[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Plainville Board of Health 9-10-2014.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Groundwater and water supply protection — See Ch. 611.
Penalties; Noncriminal Disposition Fine Schedule — See Ch. 675.
Wastewater treatment facilities — See Ch. 772.
Wells — See Ch. 784.
ATTACHMENTS
767a Septic System767b AsBuilt Sketch767c Form A
[1]
Editor's Note: These regulations also superseded former Ch. 767, Wastewater Disposal Systems, Section 5 of the Plainville Board of Health Regulations, effective 11-6-1996.
A. 
These regulations shall be effective on and after September 10, 2014, and shall so remain until modified or amended by the Plainville Board of Health. They are enacted under authority which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: MGL c. 111, §§ 31, 122, 122A, 127, 143, 155 and 187; 310 CMR 11.02. Board of Health regulations are an exercise of the power under which the various levels of government are responsible for protection of the public health, safety, welfare, and the environment.
B. 
This regulation of the Board of Health has been enacted for the purpose of protection of the citizens of the Town of Plainville and also the protection of the environment. The Town of Plainville relies upon on-site subsurface systems for the disposal of sewage in a large portion of the Town. It relies solely upon groundwater for its water supply, from either public or private on-site wells. There are considerable areas of severe geologic conditions which consist of poorly drained soils, shallow soil depth to fractured ledge and groundwater, wetlands, floodplain, and contributing areas to the water supply. There are two major lakes within the Town, resulting in sensitive conditions in those areas. As a minimum code, Title 5 is incomplete and ambiguous in certain specifications and silent on other topics. Accordingly, local Board of Health regulations are necessary to assure more complete protection from sewage overflows to the ground surface, which are sources of filth and disease, and also to assure more complete protection from potential pollution of groundwater, wells, surface waters, and wetlands. Local regulations are also necessary for purposes of efficient administration and management, as well as for additional guidance in the process of construction of septic systems. These regulations do not conflict with Title 5, but rather complement them, and provide additional guidance.
The revised State Environmental Code, Title 5, 310 CMR 15.00, went into effect March 31, 1995, and was further revised on November 3, 1995, and on January 3, 2014, replacing the previous version that was effective on January 1, 1978. This new State Code, as revised and amended, sets forth minimum rules and regulations to be followed in matters of on-site wastewater systems. In like fashion, this codification of rules and regulations of the Plainville Board of Health is intended to replace the Board's existing regulations for on-site wastewater disposal, which were originally adopted with respect to the use with the state regulations in effect up to March 31, 1995.
Definitions and acronyms for these regulations shall be as defined in Title 5 unless listed below as an alternative or new definition. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABUTTER
Direct abutters, including landowners across the street.
ACTIVE ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
An active system is one that uses energy inputs to distribute wastewater and/or enhance treatment processes. Active systems usually have an electric energy source. A recirculating sand filter discharging to soil is an example of an active system. Systems permitted under 310 CMR 15.231 of Title 5 are not considered active alternative systems.
AGENT
An agent of the Board of Health is any person authorized by the Board to act under these regulations. The agent may not vary these regulations without specific approval of the Board of Health.
BOH
Plainville Board of Health.
DEP
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
DSCP
Disposal system construction permit.
FORM A
Form required by the Board of Health for issuance of a building permit for additions or change of use.
GIR
Groundwater impact report.
HABITABLE
Means every room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes, excluding rooms containing toilets, bathtubs or showers and excluding laundries, pantries, foyers, communicating corridors, closets, and storage spaces.
JOB CARD FORM
Form required by the BOH to track all inspections of design engineer and health agent during installation of all septic systems with a sketch by the installer with location of ties
LTAR
Long-term acceptance rate for leaching area sewage loading.
OSDS
On-site wastewater disposal system.
PASSIVE ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
A passive system uses the position of the wastewater as generated at the source to transport wastewater through various processes and wastewater or environmental energy for treatment processes. Energy needed for treatment processes is from wastewater or the wastewater constituents utilized by organisms or from the environment. A typical gravity pumped septic tank wastewater infiltration system is passive.
A. 
