[Adopted 5-26-2015; effective 6-23-2015]
The purpose of this article is to formally establish and define
the requirement for backup (emergency) power for some multiunit projects.
On May 26, 2015, the Board of Health held a public hearing,
and at the close of that hearing, a vote was taken to adopt this regulation
and make it effective on June 23, 2015.
History: Over the years, the Board has generally required the
inclusion of alternative (emergency) power for septic systems that
utilize a pump to distribute effluent to the disposal area for projects
that serve multiple dwellings. Often these septic systems are owned
by a homeowner group or condominium association. At the time of this
authorship, there has been more interest in providing affordable housing,
in the form of rental units, within the Town's boundaries, and this
has driven an increase in the development of multiunit housing projects.
This Board seeks to clarify its intent with regards to this matter
by creating this regulation.
The Board of Health shall require backup (emergency) power to
supply energy to septic systems that utilize a pump to discharge effluent
from the septic tank to the distribution area, if the septic system
serves more than one household. The Board shall also require that
where backup (emergency) power is provided for the septic system,
this power will also be supplied to the well serving the property,
unless this property is connected to the Town water district. The
backup power shall be on site and ready for use. Regular periodic
testing with an approved schedule is also required.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A source of electrical power other than the electrical grid
that can be used to energize a septic system or well pump. Examples
are a generator or an approved solar-powered device.
A single housing unit.
A group of two or more housing units sharing a single septic
system.
The Town of Harvard's municipal water distribution system.
A source of clean drinking water drilled into the earth requiring
an electric pump to extract the water.
