Private Sewage Disposal

Section 615 Section 615.330  Private Sewage Disposal a)         To protect the people within its jurisdiction, the local health department shall establish a program to prevent the transmission of disease organisms, environmental contamination, and nuisances resulting from improper handling, storage, transportation and disposal of sewage from private sewage disposal systems. b)         The local health department shall provide the following activities to ensure an effective private sewage disposal program: 1)         The program shall be conducted pursuant to a local ordinance that incorporates by reference or includes provisions at least as stringent as the Private Sewage Disposal Code and includes enforcement authority, or pursuant to a written agreement with the Department that designates the local health department as an agent of the Department. 2)         In coordination with appropriate State and local agencies, long- and short‑range plans shall be developed to guide private sewage disposal system use for the protection of the environment and protection of the health of the people within its jurisdiction. 3)         All subdivision plats that are to use private sewage disposal systems shall be reviewed and approved. 4)         When a permit is required, private sewage disposal systems shall be reviewed and approved prior to construction as provided in the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and the Private Sewage Disposal Code or in local ordinances. 5)         All private sewage disposal system installations shall be inspected to confirm that systems conform to approved plans and specifications.  An inspection form with a drawing of the system shall be completed. 6)         To ensure that septage is properly transported, stored and disposed of, annual inspections shall be confirmed or conducted on all private sewage disposal system pumping contractor's land application sites, facilities and equipment within the local health department's jurisdiction as follows: A)        All septage hauling equipment.  The local health department may use an inspection under this subsection (b)(6) from another local health department that has already conducted an inspection and retain a copy of that inspection as confirmation and compliance with this subsection (b)(6)(A); B)        Storage facilities; C)        Land application sites; and D)        Complaints on application sites, facilities and equipment listed in subsections (b)(6)(A), (B) and (C). 7)         Complaints of improper private sewage disposal shall be investigated within 10 working days after the complaint is received. 8)         When deficiencies have been identified, voluntary compliance shall be sought in accordance with the ordinance or agreement. 9)         Continued noncompliance shall result in enforcement action in accordance with the ordinance or agreement. 10)       Educational materials regarding the proper handling and disposal of sewage shall be made available to the public upon request. c)         Qualified personnel shall be available to conduct activities pursuant to this Section. 1)         New program staff shall complete a Department provided initial orientation and training program during the first year of employment. 2)         All personnel shall annually attend at least three hours of Department-approved training.