HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1995-059WtIA7f,OM �OUNTYCOUNCIL.ACENDA BILL.
NO. 94 -581
B-
CLEARANCIsS
Initial
1)a(tc
)atc IZcccivc-o in Council Office:
Agcnda date
Assi ncd lo:
'Milor: Bob K1oc
ttl� p
E U V E
LL���.. -
Nu 1'6 1994
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
11/22/94
Council
�jwmion head:
/10/95
PSSW
Dept.11cad:Frank.lames
IW14q
. :10131/95
Council
11roSCCL1101 -: Randy Walls
Purchasing /nudge[:
Execulive: Shirley van 7a111cn
SUI .i/EC7.- Proposed changes to WCC 24.05, Sewage Control RegulationS
A7`1]ACHMEN'IS: Draft WCC 24.05, Summary Statement, WCC 24.05 Revised 3/13/90
SUMMARY S7 7 EMENT- AUuchcd I'leave contplele sections of box uv appropriate it explain the ilent below.
Related Gnn11 conlracl e/:
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? No YC?S Requested da1c:
Amount budgoed for [his item projecl: $
Is it or will it be within budgel? YI:S NO Please explain below
Ihub'ct line i[cm number (s):
DAVID S. MC EACHRAN
Prosecuting Attorney
t^a +fit ►��� :�i< :�nr
Whatcorn County
Bellingham, Wash.
ORIGINATORS RE=COMMENDED AC77ON. Adoption of Regulations
COMMI7TEE ACTION TAKEN:
COUNCIL AC`I70N 7AKEN: 1994-581=
11/22/94 • Council introduced. 11/28/95: Adopted 7 -0, Ord. #95 -059
12/6/94: Referred to Committee
12/13/94: Tabled
1/1O/95: Held in Committee
1/95: Received. Public Hearing to be scheduled
1_,14/95: Introduced
Related File Nuntberv: Orelinance or Revohition Ntunber (this itent only):
^C.ord "C /"C/93
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY:Health
INTRODUCTION DATE: 11/14/95
1 ORDINANCE NO. 95-o5
2
3 WHEREAS, The Washington State Board of Health has revised chapter 246 -272
4 WAC On -Site Sewage Systems.
5 WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 24.05, Sewage Control Rules and Regulations
6 must be consistant with Washington State Regulations,
7 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
8 "Exhibit A" Revisions of Whatcom County Code 24.05 WCC be reviewed and adopted by
9 the Whatcom County Council.
10 ADOPTED this 28_ day of Nnvcml�or , 1994.
11
12 ATTEST:
13
14 ±Dana rown- Davis, Council erk
15 APPROVED AS TO FORM
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Vol Jc71rri1X711 mhof, Council Ch iir
(•Approved () Denied
16
17 Civil Deputy P s cutor Shirley Van ZanVen, Execu iv
18 Date:
Page 1
Nter Willing, Chairperson
Steve Jilk, Vice - Chairperson
Eunice Cole
Ernesto Diaz
Larry Harris
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISORY BOARD
P.O. Box 935
Bellingham, WA. 98227''}
October 3, 1995
Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive
Whatcom County Courthouse
Bellingham, WA 98225
Dear Ms. Van Zanten:
OC11 0 "19,95
..fire „r t;l.) Wt
Bill Palmer
Barbara Revey
Greg Stern, M.D.
Catherine Stimpson
The Health Department Advisory Board has reviewed the proposed On -Site Sewage Regulations, WCC 24.05.
We recommend that you review them, and forward them to the Whatcom County Board of Health for approval.
The discussion of the Health Department Advisory Board members contained several key points including:
► Highlighted items are from the "old" County Code and the rest of the document is the State WAC.
► Protection of Lake Whatcom is maintained.
► The State Department of Health granted a class B waiver for use of Whatcom County non - pressurized
mound systems.
► All on -site systems for food service establishments will be inspected annually. All establishments which
produce high strength waste water will require pretreatment to bring waste water strength to residential
strength.
The regulations allow for designation of "Areas of Special Concern" which are delineated by public
process. These designations could include flood plains, well head protection areas, wetlands or shellfish
beds.
► The Health Department shall develop operation and maintenance program for on -site system users by the
year 2000.
Enclosed are nine copies of the following documents:
► Chapter 24.05 WCC On -Site Sewage System Rules and Regulations
► A summary of the significant changes required by Washington State Regulations 246 -272; and the
procedure used to generate the new WCC 24.05.
► Approval letter from Washington State providing a Class "B" Waiver for our Whatcom County Non -
Pressurized Mounds.
I hope our review of the On -Site Sewage Regulations has been helpful.
Si ely,
i� l2jlGG�
- Will' ai rson
im o ealth Department Advisory Board
1 Environmental Health
2 Chapter 24.05 WCC
3 On -Site Sewage Systems
4 Rules and Regulations of
S the Whatcom County Health Department
6 Effective January 1, 1995
1 Environmental Health
2 Chapter 24.05 WCC
3 On -Site Sevrage Systems
4 Rules and Regulations of
5 the Whatcom County Health Department
6 Effective January 1, 1995
7 For more information or
8 additional copies of these regulations contact:
9 Whatcom County Health Department
10 Environmental Health Division
11 509 Girard Street P.O. Box 935
12 Bellingham WA 98225
13 (206) 676 -6724
1
Page
Contents
2
Purpose and Administration
3
1
24.05.01
Purpose, Objectives, and Authority
4
1
24.05.02
Administration
5
1
24.05.03
Adoption by Reference
6
2
24.05.04
Definition
7
General Requirements
8
11
24.05.05
Applicability
9
12
24.05.06
Alternative Systems and Proprietary Devices
10
12
24.05.07
Experimental System
11
13
24.05.08
Connection to Public Sewer System
12
Specific Requirements
13
13
24.05.09
Permits for On -site Sewage Systems (OSS) Under
14
3,500 Gallons Per Day
15
18
24.05.10
Location
16
21
24.05.11
Soil and Site Evaluation
17
24
24.05.12
Design
18
31
24.05.13
Guidelines for Whatcom County Non - pressurized Mounds
19
33
24.05.14
Holding Tank Sewage Systems
20
34
24.05.15
Installation
11
35
24.05.16
Inspection
�2
36
24.05.17
Operation and Maintenance
23
38
24.05.18
Repair of Failures
24
41
24.05.19
Expansions
25
41
24.05.20
Abandonment
26
41
24.05.21
Septage Management
27
42
24.05.22
Developments, Subdivisions, and Minimum Land Area
28
Requirements
29
46
24.05.23
Areas of Special Concern
30
47
24.05.24
Licensing
31
Enforcement
32
51
24.05.25
Waiver of State Regulations
33
52
24.05.26
Enforcement
34
54
24.05.27
Notice of Decision — Adjudicative Proceeding
35
56
24.05.28
Severability
36
Fees
37
56
24.05.29
Fees
I Chapter 24.05 WCC
2 On -Site Sewage System Regulations
3 24.05.01 Purpose, Objectives, and Authority.
4 (1) The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health by minimizing:
5 (a) The potential for public exposure to sewage from on -site sewage systems;
6 and
7 (b) Adverse effects to public health that discharges from on -site sewage
8 systems may have on ground and surface waters.
9 (2) This chapter regulates the location, design, installation, operation, maintenance,
10 and monitoring of on -site sewage systems to:
11 (a) Achieve long -term sewage treatment and effluent disposal; and
12 (b) Limit the discharge of contaminants to waters of the state.
13 (3)
14
IS
16 24.05.02 Administration.
17 (1) The local health officer shall administer this chapter under the authority and
18 requirements of chapters 70.05, 70.08, 70.46, and 43.70 RCW. Under chapter
19 70.05.060(7) RCW, fees may be charged for this administration.
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
1
1 24.05.04 Definitions.
2 "Additive" means a commercial product added to an on -site sewage system
3 intended to affect performance or aesthetics of an on -site sewage system.
4 "Alternative system" means an on -site sewage system other than a conventional
S gravity system or conventional pressure distribution system. Properly operated
6 and maintained alternative systems provide equivalent or enhanced treatment
7 performance as compared to conventional gravity systems.
8 "Approved" means a written statement of acceptability, in terms of the
9 requirements in this chapter, issued by the local health officer or the department.
10 "Approved list" means "List of Approved Systems and Products ", developed
11 annually and maintained by the department, available upon request from the local
12 health officer and containing the following:
13 (a) List of proprietary devices approved by the department;
14 (b) List of specific systems meeting Treatment Standard 1 and Treatment
15 Standard 2;
16 (c) List of experimental systems approved by the department;
17 (d) List of septic tanks, pump chambers, and holding tanks approved by the
18 department.
19 "Area of Special Concern" means an area of definite boundaries delineated
20 through public process, where a local health officer, or the department in
21 consultation with the health officer, determines additional requirements for on -site
22 sewage systems may be necessary to reduce potential failures, or minimize
23 negative impact of on -site systems upon public health.
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
"Cesspool" means a pit receiving untreated sewage and allowing the liquid to seep
into the surrounding soil or rock.
"Conforming system" means any on -site sewage system, except an experimental
system, meeting any of the following criteria:
(a) Systems in full compliance with new construction requirements under this
chapter; or
(b) Systems approved, installed and operating in accordance with requirements
of previous editions of this chapter; or
2
I (c) Systems or repairs permitted through departmental concurrence by the
2 waiver process which assure public health protection by higher treatment
3 performance or other methods.
4 "Conventional gravity system" means an .on -site sewage system consisting of a
5 septic tank and a subsurface soil absorption system with gravity distribution of the
6 effluent.
7 "Conventional pressure distribution system" means an on -site sewage system
8 consisting of a septic tank and a subsurface soil absorption system with pressure
9 distribution of the effluent. Design, operation and maintenance, and performance
IO monitoring are described by "Guidelines for Pressure Distribution Systems" by the
II Washington state department of health. _
12 "Covenant" means a recorded agreement stating certain activities and /or practices
13 are required or prohibited.
14 "Cuts and /or banks" means any naturally occurring or artificially formed slope
15 greater than one hundred percent (forty -five degrees) and extending vertically at
16 least five feet from the toe of the slope to the top of the slope as follows:
17 "Designer" means a person who matches site and soil characteristics with
18 appropriate on -site sewage technology.
