[26 Pa.B. 1491]
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BUILDING SEWERS § 73.21. Specifications.
* * * * * (e) Cleanouts shall be provided at intervals of not more than [50 feet on lines of 4-inch diameter or less and of not more than] 100 feet [in larger pipes].
* * * * * (h) [All building] Building sewers shall be constructed with watertight joints [and], shall be of sufficient strength to withstand imposed loads and installed on material suitable for preventing damage from settling.
* * * * * (j) Building sewers shall be connected to treatment tanks by means of watertight seals. Use of Portland cement grouting is not permitted.
TREATMENT TANKS § 73.31. Standards for septic tanks.
(a) Capacity.
(1) The minimum liquid septic tank capacity [of a septic tank] for any installation shall be 900 gallons.
(2) For single-family dwelling units, not served by a community onlot system, a minimum daily flow of 400 gpd shall be used to determine required septic tank capacity. This figure shall be increased by 100 gallons for each additional bedroom over three. The daily flow indicated provides for use of garbage grinders, automatic washing machines [or], dishwashers, and water softeners.
(3) The minimum septic tank capacity [of any septic tank] shall be calculated from the following table using estimated sewage flows from paragraph (2), or § 73.17(a) [or (b)]--(c) (relating to sewage flows):
* * * * * (b) Construction.
(1) Tanks shall be watertight and constructed of sound and durable material not subject to excessive corrosion or decay.
* * * * * (iv) Tanks having a capacity in excess of 5,000 gallons may be constructed onsite to meet the standards of the National Concrete Masonry Association for reinforcement and waterproofing as listed in the most recent edition of its publication ''Concrete Masonry Foundation Walls,'' copyright 1957 NCMA.
* * * * * (4) [If the tank has more than one compartment, the] All septic tank installations shall consist of tanks with multiple compartments or multiple tanks. The first compartment shall have at least the same capacity as the second but [shall] may not exceed twice the capacity of the second. Tanks or compartments shall be connected in series and [shall] may not exceed four in number in any one installation.
(c) Inlet and outlet connections.
(1) The bottom of the inlet [invert] shall be a minimum of 3 inches above the bottom of the outlet [invert].
* * * * * (3) The outlet baffles or vented tees of each tank or compartment shall extend below the liquid surface to a distance equal to 40% of the liquid depth. Penetration of outlet baffles or tees in horizontal cylindrical tanks shall be equal to 35% of the liquid depth.
(4) The inlet and outlet baffles or vented tees shall extend above liquid depth to approximately 1 inch from the top of the tank. Venting shall be provided between compartments and each tank.
(5) The outlet baffles or vented tees of the last compartment or tank shall be equipped with a solids retainer.
(d) Treatment tank access.
(1) Access to each tank or compartment of the tank shall be provided by a manhole of at least 20 inches square or in diameter, with a removable cover. The top of the tank containing the manhole or the top of a manhole extension shall [not] be [more than 12 inches below grade level. If access is] extended to grade [,] and the access cover shall be airtight. Grade level access covers shall be secured by bolts or locking [mechanism] mechanisms, or have sufficient weight to prevent access by children.
* * * * * [(e) Inspection port. A maximum 4-inch diameter inspection port with sealed cover shall be installed to grade level above the inlet tee.]
§ 73.32. Standards for aerobic treatment tanks.
(a) Capacity shall comply with the following:
* * * * * (4) For all other installations, the rated treatment capacity shall meet or exceed the estimated daily sewage flow as determined from § 73.17(a) [or], (b) or (c) (relating to sewage flows).
(b) Testing and approval shall comply with the following:
(1) Aerobic treatment tanks serving single family dwellings, or establishments, with flows of 1,500 gpd or less shall [either:
(i) Bear] bear the seal of the National Sanitation Foundation indicating testing and approval by that agency under Standard No. 40.
[(ii) Be tested and approved by an agency other than NSF using procedures equivalent to those of NSF Standard No. 40.]
