Except as otherwise provided in this chapter:
A.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct,
alter, or make major repairs to, enlarge, or extend any facility or
part of such facility intended or used for the discharge of wastewater
without obtaining all required governmental approvals.
B.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause to be
discharged within the Town any wastewater except by systems designed,
installed, and approved in accordance with the requirements of this
chapter, except that holding tank wastewater shall be disposed of
in a location which has received all required governmental approvals
and a method approved by the Department of Health.
C.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or maintain
any individual wastewater treatment system that is unsafe, is a source
of pollution to any of the surface waters or groundwater source of
the state, permits the seepage of raw or partially treated sewage
to ground surface, creates a potential health hazard, adversely affects
the environment or impairs the use of development of the lot on which
it is situated or nearby lands or interferes with the enjoyment or
use of property.
D.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly abandon
a septic tank, seepage pit or cesspool, unless at the time of such
abandonment the septic tank, seepage pit or cesspool is pumped out
and filled with clean, granular soil or inert, free-flowing, dense
material.
E.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge pollutants
to the waters of the state from any outlet or point source without
first obtaining a State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES)
permit from DEC, if so required.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The relinquishment of the use of an on-site wastewater treatment
system with the intention of not continuing use of such system in
the future. An on-site wastewater treatment system shall be presumed
to be abandoned when a new wastewater system is being built to replace
it.
Any structure that is designed to distribute wastewater or
effluent into the soil by means of a network of pipes.
That area to which effluent is distributed for infiltration
and treatment into the soil. It includes the area of the subsurface
absorption system and, if required by the design, the areas covered
by fill used to grade around the system.
Any structure designed to distribute effluent into the soil
and provide for its treatment. See "conventional" and "alternative"
systems defined below.
CONVENTIONAL ABSORPTION SYSTEMOne of the following systems:
ABSORPTION FIELDA system of narrow trenches partially filled with a bed of washed gravel or crushed stone 3/4 to 1Â 1/2 inches in diameter (i.e., aggregate) through which a perforated distribution pipe is laid.
GRAVELLESS ABSORPTION SYSTEMGenerally proprietary products, which allow septic tank effluent to infiltrate soil in the absence of installed aggregate.
SEEPAGE PITA covered pit with an open-jointed or perforated lining through which septic tank effluent infiltrates into the surrounding soil.
SHALLOW ABSORPTION TRENCHESAn absorption field with trenches installed at or no more than two feet below original ground level on sites where there is a depth of at least two feet but less than four feet of usable soil.
ABSORPTION BEDSSimilar to an absorption field except the several laterals (lengths of perforated distribution pipe) are installed in a single excavation.
FILL (A.K.A. "SITE MODIFICATION" or "AMENDED SOIL" SYSTEM)System employed when the soil percolation rate is faster than one minute per inch, wherein all soil bounded by two feet from the proposed absorption trenches (i.e., horizontally and vertically) is removed and blended with fine sand or sandy loam and replaced in six-inch layers with mechanical compaction to the approximate density of the on-site soil.
ALTERNATIVE ABSORPTION SYSTEMOne of the following systems:
RAISED SYSTEMA conventional absorption trench system constructed in stabilized permeable fill placed above the original ground surface.
MOUND SYSTEMA soil absorption system that is elevated above the natural soil surface in suitable fill material; similar to a raised system utilizing sandy fill material without requiring a stabilization period prior to construction of the absorption bed/trenches.
INTERMITTENT SAND FILTERSA system which comprises the intermittent application of settled wastewater to a bed of granular material which is under drained to collect and discharge filtered effluent to a subsurface absorption facility (i.e., downstream absorption mound or modified shallow trench system).
NON-WATERBORNE SYSTEMS(Composters, chemicals and recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets, sanitary privies) systems designed to treat human wastes with no wet plumbing. These systems must be accompanied by systems designed to treat household wastewater (i.e., greywater) from sinks, showers, tubs and other fixtures by settling and soil absorption.
[Amended 12-9-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008]
A long narrow area which includes a pipe for the distribution
of septic tank effluent.
Septic system with a component to pretreat wastewater to
a higher quality than a conventional septic system.
A flow deflecting device used in septic tanks and distribution
boxes to inhibit the discharge of floating solids, reduce the amount
of solids that exit and reduce the exit velocity of the wastewater.
A structure wholly or partially enclosed with exterior or
party walls, and a roof, affording shelter to persons, animals or
property.
That part of the lowest piping of a drainage system which
receives the discharge of wastewater and conveys such discharge to
the building sewer. The building drain extends to three feet outside
the building wall.
A covered pit into which wastewater is discharged for disposal
by infiltration of the liquid portion into the surrounding soil.
An opening providing access to wastewater collection and
treatment devices (i.e., house sewer, septic tank, distribution box)
which allows for the cleaning or purging of materials and obstructions.
A person appointed by the Town Board whose duty and authority
is to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
A sewer receiving both surface runoff and wastewater.
The combined thickness of the scum layer and sludge layer
in a septic tank.
The highest expected volume of wastewater, expressed in gallons,
that will pass through a wastewater treatment system in a twenty-four-hour
period normally occurring during periods of greatest use.
A device used to uniformly distribute effluent to the distribution
lines.