19 "Development" means the creation of a residence, structure, facility, subdivision,
20 planned unit development, site, area, or any activity resulting in the production of
21 sewage.
22 "Department" means the Washington state department of health.
23 "Disposal component" means a subsurface absorption system (SSAS) or other soil
24 absorption system receiving septic tank or other pretreatment device effluent and
25 transmitting it into original, undisturbed soil.
26 "Effluent" means liquid discharged from a septic tank or other on -site sewage
27 system component.
3
1 "Engineer" means a person who is licensed and in good standing under chapter
2 18.43 RCW.
3 "Expansion" means a change in a residence, facility, site, or use that:
4 (a) Causes an on -site sewage system to exceed its existing treatment or
S disposal capability, for example, when a residence is increased from two to
6 three bedrooms or a change in use from an office to a restaurant; or
7 :: >xist:...:: >ar:::
8 (c) Reduces the treatment or disposal capability of the existing on -site sewage
9 system or the reserve area, for example, when a building is placed over a
10 reserve area.
11 "Experimental system" means any alternative system:
12 (a) Without design guidelines developed by the department; or
13 (b) A proprietary device or method which has not yet been evaluated and
14 approved by the department.
15 "Failure" means a condition of an on -site sewage system that threatens the public
16 health by inadequately treating sewage or by creating a potential for direct or
17 indirect contact between sewage and the public. Examples of failure include:
18 (a) Sewage on the surface of the ground;
19 (b) Sewage backing up into a structure caused by slow soil absorption of septic
20 tank effluent;
21 (c) Sewage leaking from a septic tank, pump chamber, holding tank, or
22 collection system;
23 (d) Cesspools or seepage pits where evidence of ground water or surface water
24 quality degradation exists; or
25 (e) Inadequately treated effluent contaminating ground water or surface water.
26 (f) Noncompliance with standards stipulated on the permit.
4
1
2
3
4
S
8j
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 "Ground water" means a subsurface water occupying the zone of saturated soil,
7 permanently, seasonally, or as the result of the tides_. Indications of ground water
18 may include:
19 (a) Water seeping into or standing in an open excavation from the soil
20 surrounding the excavation.
21 (b) Spots or blotches of different color or shades of color interspersed with a
22 dominant color in soil, commonly referred to as mottling. Mottling is a
23 historic indication for the presence of groundwater caused by intermittent
24 periods of saturation and drying, and may be indicative of poor aeration
25 and impeded drainage. Also see "Water table ".
26 "Holding tank sewage system" means an on -site sewage system which incorporates
27 a holding tank, the services of a sewage pumper /hauler, and the off -site treatment
28 and disposal for the sewage generated.
29 "Industrial wastewater" means the water or liquid carried waste from an industrial
30 process. These wastes may result from any process or activity of industry,
31 manufacture, trade or business, from the development of any natural resource, or
32 from animal operations such as feedlots, poultry houses, or dairies. The term
33 includes contaminated storm water and leachate from solid waste facilities.
A
35
5
'a u
>AIr1
16 "Ground water" means a subsurface water occupying the zone of saturated soil,
7 permanently, seasonally, or as the result of the tides_. Indications of ground water
18 may include:
19 (a) Water seeping into or standing in an open excavation from the soil
20 surrounding the excavation.
21 (b) Spots or blotches of different color or shades of color interspersed with a
22 dominant color in soil, commonly referred to as mottling. Mottling is a
23 historic indication for the presence of groundwater caused by intermittent
24 periods of saturation and drying, and may be indicative of poor aeration
25 and impeded drainage. Also see "Water table ".
26 "Holding tank sewage system" means an on -site sewage system which incorporates
27 a holding tank, the services of a sewage pumper /hauler, and the off -site treatment
28 and disposal for the sewage generated.
29 "Industrial wastewater" means the water or liquid carried waste from an industrial
30 process. These wastes may result from any process or activity of industry,
31 manufacture, trade or business, from the development of any natural resource, or
32 from animal operations such as feedlots, poultry houses, or dairies. The term
33 includes contaminated storm water and leachate from solid waste facilities.
A
35
5
I "Installer" means a qualified person approved by a local health officer to install or
2 repair on -site sewage systems or components.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 "Large On -site Sewage System (LOSS)" means any on -site sewage system with
16 design flows, at any common point, greater than 3,500 gallons per day.
17
18
19
20 "Local health offixer" means the health officer of Whatcom County, or a
21 representative authorized by and under the direct supervision of the local health
22 officer.
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31 "May" means discretionary, permissive, or allowed.
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
T
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3
4
S
6 "On -site sewage system (OSS)" means an integrated arrangement of components
7 for a residence, building, industrial establishment or other places not connected to
8 a public sewer system which:
9 (a) Convey, store, treat, and /or provide subsurface soil treatment and disposal
10 on the property where it originates, upon adjacent or nearby property; and
11 (b) Includes piping, treatment devices, other accessories; and soil underlying
12 the disposal component of the initial and reserve areas.
13 "Ordinary high -water mark" means the mark on lakes, streams, and tidal waters,
14 found by examining the beds and banks and ascertaining where-the presence and
15 action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary
16 years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting
17 upland with respect to vegetation, as that condition exists on the effective date of
18 this chapter, or as it may naturally change thereafter. The following definitions
19 apply where the ordinary high water mark cannot be found:
20 (a) The ordinary high -water mark adjoining marine water is the elevation at
21 mean higher high tide; and
22 (b) The ordinary high -water mark adjoining freshwater is the line of mean high
23 water.
24
25
26
27 "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association, society, firm,
28 partnership, joint stock company, or any governmental agency, or the authorized
29 agents of any such entities.
30 "Planned unit development" means a development characterized by a unified site
31 design, clustered residential units and /or commercial units, and areas of common
32 open space.
7
1
2
3
4
S "Pressure distribution" means a system of small diameter pipes equally
6 distributing effluent throughout a trench or bed, as described in the "Guidelines
7 for Pressure Distribution Systems" by the department. Also see "conventional
8 pressure distribution."
9 "Proprietary device or method" means a device or method classified as an
10 alternative system, or a component thereof, held under a patent, trademark or
11 copyright.
12 "Public sewer system" means a sewerage system:
13 (a) Owned or operated by a city, town, municipal corporation, county, or other
14 approved ownership consisting of a collection system and necessary trunks,
15 pumping facilities and a means of final treatment and disposal; and
16 (b) Approved by or under permit from the department of ecology, the
17 department of health and /or . a local health officer.
18 "Pumper" Means a person approved by the local health officer to remove and
19 transport wastewater or septage from on -site sewage systems.
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27 "Repair" means restoration, by reconstruction or relocation, or replacement of a
28 failed on -site sewage system.
29 "Reserve-area" means an area of land approved for the installation of a
30 conforming system and dedicated for replacement of the OSS upon its failure.
31 "Residential sewage" means sewage having the constituency and strength typical of
32 wastewater from domestic households.
33 "Restrictive layer" means a stratum impeding the vertical movement of water, air,
34 and growth of plant roots, such as hardpan, claypan, fragipan, caliche, some
35 compacted soils, bedrock and unstructured clay soils.
q
1 "Seepage pit" means an excavation more than three feet deep where the sidewall
2 of the excavation is designed to dispose of septic tank effluent. Seepage pits may
3 also be called "dry wells ".
4 " Septage" means the mixture of solid wastes, scum, sludge, and liquids pumped
5 from within septic tanks, pump chambers, holding tanks, and other OSS
6 components.
7 "Septic tank" means a watertight pretreatment receptacle receiving the discharge
8 of sewage from a building sewer or sewers, designed and constructed to permit
9 separation of settleable and floating solids from the liquid, detention and
10 anaerobic digestion of the organic matter, prior to discharge of the liquid.
11 "Sewage" means any urine, feces, and the water carrying human wastes, including
12 kitchen, bath, and laundry wastes from residences, buildings, industrial
13 establishments or other places. For the purposes of these regulations, "sewage" is
14 generally synonymous with domestic wastewater. Also see "residential sewage."
15 "Shall" means mandatory.
16 "Soil log" means a detailed description of soil characteristics providing information
17 on the soil's capacity to act as an acceptable treatment and disposal medium for
18 sewage.
19 "Soil type" means a numerical classification of fine earth particles and coarse
20 fragments as described in 24.05.11(2)(e) Table II page 22.
21 "Subdivision" means a division of land or creation of lots or parcels, described
22 under chapter 58.17 RCW, now or as hereafter amended, including both long and
23 short subdivisions, planned unit developments, and mobile home parks.
24 "SSAS" or "subsurface soil absorption system" means a system of trenches three
25 feet or less in width, or beds between three and ten feet in width, containing
26 distribution pipe within a layer of clean gravel designed and installed in original,
27 undisturbed soil for the purpose of receiving effluent and transmitting it into the
28 soil.
29
"Surface water" means any body of water, whether fresh or marine, flowing or
30
contained in natural or artificial unlined depressions for significant periods of the
31
year, including natural and artificial lakes, ponds, springs, rivers, streams, swamps,
32
marshes, and tidal waters.
33
"Table VIII Repair" means a repair or replacement of an existing on -site sewage
34
system which, because of site limitations, must utilize treatment standards shown
35
in Table VIII, page 39, in lieu of compliance with new construction requirements
36
for vertical separation and /or horizontal set back from surface waters or drinking
37
water wells or springs.
Z
1 "Treatment standard 1" means a thirty -day average of less than 10 milligrams per
2 liter of biochemical oxygen demand (5 day BODA 10 milligrams per liter of total
3 suspended solids (TSS), and a thirty -day geometric mean of less than 200 fecal
4 coliform per 100 milliliters.
5 "Treatment standard 2" means a thirty -day average of less than 10 milligrams per
6 liter of biochemical oxygen demand (5 day BODA 10 milligrams per liter of total
7 suspended solids (TSS), and a thirty -day geometric mean of less than 800 fecal
8 coliform per 100 milliliters.
9 "Unit volume of sewage" means:
10 (a) A single family residence;
11 (b) A mobile home site in a mobile home park; or
12 (c) 450 gallons of sewage per day where the proposed development is not
13 single family residences or a mobile home park.