* * * * * (3) Aerobic treatment tanks serving establishments with flows exceeding 1,500 gpd shall either:
* * * * * [(iii) Have performance data certified by a testing agency other than NSF using test procedures equivalent to that of NSF Criteria C-9 or Standard Performance Evaluation Method.
(c) The testing agency and the testing procedures specified in subsection (b)(1)(ii) and (3)(iii) shall have approval by the Department prior to commencement of the test.
(d) Manufacturers, retailers or other persons seeking approval of tanks under subsection (b)(1)(ii), (3)(ii) or (iii) shall submit to the Department for its approval two copies of the complete test procedures and results conducted by the testing agency certifying that such units proposed for installation meet or exceed Class II Effluent Standards as established by NSF Standard No. 40.]
[(e)] (c) ***
[(f)] (d) ***
[(g)] (e)***
DOSING AND DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS § 73.41. General.
(a) Effluent from the treatment tank shall be discharged to the dosing tank, to the distribution box, or directly to the absorption area through a watertight line a minimum of 3 inches in diameter unless otherwise specified by local plumbing or building codes. All lines shall be placed on a minimum grade of at least 1/4 inch per foot, sloping away from the treatment tank. Where a distribution box is used, the lines from that box to the laterals shall meet the same standard. If a free access sand filter or buried sand filter is used, the lines from the treatment tank to the pump station and the filter tank to a lift station or chlorine contact tank or storage tank shall meet the standards of this section. Connections of lines to tanks and distribution boxes shall be made using water tight seals. Use of Portland cement grouting material is not permitted.
(b) When the total absorption area of any system exceeds [5000] 5,000 square feet, the absorption area shall be divided into equal areas not to exceed 5,000 square feet and dosing provided either alternately or simultaneously to each area.
§ 73.42. Gravity distribution.
* * * * * (e) Distribution boxes shall comply with the following:
* * * * * (2) Construction shall comply with the following:
* * * * * (iii) The [inverts] bottom of all outlets shall be at the same elevation, and the bottom of the inlet [invert] shall be at least 1 inch above the bottom of the outlet [inverts]. The bottom of the outlet [inverts] shall be at least 4 inches above the bottom of the distribution box.
* * * * * (3) Distribution boxes shall be installed on an adequate base of undisturbed or properly compacted earth or aggregate outside of the absorption area. Lightweight nonconcrete distribution boxes shall be anchored or otherwise secured to prevent shifting after installation. Adjustable distribution box weirs may be used on the outlet of the box.
(f) Laterals shall be a minimum of 3 inches in diameter unless [otherwise] a larger diameter is specified by local plumbing or building codes. [All bends] Bends used in the disposal field shall be made with standard fittings.
* * * * * § 73.43. Pressurized distribution.
Pressurized distribution shall be required in the following instances:
* * * * * (4) Individual residential spray irrigation system spray fields and buried sand filters.
§ 73.44. Pressurized distribution design.
(a) General requirements are as follows:
* * * * * (2) Systems using pressure distribution shall meet the general requirements of §§ 73.52, 73.53 [and], 73.55 and 73.166 [(relating to standard trenches; seepage beds; elevated sand mounds)].
(3) Delivery pipes from dosing pumps shall be installed to facilitate drainage of the distribution piping back to the dosing tank between doses.
(b) Seepage beds of 2,500 square feet or less shall meet the following design standards unless the system has been individually designed under subsection (c).
(1) Conveyance of effluent from the dosing tank to the absorption area shall be through a delivery pipe sized to minimize friction loss. Check valves shall be prohibited on delivery pipes [of 25 feet or less. Check valves may be installed on delivery pipes over 25 feet in length provided the delivery pipe is installed below the frost line].
(2) When equally sized absorption areas are dosed simultaneously, a header pipe shall be used to connect the delivery pipe from the tank to the manifolds. The header pipe shall be sized to minimize friction loss. Effluent application rates per square foot of absorption areas served by a common header shall have a maximum design variation of 10%. If the distance from the treatment tank to the absorption area would cause excessive backflow into the dosing tank, a transfer tank may be used between the treatment tank or storage tank and dosing tank.
