Chapter 7.42
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING AND LIQUID WASTE TRANSPORT
Sections:
Article I. Pumping and Transport
7.42.001 Findings and purpose.
7.42.020 Permit—Application, fees, expiration and delinquency penalty.
7.42.030 Permit—Issuance conditions.
7.42.040 Permit—Not transferable.
7.42.042 Performance under permit.
7.42.060 Pumping reports and changes of address.
Article II. Discharge of Deleterious Material to Septic Tanks
7.42.100 Findings and purpose.
7.42.110 Definition of deleterious material.
7.42.120 Prohibition of discharge.
7.42.130 Disposal of contaminated sludge.
Article III. Suspension, Revocation, Appeals
7.42.300 Suspension and revocation of permits.
Article I. Pumping and Transport
7.42.001 Findings and purpose.
The Board of Supervisors finds that proper removal and transport of septic tank sludge is essential for septic system maintenance and protection of public health. It is the intent of this article to provide for the proper removal and transport of sludge and other liquid waste by setting forth performance criteria and permit requirements for persons to clean septic tanks and transport sludge. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.010 Permit—Required.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of cleaning, evacuating or removing sludge or sewage from septic tanks, cesspools, pit privies, holding tank haul-away systems, grease traps, chemical toilets or other privately owned sewage disposal receptacles, all called “sewage receptacles” in this chapter, in the unincorporated area of the County without first obtaining a permit as provided in this chapter. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.020 Permit—Application, fees, expiration and delinquency penalty.
(A) Application. Application for a permit and for renewal thereof shall be filed with the Health Officer upon such forms as the Health Officer may prescribe.
(B) Fees. The permit fee for the calendar year or any part thereof during which the permitted activity is carried on and for renewal thereof shall be that established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(C) Expiration. Each permit shall expire on December 31st of the current year; provided, that such permit may be renewed without penalty on or before February 15th next following the expiration date.
(D) Delinquent Permits. Permittees who do not renew the permit on or before February 15th shall pay the extra amount established by resolution of the Board. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.030 Permit—Issuance conditions.
The Health Officer shall issue a permit to such applicant after inspecting the tank, compartment or other container to be used by the applicant in their business and determining that:
(A) The pumping equipment is in good and proper working order and adequate, and the proposed dumping site is acceptable and has been approved;
(B) A valid certificate as to the capacity of the tank has been secured from the County Sealer of Weights and Measures;
(C) The name and address or phone number of the owner appear on each side of the truck in letters at least four inches high. All lettering shall be permanent;
(D) The capacity of the tank in gallons appears on each side of the tank in letters at least four inches high. Tanks must be watertight and have tight manholes. Discharge valves shall shut tight. All valves shall be operated from the valve itself and not at the driver’s seat or by remote control;
(E) The pump is leakproof and spillproof;
(F) A special hose for cleaning purposes is carried. All hose and pipe used in cleaning shall be flushed back into the tank being cleaned and not on the ground or premises. The hose shall be equipped with a backflow prevention device to prevent backflow of contaminated water into the customer’s water system. A customer’s hose shall not be used;
(G) The vehicle and equipment shall be maintained in a clean condition, and in good repair;
(H) The applicant is knowledgeable of the operation of the equipment and of the proper procedures for cleaning and inspecting a septic tank, as set forth by the Health Officer. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.040 Permit—Not transferable.
No permit issued under this chapter shall be assignable or transferable, nor shall it authorize any person, firm or corporation other than the one named in the permit to engage in the business mentioned therein. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.042 Performance under permit.
(A) Procedures for cleaning and inspecting a septic tank system shall be established by policy of the Health Officer.
(B) The permittee must comply with the requirements of this chapter and with the procedures set forth by the Health Officer for cleaning and inspecting a septic tank system. Each permittee shall be responsible for ensuring that the permittee’s employees comply with the requirements of this chapter and with the procedures set forth by the Health Officer for cleaning and inspecting a septic tank system. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.050 Disposal of sludge.
(A) Septic tank cleanings and other liquid waste shall only be disposed into a public septage-receiving facility if a permit is first secured from the officials in charge of the facility. Grease or other liquid waste may be disposed of at another type of facility with approval of the Health Officer.
(B) If a significant spill of septic tank sludge or other liquid waste occurs, or if sludge is discharged to an unapproved site, the operator shall immediately notify the Health Officer and shall take steps to clean up the spill, disinfect the area, and prevent any discharge to a waterway. A “significant spill” is any spill that occurs in a public right-of-way, that enters a waterway, that leaves the property where the spill occurs, or that exceeds 15 gallons in volume. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.060 Pumping reports and changes of address.