Permit requirements. No on-site system or facility to be used for treating, neutralizing, stabilizing, or disposing of wastewater from homes, public buildings, commercial or industrial buildings, or any other types of establishments, shall be located, constructed, altered, repaired, installed, or abandoned until a DSCP for such work shall have been issued by the Plainville BOH in conformance with 310 CMR 15.000 et seq. ("Title 5") and these regulations. Title 5 and these regulations shall govern all construction within the Town of Plainville. If all or any portion of the disposal system lies within another political jurisdiction, compliance with Title 5 and Plainville's wastewater disposal systems regulation is required. Approval from the adjoining jurisdiction must also be obtained. Proof of permitting must be supplied prior to the BOH signing off on a building permit.
B. 
Responsibility. All persons carrying on an activity regulated by the State Environmental Code and local regulations will be held strictly accountable for complying with the provisions of this instrument. Issuance of a BOH permit does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to conform to the state and Plainville BOH regulations.
C. 
Construction. No building construction shall proceed until the BOH has issued a DSCP or otherwise approved the construction by use of Form A,[1] or a form provided by the BOH.
D. 
Possession of plan, permit, and job card.[2] All installers of on-site wastewater disposal systems shall have the BOH disposal system construction permit a copy of the approved plan and job card in their possession on the site while installing the system, to be available for the BOH agent at the time of any inspection.
[2]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Septic System Construction Job Card is included as an attachment to this chapter.
E. 
Approval of BOH. No new homes or any other buildings or facilities which utilize an on-site wastewater system shall undergo a change of use or increase in design flow, shall be occupied, nor shall any occupancy permit be granted for such, until the BOH has approved such dwelling or other building or facility for the adequacy of wastewater disposal, water supply, and stormwater drainage, as required. For additions or changes to existing single-family homes, Form A must be completed and submitted to the BOH for approval before obtaining a building permit.
F. 
On-site wastewater system location. In determining a suitable location for a system, consideration shall be given to the size, shape, and slope of the lot, hydrogeological conditions, natural and adjusted drainage, existing and known, future water supplies, depth to groundwater, and impervious material, as well as room for future expansion of the system.
G. 
Nitrate regulations: Lots in nitrogen sensitive areas and the Plainville Groundwater Protection District may not be subdivided and/or reduced in size without approval from the Plainville BOH. A groundwater Impact report (GIR) must be submitted as described in Plainville Code Division 5, BOH Regulations, Chapter 611, Groundwater and Water Protection Supply.
H. 
Retaining walls and impervious barriers: Installation of retaining walls and impervious barriers shall be inspected during all phases of construction by the design engineer and must be certified, in writing, that they were installed in conformance with Title 5 and the approved design plan. The distance from the impervious barrier to the edge of the soil absorption system closest to the barrier shall be 10 feet. If the ten-foot requirement cannot be met for new construction, repair, or upgrade then approval must be obtained through the BOH.
I. 
System pumpers and carters. MGL c. 111, § 31D, stipulates that system pumpers and carters must have permit issued by the Plainville BOH. All system pumpers engaged in this business within the Town of Plainville must obtain a permit for each vehicle used for this purpose. Permits may be applied for at the BOH office during normal business hours. Permits will be issued for the calendar year, on a per-vehicle basis, subject to an annual fee as may be set from time to time by the BOH. Only system pumpers having valid permits and having filled out and signed the required BOH form for the effluent will be allowed to discharge at the Town of Plainville approved facility. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in an enforcement action as provided in the State Environmental Code.
(1) 
Prior to the issuance of a license, the pumper truck must be inspected by an agent of the BOH and pass inspection.
(2) 
Pumping records shall be submitted by the septic hauler on a monthly basis.
J. 
All soil evaluators and Title 5 system inspectors licensed by the state, all alternative technology inspectors (FAST/RUCK systems etc.), percolation test performers, and installers working in Plainville shall obtain a license from the Plainville BOH and pay an application fee to perform such work in the Town of Plainville. The BOH may revoke said licenses when it determines, after a discussion at a public hearing, that the soil evaluator, Title 5 inspector, alternative technology inspectors, percolation test performers, or installer has not complied with 310 CMR 15.000 by falsifying information, misrepresentation of a soil evaluation or Title 5 inspection. Re-instatement may be allowed at a hearing in front of the BOH.
K. 
Abandonment of on-site septic systems. Abandonment of on-site systems shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of the BOH. Only licensed installers and licensed drain layers shall abandon systems.
(1) 
The portions of the abandoned system which require pumping shall be pumped of their entire contents by a licensed septage hauler and shall be either excavated and removed from the site or ruptured and filled with clean sand.