* * * * * (5) Laterals shall consist of 1 1/2 inch diameter pipe, with [3/16] 1/4, 5/16 or 3/8 inch holes placed along the bottom of the pipe; an end cap shall be cemented on the terminal end of the lateral.
* * * * * (11) All systems shall be designed to maintain a minimum of 3 feet of head at the terminal end of each lateral.
(12) The minimum pump capacity (gpm) shall be calculated by multiplying the total number of discharge holes contained in the laterals of a proposed distribution layout by [a factor of 0.75 gpm] using the following table:
Hole Size allons/Minute 1/4" 1.3 5/16" 2.0 3/8" 2.8 * * * * * (15) When siphons are used in a pressure distribution system each discharge hole shall be at least 5/16 inch in diameter. The discharge from all of the holes in the distribution system may not vary from the average discharge rate of the siphon by more than 20%.
(c) Seepage beds of greater than 2,500 square feet, or individually designed systems, shall meet the following design standards:
(1) The pressurized distribution system shall be designed by a registered professional engineer or by a currently certified Sewage Enforcement Officer with expertise in the area of sanitary sewage system design.
(2) The diameter of individual laterals, size and spacing of discharge holes, and minimum diameter of the distribution manifold may not be restricted by subsection (b) except that no discharge hole may be less than3/16 inch for systems using pumps or 5/16 inch for systems using siphons.
* * * * * (6) The design head at the terminal end of the last lateral may not be less than 3 feet [or more than 5 feet].
* * * * * (d) Design of pressure distribution in trenches shall comply with the following:
* * * * * (8) The design head at the terminal end of each lateral may be no less than 3 feet.
§ 73.45. Dosing tanks.
Dosing tanks shall be constructed to the following specifications:
* * * * * (2) [The] For all systems other than individual residential spray irrigation systems, the dosing tank shall be designed so that the estimated daily flow shall be discharged to the absorption area in one or more doses. Minimum dose volume shall be five times the internal liquid capacity of the delivery pipe, manifold[,] and laterals, or 100 gallons, whichever is greater. When a siphon is used in a pressure distribution system, the minimum dose volume shall be equal to the internal liquid capacity of the delivery line plus five times the internal liquid capacity of the manifold and laterals.
(3) The dosing tank shall have a minimum liquid capacity equal to or greater than two times the designed dose volume.
* * * * * § 73.46. Dosing pumps, siphons and lift station pumps.
(a) Dosing pumps for all onlot sewage disposal systems except individual residential spray irrigation systems shall meet the following specifications:
(1) The pump shall be sized to deliver a flow in gpm equal to or greater than the combined flows from all discharge holes in the laterals when operating at designed level of head and shall be rated by the manufacturer for handling of sewage effluent.
(2) The intake of the dosing pump shall be at least 6 inches from the bottom of the tank. The intake of any dosing pump shall be at a lower elevation than the lowest lateral.
* * * * * (5) An effective warning device, as described in § 73.62(c) (relating to standards for holding tanks), shall be installed in the dosing tank to indicate failure of the pump or siphon. Electrically operated warning systems shall be on a circuit and breaker separate from the pump.
* * * * * (7) A copy of the performance curve of the pump or discharge specifications for the siphon to be used shall be attached to the [permit application, Form ER-BWQ-290] system design prepared by the professional engineer or certified sewage enforcement officer. A copy of the manufacturer's specification showing that the pump is designed to handle sewage or sewage effluent shall also be attached to the system design prepared by the professional engineer or the certified sewage enforcement officer.
(8) [Where] When an aeration tank [or other batch-type treatment process] is used which results in a periodic pump discharge from the treatment tank, the discharge mechanism may be substituted for a dosing tank and pump if the periodic discharge rate meets the criteria set forth in [paragraph] subsections (a)(1), (b)(3) and § 73.45(2) (relating to dosing tanks).