The perforated pipe used to distribute effluent to the absorption
field.
A watertight compartment that receives septic tank effluent
and distributes to two primary pipe lines of a soil absorption system,
followed by a drop to the remainder of the system after those lines
are full.
The liquid discharged from a septic tank outlet.
Repairs designed to prevent or abate an existing or imminent
threat to groundwater or surface water quality or the public health,
safety, or welfare, caused or about to be caused by a wastewater treatment
system.
The natural topography of land prior to construction activity.
A wastewater treatment system that discharges wastewater
onto the surface of the ground or into a watercourse, or that has
sustained a cracked or broken tank, distribution box, leach line or
pipe, or has a malfunctioning pump or other component of such system.
The elevation that land will have at the conclusion of cutting,
filling or other site work.
Organic solid wastes from domestic and commercial preparation,
cooking, or dispensing of food, or from the handling, storage and
sale of produce.
The slope of a line of pipe, trench bottom, or ground surface
in reference to a horizontal surface.
A mixture of mineral soil particles with whole individual
diameter range from 1/4 inches to three inches.
All sewage or wastewater from a building except waste from
flush toilets and urinals.
Subsurface water occupying a zone of saturated soil.
A sealed vault or tank, usually a reinforced concrete septic
tank with no outlet, into which wastewater is discharged for temporary
storage.
Material with a percolation rate of slower than 60 minutes
per inch.
An onsite wastewater treatment system that does not meet the standards set forth by § 129-5.
[Added 12-9-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008]
Any liquid, gaseous, solid, or waste substance or a combination
thereof resulting from any process or industry, manufacturing, trade
or business or from development or recovery of any natural resource.
The bottom most point of an open conduit or the bottom most
point on the inside of a closed conduit.
A person licensed or registered in the State of New York
and authorized by the State Education Law to design the wastewater
treatment systems described.
Any replacement or reconstruction affecting the wastewater
treatment system, other than the pumping of the septic tank and minor
repairs as hereinafter defined.
The average annual high water level.
Minor repairs shall include such items as the replacement
of pumps, damaged pipes (except within the absorption area), electrical
repairs, replacement of septic tank covers, or septic tank baffles.
A wastewater treatment system of a type not addressed in
the Department of Health Design Handbook, designed by a design professional
and construction certified by a licensed professional engineer. These
systems should meet Class A national sanitary foundation certification.
Garbage, refuse, decayed wood, sawdust, shavings, bark, sand,
lime, cinders, ashes, offal, oil, tar, dyestuffs, acids, chemicals,
ballast and all other discarded matter not sewage or industrial waste
which may cause or might reasonably be expected to cause pollution
of the waters of the state.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Training Network.
[Added 12-9-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008]
The movement of water downward through the pores of a soil
or other porous medium following infiltration through the soil surface.
A standard procedure for testing the soil's ability to accept
and convey water to establish the application rate. See Appendix B
for proper testing procedures.[1]
Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, trustee,
municipality or other legal entity, but shall not include the state
or any state agency.
Any treatment system that was lawfully in existence prior
to the effective date of this chapter.
A building fixed to a vault or pit, equipped with seating
to allow for excretion of body waste.
A cylinder typically made of concrete or fiberglass that
allows easy access to a submerged manhole or inspection port.
A pipe used in septic tanks, distribution boxes and drop
manholes to reduce wastewater or effluent flow velocities and to increase
solids retention in septic tanks which prevents carryover of solids
to subsurface systems. (See "baffle.")
Scum is the wastewater constituent that is lighter than water,
and floats.
The highest surface of a zone of saturated soil which is
at least six inches thick and which persists during the average year
for more than a week when the ground is free of frost.
A covered pit with an open-jointed or perforated lining through
which septic tank effluent infiltrates into the surrounding soil.
A large, watertight chamber which promotes the growth of
anaerobic bacteria for the biological decomposition of sewage.
The ratio of the maximum vertical rise or fall of the land
in 50 feet of horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage.
Sludge is wastewater material heavier than water that settles
to the bottom of a septic tank.
Spots or blotches of different color, or shades of color,
interspersed with the dominant background color. See Appendix C, Seasonal
High Groundwater Determination.[2]
The division of land into two or more lots, parcels or sites.
Any lake, pond, river, permanent or intermittent stream.
Human excreta and toilet flushing fluid.
The permit required before construction of an on-site wastewater
treatment system.
The certificate required before any portions of an on-site
sewage treatment system are backfilled or covered.
Soil with a percolation rate between one and 60 minutes per
inch.
Any water discharged through a plumbing fixture to include,
but not limited to, sewage and any water or waste from a device (e.g.,
water softener brine) which is produced in the building or property.
A complete system of piping, tanks or other facilities for
the on-site collection and treatment of wastewater, and not connected
to a community or public sewer system. A wastewater treatment system
is also referred to as a disposal system in SPDES regulations.
A visible path through which surface water travels on a regular
basis. Drainage areas which contain water only during and immediately
following precipitation or snow melt shall not be considered a watercourse.
Any land which is annually subject to periodic or continual
inundation by water and commonly referred to as a bog, swamp, or marsh
which is either (a) one acre or more in size, or (b) located adjacent
to a body of water, including a permanent stream, with which there
is free interchange of water at the surface, in which case there is
no size limitation.
