[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Glenville 6-17-1969; effective 7-7-1969 (Ch. 34 of the 1966 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-15-2020 by L.L. No. 5-2020]
A.
The discharge of sewage and other waste inadequately treated or disposed
of is a hazard to the preservation of the public health, welfare and
safety. Provisions for adequate systems for disposal of such waste
is, therefore, regulated in the Town of Glenville for the preservation
of the public health, safety and welfare of its residents.
B.
This chapter shall apply to all waste treatment or septic systems
in the Town of Glenville, exclusive of the Village of Scotia.
[Amended 4-5-2006 by L.L.
No. 3-2006; 4-15-2020 by L.L. No. 5-2020]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
An area in which open-joint or perforated piping is laid
in appropriate aggregate material in trenches or excavations for the
purpose of distributing the effluent discharged from a private sewage
disposal system for absorption into the soil.
A sewage disposal system which receives either human excreta
or liquid waste, or both, from an individually owned residence or
place of business, and shall include and apply to all portions of
said system exterior to the foundation walls of any building. Included
within the scope of this definition are septic tank soil-absorption
systems, privies and chemical-type toilets and such other types as
may be prescribed in this chapter or in county and/or state department
of health codes.
A covered pit with open-jointed lining through which septic-tank
effluent may seep or leach into surrounding ground.
A tank through which sewage flows and which permits solids
in the sewage to settle in order that portions of such solids may
be disintegrated by biological action.
[Amended 4-15-2020 by L.L. No. 5-2020]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either
as owner, occupant, leasing agent, tenant, contractor or otherwise
to construct, install, or have constructed, installed or maintained
within the Town of Glenville an individual waste-disposal system without
a disposal permit, and which shall not conform to the procedures and
standards hereinafter set forth.
B.
Illegal connections. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation, either as owner, occupant, leasing agent, tenant, contractor
or otherwise to construct, install, or have constructed, installed
or maintained within the Town of Glenville an individual waste-disposal
system that is illegally connected to a storm sewer system, discharges
to a water body or damages a neighboring property.
A.
No septic disposal system shall be constructed, installed
or reconstructed within the Town unless a disposal permit has been
issued therefor.
B.
Applications for permits shall be in writing, signed
by the applicant in such form as the Engineering Technician II may
determine, and shall include the following, which the applicant shall
be responsible for furnishing:[1]
(1)
A complete plan of the proposed disposal system with
substantiating data attesting to its compliance with the minimum standards
herein set forth.
(2)
A sketch of the property showing the location of the
proposed construction, alteration or extension.
(3)
The results of percolation tests approved by the Engineering
Technician II.
E.
The Engineering Technician II may, by written notice,
order all further work in and about any sewage disposal system which
is to be erected or installed in violation of this chapter to be stopped
forthwith.[4]
The design of an individual sewage-disposal
system shall take into consideration its location with respect to
wells or other sources of water supply, topography, existing individual
sewage-disposal systems on adjacent properties, water table, soil
characteristics, available area, expected volume of sewage, and shall
comply with the following provisions:
A.
Volume of sanitary sewage. Each unit of the disposal
system shall be designed to adequately treat the estimated volume
of sanitary sewage to be discharged from the premises to be served.
The volume of sewage flow for private residences shall be based upon
150 gallons per bedroom. For other establishments, refer to Page 3
of Bulletin 1, Part 11, of the Standards for Waste Treatment Works
published by the New York State Department of Health.
B.
Excluded wastes. Drainage from basement floors or
roofs shall not enter the sewage-disposal system.
C.
Drainage. The individual disposal system shall be
located in an area where no surface or subsurface (ground) water will
accumulate. Provisions shall be made to minimize the flow of surface
water over the area.
D.
Wells. Sanitary sewage or the effluent from any individual
sewage-disposal system shall not be discharged into any abandoned
well or any well reaching into the groundwater.
E.
Maintenance. Septic tanks, seepage pits and disposal
fields shall be maintained in a manner that will not create any nuisance
due to seepage to the surface of the ground, or due to gas emission,
nor become a source of pollution to any of the waters of the state.
F.
Location distances. The minimum distance for location
of the various component parts of the disposal system shall comply
with the following table:
|
Minimum Distance
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component
|
Well or Suction Line
(feet)
|
Water Supply Line (Pressure)
(feet)
|
Bank of Stream or Ditch
(a)
(feet)
|
Dwelling
(feet)
|
Property Line
(feet)
|
Disposal Field
(feet)
|
Seepage Pits
(feet)
|
|
Building sewer
|
50
|
10
|
50
|
—
|
10
|
—
|
—
|
|
Septic tank
|
50
|
10
|
50
|
10
|
10
|
—
|
—
|
|
Disposal field
|
100
|
10
|
50
|
20
|
10
|
—
|
—
|
|
Seepage pit
|
100
|
10
|
50
|
20
|
10
|
20
|
20
|
|
NOTE: Exception to the above, upon
written request and for valid reasons, will be considered by the health
authority having jurisdiction.
|
G.
