vicinity map, a topographic
map, and a soil map and soil descriptions based on a high intensity soil study
conducted in compliance with the Department's Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. |
| (3) |
Proposals and Plans Required. The following information is required for
subdivision and mobile home park proposals:
| (a) |
A boundary plat drawn to a reasonable
scale which includes:
| 2. |
Proposed lots and streets
including lot identification, dimensions, building lines and square footage of
lots; |
| 3. |
A topographic map depicted
in two foot (2') contour intervals. Additional contour intervals
may be required by the County Board of Health. |
| 4. |
A soil map and soil descriptions based on
a high intensity soil study, Level III, conducted in compliance with the
Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems; |
| 5. |
The location of all present and proposed
wells, water systems, water courses, flood plains, sewage systems, structures,
right-of-ways, utilities, storm water drainage systems, proposed road and
street construction, grading or disturbance plans, setbacks, and easements on
the property and within one hundred feet (100') outside the perimeter of the
property; and |
| 6. |
The name,
registration number and seal of the professional surveyor or engineer that
prepared the development plan. |
|
| (b) |
A completed Subdivision Analysis Record
on forms provided by the Department. |
| (c) |
A copy of the following documents issued
by the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural
Resources:
| 1. |
The land disturbance activity
permit issued by either the Environmental Protection Division, or by a
governing authority of the applicable county or municipality certified by the
director of the Environmental Protection Division pursuant to the Official Code
of Georgia Annotated Section
12-7-8(a);
and |
| 2. |
A letter of approval to
begin construction of a public water supply system and approving the source of
the water supply where a public water supply system is to be
utilized. |
|
|
| (3) |
Water Supply.Connection to a public water
supply system shall be required if available within one thousand (1,000) feet
of the proposed subdivision or mobile home park. |
| (4) |
Limits on Use of On-Site Sewage
Management Systems for Subdivision and Mobile Home Parks.Approval of
subdivisions and mobile home parks utilizing on-site sewage management systems
is subject to the following conditions:
| (a) |
No public or community sewage system is available within five hundred feet
(500') of the subdivision or mobile home park; |
| (b) |
Soil maps, descriptions, and reports
compiled by a registered Soil Classifier indicate no soil conditions that would
prohibit safe development of on-site sewage management systems; |
| (c) |
If a public water supply system is to be
built and utilized, receipt of a letter(s) from the Environmental Protection
Division approving the plans to construct the public water supply system, and
approving the source of the water supply. |
|
| (1) |
The Department shall appoint and maintain
a Technical Review Committee consisting of no more than fifteen individuals
with technical or scientific knowledge relating to on-site sewage management
systems. The committee shall approve new systems, periodically review systems
performance, assist the Department with the development of standards and
guidelines for new technology, assist with the periodic updating of the
Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, revise the
standards and serve as the authority for product approval, evaluation, and the
development of installation standards. The Committee shall also maintain a list
of approved systems. |
| (2) |
The
Committee shall include at least one individual from the following disciplines:
| (a) |
A DPH Environmental Health Section staff
person who shall serve as the secretary; |
| (b) |
Local County Environmentalist; |
| (c) |
Health District
Environmentalist; |
| (f) |
Home Builders
Association; |
| (i) |
District
Health Director; |
| (j) |
Environmental
Protection Division; |
| (l) |
Georgia On-Site
Wastewater Association; |
| (n) |
Septic Tank
Contractor. |
|
| (3) |
The
Committee shall meet as deemed appropriate by the Department. |
| (4) |
The Department shall adopt a fee schedule
for the technical review of new products and technology. |
| (1) |
Individuals
performing services as a soil classifier, septic tank contractor, inspection
personnel, maintenance personnel, or sewage pumper must be certified by the
Department.