* * * * * (12) Siphon discharge lines shall be equipped with an observation port and ball valve. The access to the observation port and ball valve shall be extended to grade, capped and secured to prevent entry by children.
(b) Lift pumps shall meet the following specifications:
(1) Meet the standards in subsection (a)(2)--(5), (7) and (8).
(2) Be designed to deliver a minimum dose of 100 gallons when used to lift effluent to the sand filter.
(3) Be designed to discharge at a rate of 20--30 gallons per minute when used to lift effluent to the sand filter.
(c) Dosing pumps used to pressurize a spray field distribution system shall be designed in accordance with the specifications in subsection (a)(2)--(5) and (7).
CONSTRUCTION OF ABSORPTION AREAS § 73.51. General.
(a) In all systems, where an absorption area is proposed, the top of the limiting zone shall be at least 4 feet below the bottom of the aggregate.
* * * * * (3) [No system] An absorption area may not be installed where less than 20 inches of suitable undisturbed mineral soil exists.
(4) When infiltration chambers or other devices which require no aggregate are used, adequate provisions to protect the infiltrative surfaces from damage by operation of pressure distribution systems shall be made.
[(b) Sand suppliers shall provide certification in writing to the Sewage Enforcement Officer and permittee, with the first delivery to the job site, that all sand to be supplied meets the following gradation and quality specifications:
(1) The following table indicates gradation specifications of sand consisting of natural or manufactured fine aggregate:
Sieve size Maximum
percentage
passing sieve3/8" 100% No. 4 90--100% No. 30 20--60% No. 200 0.0--15% (2) The fine aggregate may not contain more than 15% by weight deleterious material as determined by Pennsylvania Test Method # 510, AASHTO T-104 or ASTM C-88.
(c) Determination of the gradation and quality specifications of subsection (b) shall be by a sieve test conducted within 30 days prior to delivery and a soundness test for deleterious materials conducted within a 1-year period prior to delivery. The sewage enforcement officer or permittee shall have the option to require quarterly or semiannual soundness testing when deemed necessary.]
[(d)] (b) ***
[(e)] (c) ***
§ 73.52. Standard trenches.
* * * * * (b) Construction. Trenches in an absorption area shall be constructed in accordance with the following:
* * * * * (7) Minimum width of undisturbed earth between trenches shall be 5 feet. When elevated sand mound trenches are used, this distance shall be measured from the toe of the sand.
* * * * * (13) The top of the aggregate material shall be covered with geotextile fabric, untreated building paper or a 2-inch layer of hay, straw[,] or similar material to prevent backfill material from settling into the aggregate.
* * * * * § 73.53. Seepage beds.
Whenever seepage beds are employed, they shall meet the requirements of § 73.52(b)(5), (6), (8) and (10)--(15) (relating to standard trenches) in addition to the following specifications:
* * * * * (2) The required absorption area may be provided by one or more seepage beds:
* * * * * (iii) When elevated sand mound beds are used, this distance shall be measured from the toe of the sand.
(3) The bed shall contain a minimum of two laterals or two opposing sets of laterals when pressure distribution is used.
* * * * * § 73.54. Subsurface sand filters.
(a) General. Subsurface sand filters without underdrains shall meet the following criteria:
* * * * * (3) The average percolation rate at a depth between 36 and 72 inches shall be within the range of [3] 6--90 minutes per inch.
* * * * * (b) Construction. Sand filters shall be constructed as follows:
* * * * * (2) Sand meeting the specifications of § [73.51] 73.55(c) and (d) (relating to [general] elevated sand mounds) shall be placed in the entire bed to a minimum depth of 12 inches.
§ 73.55. Elevated sand mounds.
(a) Design.
* * * * * (2) The maximum slope of the undisturbed soil, to the extremities of the berm, of a proposed absorption area where an elevated sand mound bed may be permitted is [8.0%] 12%.