14 "Vertical separation" means the depth of unsaturated, original, undisturbed soil of
15 Soil Types 1B -5 between the bottom of a disposal component and the highest
16 seasonal water table, a restrictive layer, or Soil Type 1A, as illustrated below by
17 the profile drawing of a subsurface soil absorption system:
_Ground surface
N rtical separation - Orijzin
titer table, Restrictive layer, or Soil
18 "Water table" means the upper surface of the ground water, whether permanent or
19 seasonal. Also see "ground water."
20 "Wave barrier" means a bulkhead of adequate height and construction protecting
21 the immediate area of on -site sewage system components from wave action.
22 '!'et season" means the peripd of year froth December i st to lst
10
1 24.05.05 Applicability.
2 (1) The local health officer and the department:
3 (a) Shall apply this chapter to OSS treating wastewater and disposing of
4 effluent from residential sewage sources;
5 (b) May apply this chapter to OSS for sources other than residential sewage,
6 excluding industrial wastewater, if pretreatment, siting, design, installation,
7 and operation and maintenance measures provide treatment and effluent
8 disposal equal to that required of residential sewage.
9 (2) Preliminary plats specifying general methods of sewage treatment, disposal, system
10 designs and locations approved prior to the effective date of these regulations
11 shall be acted upon in accordance with regulations in force at the time of
12 preliminary plat approval for a maximum period of five years from the date of
13 approval or for an additional year beyond the effective date of these regulations,
14 whichever assures the most lenient expiration date.
15 (3) A valid sewage system design approval, or installation permit issued prior to the
16 effective date of these regulations:
17 (a) Shall be acted upon in accordance with regulations in force at the time of
?8 issuance;
19 (b) Shall have a maximum validity period of five years from the date of
20 issuance or remain valid for an additional year beyond the effective date of
21 these regulations, whichever assures the most lenient expiration date; and
22 (c) May be modified to include additional requirements if the local health
23 officer determines that a serious threat to public health exists.
24 (4) The Washington state department of ecology has authority and approval over:
25 (a) Domestic or industrial wastewater under chapter 173 -240 WAC; and
26 (b) Sewage systems using mechanical treatment, or lagoons, with ultimate
27 design flows above 3,500 gallons per day.
28 (5) The Washington state department of health has authority and approval over:
29 (a) Systems with design flows through any common point between 3,500 to
30 14,500 gallons per day; and
11
I (b) Any Large On -site Sewage System "LOSS" for which jurisdiction has been
2 transferred to the department of health under conditions of memorandum
3 of agreement with the department of ecology.
4 (6) The local health officer has authority and approval over;
S (a) Systems with design flows through any common point up to 3,500 gallons
6 per day;
7 (b) Any Large On -site Sewage System "LOSS" for which jurisdiction has been
8 transferred to a local health jurisdiction from the department by contract.
9 (7) Where this chapter conflicts with chapters 90.48 RCW, Water Pollution Control,
10 the requirements under those statutes apply.
11 24.05.06 Alternative Systems and Proprietary Devices.
12 (1) The local health officer or department shall only permit installation of alternative
13 systems for which there are alternative system guidelines, or a proprietary device
14 if it appears on the list of approved systems or devices maintained by the
15 department and available upon request from the local health officer.
16 (2) The local health officer:
17 (a) May require performance monitoring or sampling of any alternative system.
18 (b) May charge fees to cover the costs for monitoring system performance.
19 (c) Shall submit copies of evaluation reports to the department when
20 alternative system performance is evaluated.
21 (d) Shall notify the department of alternative system approvals and failures.
22 24.05.07 Experimental Systems.
23 (1) The local health officer:
24 (a) May permit a limited number of specific experimental systems if:
25 (i) The specific system is included on the department's approved list of
26 experimental systems, available upon request from the local health
27 officer;
28 (ii) The site will accommodate the installation of a conforming system
29 in the event of failure of the experimental system;
12
1 (iii) Local agreements to provide for monitoring, sampling, testing,
2 reporting, maintenance, repairs, and the replacement of the system
3 in accordance with the protocol approved by the department under
4 subsection (1) of this section are completed and signed.
S (b) May charge fees to cover the cost of evaluating or monitoring the
6 experimental system.
7 (2) A person desiring to install an experimental system shall:
8 (a) Obtain a permit from the local health officer;
9 (b) Submit a written promise to the health officer agreeing to abandon the
10 experimental system and install a conforming system if:
11 (i) The system fails;
12 (ii) The performance of the experimental system is unsatisfactory; or
13 (iii) The applicant fails to adequately monitor the experimental system
14 and submit records as required in the departments approval or the
15 local health officer's permit;
16 (iv) The system components do not function as indicated by submitted
17 documents;
18 (v) Performance does not meet the anticipated objectives of the
19 experiment; or
20 (vi) The state experimental system permit is not renewed annually.
21 (c) Provide financial guarantees, acceptable to the health officer, and a copy of
22 the recorded covenant required under (b) of this subsection to the local
23 health officer; and
24 (d) Obtain through the local health officer an annually renewable state
25 experimental system permit.
26 24.05.08 Connection to Public Sewer System.
27 (1) When adequate public sewer services are available within two hundred feet of the
28 residence or facility, the local health officer, upon the failure of an existing on -site
29 sewage system shall require hook -up to the public sewer system. The distance
30 shall be measured along the usual or most feasible route of access.
13
1 (2) The owner of a residence or other facility served by a Table VIII repair as
2 defined in WCC 24.05.04 page 9 of this chapter shall abandon the OSS according
3 to the requirements specified in WCC 24.05.20, and connect the residence or
4 other facility to a public sewer system when:
5 (a) Connection is deemed necessary to protect public health by the local
6 health officer;
7 (b) An adequate public sewer becomes available within two hundred feet of
8 the residence or other facility as measured along the usual or most
9 economically feasible route of access; and
10 (c) The sewer utility allows the sewer connection.
11 24.05.09 Permits For OSS Under 3500 Gallons per Day.
12 (1) Prior to beginning the construction process, a designer proposing the installation,
13 repair, modification, connection to, or expansion of an OSS, shall develop and
14 submit the following to the local health officer and obtain approval:
15 (a) General information including:
76 (i) Name and address of the property owner and the applicant at the
-17 head of each page of submission;
18 (ii) Parcel number and address, if available, of the site;
19 (iii) Source of drinking water supply;
20 (iv) Identification if the property is within the boundaries of a
21 recognized sewer utility;
22 (v) Size of the parcel;
23 (vi) Type of permit for which application is being made, for example,
24 new installation, repair, expansion, alteration, or operational;
25 (vii) Source of sewage, for example, residential, restaurant, or other type
26 of business;
27 (viii)
Location of utilities;
28 (ix)
Name of the designer;
'9 (x)
Date of application; and
30 (xi)
Signature of applicant.
14
1
(b) The soil and site evaluation as specified under WCC 24.05.11 page 21.
2
(c) A complete, detailed, and dimensional site plan including:
3
(i) Designated areas for the proposed initial system and the reserve
4
area;
5
(ii) The location of all soil logs and other soil tests for the OSS;
6
(iii) General topography and /or slope of the site;
7
(iv) Site drainage characteristics;
8
(v) The location of existing and proposed encumbrances affecting
9
system placement, including legal access documents if any
10
component of the OSS is not on the lot where the sewage is
11
generated; and
12
(vi) An arrow indicating north.
13
(d) A detailed system design meeting the requirements under WCC 24.05.12
14
page 24 including:
i
(i) A dimensional drawing showing the location of components of the
_6
proposed OSS, and the system designed for the reserve area if
17
reserve site characteristics differ significantly from the initial area;
18
(ii) Vertical cross - section drawings showing:
19 (A) The depth of the disposal component, the vertical separation,
20 and depth of soil cover; and
21 (B) Other OSS components constructed at the site.
22 (iii) Calculations and assumptions supporting the proposed design,
23 including:
24 (A) Soil type;
25 (B) Hydraulic loading rate in the disposal component; and
26 (C) System's maximum daily flow capacity.
(e) Such additional information as deemed necessary by the local health
-18 officer.
15
1 (2) The local health officer shall:
2 (a) Issue a permit when the information submitted under subsection (1) of this
3 section meets the requirements contained in this chapter;
4 (b) Identify the permit as a new installation, repair, expansion, modification, or
5 operational permit;
6 (c) Include a reminder on the permit application of the applicant's right of
7 appeal; and
8 (d) State the period of validity and the date and conditions of renewal when
9 requiring operational permits to be obtained and retained;
10 (4) The local health officer may revoke or deny a permit for due cause. Examples
11 include, but are not limited to:
12 (a) Development or continued use of an OSS that threatens the public health;
13 (b) Misrepresentation or concealment of material fact in information submitted
14 to the local health officer; or
15 (c) Failure to meet conditions of the permit or the regulations.
16 (5) Before the local health officer issues a permit for the installation of an OSS to
17 serve more than one u?rg the applicant shall show:
18 (a) An approved public entity owning or managing the OSS in perpetuity; or
19 (b) An arrangement with a management entity acceptable to the local health
20 officer, recorded in covenant, lasting until the on -site system is no longer
21 needed, and containing, but not limited to:
22 (i) A legal easement allowing access for construction, operation and
23 maintenance, and repair of the OSS; and
24 (ii) Identification of an adequate financing mechanism to assure the
25 funding of operation, maintenance, and repair of the OSS.
26 (6) The local health officer shall not delegate the authority to issue permits.
27 (7) The local health officer may stipulate additional requirements for a particular
28 permit if necessary for public health protection.
16
10
11
12
13
14
15
17
1 24.05.10 Location.
2 (1) Persons shall design and install OSS to meet the minimum horizontal separations
3 shown in Table I, Minimum Horizontal Separations:
4 TABLE I
S Minimum Horizontal Separations
i
10
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
36
37
38
39
40
:. ..
:....
;:::.:....... :.
::.
From seer
.
:.:..::;:::
..........:;:.;..
...:...:...... .:
;..
:.
and;nco-
::..........:::;. .::::.:::
:.. ;..
Y;ro@ odge of
ooa
perforated dikittib
;: „
eomponent ana recetv�
ma
:.:..: .
lroc ...
Itemr:
Non - public well or suction line
100 ft.
50 ft.
50 ft.
Public drinking water well
100 ft.
100 ft.
100 ft.
Public drinking water cpting,3
200 ft.
200 ft.
100 ft.
