§ 73.46. Dosing pumps, siphons and lift 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.
(3) Pumps may not be suspended above the bottom of the tank by chains or similar equipment.
(4) A disconnect shall be incorporated into the piping within the dosing tank for ease of pump removal.
(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.
(6) A siphon or other discharge mechanism may be substituted for a pump where site conditions permit the use of a gravity flow device, if the average discharge rate of the device meets the requirements of paragraph (1).
(7) A copy of the performance curve of the pump or discharge specifications for the siphon to be used shall be attached to the system design. 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.
(8) When an aeration tank 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 in subsections (a)(1) and (b)(2) and § 73.45(2) (relating to dosing tanks).
(9) Pumps or siphons serving systems having total absorption areas greater than 2,500 square feet shall have a minimum discharge capacity at least two times the estimated peak flow for the facility served.
(10) When an establishment produces more than 50% of its total daily flow during a peak flow period, the minimum dose volume shall equal the anticipated flow during the peak period.
(11) Pumps employed for the purpose of lifting effluent to a higher elevation may not be deemed dosing pumps when the system does not meet the criteria of § 73.43 (relating to pressurized distribution). Pumps for this purpose shall have a discharge capacity at least two times the estimated peak flow of the facility served when operating at designed level of head, but at least 5 gpm and shall be rated by the manufacturer for handling sewage effluent.
(12) Siphon discharge lines shall be equipped with an observation port. The access to the observation port shall be extended to grade, capped and secured to prevent unauthorized entry.
(b) Lift pumps shall meet the following specifications:
(1) Meet the standards in subsection (a)(1)—(5), (7) and (8).
(2) Be designed to discharge a minimum flood dose of 2 inches over the sand surface.
(c) Dosing pumps used to pressurize a spray field distribution system shall be designed in accordance with the specifications in subsection (a)(1)—(5) and (7).
Authority The provisions of this § 73.46 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 § 73.46 adopted August 2, 1971, effective August 14, 1971, 1 Pa.B. 1649; amended August 30, 1974, effective September 16, 1974, 4 Pa.B. 1805; amended January 21, 1983, effective January 22, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 508; amended November 7, 1997, effective November 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5877. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (217330) to (217331).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 73.161 (relating to general); and 25 Pa. Code § 73.165 (relating to disinfection).
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