WAC 246-272A-0100, regarding the development of recommended standards and guidance by the State Department of Health for sewage technologies, is adopted by reference, including Tables I, II, and III, shown in this section.
TABLE I
Testing Requirements for Proprietary Products
Treatment Component/Sequence Category
Required Testing Protocol
Category 1 Designed to treat septic tank effluent anticipated to be equal to or less than treatment level E.
NSF/ANSI 40: Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems (versions dated between January 2009 and May 31, 2021).
Category 2 Designed to treat effluent or sewage quality parameters anticipated to be greater than treatment level E (such as at restaurants, grocery stores, mini-marts, group homes, medical clinics, residences, etc.).
EPA method 1664, Revision B (February 2010).
Category 3 Black water component of residential sewage (such as composting and incinerating toilets).
NSF/ANSI 41: Non-Liquid Saturated Treatment Systems (versions dated between February 2011 and May 31, 2021).
**NSF Protocol P157 Electrical Incinerating Toilets - Health and Sanitation (April 2000).
Total Nitrogen Reduction in Categories 1 and 2 (above).
NSF/ANSI 245: Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems - Nitrogen Reduction (versions dated between January 2018 and May 31, 2021).
TABLE II
Test Results Reporting Requirements for Proprietary Treatment Products
Treatment Component/Sequence Category
Testing Results Reported
Category 1 Designed to treat septic tank effluent anticipated to be equal to or less than treatment level E.
Report test results of influent and effluent sampling obtained throughout the testing period for evaluation of reduction of CBOD52 and TSS:
• Average
• Standard Deviation
• Minimum
• Maximum
• Median
• Interquartile Range
• 30-day Average (for each month)
For evaluation of bacteriological reduction performance:
Report complete treatment component sequence testing as described in Table III, Category 1.
For evaluation of performance meeting treatment level BL1:
(1) Report fecal coliform test results of influent and effluent sampling by geometric mean from samples drawn within 30-day or monthly calendar periods, obtained from a minimum of three samples per week throughout the testing period. See WAC 246-272A-0130.
(2) Report complete testing results for supplemental bacteriological reduction technology1 when the required treatment levels for fecal coliform in Table III, Category 1 are not met by the primary proprietary treatment product.
For evaluation of performance meeting treatment level BL2 or BL3:
(1) Report fecal coliform test results of influent and effluent sampling by geometric mean from samples drawn within 30-day or monthly calendar periods, obtained from a minimum of three samples per week throughout the testing period as described in WAC 246-272A-130; or
(2) Report complete testing results for supplemental bacteriological reduction technology1 when the required treatment levels for fecal coliform in Table III, Category 1 are not met by the primary proprietary treatment product.
For all options, test report must also include the individual results of all samples drawn throughout the test period.
Category 2 Designed to treat effluent or sewage with sewage quality parameters anticipated to be greater than treatment level E (such as at restaurants, grocery stores, mini-marts, group homes, medical clinics, atypical residences, etc.).
Report all individual test results and full test average values of influent and effluent sampling obtained throughout the testing period for the evaluation of reduction of: CBOD5, TSS and O&G. Establish the treatment capacity of the product tests in pounds per day for CBOD5.
Category 3 Black water component of residential sewage (such as composting and incinerating toilets).
Report test results on all required performance criteria according to the format prescribed in the NSF test protocol described in Table I.
Total Nitrogen Reductions in Categories 1 and 2 (above).
Report test results on all required performance criteria according to the format prescribed in the NSF test protocol described in Table I.
1 Supplemental bacteriological reduction technology must be tested for influent/effluent fecal coliform or E. coli per WAC 246-272A-0130 (bacteriological reduction testing protocol). Supplemental fecal coliform or E. coli reducing technologies will be rated for log base 10 removal of fecal coliform or E. coli. The lowest 30-day geometric mean will be used to rate reduction level. The highest monthly geometric mean for treatment technology fecal coliform or E. coli reduction will be used as the baseline value for review.
² Test results for BOD5 may be submitted in lieu of test results for CBOD5. In these cases, numerical values for CBOD5 will be determined using the following formula (BOD5 x 0.83 = CBOD5).