Spring or surface water used as
drinking water coum7-3
100 ft.
50 ft.
50 ft.
Pressurized water supply line4
10 ft.5
10 ft.
10 ft.
Properly decommissioned weII6
10 ft.
N/A
N/A
&.fare .oat.3
Marine water
100 ft.
50 ft.
10 ft.
Fresh water
100 ft.11
50 ft.
10 ft.
Building foundation
10 ft. 7
5 ft. 7
2 ft.
Property or easement line 7,10
5 ft.
5 ft.
N/A
Interceptor / curtain drains/
ditches drainage
ts,10
30 ft.9
5 ft.
N/A
Dp-�nA10
10 ft.9
N/A
N/A
Dawn- gradient cuts or banks
with at least 5 ft. of original,
undisturbed sod above a
restrictive layer due to a
structural or textural ��10
25 ft.
N/A
N/A
Down - gradient cuts or banks
with less than 5 ft. of original,
undisturbed, soil above a
restrictive layer due to a
structural Of textural change
50 ft.
N/A
N/A
1 'Building sewer' as defined by the most current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code. "Non - perforated distribution"
includes pressure sewer transport lines.
2 If surface water is used as a public drinking water supply, the designer shall locate the OSS outside of the required
sanitary control area.
3 Measured from the ordinary high -water mark.
4 The local health officer may approve a sewer transport line within 10 feet of a water supply line if the sewer line is
constructed in accordance with section 2.4 of the department of ecology`s "Criteria For Sewage Works Design,' revised
October 1985, or equivalent.
:,
17 :......:...: ......::.::.:.:;::.:.....:.:.1* ..* ::" �:.... ..................... . "'b.' ................... :.::..
> f t'€ t aft# iit i F f twit; '. ` ". "` ":. ............
s s fu et
18 (2) Where any condition indicates a greater potential for contamination or pollution,
19 the local health officer or the department may increase the minimum horizontal
20 separations. Examples of such conditions include excessively permeable soils,
21 unconfined aquifers, shallow or saturated soils, dug wells, and improperly
22 abandoned wells.
23 (3) The horizontal separation between an OSS disposal component and an individual
24 water well, spring, or surface water can be reduced to a minimum of 75 feet, by
S the local health officer, and be described as a "conforming" system upon signed
26 approval by the health officer if the applicant demonstrates:
27 (a) Adequate protective site specific conditions, such as physical settings with
28 low hydro - geologic susceptibility from contaminant infiltration. Examples
29 of such conditions include evidence of confining layers and or aquatards
30 separating potable water from the OSS treatment zone, excessive depth to
31 groundwater, down - gradient contaminant source, or outside the zone of
32 influence; or
33 (b) Design and proper operation of an OSS system assuring enhanced
34 treatment performance beyond that accomplished by meeting the vertical
35 separation and effluent distribution requirements described in WCC
36 24.05.12(2)(f) Table IV page 26; or
37 (c) Evidence of protective conditions involving both 3(a) and (b) of this
38 section; and
39
> "::• `.; 2::::::::::::.._... .:::::;::::;:5:: :::;..•:::;: ?:; ::::: i<:: i::::::': i`;:: i:: i:::...:...>'::.::....» ..:...:.:::::`::%.::'`::::":>.": i:::: i:: i:: i:: i::::::::: i:..:.:::::::;. :;::;y :; ::. ::::;:i'F:;:;.:::;:
40 :: »: >:3'l >vIl: €: : > :W. > € €1. »:5.> :::n±1�umuu::.. tali < r °f r,. ><: ns
41 l
19
1 (4) Persons shall design and /or install disposal components only where:
2
(a) The slope is less than forty-five percent (twenty -four degrees);
3
(b) The area is not subject to:
4
(i) Encroachment by buildings or construction such as placement of
5
swimming pools, power poles and underground utilities;
6
(ii) Cover by impervious material;
7
(iii) Vehicular traffic; or
8
(iv) Other activities adversely affecting the soil or the performance of
9
the OSS.
10
(c) Sufficient reserve area for replacement exists to treat and dispose of 100%
11
of the design flow;
12 (d) The land is stable; and
13 (e) Surface drainage is directed away from the site.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(6) The local health officer may allow expansion of an existing on -site sewage system
adjacent to a marine shoreline that does not meet the minimum horizontal
separation between the disposal component and the ordinary high water mark
required by WCC 24.05.10 Table I page 18, provided that:
(a) The system meets all requirements of WCC 24.05.12 page 24;
(b) The system complies with all other requirements of WCC 24.05.10 page 18
and WCC 24.05.18 page 41;
(c) Horizontal separation between the disposal component and the ordinary
high water mark is 50 feet or greater; and
20
1 (d) Vertical separation is 3 feet or greater with a conventional gravity
2 drainfield, or 2 feet or greater with a conventional pressure distribution
3 drainfield.
4 24.05.11 Soil and Site Evaluation.
5 (1) The local health officer or department shall permit only engineers, qualified
6 designers and soil scientists to perform soil and site evaluations.
7
(2) The person evaluating the soil and site shall:
8
(a) Record:
9
(i)
A sufficient number of soil logs to evaluate conditions within:
10
(A) The initial disposal component; and
11
(B) The reserve area.
12
(ii)
The ground water conditions, the date of the observation, and the
13
probable maximum height;
4
(iii)
The topography of the site;
15
(iv)
The drainage characteristics of the site;
16
(v)
The existence of structurally deficient soils subject to major wind or
17
water erosion events such as slide zones and dunes;
18
(vi)
The existence of designated flood plains; and
19
(vii)
The location of existing encumbrances affecting system placement,
20
such as:
21
(A) Wells and suction lines;
22
(B) Water sources and supply lines;
23
(C) Surface water;
24
(D) Abandoned wells;
25
(E) Outcrops of bedrock and restrictive layers;
26
(F) Buildings;
27
(G) Property lines and lines of easement;
28
(H) Interceptors such as footing drains, curtain drains and
29
drainage ditches;
30
(I) Cuts, banks, and fills;
1
(J) Driveways and parking areas;
32
(K) Existing OSS; and
33
(L) . Underground utilities.
21
1
3
4
S
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Wt
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
_Q
(b) Use the soil and site evaluation procedures and terminology in accordance
with chapter 3 and Appendix A of the "Design Manual: On -site
Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems United States
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA - 625/1 -80 -012, October, 1980,
except where modified by, or in conflict, with this chapter (available upon
written request to the department);
(c) Use the soil names and particle size limits of the United States
Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service classification system;
(d) Determine texture, structure, compaction and other soil characteristics that
affect the treatment and water movement potential of the soil by using
normal field and /or laboratory procedures such as particle size analysis;
and
(e) Classify the soil as in Table II, Soil Textural Classification:
TABLE II
Soil Textural CkziTwaiion
1A Very gravelly' coarse sands or coarser.
All extremely gravelly2 soils.
1B Very gravelly medium sand, very gravelly fine sand,
very gravelly very fine sand, very gravelly loamy sands.
2A Coarse sands (also includes ASTM C -33 sand).
2B Medium sands.
3 Fine sands, loamy coarse sands, loamy medium sands.
4 Very fine sands, loamy fine sands, loamy very fine sands,
sandy loams, loams.
5 Silt loams, that are porous and have well developed
structure.
1 Very Gravelly = >35% and <60010 gravel and coarse fragments, by volume.
2 Extremely Gravelly = >60010 gravel and coarse fragments, by volume.
(3) The owner of the property or his agent shall:
(a) Prepare the soil log excavation to:
22
1 (i) Allow examination of the soil profile in its original position by:
2 (A) Excavating pits of sufficient dimensions to enable observation
3 of soil characteristics by visual and tactile means to a depth
4 three feet deeper than the anticipated bottom of the disposal
S component; or
6 (B) Stopping at a shallower depth if a water table or restrictive
7 layer is encountered; and
8 (ii) Allow determination of the soil's texture, structure, color, bulk
9 density or compaction, water absorption capabilities or permeability,
10 and elevation of the highest seasonal water table; and
11 (b) Assume responsibility for constructing and maintaining the soil log
12 excavation in a manner to reduce potential for physical injury by:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(i) Placing excavated soil no closer than 2 feet of the excavation;
(ii) Providing a ladder, earth ramp or steps for safe egress to a depth of
4 feet, then scoop out a portion from the floor to gain the additional
2 foot depth necessary to observe the 6 feet of soil face, however
the scooped portion is not to be entered (Requirements (i), and (ii)
of this section are illustrated below);
(iii) Provide a physical warning barrier around the excavation's
perimeter; and
(iv) Fill the excavation upon completion of the soil log.
(4) The local health officer:
(a) Shall render a decision on the height of the water table within 12 months
of receiving the application under precipitation conditions typical for the
region;
23
I (b) May require water table measurements to be recorded during "
2 jW if insufficient information is available .to determine the highest
3 seasonal water table;
4 (c) May require any other soil and site information affecting location, design,
5 or installation; and
6 (d) May reduce the required number of soil logs for OSS serving a single
7 family residence if adequate soils information has previously been
8 developed.
9 24.05.12 Design.
14 (a) All the sewage from the building served is directed to the OSS;
15 (b) Drainage from the surface, footing drains, roof drains, and other non-
sewage drains is prevented from entering the OSS and the area where the
.7 OSS is located;
18
19 (c) The OSS is designed to treat and dispose of the following flows:
20 (i) For single family residences, 120 gallons per bedroom per day, with
21 a minimum of 240 gallons per day, unless technical justification is
22 provided to support calculations using a lower design flow;
23 (ii) For other facilities, the design flows noted in 'Design Manual: On-
24 site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems ", United States
25 Environmental Protection Agency, EPA - 625/1 -80 -012, October, 1980
26 (available upon written request to the department). If the type of
27 facility is not listed in the EPA design manual, design flows from
28 one of the following documents are used:
29
(A) "Design Standards for Large On -site Sewage Systems," 1993,
30
Washington state department of health (available upon
31
request to the department); or
32
(B) "Criteria for Sewage Works Design ", revised October 1985,
Washington state department of ecology (available upon
S4
written request to the department of ecology).