(2) 
Abandonments shall be witnessed by an agent of the BOH and prior to abandonment a permit shall be obtained from the BOH and a fee will be charged as set by the BOH. A copy of the sewer tie-in permit must be submitted with the application, if applicable.
(3) 
If no as-built is on file with the BOH then a sketch of the location of all components abandoned must be submitted.
L. 
Cesspools and Title 5 Inspections. Title 5 states that cesspools are nonconforming systems; therefore, cesspools, cesspools with an overflow cesspool, and cesspools with an overflow line are considered to be in failure at the time of a Title 5 inspection under these regulations. The system must be upgraded in compliance with Title 5 and the Plainville BOH Rules and Regulations.
M. 
Ownership: For new construction, all disposal systems shall be located on the same lot as the principal building.
A. 
The applicant shall complete an application for site evaluation, on a form provided by the BOH, at the BOH office. An application fee, as set by the BOH from time to time, must be paid at this time.
B. 
The applicant shall secure the services of a state-approved soil evaluator and a registered professional engineer or registered sanitarian when applicable, qualified in matters of wastewater treatment and disposal, who will prepare the design for the proposed system or facility and shall conduct or otherwise arrange for the necessary soil and other tests required for proper designs. The soil evaluator shall contact the BOH office for the purpose of obtaining an appointment such that the soil tests shall be performed in the presence of the BOH agent at a mutually acceptable time.
C. 
The site and soil evaluation shall be performed in accordance with Title 5 and the instructions described in these regulations.
D. 
The applicant shall complete an application for a DSCP on a form provided by the BOH office, and shall submit four copies of the plans to the BOH office, along with an application fee as set by the BOH from time to time.
E. 
The BOH agent/engineer then reviews the plans. If the plans comply with the necessary regulations and are in accordance with good engineering practice, a permit is issued. One copy of the approved permit and three copies of the plan, stamped "approved," will be returned to the applicant. The applicant should also check with the Conservation Department before applying for a building permit if applicable.
F. 
If the plan is not complete or does not comply with state or BOH regulations in all respects, it will be returned to the applicant, who must have his designer correct the plan as required. An additional fee, as set by the BOH from time to time, shall be required for each time the plan is returned for revision, except for the first one.
G. 
Prior to any new construction of a system, the location and elevation of the top of the foundation of the structure to be served, and also the location of any on-site well where applicable, shall be located by a registered land surveyor or registered professional engineer, and shall be submitted to the BOH on a plan bearing the seal and signature of the registered land surveyor or registered professional engineer, as well as the date. A copy shall also be submitted to the Plainville Conservation Commission if work is performed in their jurisdiction.
H. 
Construction of such systems or facilities shall be made by firms or individuals who have obtained a disposal system installer's license from the BOH to perform such services. The installer shall notify the BOH two business days prior to start of construction.
I. 
Revision to design. The septic system shall be constructed in strict accordance with the approved plan. No changes may be made without prior written approval of the system designer and the BOH.
J. 
BOH DSCPs are valid only for the person or firm to whom it is issued. If there is a change in applicant, a transfer permit must be obtained from the BOH. The DSCP shall expire after three years from the date of initial issuance, if the system is not completed.
K. 
No liability is incurred by the Town of Plainville or its agent by reason of any approval or any advice given for wastewater disposal or treatment system. Approval by the Town is based on plans and specifications supplied by the applicant. No guarantee is intended or implied by reason of any approval given by the Plainville BOH or its agent.
The basic specification for such system designs shall be Title 5 of the State Environmental Code, except as provided otherwise in these rules and regulations, which include additional and/or more strict requirements. The plans and specifications shall contain the following information as well as that required by Title 5.
A. 
Plans.
(1) 
Plan of system area drawn to a scale of one inch equals 20 feet, showing and the source of water supply; the location of house, garage and/or other structures; layout and profile of sewage disposal system; location of water line, and other underground utilities (where applicable), driveway, foundation drain (where needed), manholes and cleanout plugs; and location of any streams, seasonal brooks and swales, brooks, great ponds, rivers, swamps, drains, and any other wetland resource areas within 150 feet of the sewage disposal system. The plan must contain a notation stating whether or not the property lies within a Zone A, Zone I, and/or a Zone II district. The boundary of said districts shall be shown if applicable.
