06-096 C.M.R. ch. 596, § 8 - Abandonment of Overboard Discharge Systems

When an overboard discharge treatment system is not longer necessary or is replaced by an alternative treatment system, it must be properly abandoned within 90 days as follows.

A. Residual Wastewater. Wastewater remaining in the system must be discharged in accordance with the active or most recently expired license or permit or removed and disposed at a facility authorized by the Department to receive such wastes. The property owner must also perform the following, as applicable.

(1) Mechanical treatment systems must be aerated until 24 hours before they are emptied. After the contents have settled, the supernatant liquid may be discharged through the chlorinator at a rate that does not exceed the design capacity of the chlorinator or the chlorine detention tanks. Wastewater containing settled solids may not be discharged to the water.

(2) The contents of the chlorinator may be emptied to the water no sooner than 30 minutes after last receiving wastewater. Any solids contained in the chlorinator may not be discharged to the water.

(3) Any tanks that contain untreated or primary treated wastewater, including but not limited to septic tanks and grease traps, may not be discharged directly or indirectly to the water.

B. Sand Filters. If the abandoned treatment system is a sand filter with a capacity of less than 1000 gallons per day, the chlorine contact tank must be removed and the hole filled with crushed gravel to serve as a dry well. If the capacity of the sand filter is 1000 gallons per day or greater, the downgradient end of the sand filter must be excavated and the liner punctured sufficiently to allow rain water to drain.

C. Tanks. All tanks including but not limited to, grease traps, septic tanks, mechanical treatment systems, pump stations and chlorinator tanks that are not utilized as part of an alternative method of waste water disposal must be disconnected and filled with soil or removed.

D. Effluent Pipe. Any exposed portion of the final effluent line must be removed and the remaining effluent pipe permanently sealed.

E. Notification. The licensee must notify the Department in accordance with Section 6(G) of this chapter.

Notes

06-096 C.M.R. ch. 596, § 8