24
1
L
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
L9
30
(d) Septic tanks:
(i) Are included on the approved list available upon request from the
local health officer;
(ii) Have the following minimum liquid capacities:
(A) For a single family residence use Table III, Required
Minimum Liquid Volumes of Septic Tanks:
TABLE III
Required Minimum Liquid Volumes q Septic Tanks
(B) For facilities handling residential sewage, other than one
single family residence, 1.5 times the daily design flow with a
minimum of 1000 gallons;
(iii)
(vi) Are designed with protection against floatation and ground water
intrusion in high ground water areas;
(e) Pump chambers:
(i) Are included on the approved list available upon request from the
local health officer;
25
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
72
13
FEN
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
(ii) Have clean -out and inspection accesses at or above finished grade;
and
(iii) Are designed with protection against floatation, ground water
intrusion, and surface water inflow in high ground water areas;
(f) Methods for effluent distribution shall correlate to Soil Types lA through
Soil Type as described by TABLE IV of this section:
TABLE IV
Methods Of Effluent Distribution For Soil Types And Depths
:.
Vertl ital Se aration ... :.:
P.::..:.:..:.
:
:.:.:::: ::: > :::::::::::.::::::::: ::::.:
So< > >>
< 1 foot
> 1 foot to
> 2 feet to
> 3 feet
....
< 2 feet
< 3 feet
lA
Not
Pressure
Pressure
Pressure
allowed
Distribution
Distribution
Distribution
(see note)' A2
(see note)'
(see note)'
2A
Not
Pressure
Pressure
Pressure
allowed
Distribution
Distribution
Distribution
(see note)' A2
Not
Pressure
Pressure
Gravity
allowed
Distribution
Distribution
Distribution
(see note)' 2
1 System meeting Treatment Standard 2 required.
2 Mound systems installed where the original, undisturbed, unsaturated soil depth is between 12 and 18 inches, require
pretreatment by an intermittent sand filter.
(g) SSAS beds are only designed in Soil Types 2A, 2B, or 3, with a width not
exceeding 10 feet;
(h) Designs for conventional gravity systems in Soil Type lA are not permitted
due to the inadequate treatment performance capability of coarse grained
soils. However, an exception may be permitted by the local health officer
if the site meets all of the following criteria:
(i) System serves a single family residence;
(ii) The lot size is greater than 2.5 acres;
26
1 (iii) Annual precipitation in the region is less than 25 inches per year as
2 described by "Washington Climate" published jointly by the
3 Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture, and
4 Washington State University (available for inspection at Washington
5 state libraries);
6 (iv) The system is located outside all areas of special concern ;
7 (v) The system is located outside the 12 county Puget Sound Water
8 Quality Authority region; and
9 (vi) The geologic conditions beneath the disposal component must
10 satisfy the minimum unsaturated depth requirements to groundwater
11 identified by interpreting a readable, representative well log. The
12 method for determination is described by "Design Guideline for
13 Conventional Gravity Systems In Soil Type 1X, (Available upon
14 written request to the department).
15
(i) Individual SSAS laterals greater than one hundred feet in length are to use
16
pressure distribution;
17
(j) OSS having daily design flows between 1000 and 3,500 gallons of sewage
18
per day:
19
(i) Are located only in Soil Types 1 - 5;
20
(ii) Are located on slopes of less than thirty percent, or 17 degrees; and
21
(iii) Have pressure distribution;
22
(k) Conventional gravity systems and conventional pressure distribution system
2.3
have:
24 (i) The calculation of absorption area based upon the design flows in
25 subsection (2)(c) page 22 of this section and loading rates equal to
26 or less than those in Table V page 28, Maximum Hydraulic Loading
27 Rate for Residential Sewage, and applied only to the bottom of the
28 trench of the excavation.
27
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
TABLE V
Ma&nwn Hydraulic Loading Rate
For Residential Sewage-
IA IVery gravelly' coarse sands or coarser,
extremely gravelly' soils.
Varies according to
system selected to
meet Treatment
Standard 2
1B Very gravelly medium sands, very gravelly fine Varies according to
sands, very gravelly very fine sands, soil type of the non-
very gravelly loamy sands. gravel portion 4
2A Coarse sands (includes the ASTM C -33 sand). 1.2
2B Medium sands. 1.0
3 Fine sands, loamy coarse sands, loamy medium 0.8
sands.
4 Very fine sands, loamy fine sands, 0.6
loamy very fine sands, sandy loams, loams.
5 Silt loams that are porous and have well developed 0.45
structure.
1 Compacted soils, cemented soils, and /or poor soil structure may require a reduction of the loading rate or make the soil
unsuitable for conventional OSS systems.
2 Very Gravelly = >35% and <60010 gravel and coarse fragments, by volume.
3 Extremely Gravelly = >60010 gravel and coarse fragments, by volume.
4 The maximum loading rate listed for the soil described as the non - gravel portion is to be used for calculating the
absorption surface area required. The value is to be determined from this table.
19
(ii) The bottom of a.SSAS shall not be deeper than three feet below the
20
finished grade, except under special conditions approved by the local
21
health officer. The depth of such system shall not exceed ten feet
22
from the finished grade.
23
(iii) The sidewall below the invert of the distribution pipe is located in
24
original, undisturbed soil;
25 (iv) `ve inches of 3/4" - 2 1/2" washed, clean gravel, covered with a
16 layer of geotextile; and
2
3
4
S
6
7
8
9
10
(v) A cover of between twelve and twenty -four inches of Mom
mineral soil containing no greater than 10% organic content over
the gravel to preclude accumulation of water over the drainfield.
(vii) The local health officer may require installation of observation ports
in each individual lateral or bed which extend from the bottom of
the gravel to the finished grade for monitoring OSS performance.
11 (1) For other features, conventional gravity systems shall conform with the
12 "Design Manual: On -site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems,"
13 United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-625/1-80-012,
14 October, 1980 (available upon written request to the department) except
15 where modified by, or in conflict with this section.
`6 (3) When proposing the use of OSS for non - residential sewage, the designer shall
17 provide to the local health officer:
18 (a) Information to show the sewage is not industrial wastewater;
19 (b) Information to establish the sewage's strength and identify chemicals found
20 in the sewage that are not found in residential sewage; and
21 (c) A design providing treatment equal to that required of residential sewage.
22 (4) The local health officer:
23 (a) Shall approve only OSS designs meeting the requirements of this chapter;
24 (b) Shall only permit the use of septic tanks, pump chambers, and holding
25 tanks on the approved list under subsection (5)(d) of this section;
26 (c) Shall not approve designs for:
27 (i) Cesspools;
28 (ii) Seepage pits; or
29
1 (d) May approve a design for the reserve area different than the design
2 approved for the initial OSS, if both designs meet the requirements of this
3 chapter for new construction.
4 (5) The department shall:
5 (a) Develop and maintain design and construction standards for septic tanks,
6 pump chambers, and holding tanks.
7 (b) Review septic tanks, pump chambers, and holding tanks, approving those
8 satisfying the design and construction standards developed by the
9 department.
10
(c) Require an annual report from the manufacturers or distributors of all
11
products on the approved list under subsection (5)(d) of this section which
12
assures that the product still meets the standards defined in this section,
13
before relisting the product.
14
(d) Maintain a list of approved septic tanks, pump chambers, holding tanks
15
that meet design and construction standards1~::t
17 (e) Make periodic checks of products approved under this subsection.
'18 (6)
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
kA
Persons desiring to manufacture or distribute septic tanks, pump chambers,
holding tanks for use in an OSS shall:
(a) Certify the product meets standards for subsection (5)(a) of this section
and submit the required documentation to the department for approval
when:
(i) The manufacturer or distributor needs initial departmental review
and listing to allow permitting by the local health officer or
department;
(ii) The department amends the applicable criteria or standards; or
(iii) The manufacturer or distributor alters the product;
(b) Submit an annual report acceptable to the department to retain
departmental approval; and
(c) Pay required fees to the department.
30
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TABLE VII
Lake Whatcom. Watershed Requirements
7A=
DbUmc from
Ike
OrWnal, undisturbed
permeable coil depth
Depth to Seasmal
Water Table
vertical
Separationl
Appsoved fill
material allowed
Waterfront
0 - 100 ft
No OSS allowed
No OSS allowed
No OSS allowed
No Oss allowed
First
100 - 500 ft
6 feet
6 feet
4 feet
No
Second
500 - 1000 ft
5 feet
5 feet
4 feet
No
Third
1000 - Boundary
3 feet
3 feet
3 feet
Yes
11 1
12
13
14
15
<7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27 24.05.13 Guidelines for Whatcom County Non - pressurized Mounds
28
29
9
31
32
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
`1
-12
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
32
2
3
4
I
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
.5
�7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32 24.05.14 Holding Tank Sewage Systems.
33 (1) Persons shall not install or use holding tank sewage systems for residential
34 development or expansion of residences, whether seasonal or year- round, except
35 as set forth under subsection (2) of this section.
33
1 (2) The local health officer may approve installation of holding tank sewage systems
2 only:
3 (a) For permanent uses limited to controlled, part-time, commercial usage
4 situations, such as, recreational vehicle parks and trailer dump stations.
5 (b) For interim uses limited to handling of emergency situations.
6 (c) For repairs as permitted under WCC 24.05.17(1)(c)(i) page 38.
7 (3) A person proposing to use a holding tank sewage system shall:
8 (a) Follow established design criteria established by the department;
9 (b) Submit a management program to the local health officer assuring ongoing
10 operation and maintenance before the local health officer issues the
11 installation permit; and
18 (2) The local health officer
20
21
22 (b) The OSS is either located on the same lot as the residence or situated on
23 adjoining property controlled by the owner and legally listed as an
24 encumbrance; and
25
26
27
8 r:; al m:: >sh 11
:: :.:::::::::::::::::::::..:...:: ::::::::::.:....... ...............:.::.:.:::.:.... ...............:..: : :.........:: : ::.: : ::s::::::::::
34
2 (5) The installer described by either (1) or (2) of this section shall:
3 (a) Follow the approved design;
4 (b) Have the approved design in possession during installation;
S (c) Only install septic tanks, pump chambers, and holding tanks approved by
6 the department;
7 (d) Be on the site at all times during the excavation and construction of the
8 OSS;
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
(e) Install the OSS to be watertight, except for the disposal component;
(f) Cover the installation only after the local health officer has given approval
to cover; and
(g) Back fill and grade the site to prevent surface water from accumulating
over any component of the OSS;
24.05.16 Inspection.
(1) The local health officer shall:
(a) Visit the OSS site during the site evaluation, construction, or final
construction inspection;
(b) Either inspect the OSS before cover or allow the designer of the OSS to
perform the inspection before cover if:
(i) The designer is qualified; and
(ii) The designer is not also named as installer of the system; and
(iii) A qualified installer installed the OSS.