(2) 
All on-site wells or other known water supplies within 200 feet for dwellings or other facilities having design flows of 1,000 gallons per day or less of the proposed leaching area or expansion area shall be located and shown on the plan. The distance shall be 500 feet for dwellings or other facilities having design flows greater than 1,000 gallons per day.
(3) 
The plan shall show all public wells within 500 feet; private wells within 200 feet; bordering vegetated wetlands within 150 feet; inland banks within 150 feet; surface waters within 150 feet; surface drains within 100 feet; open, surface, subsurface or foundation drains within 100 feet; vernal pools within 150 feet; storm drainage leaching catch basins or dry wells within 50 feet; and any boundary of a regulatory floodway or one-hundred-year flood within 150 feet.
(4) 
Elevations shall refer to mean sea level (NGVD Datum of 1988) if available and within a reasonable distance from the site as determined by the BOH agent.
(5) 
Elevations shall be obtained by direct measurement in the field in the areas of the OSDS and the various proposed structures on the property. Elevations obtained by aerial mapping shall not be allowed in those areas.
(6) 
The plan shall show spot elevations, including elevation of road, basement floor, top of foundation, garage floor and elevation schedule for the sewage disposal system, including invert elevations at house foundation, inlet and outlet of septic tank, inlet and outlet of distribution box, inlet and outlet of pump chamber, lag off, lag on, and alarm on pump chamber, beginning of trench, end of trench and the bottom of the leaching area, and the finished grade of the system construction area. The high groundwater elevation beneath all components of the septic system and the facility to be served shall be shown as well as buoyancy calculations for structures, if needed. A bench mark shall be provided within 50 feet of the leaching area and shall be shown on the plan.
(7) 
Where "stepped" systems are proposed, the plan shall include a cross section showing the existing grade, the proposed grade, the trenches or other system configuration, the high groundwater, and ledge or limiting soil layer.
(8) 
For new construction, in addition to the layout of the sewage disposal system, a suitable area shall be designated as being reserved for such expansion of the disposal system as may become necessary. The area so designated shall provide for 100% relocation of the leaching area, and be in an area suitable for sewage disposal in accordance with these regulations. Complete design of such expansion leaching structures may be requested.
(9) 
Sufficient additional elevations shall be shown, including final grades at each of the four corners of the building, to indicate clearly how the surface drainage is to be handled. In some cases it shall be necessary to consider effect on nearby properties. No "low spots" that allow "ponding" of rainfall runoff shall be permitted near the leaching system.
(10) 
Materials to be used for the building sewer and all distribution pipelines shall be specified by the designer and noted on the plan. All piping shall be a minimum of Schedule 40 PVC or better.
(11) 
All sewage disposal system designs for dwellings must be sized for a garbage grinder, except that upgrades of existing failing systems shall not be required to include the provision for the garbage grinder, provided that a suitable document is recorded in the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds which signifies that no garbage grinder shall be installed or used in the dwelling on the subject property. The garbage disposal document must be filed with the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and the document must be submitted with the disposal works construction permit and sanitary plans. Failure to submit the deed restriction will be cause for rejection of permit and plans.
(12) 
All plans submitted must be legible, and must also show the name and address of the applicant for whom plans have been prepared, the name and address of the owner of the property, date, scale, location of lot, street number, lot number, Assessors' map and lot number, and shall be signed by and stamped with the seal of the registered professional engineer or registered sanitarian responsible for the design.
B. 
Percolation and water table data.
(1) 
Percolation tests may be conducted at any time of the year, unless that time period is suspended by either a vote of the BOH or under the discretion of the health agent, because of excessively dry or freezing weather conditions. Soil testing and percolation testing shall be in accordance with Title 5 310 CMR 15.000.
(2) 
All soil testing to determine maximum groundwater elevation for septic system design and permits for a given year for new construction must be conducted after December 20 and completed before May 29, unless that time period is extended or shortened by a vote of the BOH. For new construction, soil evaluators shall place monitor wells in all deep test pits. Groundwater levels shall be measured by the soil evaluator in such monitor wells between the 22nd and the 29th of a month following the test hole analysis. All water levels measured may be subject to a seasonal groundwater adjustment. This shall be as determined by the BOH using the method as described in "U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigations, Open File Report 80-1205, Probable High Groundwater Levels in Massachusetts," or by the method of soil morphology as determined by the soil evaluator with the agreement of the BOH agent. Other adjustment values may be allowed by the Board on a case-by-case basis if supported by clear and convincing technical evidence to support such proposal by the soil evaluator.