Area reserved for sewage disposal. The area to be
used for sewage disposal shall be selected and maintained so that
it is free from encroachments by driveways, accessory buildings, additions
to the main building, and trees or shrubbery whose roots may cause
clogging of any part of the system.
H.
Building sewer.
(1)
The building sewer shall be of such size as required
by any pertinent plumbing code, but in no case shall it be less than
four inches.
(2)
The building sewer shall be constructed of a material
approved by the New York State Department of Health, provided cast
iron shall be used where the building sewer will be located under
driveways.
(3)
All pipe joints in the building sewer shall be made
watertight. The sewer connection shall be laid on a firm foundation.
The building sewer shall have a minimum grade of not less than 1/4
inch per foot, and the sewer connection shall be laid on a continuous
grade and also in a straight line. Horizontal bends, where necessary,
shall not be greater than 45°.
I.
Septic tanks.
(1)
Septic tanks shall have the following minimum capacities
when serving single-family dwelling units as shown in the following.
Expansion attics shall be considered as additional bedrooms.
|
Number of Bedrooms
|
Liquid Capacity of Tank
(gallons)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
2 or fewer
|
750
| |
|
3
|
900
| |
|
For each additional bedroom
|
Add 100
|
|
Note: The capacity of tanks to service homes
with garbage grinders shall be 250 gallons greater than shown in the
above table.
|
(2)
Septic tanks shall be watertight and constructed of
sound and durable materials not subject to excessive corrosion, decay,
frost damage or to cracking or buckling due to settlement or backfilling.
Covers shall be designed and constructed to be of a strength equal
to the septic tank.
J.
Diameter of circular tanks. No tank or compartment
thereof shall have an inside horizontal dimension less than 48 inches.
K.
Inlets and outlets.
(1)
Inlet and outlet connections of each tank or compartment
shall be arranged so as to obtain effective retention of scum and
sludge. An inlet baffle is not required when the tank is provided
with a vented pipe tee not less than four inches in diameter with
the bottom opening extending at least six inches below the surface
of the liquid, or as required by Commercial Standard 177-62 for metal
tanks. The invert elevation of the inlet shall not be less than one
inch (preferably three inches) above the invert elevation of the tank
outlet or the outlet of the first compartment.
(2)
Outlet connections of the tank and of each compartment
thereof shall be provided with a tee not less than four inches in
diameter or a durable baffle equivalent in size. They shall be permanently
fastened in place with the bottom opening extending to a depth of
about 40% of the liquid depth. There shall be a clear space between
the top of baffle and the inside roof of tank of not less than one
inch.
L.
Scum storage. The space between the liquid surface
and the top of the scum-retaining device on the outlet shall be not
less than 15% of the total required liquid capacity.
M.
Access openings. In single-compartment tanks, an access
opening shall be located over the inlet. In multiple-compartment tanks,
access openings shall be located over each inlet and outlet. Access
to each compartment of the tank shall be by means of a sixteen-inch
minimum size manhole or a removable cover.
N.
Connecting pipe. The pipe connecting the septic tank
and distribution box or dosing device shall have tight joints and
shall be minimum diameter of four inches, and shall consist of a material
approved by the New York State Health Department.
O.
Distribution.
(1)
A distribution box shall be installed between septic
tanks and disposal fields or seepage pits. If only one seepage pit
is used, no distribution box is required. A dosing device shall be
provided where there are over 500 lineal feet of open-jointed or perforated
distribution lines.
(2)
Distribution boxes shall be watertight, constructed
of concrete or an approved material and laid on a firm foundation.
They shall be so constructed as to provide equal distribution to the
disposal system. Distribution boxes shall be provided with a means
of access. The invert of the inlet shall be at least one inch above
the inverts of the outlets.
P.
Disposal areas. The disposal area is the entire area
used for underground dispersion.
Q.
Percolation tests.
(1)
At least one percolation test shall be performed at
the site of each disposal area. More than one test will be required
where the soil structure may vary or large disposal areas are required.
(2)
Tests shall not be made in filled ground unless the
soil has been compacted or allowed to settle to the satisfaction of
the health authority having jurisdiction.
(3)
Percolation tests shall be performed in accordance
with the following procedure:
(a)
Dig a hole with vertical sides having a diameter
of approximately 12 inches. If a tile field is being considered, the
depth of the percolation test hole should be six inches below the
proposed trench bottom or approximately 30 inches below the final
ground surface. If a seepage pit or cesspool is under consideration,
then percolation tests should be run at 1/2 the depth and also at
the full estimated depth of the seepage pit. In order to facilitate
the running of the test, a larger excavation should be made for the
upper portion of the hole with the actual test hole in the bottom.
(b)
Fill the test hole with water and allow it to
completely seep away. This is known as presoaking and must be done
several hours before the test and again at the time of the test. After
the water has seeped away, remove any loose soil that has fallen from
the sides of the hole.
(c)
Pour clean water into the hole, with as little
splashing as possible, to a depth of six inches.
(d)
Observe and record the time in minutes required
for the water to drop one inch (from the six-inch to the five-inch
mark).