(c) Keep the "as- built" or "record" drawings on file.
(2) The person responsible for the final construction inspection shall:
(a) Assure the OSS meets the approved design; and
(b) Direct the person responsible for final cover of the system to place a
permanent marker at finished grade where needed to identify the location
35
1
2
3
4
S
6
7
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
2
33
of the septic tank's first manhole.
(3) The designer or installer, as directed by the local health officer, upon completion
of the OSS shall develop and submit a complete and detailed, "as- built" or "record
drawing" to both the health officer and the OSS owner that include:
(a) For new OSS, measurements to existing site features enabling the
first tank manhole to be easily located, and a dimensioned reserve
area; and
(b) For repaired or altered OSS, the new, repaired, or altered
components with their relationship to the existing system.
24.05.17 Operation and Maintenance.
(1) The OSS owner is responsible for properly operating and maintaining the OSS,
and shall:
(a) Determine the level of solids and scum in the septic tank once every three
years;
(b) Employ an approved pumper to remove the septage from the tank when
the level of solids and scum indicates that removal is necessary;
(c) Protect the OSS area and the reserve area from:
(i) Cover by structures or impervious material;
(ii) Surface drainage;
(iii) Soil compaction, for example by vehicular traffic or livestock; and
(iv) Damage by soil removal and grade alteration;
(d) Keep the flow of sewage to the OSS at or below the approved design both
in quantity and waste strength;
36
I (e) Operate and maintain alternative systems as directed by the local health
2 officer; and
3 (f) Direct drains, such as footing or roof drains away from the area where the
4 OSS is located.
S (2) The local health officer shall:
6 (a) Provide operation and maintenance information to the OSS owner upon
7 approval of any installation, repair, or alteration of an OSS; and
8 (b) Develop and implement plans to:
9 (i) Monitor all OSS performance within areas of special concern;
10
(ii) Initiate periodic monitoring of each OSS no later than January 1,
11
2000, to assure that each OSS owner properly maintains and
12
operates the OSS in accordance with this section and in accordance
13
with other applicable operation and maintenance requirements.
14
(iii) Disseminate relevant operation and maintenance information to
15
OSS owners through effective means routinely and upon request;
5
and
17 (iv)- Assist in distributing educational materials to OSS owners.
18 (3) Persons shall not:
19 (a) Use or introduce strong bases, acids or chlorinated organic solvents into an
20 OSS for the purpose of system cleaning.
21 (b) Use a sewage system additive unless it is specifically approved by the
22 department; or
23 (c) Use an OSS to dispose of waste components atypical of residential
24 wastewater.
25 (4) The local health officer shall require annual inspections of OSS serving food
26 service establishments and may require pumping as needed.
27 (5) The local health officer may require the owner of the OSS to:
28 (a) Use one or more of the following management methods or another method
?9 consistent with the following management methods for proper operation
10 and maintenance:
31 (i) Obtain and comply with the conditions of a renewable or
37
1 operational permit;
2 (ii) Employ a public entity eligible under Washington state statutes to,
3 directly or indirectly, manage-the OSS; or
4 (iii) Employ a private management entity, guaranteed by an public entity
S eligible under Washington state statutes or sufficient financial
6 resources, to manage the OSS;
7 (b) Evaluate any effects the OSS may have on ground water or surface water;
8 and /or
9 (c) Dedicate easements for inspections, maintenance, and potential future
10 expansion of the OSS.
11 (6) Persons may obtain a handbook with material outlining management methods to
12 achieve proper operation, maintenance, and monitoring of OSS from the
13 department one year after the effective date of this chapter.
14 24.05.18 Repair of Failures.
15 (1) When an OSS failure occurs, the OSS owner shall:
16 (a) Repair or replace the OSS with a permitted conforming system or a
17 permitted Table VIII repair either on the:
18 (i) Property served; or
19 (ii) Nearby or adjacent property if easements are obtained; or
20 (b) Connect the residence or facility to a:
21 (i) Publicly owned LOSS; or
IN
1 (ii) Obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System or state
2 discharge permit from the Washington state department of ecology
3 issued to a public entity or jointly to a public entity and the system
4 owner only when the local health officer determines:
5 (A) An OSS is not feasible; and
6 (B) The only realistic method of final disposal of treated effluent
7 is discharge to the surface of the land or into surface water;
8 or
9 (iii) Abandon the property.
10 (2) Prior to replacing or repairing the effluent disposal component, the OSS owner
11 shall develop and submit information required under WCC 24.05.09(1) page 14.
12 (3) The local health officer shall permit a Table VIII repair only when:
13 (a) Installation of a conforming system is not possible; and
74 (b) Connection to either an approved LOSS or a public sewer is not feasible.
15 (4) The person responsible for the design shall locate and design repairs to:
16 (a) Meet the requirements of Table VIII if the effluent treatment and disposal
17 component to be repaired or replaced is closer to any surface water, well,
18 or spring that is not used as a public water source as prescribed by the
19 minimum separation required in Table 1 of WCC 24.05.10(1) page 18;
20 TABLE VIII
21 Requirements for Repair or Replacement of Disposal Components
22 Not Meeting Vertical and Horizontal Separations 12
23
24
25
26
27
...... ...............................
..................................................... ............................... ..... ...............................
.
..:
Separation �n ;Fee
.......
,.: ..
yerfica ..:..
..
.
Se araho>i an; feet.....<:<
< 25
25 - 50
> 50 - < 100
<1
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
Standard 1
Standard 1
Standard 24
1 -2
Treatment
Treatment
Pressure
Standard 1
Standard 24
Distribution
>2
Treatment
Pressure
Pressure
Standard 24
Distribution
Distribution
39
I 1 Tire treatment standards refer to effluent quality before discharge to unsaturated, subsurface soil
2 2 Tire local health officer may permit ASTM G33 sand to be used as fill to prevent direct discharge of treated effluent to
ground water, surface water, or upon the surface of the ground.
4 3 ne horizontal separation indicated is the distance between the disposal component and the surface water, well, or spring.
5 If the disposal component is up- gradient of a surface water, well, or spring to be used as a potable water source, the next
6 higher standard level of treatment shall apply unless treatment standard 1 is already being met.
7 4 Mound systems are not allowed to meet treatment standard 2.
8 (b) Protect drinking water sources;
9 (c) Prevent the direct discharge of sewage to ground water, surface water, or
10 upon the surface of the ground;
11 (d) Meet the horizontal separations under WCC 24.05.10(1) page 18 to public
12 drinking water sources;
13 (e) Meet other requirements of this chapter to the maximum extent permitted
14 by the site;
15 (f) Maximize the:
16 (i) Vertical separation;
17 (ii) Distance from a well, spring, or suction line; and
18 (iii) Distance to surface water;
19 (5) The local health officer shall identify Table VIII repair permits for the purpose of
20 tracking future performance.
21 (6) An OSS owner receiving a Table VIII repair permit from the local health officer
22 shall:
23 (a) Immediately report any failure to the local health officer;
24 (b) Monitor the performance of the OSS according to the "Interim Guidelines
25 for the Application of Treatment Standards 1 & 2, using Alternative'-On-
26 site Sewage Treatment /Disposal Systems" amended August 4,1992,
27 (available upon written request to the department of health) and report the
28 results to the local health officer at a minimum frequency of:
29 (i) Quarterly when Treatment Standard 1 is required; and
30 (ii) Annually when Treatment Standard 2 is required;
(c) Comply with all local and state requirements stipulated on the permit.
40
1 24.05.19 Expansions.
2 (1) The local health officer shall require an on -site sewage system and a reserve area
3 in full compliance with the new system construction standards specified in this
4 chapter for an expansion of a residence or other facility.
5
6
7 24.05.20 Abandonment.
8 (1) Persons permanently removing a septic tank, seepage pit, cesspool, or other
9 sewage container from service shall:
10 (a) Have the septage removed by an approved pumper;
11 (b) Remove or destroy the lid; and
12 (c) Fill the void with soil.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Vj
24.05.21 Septage Management.
(1) An individual shall be approved by the local health officer as a
before removine senta�e from an OSS. > ac E € v..C. :
(2) Persons removing septage from an OSS shall:
pumper
(c) Record and report septage removal to the local health officer.
41
1 (d) Dispose of septage, or apply septage biosolids to land only in a manner
l consistent with applicable laws.
3 24.05.22 Developments, Subdivisions, and Minimum land area requirements.
4 (1) A person proposing the development shall obtain approval from the local health
S officer prior to any development where the use of OSS is proposed.
6 (2) The local health officer shall require the following prior to approving any
7 development:
8 (a) Site evaluations as required under WCC 24.05.11 page 21;
9
10 (b) Where a subdivision with individual wells is proposed:
11 (i) Configuration of each lot to allow a 100 -foot radius water supply
12 protection zone to fit within the lot lines; or
13 (ii) Establishment of a 100 -foot protection zone around each existing
14 and proposed well site;
5 (c) Where preliminary approval of a subdivision is requested, provision of at
16 least one soil log per proposed lot, unless the local health officer
17 determines existing soils information allows fewer soil logs;
18
(d) Determination of the minimum lot size or minimum land area required for
19
the development using Method I and /or Method II:
20
(i) METHOD I. Table IX, Single Family Residence Minimum Lot Size
21
or Minimum Land Area Required Per Unit Volume of Sewage,
22
shows the minimum lot size required per single family residence.
23
For developments other than single family residences, the minimum
24
land areas shown are required for each unit volume of sewage.
42
1
3
4
5
6
7
10
11
12
13
`4
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
`5
.,6
TABLE IX
Minimum Land Area Requirement
Single Family Residence or Unit Volume of Sewage
Type of
So><l Type (defined'by section 146 11)
. _.
Water
>:'..... Supply:.::;;.
lA, 1B
2A, 2B
3
4
5
0.5 acre'
Public
12,500
15,000
18,000
20,000
2.5 acre
sq. ft.
sq. ft.
sq. ft.
sq. ft.
