§ 30-234. Alternative and experimental private on-site wastewater systems.

(a)

Consideration of alternative systems. Where appropriate, and after thorough assessment of alternatives, the health department will consider alternative on-site sewage management systems and/or site modifications for conventional or alternative systems in areas of marginal suitability.

(b)

Priorities. Priority consideration will be given to those proposals for alternative sewage disposal systems whose implementation may resolve existing sewage management problems.

(c)

Review and approval of alternative on-site sewage management systems. Those desiring to install an alternative on-site sewage management system may be required to submit the following information to the health department:

(1)

Plans and specifications including type and location of site modifications, along with any engineering, laboratory, or field data required.

(2)

Provisions for a backup system, including reservation of undisturbed space.

(3)

Any additional information required for complete understanding and decision formulation by the health department.

If the proposal for the system is approved, those making application will be informed by the Health Department of responsibilities for maintenance and of any monitoring procedures deemed appropriate by the health department. Reduction of water usage by installation of water conserving fixtures and devices may be required.

(d)

Experimental and innovative on-site sewage disposal systems. The health department may consider proposals for the use of experimental and innovative on-site sewage management systems for testing and observation.

(e)

The health department may require the alternative, experimental and innovative on-site sewage disposal systems to be designed by a professional engineer and may ask for review of the proposal by KDHE.

(f)

Maintenance requirements. Any owners and/or operators of any alternative or experimental on-site sewage management systems permitted after the effective date of this Sanitary Code shall maintain a contract for, at a minimum, the annual inspection of the system and pertinent components and prescribed maintenance with a licensed installer, licensed maintenance technician, or representative of the manufacturer of the system. A copy of the inspection report, along with a report of any corrective actions taken as prescribed by the inspection report, shall be filed with the health department within 60 calendar days of the date of inspection.

(g)

Sewage lift pumps. In the event that the sewage generated from a building or residence cannot be plumbed to an absorption field or sanitary sewer by gravity, then a sewage lift pump with the necessary appurtenances as determined by the health department may be required. The pump chamber must be sealed, odor proof and watertight.

(h)

Aeration systems (package plants). The use of preassembled aeration systems, usually referred to as "package plants," may be approved by the health department. When used individually in a residential installation, their volume shall be equal to or greater than that required of a septic tank. The effluent shall be discharged to an absorption field as required for septic tanks. Their flow-through ability must not be affected by a power failure. If the effluent from the package plant is not discharged to an on-site sewage management system, then a permit is required from KDHE before the package plant can be installed.

(i)

Cesspools and absorption pits. Cesspools and absorption pits shall be prohibited for new or permanent installations.

(j)

Portable toilets. Portable toilets equipped with holding or storage tanks, chemical or otherwise, shall be prohibited except on a temporary basis as determined acceptable by the health department. Portable holding tanks serving camping, recreation vehicles, and boats are acceptable.

(k)

Sewage holding tanks.

(1)

Sewage holding tanks shall be permitted only for commercial businesses on a case-by-case basis determined by the health department, and only when it is not possible or feasible to utilize any other type of on-site sewage management system or connect to any public sewer. A written permit for the use of any sewage holding tank shall be required by the health department. The health department retains the right to revoke any said written permit at any time.

(2)

All sewage holding tanks shall be pumped out by septage waste haulers who have been licensed by the health department.

(3)

All sewage holding tanks shall be a minimum of 1,500 gallon capacity and shall be equipped with an alarm system which alerts the owner and or operator before the sewage holding tank causes overflow of septage onto the surface of the ground, or backup of septage into the building it serves.

(l)

Sewage vaults. Sewage vaults shall be permitted by the health department on a case-by-case basis. Sewage vaults may be permitted for camping or recreational areas. All sewage vaults shall be a minimum of 1,000 gallon capacity and shall be pumped out by septage waste haulers who have been licensed by the health department. A permit shall be required for the construction of a sewage vault. No water supply shall be connected to the sewage vault.

(m)

Sanitary privies. No person, company, or corporation or institution shall excavate, drill, construct or use or permit to be constructed or used any well, pit mine shaft or subsurface excavation for the disposal of untreated or inadequately treated domestic sewage.

(Code 1988, § 30-282; Ord. No. O-46-05, § 1, 6-2-2005; Ord. No. O-51-18 , § 5, 12-6-2018)