§ 73.167. Operation and maintenance.
Individual residential spray irrigation systems require periodic maintenance by the property owner and entity established under § 72.25(h) (relating to permit requirements for operation and maintenance of individual residential spray irrigation systems). Without proper maintenance, system components will fail and pollution or a public health hazard will occur. This may result in costly repairs and civil penalties. The system designer shall provide an operation and maintenance manual, which may be supplemented with manufacturer’s manuals and instructions, to the permittee that includes, as a minimum, the following required standards for operation and maintenance to be met by the permittee:
(1) Septic tanks, dosing tanks, lift pump tanks and chlorine contact/storage tanks shall be inspected every 6 months for structural integrity of the tank, inlet and outlet baffles, solids retainer, pumps, siphons and electrical connections.
(2) Aerobic tanks shall be inspected every 6 months for structural integrity of the tank, inlets and outlet baffles, buoyed solids retainer, pumps, siphons and electrical connections. The inspection and concurrent pumping of excess solids shall be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s and NSF requirements.
(3) Free access sand filters, buried sand filters, chlorinators, the pressurized spray irrigation plumbing and spray nozzles and the spray fields shall be inspected periodically by the property owner and every 6 months by the maintenance entity established under § 72.25(h). Each component shall be inspected for compliance with the following standards:
(i) Chlorine residual sampled after the contact/retention tank shall be maintained at a concentration of at least 0.2 PPM.
(ii) The chlorinator shall be functioning within the specifications of the manufacturer. Bridging of chlorine tablets may not be occurring.
(iii) Solids may not be accumulated on the surface of the sand in the free access sand filter nor may 12 inches to effluent be ponded over the sand. The high water alarm shall be functional.
(iv) The surface of the free access sand shall be raked and porous and any sand removed shall be replaced with sufficient clean sand to maintain the depth at a minimum of 24 inches.
(v) The plumbing in the free access sand filter tank shall be functional and free of leaks and splash plates shall be in place.
(vi) The free access sand filter tank and cover shall be structurally sound and unauthorized access equipment shall be in place. Insulation shall be in place.
(vii) The areas of the buried sand filter shall be free of ponded effluent and downgradient seepage.
(viii) The plumbing to the spray field shall be functional and free of leaks.
(ix) The spray nozzles shall be functioning within the design specifications and the extent of the designed wetted perimeter and each nozzle.
(4) A laboratory shall test the discharge to the system for fecal coliforms, carbonaceous biological oxygen demand (CBOD), suspended solids and chlorine residual to determine compliance with Chapter 72 (relating to the administration of sewage facilities permitting program). At least annually, a copy of the tests results along with the most recent inspection of the system by the maintenance entity established under § 72.25(h) shall be sent to the local agency.
Authority The provisions of this § 73.167 issued 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 § 73.167 adopted November 7, 1997, effective November 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5877.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 71.63 (relating to retaining tanks); 25 Pa. Code § 72.25 (relating to issuance of permits); and 25 Pa. Code § 72.42 (relating to powers and duties of local agencies).
APPENDIX A
[Reserved]
Source The provisions of this Appendix A adopted August 2, 1971, effective August 14, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1649; amended August 30, 1974, effective September 16, 1974, 4 Pa.B. 1805; reserved January 21, 1983, effective January 22, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 508. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (17868).
APPENDIX B
[Reserved]
Source The provisions of this Appendix B adopted August 2, 1971, effective August 14, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1649; amended August 30, 1974, effective September 16, 1974, 4 Pa.B. 1805; reserved January 21, 1983, effective January 22, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 508. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (17869) to (17877).
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