(3) 
The sewage application rates as designated in Title 5 shall not be interpolated. Measured values shall be rounded up to the next percolation rate.
(4) 
All tests shall be observed by an agent of the BOH. All tests shall be performed in natural soil that has not been disturbed or altered by previous filling, excavation, blasting or other means. All test pits shall be adequately protected by the applicant to prevent accidents to both humans and animals. The pits shall not be filled in until they have been inspected by the BOH agent. After the tests are completed and all data has been recorded, the test holes shall be filled. Test holes shall not be left open overnight.
(5) 
In addition to the percolation tests, grain size analysis of the soil shall be required when deemed necessary by the BOH agent to verify the soil classification.
C. 
Design flow rates. Flow rates for sewage disposal systems shall be based on Title 5 rates except as follows:
(1) 
Multifamily homes: 150% of Title 5.
(2) 
Restaurants: 200% of Title 5.
D. 
Septic tanks and distribution boxes.
(1) 
Septic tanks for new dwellings shall be designed to incorporate the use of a garbage grinder, whether or not such an installation is anticipated at the time of the application of the DSCP.
(2) 
All septic tanks shall be a minimum two-compartment tank.
(3) 
Minimum septic tank liquid capacity for any dwelling facility shall be 1,500 gallons.
(4) 
All septic outlets shall be equipped with a DEP-approved effluent filter tee. The effluent filter shall be cleaned as necessary or during pumping of the septic tank.
(5) 
If any septic tank or distribution box is located under pavement, all manholes shall be extended to finished grade with metal frame and cover. The manhole shall be constructed to be supported in such a manner as to not place loading on the distribution box or outlet piping which will result in misalignment of the outlets.
E. 
Leaching facilities.
(1) 
Where vents are required by Title 5, they shall be equipped with odor control in the form of an activated carbon filter with capability for easy replacement of media. Vent pipe headers for trench systems shall be, at a minimum, above the crown elevation of the end of the distribution piping. Vents shall extend a minimum of three feet above finished grade.
(2) 
Each leaching trench, or other leaching area type, shall be connected to the distribution box so that each distribution box outlet discharges to equal areas of leaching interface.
(3) 
Expansion area and trench spacing. For new construction, the clear distance between leaching trenches shall be a minimum of 10 feet. The area between the trenches shall be utilized for the expansion area, with the exception of one of the expansion area trenches.
(4) 
Design criteria for non-sanitary sewage. The listed Title 5 310 CMR 15.004(5) effluent loading rates apply only to settled sanitary sewage or septic tank effluent of typical or normal strength. Other wastewaters, such as from restaurants or supermarkets or nursing homes as examples, may have strengths of biochemical oxygen demand or total suspended solids three times or greater than that of normal strength sanitary sewage. The loading rates required for such stronger wastewaters shall be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the expected concentration of five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). Expected concentrations can be established by sampling and analysis of wastewaters from similar existing facilities, if no other suitable data is available. The modified loading rate for stronger wastewaters at the respective percolation test rates shall be decreased proportionally for those parameters, and in no case shall be such that the loading rate exceeds 0.92 by 10-3 pounds of BOD per day per square foot or 0.34 by 10-3 of TSS per day per square foot of horizontal leaching surface (bottom area only).
F. 
Minimum setback distances and vertical clearance.
(1) 
The following setbacks shall apply to new construction of disposal system components and the leaching area:
Tank
(feet)
Leaching Area
(feet)
Watercourse, pond, stream, brook, river, swamp, marsh or wetland
50
100
Stormwater management systems*
50
100
Dry wells/catch basin
20
50
Sand filters/organic filters
50
100
Drainage channels which do not intercept seasonal high groundwater table
10
20
*Stormwater management systems include items such as detention or retention basins, stormwater wetlands, wet ponds, water quality swales infiltration trenches or basins, dry wells, stormwater filters, sediment trap or forebay, or other similar devices.
Such distance is considered minimum and may be increased for multiple dwellings or higher volume sewage discharges. This distance shall be determined by the BOH on an individual basis, depending upon the particular circumstances.
(2) 
The minimum setback of a leaching area from a foundation or basement drain which penetrates into the water table shall be 25 feet. If a foundation drain is planned or existing it must be shown on the plan along with its discharge point. Foundation drainage systems shall not terminate below the surface of the ground.
