The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct an on-site inspection
of an existing wastewater treatment system as follows:
A.
Prior to a change of use. The owner of the property shall
arrange for a wastewater treatment system inspection before any change of
use is undertaken. The authority having jurisdiction shall determine whether
the change represents an increased hydraulic loading to the system. In instances
where a site plan approval, special use permit or variance is required, the
authority having jurisdiction shall incorporate the wastewater treatment system
inspection report into the review process of the appropriate Planning Board,
Zoning Board of Appeals or Board of Appeals;
B.
Prior to a conveyance of real property. The owner of
the property shall arrange for a wastewater treatment system inspection prior
to the conveyance of real property. In addition, property owners may request
a wastewater treatment inspection for real estate transactions or other certifications
to lending institutions, purchase offer conditions of buyers of real property
or other requests or investigations.
C.
Expansion greater than 50%. The owner of the property
shall arrange for a wastewater treatment system inspection as an integral
part of the building permit application process. The authority having jurisdiction
shall determine whether expansion of the building or dwelling, including its
use, represents an increased hydraulic loading to the system. For the purpose
of this chapter, an existing wastewater treatment system shall be defined
as an accessory structure and as such be subject to regulation pursuant to
Part 1230 of Subchapter E, Conversions, Alterations, Additions and Repairs
to Existing Buildings, of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code.
All existing on-site wastewater treatment systems requiring an inspection
pursuant to this chapter shall be performed by the authority having jurisdiction
in accordance with the specifications established as follows:
A.
The septic tank, inspection ports, distribution boxes
or other distribution devices shall be uncovered and accessible to the inspector.
In the event that any component of the system cannot be reasonably located,
the inspector shall so note on the inspection report.
B.
Sanitary disposal fields shall be staked out or otherwise
identified by general area of location.
C.
At the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction,
the septic tank shall be pumped at the expense of the property owner in order
to ensure that the tank is not leaking and that the inlet and outlet baffles
are in place and properly functioning.
D.
At the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction,
drop and distribution boxes shall be checked for blockages and function.
E.
The authority having jurisdiction shall visually inspect
buildings on the property, noting the number of bedrooms, the layout and location
of all water-using fixtures and plumbing, including but not limited to faucets,
sinks, toilets, drains, overflows, laundry equipment, floor drains, sump pumps,
water softeners and related systems, that may impose an improper or potential
adverse hydraulic loading on the disposal field.
F.
The connection of all drains to an appropriate disposal
system shall be verified.
G.
All outside areas, to include nearby lawns, slopes, hillsides,
ditches and watercourses, swales and the shoreline of ponds, lakes and wetlands,
shall be observed for aboveground seepage and to note the quantity and general
quality of surface water where it occurs.
H.
Dye-testing, and other methods as may be necessary to
determine system function, shall be conducted.
A.
Upon completion of the inspection, the authority having
jurisdiction shall document all procedures and furnish the owner with a report
of findings.
B.
The report of findings shall contain, at a minimum, the
location, address, name of owner, representative present, dates of testing/inspection,
procedures used, observations and sketches showing fixture, drain and system
layout to adequately document the wastewater treatment system inspection.