Individual,
1.0 acre'
on each lot
2 acre
acre
acre
2
2.5 acres
..
acres
1 Due to the highly permeable nature of Soil Type LA, only alternative systems which meet or exceed Treatment Standard 2
can be installed.
(ii) METHOD II. A minimum land area proposal using Method II is
acceptable only when the A:
(A) Justifies the proposal through a written analysis of the:
(I) Soil type and depth;
(II) Area drainage, and /or lot drainage;
(III) Public health impact on ground and surface water
quality;
(IV) Setbacks from property lines, water supplies, etc;
(V) Source of domestic water;
(VI) Topography, geology, and ground cover;
(VII) Climatic conditions;
(VIII) Availability of public sewers;
(IX) Activity or land use, present, and anticipated;
(X) Growth patterns;
(XI) Reserve areas for additional subsurface treatment and
disposal;
(XII) Anticipated sewage volume;
(XIII) Compliance with current planning and zoning
requirements;
(XIV) Possible use of alternative systems or designs;
(XV) Existing encumbrances, such as listed in WCC
24.05.09(1)(c)(v) page 15 and WCC 24.05.11(2)(a)(vii)
page 21; and
(XVI) Any other information required by the local health
officer.
1 (B) Shows development with public water supplies having:
2 (I) At least 12,500 square feet lot sizes per single family
3 residence;
4 (II) No more than 3.5 unit volumes of sewage per day per
5 acre for developments other than single family
6 residences; and
7 (C) Shows development with individual water supplies having at
8 least one acre per unit volume of sewage; and
9 (D) Shows land area under surface water is not included in the
10 minimum land area calculation; and
11 (e) Regardless of which method is used for determining required minimum lot
12 sizes or minimum land area, submittal to the health officer, of information
13 consisting of field data, plans, and reports supporting a conclusion the land
14 area provided is sufficient to:
15 (i) Install conforming OSS;
16 (ii) Assure preservation of reserve areas for proposed and existing OSS;
17 (iii) Properly treat and dispose of the sewage; and
18 (iv) Minimize public health effects from the accumulation of
19 contaminants in surface and ground water.
20 (3) The local health officer shall require lot areas of 12,500 square feet or larger
21 except when a person proposes:
22 (a) OSS within the boundaries of a recognized sewer utility having a finalized
23 assessment roll; or
24 (b) A planned unit development with:
25 (i) A signed, notarized, and recorded deed covenant restricting any
26 development of lots or parcels above the approved density with the
27 density meeting the minimum land area requirements of subsection
28 (2)(d) of this section;
29 (ii) A public entity responsible for operation and maintenance of the
30 OSS, or a single individual owning the OSS;
31 (iii) Management requirements under WAC 246 - 272 -08001 when
12 installing a LOSS; and
44
1 (iv) Extinguishment of the deed covenant and higher density
2 development allowed only when the development connects to public
3 sewers.
4 (4) The local health officer may:
5 (a) Allow inclusion of the area to the centerline of a road or street right -of-
6 way in a Method II determination under subsection of WCC
7 24.05.21(2)(d)(ii) page 43 to be included in the minimum land area
8 calculation if-
9 (i) The dedicated road or street right -of -ways are along the perimeter
10 of the development;
11 (ii) The road or street right -of -ways are dedicated as part of the
12 proposed development; and
13 (iii) Lots are at least 12,500 square feet in size.
14
(b)
Require detailed plot plans and OSS designs prior to final approval of
15
subdivision proposals;
'6
(c)
Require larger land areas or lot sizes to achieve public health protection;
17
(d)
- Prohibit development on individual lots within the boundaries of an
18
approved subdivision if the proposed OSS design does not protect public
19
health by meeting requirements of these regulations; and
20
(e)
Permit the installation of an OSS, where the minimum land area
21
requirements or lot sizes cannot be met, only when all of the following
22
criteria are met:
23 (i) The lot is registered as a legal lot of record created prior to the
24 effective date of this chapter;
25 (ii) The lot is outside an area of special concern where minimum land
26 area has been listed as a design parameter necessary for public
27 health protection; and
28 (iii) The proposed system meets all requirements of these regulations
29 other than minimum land area.
45
1 24.05.23 Areas of Special Concern.
2 (1) The local health officer may investigate and take appropriate action to minimize
3 public health risk in formally designated areas such as:
4 (a) Shellfish protection districts or shellfish growing areas;
S (b) Sole Source Aquifers designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection
6 Agency;
7 (c) Areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water as
8 designated under Washington Growth Management Act, chapter
9 36.70A.170 RCW;
10 (d) Designated public water supply wellhead protection areas.
11
(e) Up- gradient areas directly influencing water recreation facilities designated
12
for swimming in natural waters with artificial boundaries within the waters
13
as described by the Water Recreation Facilities Act, chapter 70.90 RCW;
14
(f) Areas designated by the department of ecology as special protection areas
15
under chapter 173 - 200 -090 WAC, Water Quality Standards for Ground
16
Waters of the State of Washington;
17 (g) Wetland areas under production of crops for human consumption;
18 (h) Frequently flooded areas delineated by the Federal Emergency
19 Management Agency; and
20 (i) Areas identified and delineated by the local board of health in consultation
21 with the department to address public health threat from on -site systems.
22 (2) The permit issuing authority may impose more stringent requirements on new
23
development and corrective measures to protect public health upon existing
24
developments in areas of special concern, including:
25
(a)
Additional location, design, and /or performance standards for OSS;
26
(b)
Larger land areas for new development;
27
(c)
Prohibition of development;
28
(d)
Additional operation, maintenance, and monitoring of OSS performance;
29
(e)
Requirements to upgrade existing OSS;
30
(f)
Requirements to abandon existing OSS; and
46
I (g) Monitoring of ground water or surface water quality.
2 (3) Within areas of special concern, to reduce risk of system failures, a person
3 approved or designated by the local health officer shall:
4 (a) Inspect every OSS at least once every three years;
S (b) Submit the following written information to both the local health officer
6 and the property owner within 30 days following the inspection:
7 (i) Location of the tank;
8 (ii) Structural condition of the tank, including baffles;
9 (iii) Depth of solids in tank;
10 (iv) Problems detected with any part of the system;
11 (v) Maintenance needed;
12 (vi) Maintenance provided at time of inspection; and
13 (vii) Other information as required by the local health officer.
14 (c) Immediately report failures to the local health officer
15 24.05.24 Licensing.
16 It'
...........................
........ ...............................
17 ±#
r
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
4. di :iii } } } } }} ::::i:: ::':4.i }:i:i:y : i }i:ii. i' :.C:::4':. :i:: t:L' .U::: ;: i;:s : :::..:. :i::: ?.4. : :i::•:i:i : i:9::;:i4::i .}..:i.
.ii:: ::i:i:i:i:: ::::i::4. �i %i .^.::4:::4:: .:?•:::Y. .?::' .•i.::C:::C: ::: : ::::i:i:: i
:: p........
. 1 i
�.
A: .......... ...............................
Cyl
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
3
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
....: i:}} iiiiiii:i+ii:':i:<.vii......•.. ... ii.......: :.....i }} }:: '.:i.i::::.::..: ....... " ':..."ii }i::: : } .:::: ::.:...::: :q:.ia }i }i:.:::
37 ::2 ::::: »:::: »: >: >: carp :> c� X : >:im: alien : >::ce t�ficat ::s ai : >:.rd id : he:::ia c�.
P :............::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::::::::::: F:::::::: ::::.:.:: :::._::::::::::::::::: ? '
38
39
10
41
.•
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
�1
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
m
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
9
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
50
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 24.05.25 Waiver of State Regulations.
13 (1) For individual, site -by -site waiver requests, if concurrence is granted by the
14 department, the local health officer may grant a waiver from specific requirements
15 in this chapter for OSS under 3500 gallons per day only after the following
16 procedure has been completed:
17 (a) The applicant submits a waiver application to the local health officer,
`8 including justification describing how the requested waiver is consistent
19 with purpose and objectives to meet the public health intent of this
20 chapter;
21 (b) If the local health officer determines that the waiver is consistent with the
22 standards in and the intent of this chapter.
23 (c) On a Quarterly basis, the local health officer will forward to the
24 department any approved or denied waivers for their records.
25 (2) The department may grant a waiver from specific requirements in this chapter for
26 a LOSS if a person submits a completed departmental waiver application and
27 required fee to the department, including justification showing the requested
28 waiver is consistent with the LOSS standards in this chapter, and is consistent with
29 the purpose and objectives of this chapter to assure public health protection.
30 (3) If an applicant desires to modify and resubmit a previously denied waiver request,
31 the process described above in subsection (1) for OSS under 3500 gallons per day,
32 or subsection (2) above for a LOSS shall be followed again.
51
1 24.05.26 Enforcement.
Z
3 (1) The local health officer:
4 (a) Shall enforce the rules of WCC 24.05; or
5 (b) May refer cases within their jurisdiction to the local prosecutor's office or
6 office of the attorney general, as appropriate.
7 (2) When a person violates the provisions under this chapter, the local health officer,
8 local prosecutor's office, or office of the attorney general may initiate enforcement
9 or disciplinary actions, or any other legal proceeding authorized by law, including
10 but not limited to any one or a combination of the following:
11 (a) Informal administrative conferences, convened at the request of the
12 department or owner, to explore facts and resolve problems;
13 (b) Orders directed to the owner and /or operator of the OSS and /or person
14 causing or responsible for the violation of the rules of WCC 24.05;
15 (c) Denial, suspension, modification, or revocation of permits, approvals, or
16 certification; and
7
18
19
20
(d) Civil
or criminal action.
(3) Orders- authorized under this section include the following:
(a) Orders requiring corrective measures necessary to effect compliance with
WCC 24.05 which may include a compliance schedule; and
21 (b) Orders to stop work and /or refrain from using any OSS or portion of the
22 OSS or improvements to the OSS until all permits, certifications, and
23 approvals required by rule or statute are obtained.
