§ 71.64. Small flow treatment facilities.
(a) Small flow treatment facilities require adequate operation and maintenance to prevent the creation of environmental problems or public health hazards associated with improperly treated sewage. This requires the control of small flow treatment facilities through specific restrictions on their use.
(b) Small flow treatment facilities are restricted to use as a replacement or repair system which the Department determines is necessary to abate an existing nuisance or public health hazard or as a system to serve residential dwellings or commercial facilities which generate domestic wastewater not containing industrial waste.
(c) When an official plan or update revision proposes the use of small flow treatment facilities, the official plan or revision shall, as a minimum, contain the following, in addition to the requirements of Subchapters B and C (relating to official plan requirements; and new land development plan revisions):
(1) Documentation that soils are not suitable for the installation of individual or community onlot sewage disposal systems, excluding individual residential spray irrigation systems proposed for use in areas outside the watershed of waters classified as high quality or exceptional value under § § 93.6 and 93.9 (relating to general water quality criteria; and designated water uses and water quality criteria).
(2) A preliminary hydrogeologic evaluation when the small flow treatment facility will use land disposal or a dry stream channel discharge for final disposal. This evaluation shall include:
(i) The most recent 71/2' United States Geologic Survey Topographic map with the discharge accurately plotted.
(ii) The discharge rate and quality, including seasonal variations.
(iii) An identification on the topographic map of existing groundwater uses for 200 feet in width on each side of the channel downstream from the discharge from the system until perennial stream conditions are reached.
(3) Documentation, using the information developed in paragraph (2), which confirms that existing or proposed drinking water uses will be protected and that effluent will not create a public health hazard or a nuisance.
(4) Documentation that the proposed use of these small flow treatment facilities does not conflict with comprehensive sewage planning for the area.
(5) An evaluation that establishes specific responsibilities for operation and maintenance of the proposed system which shall include documentation that one or a combination of the following operation and maintenance requirements have been established or approved in writing by the municipality:
(i) A maintenance agreement between the property owner and an individual, firm or corporation experienced in the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment systems.
(ii) A maintenance agreement between the property owner and municipality or its designated local agency which establishes the property owner’s responsibility for operating and maintaining the system and the responsibility of the municipality or local agency for oversight of the system.
(iii) A municipal ordinance which requires that the small flow treatment facilities be operated and maintained through a maintenance agreement between the property owner and an individual, firm or corporation experienced in the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment systems.
(iv) Municipal ownership of the system.
(v) Inclusion of the system under a sewage management agency developed in accordance with § 71.73 (relating to sewage management programs for sewage facilities permitted by local agencies) operated by the municipality.
(vi) A properly chartered association, trust or other private entity which is structured to manage the system.
(vii) Establishment of bonding, escrow or other security prior to planning approval. The bonding, escrow or other security shall be forfeited to the municipality upon notice of continuing noncompliance of the system with the operation, maintenance and monitoring standards contained in the permit or noncompliance with the municipal assurances for management of the operation and maintenance requirements established through this section. The municipality shall use the forfeited security to cover the costs of repair or future operation and maintenance of the system over its design life. The bonding, escrow or other security shall be for an amount up to a maximum of 50% for each of the first 2 years of operation. After 2 years of operation, the bond agreement must provide for a refund of a portion of the original bond so that only 10% of the cost of the equipment and installation is retained by the bond-holder. The remaining bond totaling 10% of the cost of the equipment and installation shall be maintained for the life of the system.
(6) An evaluation of the density of development and the number and density of other similar systems in the watershed. As a result of that evaluation, the Department may impose additional conditions or limit the construction or operation of small flow treatment facilities.
(7) An evaluation of the alternatives available to provide sewage facilities which documents that the use of small flow treatment facilities is a technically, environmentally and administratively acceptable alternative.
(d) Small flow treatment facilities and their appurtenances shall meet applicable design, installation, operation and other standards established for small flow treatment facilities by the Department under sections 202 and 207 of The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.202 and 691.207) and shall obtain a Clean Streams Law permit and if there is a discharge to surface water, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, prior to construction and operation.
(e) Plans and specifications shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer in compliance with Chapter 91 (relating to general provisions).
(f) The Department may require independent oversight of the system installation.
Authority The provisions of this § 71.64 amended under section 9 of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P. S. § 750.9); The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).
Source The provisions of this § 71.64 adopted June 9, 1989, effective June 10, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 2429; amended November 7, 1997, effective November 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5877. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (206592) and (228205).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 71.65 (relating to individual and community sewage systems); and 25 Pa. Code § 71.72 (relating to sewage management programs for Department permitted sewage facilities and community onlot sewage systems).
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