(A) A quarterly report shall be made to the Health Officer on forms provided by the Health Officer (individual sheets for each property) giving the following information on every septic tank or sump which has been pumped:
(1) Date of pumping;
(2) Name, address, and Assessor’s Parcel Number;
(3) Gallons pumped;
(4) Disposal location;
(5) Septic tank or sump size (in gallons, or inside dimensions below inlet pipe);
(6) Septic tank condition (broken baffles, rotten sides or top, leaks, etc.);
(7) Indications of septic system failure (high liquid level, backflow, surfacing sewage on site, etc.);
(8) Property use, if other than residential; and
(9) Drawing showing the location of the septic tank or sump.
(B) Permit holders shall provide the Health Officer with a quarterly report, on forms provided by the Health Officer, providing information for items (A)(1) through (A)(4) of this section for holding tanks, grease traps, sumps, or other liquid waste receptacles that have been pumped, other than chemical toilets.
(C) Reports of pumpings from chemical toilets shall indicate total volumes pumped during the quarter and the location of disposal.
(D) All septic tank cleaners must give receipts bearing the name and address of the owner of the septic tank pumped and the address of the tank pumped to the person who contracts to have the septic tank cleaned.
(E) A change of address of the septic tank pumper must be reported within 10 days by certified mail to the Health Officer. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
Article II. Discharge of Deleterious Material to Septic Tanks
7.42.100 Findings and purpose.
The Board of Supervisors finds that discharge of certain materials to individual wastewater disposal systems may result in pollution of groundwater, disruption of proper system functioning, disruption of treatment plant functioning, or creation of a hazard where septic tank sludge is discharged. It is the intent of this article to prevent these adverse impacts by prohibiting the discharge of deleterious materials to individual sewage disposal systems, and to prohibit the improper disposal of contaminated septic tank sludge. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.110 Definition of deleterious material.
“Deleterious material” means the following substances or combination of substances:
(A) “Hazardous materials” or “hazardous substances,” as defined in SCCC 7.100.040;
(B) Substance or combination of substances which inhibit the normal biological or physical treatment processes in the septic tank or other parts of the wastewater disposal system; or
(C) Substance or combination of substances which interfere with the process or efficiency of any wastewater treatment plant where the septic tank sludge is discharged.
Deleterious material include but is not limited to: pesticides, organic solvents, gasoline, paints, caustic chemicals, motor oil, degreasers, paint thinner, wood preservatives, paint strippers, septic tank cleaners containing organic solvents, unmixed photographic chemicals, and fiberglass resins. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.120 Prohibition of discharge.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge to an individual sewage disposal system any deleterious material unless prior authorization to do so has been granted by the Health Officer. Authorization may only be granted where such discharges would not cause adverse impacts, as defined in SCCC 7.42.100. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.130 Disposal of contaminated sludge.
Discharge of septic tank sludge containing deleterious material(s) shall only be to a site or facility specifically approved by the Health Officer for disposal of such contaminated sludge. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
Article III. Suspension, Revocation, Appeals
7.42.300 Suspension and revocation of permits.
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be temporarily suspended by the Health Officer upon violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of other applicable laws, and in the event of serious or repeated violations, such a permit may be revoked by the Health Officer. The Health Officer shall give written notice by registered mail to the permittee stating the nature of the violation and the action taken on the permit. Suspension or revocation shall not be effective until written notice is given. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].
7.42.310 Appeals.
(A) A person whose application for permit under the provisions of this chapter has been denied or whose permit, once issued, has been suspended or revoked, may, within 10 days following the date on which the action was taken, file an appeal in writing with the Environmental Health Appeals Commission. The appeal shall be accompanied by the filing fee established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The Environmental Health Appeals Commission shall then proceed to set the matter for hearing not later than 20 business days thereafter. The permittee shall be given written notice of the hearing 10 days prior to the hearing date.
(B) The appeal shall be made in writing and shall state the grounds for appeal.
(C) After hearing the appeal, the Environmental Health Appeals Commission may either affirm, overrule, or modify the action of the Health Officer.
(D) The action of the Environmental Health Appeals Commission on any matter appealed to the Commission shall be final. [Ord. 5310 § 8, 2019; Ord. 3818 § 2, 1987].