(3) 
The vertical distance from any leaching surface of a subsurface disposal system to bedrock, ledge, fractured ledge or impervious soil shall be a minimum of six feet for soils having a percolation rate of two minutes per inch or less and five feet for soils having a percolation rate of greater than two minutes per inch.
(4) 
All system piping shall be a minimum of six inches above high groundwater elevation.
(5) 
The setback from private water supply wells shall be in accordance with the following:
The minimum setback from the well shall be determined by the soil percolation rate and the vertical clearance of the leaching area above the high groundwater (HGW) as follows:
Distance From Well
(feet)
Height Above HGW
(feet)
Percolation rate 2 minutes per inch or less
175+
5
151 to 174
6
126 to 150
7
100 to 125
8
Percolation rate >2 to 8 minutes per inch
175+
4
151 to 174
5
126 to 150
6
100 to 125
7
Percolation rate >8 to <15 minutes per inch
150+
4
126 to 149
5
100 to 125
6
Percolation rate 15+ minutes per inch
125+
4
100 to 124
5
(6) 
Vertical clearance to wetlands and floodplains. No soil absorption area and no basement floor shall be constructed less than two feet above the one-hundred-year flood level in any area subject to periodic flooding. No basement floor shall be constructed less than two feet above the high groundwater elevation.
(7) 
Filling of floodplain. For new construction if filling of floodplain is to be performed for construction of the facilities shown on the DSCP, compensatory flood storage area and volume, satisfactory to the BOH, shall be provided.
G. 
System construction inspections.
(1) 
Prior to the installation of the soil absorption system until receipt of a certificate of compliance from the local approving authority in accordance with 310 CMR 15.021, the perimeter of the soil absorption system shall be staked and flagged by the design engineer to identify the location of the soil absorption system and prevent the use of such area for all activities which might damage the soil absorption system. Such flagging is not intended to preclude the final grading and landscaping of the area of the soil absorption system.
(2) 
During construction, the installer must have a copy of the BOH approved permit, design plans and job card.[1] The installer is responsible for ensuring all required pre-construction conferences and construction inspections are performed and obtaining the appropriate signatures on the job card. Upon completion of the work, the job card will be signed by the licensed installer and a sketch provided on the back of the card showing the layout.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Septic System Construction Job Card is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3) 
Inspection requests shall be made to the BOH office by the installer, a minimum of two business days before the scheduled time for inspection. Every OSDS must be inspected by the BOH agent before it is covered. Ordinarily there shall be an inspection of the stone underneath the septic tank, upon excavation of an area if required to be filled, when the construction has been completed except for backfilling, and when the finished grading of the lot is completed, and at any other time deemed appropriate by the BOH agent.
(4) 
The entire system shall remain exposed for the inspection. All manhole covers shall be removed. No tar or asphalt or other sealant should be placed on the top of the septic tank or distribution box. The distribution box shall be filled with water up to the level of the outlet pipe inverts. In addition, a five-gallon container of water or other water supply shall be readily available at the site of the distribution box for testing purposes. All pumps, floats, and alarms must be tested.
(5) 
At the time of final grade inspection, the septic tank and manhole covers shall be exposed to verify depth.
H. 
As-built, and certificate of compliance requirements.
(1) 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of compliance by the BOH, the design engineer must submit an as-built plan showing the following;
(a) 
The locations of the facility and the on-site wastewater disposal system components.
(b) 
Construction specifications of components (i.e., H-10, H-20).
(c) 
Water service.
(d) 
Location ties to a minimum of two permanent markers for all septic system components (i.e., manholes of septic tank, manholes of pump, manholes of grease trap, manhole of distribution box, inspection ports, and the inlets and outlets of all trenches etc.).
(e) 
The design engineer must certify that the system has been installed in accordance with the approved design plan, Title 5 requirements, and Plainville BOH regulations. A separate certification is required for impervious barriers and retaining walls.
(2) 
The design engineer is also responsible for the required inspections listed on the job card and must sign and date when those inspections occurred.
(3) 
The design engineer must sign an approved certificate of compliance form.
(4) 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of compliance by the BOH, the installer shall submit the following:
(a) 
Submit to the BOH the completed job card, with all required signatures.
(b) 
The licensed installer must sign an approved certificate of compliance form.