* * * * * (6) Elevated sand mound trenches shall meet the requirements of § 73.52(b) (relating to standard trenches) and this section.
(7) Elevated sand mound beds on slopes up to 8% shall meet the requirements of § 73.53 (relating to seepage beds) and subsection (b). Other sand mound beds shall comply with the requirements in subsection (e).
(b) Construction.
* * * * * (2) The proposed absorption area not obstructed by stumps or other obstacles shall be roughed or plowed parallel with the contour to a maximum depth of 6 inches, using a multiple share chisel plow or similar implement attached to light-weight equipment. Rotary tilling shall be prohibited.
* * * * * (10) [Where] When a mound system with trenches is used, the area between the individual trenches shall be filled with mineral soil. A minimum distance of 5 feet shall separate sand of individual trenches. This measurement shall be from the toe of the sand.
* * * * * (c) Sand suppliers shall provide certification in writing to the sewage enforcement officer and permittee, with the first delivery to the job site, that all sand supplied meets the following gradation and quality specifications:
(1) The following table indicates gradation specifications of sand consisting of natural or manufactured fine aggregate:
Sieve size Maximum
percentage
passing sieve3/8" 100% No. 4 90--100% No. 30 20--60% No. 200 0.0--15% (2) The fine aggregate may not contain more than 15% by weight deleterious material as determined by Pennsylvania Test Method # 510, AASHTO T-104 or ASTM C-88.
(d) Determination of the gradation and quality specifications of subsection (c) shall be by a sieve test conducted within 30 days prior to delivery and a soundness test for deleterious materials conducted within a 1-year period prior to delivery. A soundness test shall be conducted for all manufactured sand within 6 months prior to delivery. A Department of Transportation wet sieve analysis shall be conducted for manufactured sand. The sewage enforcement officer or permittee shall have the option to require quarterly or semiannual soundness testing when deemed necessary.
(e) Elevated sand mound beds on slopes greater than 8% shall meet the requirements of § 73.53 (relating to seepage beds) and subsection (b). In addition:
(1) The absorption area shall have a minimum length to width ratio of 4 to 1.
(2) The long axis of the absorption area shall be perpendicular to the slope. The bed construction shall follow the contours.
(3) Upon completion, the outside slope of the berm may be no greater than 33.3%.
(4) Stacking of absorption areas vertically on a slope is prohibited.
(5) An absorption area may not receive more than 500 gallons per day sewage loading.
RETAINING TANKS § 73.62. Standards for holding tanks.
* * * * * (b) The minimum capacity of a holding tank shall be [1,000] 3,000 gallons or a volume equal to the quantity of waste generated in 3 days, whichever is larger.
* * * * * § 73.64. Chemical toilet or other portable toilet.
(a) When proposed for use at temporary construction sites, facilities providing temporary recreational or sporting activities (such as a special event) or temporary seasonal facilities other than those intended for human habitation, [Chemical] chemical toilets or other portable toilets are exempt from the onlot permitting requirements of Chapter 72 (relating to administration of sewage facilities permitting program) but improper installation or maintenance of these toilets shall constitute a nuisance under section 14 of the act (35 P. S. § 750.14) and be enforceable by the local agency. [shall meet the installation specifications of the manufacturer and be maintained in a manner that will preclude any potential pollution or health hazards.
(b) Where multiple chemical toilets or other portable toilets are proposed for temporary use at construction sites, recreational activities or seasonal facilities, all units proposed for installation shall be included under one permit.] When permanent use is proposed, chemical toilets or other portable toilets shall be considered retaining tanks.
§ 73.65. Recycling toilet, incinerating toilet or composting toilet.
(a) Recycling, incinerating and composting toilets shall bear the seal of the National Sanitation Foundation indicating testing and approval by that agency under Standard No. 41.
[(a)] (b) ***
[(b)] (c) Where the installation of a recycling toilet, incinerating toilet or composting toilet is proposed for a new residence or establishment, an onlot sewage system or other approved method of sewage disposal shall be provided for treatment of washwater or excess liquid from the unit, except as provided in subsection [(d)] (e). Both sewage disposal facilities shall be included under one permit.
