Section 905.100  Aerobic Treatment Plants

 

a)         General.  Aerobic treatment plants shall be tested and listed by NSF International or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with the requirements of ANSI/NSF Standard 40, Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems, July 12, 2000. Standard 40 is a standard that covers an organized and coordinated system of components that functions to treat wastewater generated by individual residences.  This Part shall allow approved aerobic treatment plants to serve residential property that is occupied on a year-round or full-time basis.  Aerobic treatment plants shall not be used to serve residential property that is used as a seasonal, weekend or part-time residence.

 

b)         Class II Effluent.  Aerobic treatment plants listed by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 for Class II effluent shall discharge to one of the following:

 

1)         A subsurface seepage system designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 905.60.

 

2)         A sand filter designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 905.70 or 905.80.

 

3)         A waste stabilization pond designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 905.90.

 

c)         Class I Effluent.  Aerobic treatment plants listed by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 for Class I effluent shall discharge to one of the following:

 

1)         A subsurface seepage field designed and constructed to be at least ⅔ the size determined necessary by Section 905.60.

 

2)         To a surface discharge in accordance with Section 905.110.

 

d)         Sizing.  Aerobic treatment plants that are listed by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 as Class I and rated at 500 gallons per day will be allowed for the treatment of sewage from residential property having up to and including 4 bedrooms.  Other aerobic treatment plants that are listed by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 as Class I shall be sized as follows:

 

	Minimum Rated Treatment
Bedrooms	Capacity-Gallons
1	400
2	400
3	500
4	500
5	750
6	900
7	1000
8	1200
9	1350
10	1500

 

e)         Installation.  All components of aerobic treatment plants shall be installed at the time of the original installation.  If this is not possible, a solid end cap shall be securely placed over the end of the discharge line until the system can be completed.  This will prevent the discharge of raw sewage to the ground surface.

 

f)          Accessibility for inspection and maintenance.  The plant shall be equipped with one or more grade-level access manholes having a minimum dimension of 18 inches.  These manholes shall be located to permit periodic physical inspection and maintenance of all compartments and component parts.  Component parts include submerged bearings, moving parts, tubes, intakes, slots, filters, and other devices.  Grade level access manholes shall be installed in a manner to prohibit the entry of soil, water and dirt into the unit.

 

g)         Service.  Devices falling within the scope of Standard 40 require periodic maintenance to achieve performance consistent with demonstrated capabilities.  Implicit in Standard 40 is the recognition that assured professional service is imperative.  Standard 40 and this Part require a 2-year service policy to be provided as part of the initial service agreement. (Note:  The following initial service policy includes items not included in the NSF Standard 40 service policy.)

 

1)         Initial service policy:  A 2-year policy shall be furnished to the purchaser by the private sewage disposal installation contractor through the manufacturer or the distributor of the aerobic treatment unit.  This policy shall provide:

 

A)        Four inspection/service calls, at least one every 6 months, which includes inspection, adjustment, and servicing of the mechanical and the applicable component parts to ensure proper function;

 

B)        For an effluent quality inspection consisting of a visual check for color, turbidity, scum overflow, and an examination for odors;

 

C)        For improper operation which cannot be corrected at that time, to be reported to the owner immediately.  This shall be followed with a written report that includes the date for the condition to be corrected.

 

2)         Continuing service policy:  Each manufacturer shall make available for purchase by the owner a continuing service policy with terms equal to the initial service policy.

 

3)         Standby parts:  Standby mechanical and electrical component parts shall be stocked by the local distributor for use when the plant's mechanical or electrical components must be removed from the site for repairs.

 

4)         Component parts:  The mechanical and electrical component parts shall be guaranteed against any defects in materials and workmanship as warranted.

 

5)         Service:  Service shall be available within 2 working days following a request.

 

6)         Owner's manual:  An owner's manual shall be provided by the manufacturer with each unit.  The manual shall include the following information:

 

A)        Model numbers.

 

B)        Functional description of unit, including a statement of minimum performance requirements as established by test.

 

C)        Design and flow diagrams.

 

D)        Warranty.

 

E)         Replacement policy and service policy.

 

F)         Installation instructions.

 

G)        Detailed operation and maintenance requirements (including user responsibility, parts and service).

 

H)        Rated service flow in GPM (gallons per minute) or GPD (gallons per day).

 

I)          Energy source and energy required for proper operation of the plant.

 

J)         Specification of models tested under ANSI/NSF Standard 40.

 

7)         Service label:  A clearly visible, permanently attached label or plate giving instructions for obtaining service shall be placed at the audible and visual alarm.

 

8)         Responsibility of property owner:   The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining and operating the plant in accordance with this Part and the manufacturer's specifications.

 

h)         Operation.  Aerobic treatment plants shall produce an effluent meeting the physical, chemical and biological requirements of Section 905.110.  Under normal operation and in the event of an electrical or mechanical failure or other performance failure or malfunction, the design and construction of the aerobic treatment plant shall prevent the discharge of wastewater from any opening that is not part of the designed flow path of the entire treatment process and shall prevent the discharge of wastewater that is not in compliance with Section 905.110.

 

i)          Maintenance.  In the event that a routine service call indicates an electrical, mechanical or performance failure or malfunction or if routine laboratory test results indicate improper treatment, the property owner shall immediately take action to bring the aerobic treatment plant into compliance with this Part.

 

j)          Non-residential use.  Aerobic treatment plants that are listed by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 as Class I will be considered for use to serve a non-residential property provided all of the following are met:

 

1)         Total daily flows from the wastewater source into the plant are at least 75% of the rated hydraulic capacity and do not exceed the rated hydraulic capacity of the plant.

 

2)         Wastewater influent shall not exceed the manufacturer's design specifications for BOD5 loading as established by NSF or a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 during testing of the plant.

 

3)         Hourly flows from the wastewater source into the plant are less than or equal to the treatment capacity of the plant divided by 24.  This may require the installation of a flow equalization device.

 

4)         A buried sand filter sized with a surface area equal to 2 gallons per square foot per day and dosed at least once but not more than 4 times per day shall immediately follow the aerobic treatment plant.

 

k)         Any wastewater source shall be served by a single individual aerobic treatment plant.  Splitting of flows from a wastewater source or the use of multiple aerobic treatment plants shall be prohibited unless subsurface disposal of the effluent is used.  Where allowed, splitting of flows shall be done by pumps.

 

l)          Private sewage disposal installation contractors or homeowners who maintain or service aerobic treatment plants shall be required to maintain the integrity of the NSF seal or the seal of a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40.  Only component parts approved for use in an individual plant may be used.  No design changes or component part changes may be made that will void the NSF seal or the seal of a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40.  Any person who voids the NSF seal or the seal of a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 shall be responsible for repairing the plant so it can bear the NSF seal or the seal of a laboratory approved by ANSI to determine compliance with ANSI/NSF Standard 40 or shall replace the plant with an approved private sewage disposal system.

 

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 3074, effective February 10, 2003)