(c) 
For new construction, the BOH will not sign off on a certificate of compliance for the OSDS until the water supply is approved. The licensed well driller must sign the certificate of compliance, if applicable.
(d) 
Prior to the use of the pump system the electrical inspector shall sign a certificate of compliance.
A. 
The use of an alternative and innovative system technology will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as determined by the health agent and approved by the BOH as necessary.
B. 
For alternative, innovative, or shared systems, the BOH may establish any special conditions necessary to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety and the environment, and to ensure appropriate evaluation and testing. Such conditions may include, without limitation, specification of site effluent characteristics; flow limitations; monitoring; testing; and reporting requirements; a requirement that a certified operator operate the system; or financial assurance mechanisms. The BOH may also specify changes or modifications of requirements otherwise applicable to conventional systems that are appropriate for use of the alternative, innovative, or shared systems. Alternative systems are not allowed to be utilized for new construction as a means of increasing development density although they may be required in order to provide enhanced environmental protection.
C. 
Except for upgrades for "failed" systems, construction or use of shared systems are prohibited until, in the opinion of the BOH, sufficient financial and management safeguards are available to assure the protection of the public health, safety, and the environment in the Town of Plainville. Shared systems shall not be allowed as a means to increase development density for new construction. If a shared system is proposed, the applicant shall provide sufficient information to prove to the Board that the underlying soil and groundwater conditions on each individual lot are sufficient to contain a sewage disposal system in compliance with these regulations. A shared system shall only be allowed if it can be proved that it provides a clear benefit over the alternative individual systems.
A. 
Any system fill shall be placed upon a dry or dewatered, scarified area. When the excavation for the septic system to be constructed penetrates to a depth below the water table, it shall be necessary that the design engineer devise a procedure to accomplish the necessary dewatering and placement of the system fill. Such plan shall be submitted to the BOH for approval prior to any implementation. The Conservation Commission shall also be contacted for any conditions that might be required by the Commission for this operation.
B. 
It shall be necessary that the design engineer be present on the job site during the dewatering operation and the placement of fill below the elevation of the water table in order to supervise the operations. The area to be filled shall be dewatered and scarified. The fill material shall be dumped at the edge of the excavation and then pushed by crawler tractor or cast by an excavator backhoe onto the prepared area. Upon completion of the placement of the fill as described, the engineer shall write a letter of certification to the BOH to the effect that the fill has been placed in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The BOH office shall be notified at least 48 hours in advance as to when the operations will be conducted.
A. 
No chemical or biological system cleaner additive is allowed in the septic systems, septic tanks, or cesspools in the Town of Plainville unless approval is granted, in writing, by the Town of Plainville BOH.
B. 
In order for the BOH to make a decision regarding the approval for such use, the applicant shall provide the following:
(1) 
Provide laboratory or other analyses to clearly identify the constituents of the product.
(2) 
Provide technical data which establishes the required quantities or dosages to be used for various applications, as well as the mechanism by which the product functions.
(3) 
Case histories which demonstrate that any beneficial effect is the result of the product rather than other circumstances.
(4) 
Description and quantities of any and all residual products as a result of the treatment.
(5) 
Estimated time span over which the septic system or cesspool recovery may be expected before additional measures must be taken.
(6) 
Provide data which clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the process is not injurious to the public health, will not contaminate groundwater, or be otherwise harmful to public or environmental health.
A. 
General.
(1) 
The design engineer shall provide complete specifications for the pump, and also include the name of the manufacturer, performance curves, as well as calculations for the total dynamic head and the corresponding pump flow rate in gallons per minute. The pump rate must be shown to provide a minimum velocity in the force main piping of 2.5 feet per second.
(2) 
The pump installation shall include a control panel, which includes, for each pump, a manual on/manual off, automatic on-off switch, visual alarm, audible alarm, and audible alarm silencer switch.
(3) 
Provision shall be included to drain the force main after each pump cycle to avoid freezing. Also, the force main shall have a constant uphill pitch from the pump to the point of discharge, unless other measures acceptable to the BOH agent are provided to prevent freeze-ups.
(4) 
The alarm shall be connected to a separate electrical circuit from the pump.
(5) 
The pump electrical system shall be equipped with a transfer switch to allow connection to a portable generator.
(6) 
The system installer shall cause the pump electrical system to be inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector.
(7) 
The pump shall be located beneath the access manhole of the pump chamber.