TABLE III
Product Performance Requirements for Proprietary Treatment Products
Treatment Component/Sequence Category
Product Performance Requirements
Category 1 Designed to treat effluent anticipated to be equal to or less than treatment level E.
Treatment System Performance Testing Levels
Level
Parameters
CBOD5 (mg/L)
TSS (mg/L)
O&G (mg/L)
FC (cfu/100 mL)
TN (mg/L)
E. coli (cfu/100 mL)
A
10
10
----
----
----
----
B
15
15
----
----
----
----
C
25
30
----
----
----
----
BL1
----
----
----
200
----
126
BL2
----
----
----
1,000
----
----
BL3
----
----
----
50,000
----
----
E
228
80
20
----
----
----
N
----
----
----
----
30 (or 50% reduction based on mass loading as required in WAC 246-272A-0320)
----
Values for levels A through C are 30-day values (averages for CBOD5, TSS, and geometric mean for FC). All 30-day averages throughout the test period must meet these values in order to be registered at these levels.
Values for Levels E and N are derived from full test averages.
Category 2 Designed to treat high-strength sewage when septic tank effluent is anticipated to be greater than treatment level E (such as at restaurants, grocery stores, mini-marts, group homes, medical clinics, residences, etc.).
All of the following requirements must be met:
(1) All full test averages must meet Level E; and
(2) Establish the treatment capacity of the product tested in pounds per day for CBOD5.
Category 3 Black water component of residential sewage (such as composting and incinerating toilets).
Test results must meet the performance requirements established in the NSF test protocol.
Total Nitrogen Reductions in Categories 1 and 2 (above)
Test results must establish product performance effluent quality meeting Level N, when presented as the full test average.
(Ord. 1366, 2025)
(1) 
The health officer may issue a PDP for any proprietary treatment component or sequence to be used during a development period. To protect public health during the development period, a complete OSS meeting the requirements of this chapter and the site must already be installed. The component or sequence under development may then be added to the treatment system, allowing the developer to gather data about the product's performance in the field. The PDP allows developers to explore new technologies prior to product testing and registration under WAC 246-272A-0110 and 246-272A-0120. The PDP is not an alternative to testing and registration.
(2) 
An applicant for a PDP must submit an application to the local health officer including all of the following:
(a) 
Proof of an existing conforming OSS in compliance with all local requirements, or a permit for a conforming OSS. The conforming OSS must be installed in its entirety before the PDP becomes valid;
(b) 
A description of the product under development including performance goals and a description of how the system will be used to treat sewage;
(c) 
Financial assurance covering the correction of any potential public health threats or environmental damage resulting from the use of the product under development. Instruments of financial assurance include:
(i) 
An irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required by the health officer issued by an entity authorized to issue letters of credit in Washington State;
(ii) 
Cash or security deposit payable to the local health jurisdiction in the amount required by the health officer; or
(iii) 
Any other financial assurance that satisfies the health officer;
(d) 
Documentation signed by the owner of the proposed product development site allowing access to the health officer for inspection of the site; and
(e) 
Any other information required by the health officer.
(3) 
The health officer may impose additional requirements for a PDP necessary to safeguard the performance of the conforming OSS, including providing performance data to the health officer.
(4) 
A PDP is a site-specific permit. Product development at multiple sites requires a PDP for each site.
(5) 
During the term of the PDP, product development, testing and sampling are under the full control of the product developer and all data collected is considered proprietary information.
(6) 
A PDP is valid for one year and may be renewed by the health officer.
(7) 
The product development period is over when the original PDP or any subsequently renewed permits have expired. At this time the product developer:
(a) 
Shall, at the direction of the health officer, remove the product under development from the site, reestablishing all appropriate plumbing and power connections for the conforming OSS.
(b) 
May subject the product to performance testing described in WAC 246-272A-0110 to allow the product to be eligible for registration with the Department.
(8) 
The health officer may revoke or amend a PDP:
(a) 
If the continued operation or presence of the product under development:
(i) 
Presents a risk to public health or the environment;
(ii) 
Causes adverse effects on the proper function of the conforming OSS on the site; or
(iii) 
Leaks or discharges sewage on the surface of the ground.
(b) 
If the developer fails to comply with any requirements stipulated on the permit by the health officer.
(9) 
The health officer may charge fees adequate to administer the PDP program.
(Ord. 1366, 2025)