[(c)] (d) ***
[(d)] (e) [Where] When a composting toilet or incinerating toilet is proposed for installation on a lot meeting the requirements of § 71.63 (relating to retaining tanks), it shall be deemed equivalent to and permitted as a privy; the device shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Discharges of liquids from these units, except to onlot sewage systems meeting the requirements of this part or other method of sewage disposal approved under this chapter or approved by the Department is prohibited.
EXPERIMENTAL AND ALTERNATE SYSTEMS § 73.71. Experimental sewage systems.
* * * * * (b) [Any] A person desiring to install an experimental sewage system or alter a component of an existing system using a method, technology or design determined to be experimental by the Department shall submit complete preliminary design plans and specifications to the sewage enforcement officer and the Department for review and comment prior to submitting an application for a permit. The Department will determine if classification as an experimental system method, technology or design is appropriate for the submission and provide review comments to the sewage enforcement officer.
* * * * * § 73.72. Alternate sewage systems.
(a) Alternate systems shall be considered for individual onlot or community onlot systems in any of the following cases:
* * * * *
BONDED DISPOSAL SYSTEM § 73.77. General requirements for bonded disposal systems.
(a) The local agency shall authorize the performance of a percolation test, at the owner's expense, when one is requested in writing by the owner of the property where the local agency determines soil mottling is present.
(b) When the sole reason for a property not meeting the requirements for the installation of an individual residential onlot sewage system is the presence of soil mottling, the local agency shall issue a permit for an individual residential onlot sewage system designed to meet the Department's standards when the property owner meets the following conditions:
(1) A qualified soil scientist, qualified registered professional geologist, certified sewage enforcement officer or qualified registered professional engineer, not employed by the local agency with jurisdiction over the property in question, confirms in writing that the soil mottling observed in the test pits is not an indication of either a regional or perched seasonal high water table.
(2) The property owner provides evidence of financial assurance satisfactory to the local agency in an amount equal to the cost of replacement of the individual residential sewage system proposed and the reasonably anticipated cost of remedial measures to clean up contaminated groundwater, to replace contaminated water supplies and to repair or replace a malfunction of the onlot system. The local agency will not approve financial assurance in an amount less than $20,000 or 15% of the appraised value of the lot and proposed residential dwelling. The terms of the financial assurances shall be up to 3 years. The local agency may require a continuation of up to 2 additional years of financial assurance. The local agency may terminate the financial assurance requirement at the end of its term consistent with the act.
(3) The property owner provides notification to the local agency 7 working days prior to conducting soil evaluations under this section and a representative of the local agency may observe the soil evaluations and may review resulting reports and correspondence.
(4) The property owner produces evidence of a clause in the deed to the property that clearly indicates soil mottling is present on the property and that an individual residential onlot sewage system meeting the requirements of this section was installed on the property.
(Editor's Note: Section 73.77 was proposed to be added in the August 5, 1995, proposal.)
§ 73.151. Standards for financial assurances.
(a) Financial assurance shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of section 7.2 of the act (35 P. S. § 750.7b).
(b) The local agency may establish an amount of financial assurance above the minimum established by section 7.2(a)(2)(ii) of the act.
(c) A local agency may accept forms of financial assurance that establish, to the satisfaction of the local agency, its full and unconditional right to demand and receive any sum due it under section 7.2 of the act. A local agency may authorize a property owner to use the financial assurance for the sole purpose of repair or replacement of the onlot system, for remedial measures to clean up contaminated groundwater and to replace contaminated water supplies.
(d) The local agency will forfeit the financial assurance when it determines that one or more of the following apply:
(1) The property owner has violated or continues to violate one of the terms or conditions pertaining to the financial assurance.
(2) The system has malfunctioned.
(3) The permittee has violated a condition of the permit or submitted false information.
(4) The property owner or permittee has failed to properly perform the remedial action required.
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