| (a) |
The qualifications for
certification of soil classifiers, septic tank contractors, inspection
personnel, maintenance personnel, and sewage pumpers shall be set forth by the
Department and published in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management
Systems. The qualifications shall be based on education, experience,
testing and performance. |
| (b) |
The
Department shall publish a protocol for decertification of persons certified
under the provisions of this Section in the Manual for On-Site Sewage
Management Systems. |
| (c) |
Certification shall be renewed every two years and shall be conditioned on
meeting continuing education requirements. |
|
| (2) |
The Department shall adopt a fee schedule
for certifications and renewals under this Rule. |
| (1) |
Prohibited Discharge. No person shall
allow the unapproved discharge or spillage of sewage, nor shall an on-site
sewage management system be used or maintained in such a manner as to allow the
seepage or discharge of effluent from such system to the ground surface, to a
water course, drainage ditch, open trench, canal, storm drain or storm sewer,
water well, abandoned well, lake, stream, river, estuary, groundwater, or other
body of water. |
| (2) |
Maintenance. The
property owner shall be responsible for properly operating and maintaining the
on-site sewage management system to increase its life expectancy and prevent
failure. Maintenance of the system shall be in accordance with the criteria set
forth in the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management
Systems. |
| (3) |
Additives. No strong bases, acids, or organic solvents shall be
used in the operation of an on-site sewage management system. |
| (4) |
Existing System Evaluations. If a
performance evaluation of an existing system is conducted, the evaluation shall
be performed in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Manual
for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. |
| (5) |
Abandonment of a Septic Tank. If the use
of a septic tank is discontinued, or if the tank cannot be made to comply with
the Rules and its further use is prohibited, then the property owner shall
either have the abandoned tank pumped out by a certified pumper and fill the
empty tank with sand, soil, or rock to prevent entrapment, or have the empty
tank removed to make room for a new system component. |
| (6) |
Variances. The County Board of Health may
grant variances in the cases of hardship where existing systems are
malfunctioning. |
| (1) |
The Department
shall review absorption field products that differ in design from the
conventional on-site sewage management system. The following standards will be
used to determine equivalency to the conventional on-site sewage management
system:
| (a) |
The design infiltrative surface
is the wetted trench bottom area. |
| (b) |
Due to the combined effects of
compaction, contact area and fines associated with gravel aggregate, the
effective infiltrative surface area shall be reduced by an estimated
50%. |
| (c) |
The minimum amount of
effective trench bottom infiltrative surface area per linear foot shall be
equivalent to the conventional 36-inch wide gravel system. |
| (d) |
Sidewall area shall not be considered for
design reduction. The minimum amount of effective sidewall infiltrative surface
area per linear foot shall be equivalent to a conventional 36-inch wide gravel
system. |
| (e) |
The minimum storage
volume required for a system shall be equivalent to a conventional 36-inch wide
gravel system. |
| (f) |
The design
absorption area required is based on the most hydraulically limiting soil
horizon that comes into contact with the infiltrative surface of the sidewall,
trench bottom, and for a distance 1 foot below the absorption trench
bottom. |
|
| (2) |
The
infiltration area for conventional 36-inch wide gravel trench absorption shall
be considered to be as follows:
| (a) |
Sidewall
Infiltration Area: 2 sq. ft./ft x .50 = 1 sq.ft. / linear foot |
| (b) |
Trench Bottom Infiltration Area: 3 sq.
ft./ft x .50 = 1.5 sq.ft. / linear foot |
| (c) |
Storage Volume: 3 cubic feet / linear
foot x 7.48 gallons / cubic foot x .35 = 7.85 gallons / linear foot |
|
| (3) |
Lots approved for development
based on a reduction in absorption trench length up to 50% shall continued to
be approved and permitted for up to a 50% reduction in absorption trench length
provided the lot is part of a recorded plat or part of a preliminary
development plan submitted to the County Board of Health within one year of the
April 1, 2007 rule adoption. Preliminary plans must include proposed lots and
streets with lot identifications, lot dimensions, and square footage; a
topographic map with water courses and flood plain identified; a level 3 soil
report; the location of the water supply system, right-of-ways, easements and
utilities; and the name, registration number and seal of the professional
surveyor or engineer. |
| (1) |
The Department may revoke the
certification of any person or entity under this Chapter, or may deny
certification, for any of the following reasons:
| (a) |
A violation of Title 31 of the Official
Code of Georgia or the Rules of this Department; |
| (b) |
An unfair or deceptive trade practice as
defined by Code Section
10-1-393; |
| (c) |
Performing services for which a
certification is required if, at the time of the service, the person or entity
lacks a current certification; |
| (d) |
A material misrepresentation or omission on any application for certification
or renewal; |
| (e) |
A criminal
conviction, including a plea of nolo contendere, for any felony, crime of moral
turpitude, or offense related to on-site sewage services; |
| (f) |
Failure to pay certification or renewal
fees; |
| (g) |
Failure to maintain
continuing education credits required by the Department; |
| (h) |
A civil judgment based on conduct related
to on-site sewage services; or |
| (i) |
Such other conduct as, in the opinion of the Department, would render continued
certification of the person or entity a threat to the health or safety of the
public. |
|
| (2) |
The
Department may, in its discretion, impose a lesser sanction where the
circumstances of the violation do not merit revocation of the certification,
including suspension or probation on specified terms. |
| (3) |
Procedure.
| (a) |
The Department may, but is not required
to, refer information concerning a certified person or entity to the
Certification Review Committee. The Committee shall review the evidence and
make a recommendation to the Department. |
| (b) |
The Department shall give written notice
of any disciplinary action taken pursuant to this regulation by certified mail
or statutory overnight delivery to the last known address of the person or
entity. The notice shall set forth the facts which support disciplinary
action. |
| (c) |
Upon request made in
writing and received by the DPH Office of General Counsel no later than twenty
days after the written notice of disciplinary action is mailed, the Department
shall refer the matter to the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings
for hearing in accordance with its rules. The burden of proof shall be on the
person or entity seeking the hearing. |
|
| (4) |
Effective date of disciplinary action.
| (a) |
All disciplinary actions by the
department are effective twenty days after the certified person's receipt of
the notice, unless otherwise specified in the notice, or unless the certified
person makes a timely request for a hearing. |
| (b) |
Upon a written finding set forth in the
notice of disciplinary action that the public safety, heath, and welfare
imperatively require emergency action, the suspension of the certification
shall be effective immediately upon issuance of the notice. |
|
| (5) |
Upon request for exculpatory,
favorable, or arguably favorable information relative to pending allegations
involving disciplinary action, the Department shall either furnish such
information, indicate that no such information exists, or provide such
information to the hearing officer for in camera inspection
pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-13-18(d)(2). |