24 (4) Enforcement orders issued under this section shall:
25 (a) Be in writing;
26 (b) Name the person or persons to whom the order is directed;
27 (c) Briefly describe each action or inaction constituting a violation of the rules
28 of WCC 24.05;
29 (d) Specify any required corrective action, if applicable;
'0 e Specify the effective date of the order ' >W 'O>' f> `> ` d ` '''fr
31 cec. <o<te` lac
52
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
'9
30
(f) Provide notice of the consequences of failure to comply or repeated
violation, as appropriate. Such notices may include a statement that
continued or repeated violation may subject the violator to:
(i) Denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit approval, or
h :scertifcation and/or
e
(ii) Referral to the office of the county prosecutor or attorney general.
(iii) Other appropriate remedies.
(g) Provide the name, business address, and phone number of an appropriate
staff person who may be contacted regarding an order.
(h) Comply with chapter 43.70 RCW and chapter 34.05 RCW if issued by the
department.
(5) Enforcement orders shall be personally served in the manner of service of a
summons in a civil action or in a manner showing proof of receipt.
(6) The local health officer shall have cause to deny the application or reapplication
for an operational permit or to revoke, suspend, or modify a required operational
permit of any person who has:
(a) Failed or refused to comply with the provisions of WCC 24.05, or any other
-statutory provision or rule regulating the operation of an OSS; or
(b) Obtained or attempted to obtain a permit or any other required certificate
or approval by misrepresentation.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) of this section, a person is defined to include:
(a) Applicant;
(b) Re- applicant;
(c) Permit holder; or
'(d) Any individual associated with subsection 7 (a), (b) or (c) or this section
including, but not limited to:
(i) Board members;
(ii) Officers;
(iii) Managers;
(iv) Partners;
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I (v) Association members;
2 (vi) Agents; and in addition
3 (vii) . Third persons acting with the knowledge of such persons.
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26 24.05.29 Fees.
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A SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES:
ON -SITE SEWAGE SYSTEM REGULATIONS WCC 24.05
On March 9, 1994 the Washington State Board of Health adopted an amended WAC 246 -272.
These regulations become effective January 1, 1995. Copies are available upon request from the
Health Department.
The State document, WAC 246 -272, and Whatcom County document, WCC 24.05, were merged
into one "stand alone document ", WCC 24.05. This simplifies and makes information accessible to
the public and all persons involved in the design, installation and maintenance of sewage disposal
systems. The County regulations may be as restrictive or more restrictive than the State
Regulations.
All items in WCC 24.05, revised 3/13/90, which were less restrictive than WAC 246 272 were
deleted.
All items in WCC 24.05, revised 3/13/90, which were redundant or stated in WAC 246 -272 were
deleted.
A copy of WCC 24.05, revised 3/13/90, is available upon request from the Health Department.
The RM090M are those that are in the new WCC 24.05.
Following each item listed below is a statement as to the originator of the change.
Program Administration
1. The State Regulations are adopted by reference. The more restrictive regulation shall apply
in I conflicts. This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
2. A "bedroom" and a "Lake Whatcom Watershed" definition were added. Fourteen other
definitions were introduced or amended. This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
Design
1. Existing Lake Whatcom Watershed setbacks were added to the Minimum Horizontal
Separation table. This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
2. The Lake Whatcom Watershed subsection was moved to the Design section. A table was
created to eliminate verbiage and specify requirements. This is a Whatcom County proposed
change.
3. A "non- pressurized mound" subsection was added to the Design section. A non - pressurized
mound was formerly known as a gravity fill. Existing setback requirements were moved to
the Minimum Horizontal Separation table. This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
4. Soils are now classified by Type and Textural Classification. Percolation rates were deleted.
The deletion of percolation rates is a Whatcom County proposed change.
1
5. Soil Type 1 is described as "very gravelly or extremely gravelly soil and separated into two
distinct classes for greater accuracy. This is a State Department of Health change:
6. Systems installed in Soil Type lA must be alternative systems capable of meeting Treatment
Standard 2. The hydraulic loading rate varies according to the system selected to meet
Treatment Standard 2. The hydraulic loading rate for Soil Type 1B varies because it depends
upon the rate that is assigned to the non - gravel portion of soil. This is a State Department of
Health change.
7. The method for effluent distribution is determined by soil type and soil depth. Gravity
systems require three feet of vertical separation or two feet of vertical separation with
pressure distribution. This is a State Department of Health change.
8. Systems with design flows between 1000 and 3500 gallons per day and those with individual
laterals greater than 100 feet will require pressure distribution. This is a State Department of
Health change.
9. All wastewater which is not residential strength will require pretreatment. =This is a State
Department of Health change.
Inspection
1. The local health officer shall produce "as- built" drawings based upon a final inspection. This
is a State Department of Health change. The local health officer producing the "as- built" is a
Whatcom County change.
2. All OSS for food service establishments shall be annually inspected by the local health
officer. This is a State Department of Health change.
Installation
1. Pump chambers must have clean -out and inspection access at or above finished grade. This
is a State Department of Health change.
2. The homeowner exemption from installer certification requirements was clarified. This is a
Whatcom County proposed change.
Failures
1. If an existing OSS fails and the disposal component replacing it must be located closer to
surface water or private wells than the distance allowed for new construction, the system to
be installed must meet a specific treatment standard described in Table VIII. This is a State
Department of Health change.
2. All repairs of failures require a permit prior to installation. This is a State Department of
Health change.
K
Septage Management
Persons removing septage shall report septage removal to the local health officer. This is a
State Department of Health change.
2. Homeowners may not pump their own septic tanks. This is a Whatcom County proposed
change.
Minimum Land Area
1. Minimum land area is based upon soil texture and water supply.
a) The minimum land area requirement for the Lake Whatcom Watershed was increased.
This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
b) We applied a practical consideration of well siting, drainfield location and increased
treatment provided by alternative systems to establish new minimum land area
requirements. Some requirements increased and some decreased. This is a Whatcom
County proposed change.
C) Land area requirements for commercial establishments, industrial developments,
multiple dwelling units, mobile home parks and recreational vehicle parks are based
upon a unit volume of sewage per day per acre. This is a State Department of Health
change.
2. For new subdivisions, all private wells shall have a 100 foot radius protective zone. This is
a State Department of Health change.
Operation and Maintenance
The owner must determine scum and sludge levels in the septic tank at least once every three
years and have the tank pumped if necessary. The reserve area set aside for future disposal
components must be protected. On -site additives are prohibited from use unless approved by
the State Department of Health. This is a State Department of Health change.
2. By January 1, 2000 the local health officer must implement plans to periodically monitor
every on -site system within their jurisdiction to assure compliance with operation and
maintenance requirements. This is a State Department of Health change.
Areas of Special Concern
1. Health officers may investigate and take appropriate action in "Areas of Special Concern" to
protect public health. These areas delineated through. public process may include; shellfish
growing areas, wellhead protection zones, water contact recreation areas, wetlands, and flood
plains. The local health officer shall develop and implement plans to monitor performance in
"Areas of Special Concern" that have been identified and delineated through public process.
This is a State Department of Health change.
Licensing
1. Septic system designer license, pumper license and installer certificate expire one year after
date of issuance. This is a Whatcom County proposed change.
3
TEL t Si
rijL -10 -' 95 1.1n1 1 09: 1'. 1 D: DnH Et 11 11 P HEALTH n: �nr�- �6a -'n 1
Ter
a •
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Airdus(rial Cen(er, Bldg. 7 • P.O. Box 478 21 • Olympia, Washington 98504.7811
NUrch 7, 1996
Bob Klgc
Supervisor, Sewage Program
Whatcom County Health Department
Environmental Health Division
609 Girard Street
P.O. Box 936
Bellingbam, Washington 98227
Dear Mr. Kloc.
U991 P".
In- accordance with the procedure established in WAC 246 -272- 02001, the Department of
Health (DOH) has reviewed the January 24, 1996 draft of Chapter 24.05 WCC, On-Site
Bewage Systems, Rules and Regulations of the Whatooin County Health Department.
Chapter 24.05 WCC On -Site Sewage Systems is consistent with the intent of WAC 246 -272
and is hweby approved.
This approval is given under the premise that DOH grants concurrence, per WAC 272 -272-
26001, through the waiver process for the proposed application of Whatcom County Non.
pressurized Mounds, as included in WCC -24.05.13 Guidelines for Whatcom County Non.
pressurized Mounds.
oc; Kris Van Gorkom
Mark Soltman
Sincerely,
l_r7
/ Kahn A. VanDusen
Office Director
STATr p�
1 IPPY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Building 2, Airdustrial Center • P.O Box Olympia, Washington 98504 -7826
June f9
Frank E. James, M.D.
Health Officer
Whatcom County Health Department
Post Office Box 935
Bellingham, Washington 98227
Dear Dr. James:
The Whatcom County Health Department's "Class B" waiver proposal for on -site sewage systems
under 3500 gallons per day design flow was received by the Department of Health on June 15, 1995.
The proposal involves waiving specific effluent distribution and treatment performance provisions
found in WAC 246-272-11501(2)(f), TABLE IV, and instead utilizing the Whatcom County Non -
Pressurized Mound to meet the TABLE IV requirements for Treatment Standard 2 and pressure
distribution in Soil Types 2A through 6 with vertical separations greater than or equal to one foot.
Where the original, undisturbed, unsaturated soil depth is between twelve and eighteen inches, the non-
pressurized mound systems will require pretreatment by an intermittent sand filter.
Department of Health staff have determined that this waiver proposal is consistent with the purpose
and objectives of Chapter 246 -272 WAC. This decision is based on the historical low failure rate
associated with the Whatcom County non - pressurized mound systems; the administrative protections
the Whatcom County Health Department has in place regarding the non - pressurized mounds; the
operational requirements associated with the use of the systems; and the tight quality control program
Whatcom County has initiated with respect to these systems. Guidelines for the Whatcom County
Non - pressurized Mounds are found in WCC 24.05, On -Site Sewage Systems, Rules and Regulations of
the Whatcom County Health Department. Chapter 24.05 has been approved by the Department of
Health.
Copies of each Class B waiver request application, acted on locally, are to be submitted by the local
health officer to the Department of Health for each quarter of the year, as provided.in WAC 246 -272-
25001. The quarterly report form and information on the quarterly reporting process are available
upon request to this department. If you have any questions or need additional information, please
contact Mark Soltman, Supervisor of the Department of Health Wastewater Program, at (360) 753-
3764.
Sincerely,
Jca;ren A. VanDusen
e Director
cc: Mark Soltman
Bob Kloc
Eric Slagle