Disposal

(1) Cities, towns and sewerage districts may, subject to the approval of the Department, provide treatment works for the receipt and disposal of septage and may establish such charges for the use of such facilities as may be necessary for defraying the cost of construction, operating and maintaining the same. (2) Disposal of septage shall be by discharge to a sanitary sewer or to a treatment works. All such treatment works shall be approved by the Department in accordance with M.G.L. c. 21, §§ 26 through 53, and applicable provisions of 314 CMR 3.00: Surface Water Discharge Permit Program, 4.00: Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, 5.00: Ground Water Discharge Permit Program, 7.00: Sewer System Extension and Connection Permit Program and 12.00: Operation and Maintenance and Pretreatment Standards for Wastewater Treatment Works and Indirect Dischargers. If disposal is by discharge to a sanitary sewer, it shall be in a manner and at such times as may be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction over the sewer and in accordance with any applicable regulations or permit conditions. Any other disposal is a violation of 310 CMR 15.000. (3) The Department may investigate treatment works for the receipt of septage in cities, towns and sewerage and septage districts. If the Department determines such works are inadequate for proper disposal of septage, it may recommend necessary action for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. If after a reasonable time, the city, town or sewerage or septage district fails to act upon the Department's recommendation, the Department may issue an order requiring the provision of adequate septage receiving facilities. Nothing in 310 CMR 15.504 shall be construed to limit the authority of the Department to take any action pursuant to M.G.L. c. 21, §§ 26 through 53. (4) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, § 22F, a city, town or sewerage or septage district may establish such charges for the use of septage receiving facilities as may be necessary for defraying the cost of constructing, operating and maintaining the works. (5) Disposal of septage at treatment works where it is dewatered and beneficially reused shall be encouraged and practiced wherever feasible.