Chapter 13.06
PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Sections:
13.06.010 Private sewer permitted – When.
13.06.020 Private systems to be discontinued when public sewer available.
13.06.030 Permit to be obtained before construction.
13.06.040 Form and contents of application – Fee.
13.06.050 Inspection of private systems.
13.06.060 General requirements.
13.06.080 Health requirements additional.
13.06.010 Private sewer permitted – When.
Where a public sanitary sewer is not available within 200 feet of the property line under the provisions of WRMC 13.05.040, the building sewer may be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this title. But, in any event, the building sewer shall be connected with either a public or private sewage disposal system. [Ord. 37-06 § 1, 2006; Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.020 Private systems to be discontinued when public sewer available.
When a public sewer becomes available within 200 feet of the property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer within 90 days after official notice to do so, in compliance with this title. As soon as such connection is made, any septic tanks, cesspools, or similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material, subject to the approval of the city engineer and Washington State Department of Health. [Ord. 37-06 § 1, 2006; Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.030 Permit to be obtained before construction.
Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner, his agent, or his sewer contractor shall first obtain a written private sewer permit signed by the city engineer. [Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.040 Form and contents of application – Fee.
The application for a private sewer permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information deemed necessary by the city engineer for enforcement of this title. A permit and inspection fee as set by city council in the master fee schedule shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed. The applicant for a permit shall supply the city engineer with the following information on the application form:
A. Owner’s name;
B. Address to be served;
C. Owner’s mailing address;
D. Sewer contractor’s name and address (if applicable);
E. Legal description of property to be served;
F. All outside dimensions of building to be served;
G. Plot plan showing the location of building on property to be served, proposed location of the disposal system, and location of all wells on property to be served and adjoining property;
H. Purpose of building and uses to which it is, or will be, devoted;
I. Full description of proposed (or existing) sewer system;
J. Benton-Franklin County health department permit for septic tank. [Ord. 16-14 § 5 (Att. E), 2014; Ord. 16-13 § 1, 2013; Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.050 Inspection of private systems.
A private sewage disposal system shall not be operated until the installation is completed in accordance with the requirements of this title and the permit has been issued. The building inspector shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the building inspector when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The final inspection shall be made within two business days of the receipt of the notice by the building inspector whenever possible. When the work is properly completed, he shall issue the permit. [Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.060 General requirements.
Type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all ordinances of the city and Washington State Department of Health Bulletin, E.S. No 1, titled “A Septic Tank System for Your Home”; however, the use of seepage pits shall not be allowed. Field tests and a site survey shall be made before any permit is issued for any private sewage disposal system. No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot will not allow complete absorption of such septic tank effluent as may reasonably be expected from the used permitted by applicable zoning restrictions and from the proposed uses of the property; no septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or natural outlet, nor shall it be located less than 10 feet from the property line of the lot it serves, located within 100 feet from a private groundwater well or located within the one year calculated fixed radius (CFR) travel time of the city’s domestic wells as delineated in the city’s wellhead protection plan. [Ord. 37-06 § 1, 2006; Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.070 Maintenance.
The owner of any private sewage disposal system shall operate and maintain it in a sanitary manner at all times. If the private sewage disposal system is operated and maintained in an unsanitary manner, the city engineer, or his/her designee, after due notice to the owner and a reasonable time given under the circumstances to correct the deficiency, may revoke the permit. When the deficiency is corrected, a new permit may be issued upon submission of a new application, payment of the application fee, and compliance with the other applicable requirements herein. Alternatively, the city may correct the deficiency and charge the owner for the costs of such corrective measures, after due notice and the lapse of the time given to correct the deficiency. [Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].
13.06.080 Health requirements additional.
The requirements of this title are additional to those imposed by the city or Benton-Franklin County health district health officer under applicable statutes, regulations and ordinances. [Ord. 16-03 § 1, 2003].