(e)
Repeat the test a minimum of three times until
the time for the water to drop one inch, for two successive tests
give approximately equal results. The last test will then be taken
as the stabilized rate of percolation and the time recorded for this
test will be used as the design basis for determining the square footage
of leaching or absorption area required for a subsurface system.
R.
Minimum percolating area. The minimum required percolating
area per bedroom shall be determined from the following table:
|
Percolation Rate (time required for water
to fall one inch, in minutes)
|
Required Absorption Area in Square Feet
per Bedroom,1 Standard Trench2 and Seepage Pits3
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 - 5
|
125
| |
|
10
|
165
| |
|
15
|
190
| |
|
304
|
250
| |
|
454
|
300
| |
|
604,5
|
330
|
|
Notes:
1 In every case,
sufficient area should be provided for at least two bedrooms.
2 Absorption area
for standard trenches is figured as trench bottom area.
3 Absorption area
for seepage pits is figured as effective sidewall area beneath the
inlet.
4 Unsuitable for
seepage pits if over 30.
5 Unsuitable for
leaching systems if over 60.
|
S.
Subsoil and groundwater determination.
T.
Disposal fields.
(1)
Filter material. Filter material shall cover the distribution
lines and extend the full width of the trench or bed, shall not be
less than six inches deep beneath the bottom of the distribution line,
and shall extend at least two inches above the top of the line. The
filter material shall be washed gravel or crushed stone, ranging in
size from 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, free of fines, dust, ashes or
clay. The filter material shall be covered by building paper or by
a two-inch layer of hay or straw.
(2)
Distribution lines. Distribution lines shall be constructed
true to line grade. Agricultural tile, bituminized fibre, asbestos
cement or equally adequate pipe may be used. In case of agricultural
tile, openings between joints shall be 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch with the
upper half of the joint covered with treated paper.
(3)
Backfill. Backfill over disposal trenches or beds
shall not be tamped and no grading machinery shall be permitted to
pass over the area.
(4)
Disposal trench construction. Disposal trenches shall
be constructed in accordance with the following:
(a)
Minimum lines per field: two.
(b)
Maximum length per line: 60 feet.
(c)
Minimum diameter of distribution lines: four
inches.
(d)
Slope of distribution lines: two inches to six
inches in 100 feet.
(e)
Maximum depth of trench: 30 inches.
(g)
Minimum depth of stone under distribution lines:
six inches.
(h)
Minimum distance bottom of trench or seepage
to groundwater: 24 inches.
(5)
Seepage pits. Seepage pits shall be used only when
preceded by a septic tank.
(6)
Construction. Seepage pits shall be constructed of
brick, cinder or concrete block, or similar material laid dry with
open joints. All joints above the inlet shall be made watertight.
(7)
Backfill. The space between the excavation and seepage
pit wall shall be backfilled with at least six inches of coarse gravel
or crushed stone. Where cinder or concrete blocks are laid with core
openings exposed, the space between the excavation and seepage pit
wall shall be backfilled with at least six inches of two-and-one-half-inch
crushed stone or similar material.
(8)
Covers. A watertight and structurally safe cover shall
be provided.
(9)
Dry wells. Dry wells are permitted. A dry well may
be utilized to receive the drainage from roofs, basements or areaways,
provided its installation will not interfere with the operation of
the individual sewage-disposal system.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to
reconstruction and repairs of existing septic systems; however, the
Engineering Technician II may vary the provisions of this chapter
if a variance is necessitated by hardship created by local physical
conditions.
The Engineering Technician II is authorized
to make necessary inspections to determine the satisfactory compliance
with this chapter. The owner or occupant shall give this official
or other enforcement official appointed by the Town Board in his absence
free access to the property at reasonable times for the purpose of
making such inspections. Failure to grant such access shall constitute
an automatic revocation of the disposal permit.
Any person may appeal to the Town's Zoning Board
of Appeals from the interpretation of any administrative decision
involving the interpretation of any provision of this chapter by filing
a written appeal within 10 days from such decision with the Town Clerk.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall, on not less than three days' notice
to all interested parties, hold a hearing pursuant to such rules as
it may prescribe and adopt for the conduct of such hearing, and shall,
not less than five days after such hearing, advise all interested
parties of its decision in writing.
Any person, persons, firm or corporation violating
any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation which
shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250, or by imprisonment
not to exceed 15 days, or both, and each day's failure to comply shall
constitute a separate violation. In case any septic disposal system
is constructed in violation of this chapter, or this chapter is otherwise
violated, the Town Board may also maintain an action or proceeding
in the name of the Town to compel compliance with or restrain by injunction
any violation of this chapter.
In any case where a provision of this chapter
is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building,
fire, safety or health ordinance or code of this Town, county or state
existing on the effective date of this chapter, the provision which,
in the judgment of the local health officer, establishes the higher
standard for the promotion of health and safety of the people shall
prevail. In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to
be in conflict with a provision of any other ordinance or code of
this Town, county or state existing on the effective date of this
chapter which establishes a lower standard for the promotion and protection
of health and safety of the people, the provisions of this chapter
shall be deemed to prevail, and such other ordinances or codes are
hereby repealed to the extent that they may be found in conflict with
this chapter.
