§ 18-38 Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems.
RCNY § 18-38
(a)Minimum Requirements for new subsurface sewage treatment systems.
(1)The design, treatment, construction, maintenance and operation of new subsurface sewage treatment systems, and the plans therefor, require the review and approval of the Department, provided that the requirements of this section shall not apply to subsurface sewage treatment systems necessary for an agricultural activity that are designed, provide treatment and are constructed, maintained and operated in compliance with State and Federal law.
(2)All new individual sewage treatment systems shall comply with the requirements of 10 NYCRR Part 75 and Appendix 75-A except where a local government or agency has enacted, or these rules and regulations specify, more stringent standards, in which case, the more stringent standards shall apply.
(3)All new intermediate sized sewage treatment systems shall comply with the requirements set forth in New York State Design Standards for Intermediate Sized Wastewater Treatment Systems, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (2014), except where a local government or agency has enacted, or these rules and regulations specify, more stringent standards, in which case, the more stringent standards shall apply.
(i)As a condition of approval the Department may require evidence of financial security prior to construction, from any owner or operator of a new intermediate sized sewage treatment system or a substantial alteration or modification to an existing intermediate sized sewage treatment system. Such financial security shall consist of a bond, or an equivalent guaranty, to be deposited with the Department, covering the full cost of the construction of such facility and an additional bond or an equivalent guaranty for the payment of labor and material furnished in the course of such construction. Upon completion of construction and payment of labor and materials, such bonds or other guaranties shall be released. Additionally, a bond or equivalent guaranty may be required for the maintenance and operation of the facility for a period of five years post-construction. No bond or guaranty is required where the owner or operator of such a facility is a village, town, county or city.
(4)No part of any absorption field for any new subsurface sewage treatment system shall be located within the limiting distance of 100 feet of a watercourse or wetland or 300 feet of a reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake. For a new conventional individual subsurface sewage treatment system or for a new Ulster County Fill System the Department may recommend a greater limiting distance from an absorption field to a watercourse, wetland, reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake.
(5)Raised systems, as described in 10 NYCRR Part 75 and Appendix 75-A, are allowed on undeveloped lots not located in a subdivision or on undeveloped residential lots located in a subdivision which was approved prior to the effective date of these rules and regulations, where site conditions are not suitable for a conventional system provided that: (i) The system shall be located at least 250 feet from any watercourse or wetland and 500 feet from any reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake provided that the greater limiting distance for raised systems does not preclude construction on the subject lot or lots of the use proposed by the applicant, and further provided that the site conditions and the subsurface sewage treatment system comply with the other provisions of these rules and regulations and other applicable Federal, State and local laws, as cited in 15 RCNY § 18-38(a)(1); or (ii) Raised systems which cannot meet the limiting distances set forth in subparagraph (i) due to size or location of the lot shall be located at the greatest limiting distance possible within the property lines and at least 100 feet from any watercourse or wetland and 300 feet from any reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake.
(6)Where a watershed county has adopted a subdivision code that allows a raised system, as described in 10 NYCRR Part 75 and Appendix 75-A, or where the New York State Department of Health approved such raised systems for use in subdivisions located in the watershed, such raised systems are allowed in subdivisions that are approved subsequent to the effective date of these rules and regulations, provided that no part of such systems shall be located within 250 feet of a watercourse or wetland or 500 feet of a reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake.
(7)Any approval of a subsurface sewage treatment system issued by the Department expires and is null and void unless construction is substantially completed such that the system is functioning as designed within five (5) years of the date of issuance for systems located within approved subdivisions, or within two (2) years of the date of issuance for all other subsurface sewage treatment systems. Following expiration of the approval, the plans for the subsurface sewage treatment system may be resubmitted to the Department for consideration for a new approval.
(b)Minimum requirements for alteration and modification, repair and remediation, and discontinuation of subsurface sewage treatment systems.
(ii)Except as set forth in this subdivision, for an intermediate sized subsurface sewage treatment system that has a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit, review and approval is not required for any proposed alteration or modification that does not deviate from the engineering design and site plan approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. a. Review and approval by the Department is required if the alteration or modification requires a modification of the SPDES permit for the SSTS for any reason including, but not limited to: i. the alteration or modification involves physical alteration or modification of the SSTS, or ii. the alteration or modification results in the system receiving sewage that either exceeds the treatment system design flow, or has a strength or characteristic beyond the design capability of the treatment system. b. If the Department has previously issued an approval for an intermediate sized subsurface sewage treatment system, review and approval by the Department is required for any alteration or modification that results in the system receiving sewage that either exceeds the design flow of the system as approved by the Department, or has a strength or characteristic beyond the design capability of the system as approved by the Department.
(iii)In the following circumstances, where an ancillary, non-residential use of a residence served by an individual subsurface sewage treatment system does not result in an increase in or change in the nature of the flow of sewage, the subsurface sewage treatment system shall not be considered an intermediate-sized sewage treatment system, nor shall such use require review and approval by the Department: a. Where the residence is used to provide accommodations for transient lodgers and no food service is provided other than to overnight guests, unless such use requires a temporary residence permit pursuant to 10 NYCRR Subpart 7-1. b. Where the individual residence is used for a home office or home business, provided that: i. The individual who operates the home office or home business occupies the home as his or her primary or secondary residence; ii. The home office or home business is of a type that is estimated to generate 50 gallons per day of water or less based on Table B-3 of the New York State Design Standards for Intermediate Sized Wastewater Treatment Systems, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (2014); and iii. The conversion does not involve an increase in the individual residence's number of bedrooms.
(8)Any property owner may request that the Department review and approve a proposed use of a subsurface sewage treatment system by demonstrating that it is capable of treating a specified volume and type of wastewater flow. The proposal may include proposed enhancements to the system. A determination by the Department that the subsurface sewage treatment system complies with the standards applicable to new subsurface sewage treatment systems or, if it cannot come into compliance the standards applicable to alterations or modifications of subsurface sewage treatment systems to the extent possible pursuant to 15 RCNY § 18-38(b)(4), for the proposed use and volume, shall be binding upon the Department for five years following the date of the determination.
(c)Design, operation, treatment, and maintenance requirements.
(iv)For new subsurface sewage treatment systems within the 60-day travel time, and for new subsurface sewage treatment systems that require State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permits, trench length reductions will not be offered for use of any enhanced subsurface sewage treatment systems.
(v)No trench length reductions shall be granted for use of any open-bottom gravelless absorption system, as described in 10 NYCRR Appendix 75-A.8(c)(3)(i). One linear foot of a gravelless absorption system is equivalent to one linear foot of conventional (24" wide) absorption trench.
(d)Application Requirements.
(e)Construction Requirements.