(8) 
The access manhole shall be constructed to finished grade with a secure cover that is either lockable or extra heavy weight to prevent unauthorized access.
A. 
Requirement for Form A. No building construction for additions or alterations to existing buildings served by OSDSs, or changes of use, or increases in design flow shall be allowed or shall proceed until the BOH has reviewed the proposal and issued an approval, for these situations, the applicant shall complete a Form A[1] and pay an application fee as may be set by the BOH from time to time.
B. 
No person shall increase the habitable total square footage of a dwelling that is serviced by a cesspool, a cesspool with an overflow cesspool, or a cesspool with an overflow line.
C. 
Minor additions to single-family dwellings. The following will normally receive BOH approval as long as the required setbacks are observed. No septic system modifications will be required unless there is an ongoing sewage overflow. No septic system inspection will be required except for location purposes if its location is not known.
(1) 
Unfinished porches, breezeways, windows or chimneys; enclosure of existing porch or breezeway, not be a finished room.
(2) 
Detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage buildings, garages, gazebos, and cabanas.
(3) 
Bathrooms, as long as the wastewater flows by gravity to the septic tank, and no pumping is involved.
(4) 
Interior room revisions with no change in number of rooms. This does not include construction of additional bedrooms, additional kitchens, or additional rooms in an existing larger space.
D. 
Flood, fire, or natural disaster. No septic system upgrade will be required, provided that there is a direct replacement, with no increase in gross floor area, and with no significant change in foundations, and provided that there is not an ongoing sewage overflow.
E. 
Extensive rehabilitation of an unoccupied dilapidated structure. It will be required that the septic system be upgraded to present day standards.
See also Chapter 759, Variances, of Division 5 of the Code of the Town of Plainville.
A. 
The BOH may vary the application of any of these BOH rules and regulations with respect to any particular case when, in its opinion, the enforcement thereof would be manifestly unjust, considering all the relevant facts and circumstances of the individual case; and the person requesting the variance has established that an equivalent level of public health and environmental protection will otherwise be provided without strict application of the provisions for which the variance is sought.
(1) 
For new construction, enforcement of the provision from which a variance is sought must be shown to deprive the applicant of substantially all beneficial use of the subject property in order to be manifestly unjust.
(2) 
Every variance or local upgrade request shall be in writing and shall make reference to the specific regulation for which a variance is sought, and a statement which provides evidence of the conditions stated above.
(3) 
No application for a variance or local upgrade shall be considered complete until the applicant has notified all abutters by certified mail, return receipt requested, at his/her own expense, at least 10 days before the BOH meeting at which the variance or local upgrade request will be on the agenda. The notification shall reference the specific regulation from which the variance or local upgrade is sought, a statement of the required standards, and the date, time and place where the application will be discussed.
B. 
Any variance or local upgrade allowed by the BOH shall be in writing. Any denial of the variance shall also be in writing and shall contain a brief statement of the reasons for denial. When, in its opinion, it is in the public health interest, the Board may require that the variance granted be placed on record by a document filed at the Registry of Deeds.
C. 
Any variance, local upgrade, or other modification authorized to be made by these regulations may be subject to such qualification, revocation, suspension or expiration as the BOH expresses in it grant. A variance, local upgrade, or modification authorized to be made by these regulations may otherwise be revoked, modified or suspended, in whole or in part, only after the holder thereof has been notified in writing and has been given an opportunity to be heard.
For industrial or commercial projects or for any other project except for construction of single- and two-family dwellings, as well as any industrial or commercial operations conducted on residential dwelling property of any size, and also to any hobbyist operation which utilizes materials on the Massachusetts Substance List, septic tanks serving any such facilities shall have the contents of the septic tank serving the facility sampled and tested on an annual basis for volatile organic compounds (EPA 624 or equivalent) and pH, as well as any other parameters required by the BOH on a case-by-case basis, including but not limited to hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, semi-volatile organics, and nonvolatile organics. The sampling shall be performed and the results submitted to the BOH without having to be requested. The sample shall be taken in the time period of March, April, or May of each year and the results submitted to the BOH prior to July 1. No floor drains from such facilities, except those serving only sanitary facilities, shall be discharged to an OSDS.
The provisions of Title 1 of the State Environmental Code shall govern the enforcement of these regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 675, Penalties; Noncriminal Disposition Fine Schedule.