§ 19.07.023. Alternative and supplemental treatment systems.

(a)

Alternative Systems. An on-site treatment system that includes components different from those used in a conventional septic tank and drain field system. An alternative system is used to achieve acceptable dispersal/discharge of wastewater where conventional systems may not be capable of meeting established performance requirements to protect public health and water resources. (e.g., at sites where high ground water, low permeability soils, shallow soils, or other conditions limit the infiltration and dispersal of wastewater). Components that might be used in alternative systems include mounds and pressure and drip distribution systems.

(b)

Supplemental Treatment System. An onsite sewage treatment system that utilizes engineered design and/or technology to treat effluent and reduce one or more constituents of concern in wastewater. Supplemental treatment systems include, sand filters, aerobic treatment units, and disinfection devices. A supplemental treatment system shall be required in each of the following locations:

(1)

On a site where geologic conditions permit water migration.

(2)

In any area determined by the regional water quality control board, county environmental health or the board of supervisors to be experiencing surface or groundwater degradation caused in part by on-site wastewater treatment systems.

(c)

Permit Required for Alternative and Supplemental Treatment Systems. Alternative systems, systems providing supplemental treatment and systems in specific areas of concern as identified by the board of supervisors or the regional water quality control board (RWQCB), shall require an operating permit, which shall be issued by the chief building official subsequent to the final inspection approval of the system. All on-site wastewater treatment systems requiring operating permits shall be operated, maintained and monitored pursuant to the requirements of this section and conditions of the operating permit. The operating permit shall be renewed every year. A report containing all the information specified in the operating permit shall be submitted to the chief building official annually. The chief building official may suspend or revoke an operating permit for failure to comply with any requirement of the permit. If a permit is suspended or revoked, operation of the system shall cease until the suspension or revocation is lifted or a new permit issued. Upon change of ownership, the operating permit shall be terminated and the new owner shall obtain an operating permit within sixty days.

(d)

Recorded Notice Required for Alternative and Supplemental Treatment Systems. Prior to final inspection approval of an on-site system with alternative components or supplemental treatment, a "Notice of Installation of an Alternative or Supplemental On-Site Wastewater Treatment System" shall be recorded with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's office and shall be placed with the deed of record. This notice shall inform future owners, heirs, executors, administrators or successors that the subject property is served by an alternative or supplemental treatment system and shall bind current and future owners to maintain an operating permit and comply with all established monitoring, reporting, inspection, and maintenance requirements of that operating permit.

(e)

Operation and Maintenance Manual Required for Alternative and Supplemental Treatment Systems. The owner of a site on which a new alternative or supplemental OWTS is installed or an existing OWTS is replaced or significantly repaired with an alternative or supplemental treatment system, shall have an operation and maintenance manual prepared by a qualified professional. The operation and maintenance manual shall include, at a minimum:

(1)

The name, address, telephone number, business and professional license of the OWTS designer;

(2)

The name, address, telephone number, business and professional license, where applicable, of the OWTS installer;

(3)

The name, address, and telephone number of the qualified service provider, where applicable;

(4)

Instructions for the proper operation and maintenance and a protocol for the assessing the performance of the OWTS;

(5)

A copy of the as-built (accurate) plans for the OWTS and an inspection report by the qualified professional that the system complies with all applicable regulations;

(6)

The design flow and performance requirements for the OWTS;

(7)

A list of substances that could inhibit performance if discharged into the OWTS, including any biocide and;

(8)

A list of substances that could cause a condition of pollution or nuisance if discharged to the OWTS, including but not limited to pharmaceutical drugs and water softener regeneration brines.

(f)

Alternative Systems. The following general requirements apply to all alternative systems.

(1)

All OWTS systems in which pumps are used to move effluent shall be equipped with a visual and audible alarm. Telemetric alarm systems which alert the owner or service provider in the event of pump failure are also recommended. All pump systems shall, at a minimum, provide for storage in the pump chamber during a 24-hour power outage or pump failure and shall not allow an emergency overflow discharge. All pumped systems shall be designed by a qualified professional.

(2)

The chief building official and the RWQCB shall adopt and periodically update design standards for alternative systems.

(3)

The owner shall monitor and maintain the system under the direction of a qualified service provider, as required by the operation and maintenance manual.

(4)

Proposed operation, maintenance and monitoring specifications shall be submitted along with proposed plans and permit application for alternative systems.

(5)

The property owner shall submit a County of San Luis Obispo Septic Tank Inspection Report, prepared by the qualified service provider, a minimum of once a year. The report shall include: The results of the annual inspection, a check of the alarm system, and any other requirements specified by the chief building official. Reports shall be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the inspection.

(6)

Alternative systems shall be designed in conformance with currently adopted state guidelines or other guidelines jointly approved by the regional water quality control board and the chief building official. The county shall inspect each system during the construction phase as described in this section. In addition, the qualified professional who designed the system shall submit to the chief building official a letter indicating the alternative system has been constructed per the approved plans.

(g)

Supplemental Treatment Systems. Supplemental treatment systems shall comply with the following:

(1)

The chief building official shall review and approve the method of supplemental treatment proposed prior to construction. Treatment systems shall be listed by an independent testing agency, such as IAPMO, ANSI, NSF, or similar and shall conform to the standards adopted by the county.

(2)

A supplemental treatment system shall be capable of removing a minimum of 85% of total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total nitrogen (TN). In addition, the residual concentration of TSS and BOD, shall not exceed 30 mg/L. and TN shall not exceed 15 Mg/L. The listing agency shall certify that the system can continually meet these performance standards over a thirty day period.

(3)

Operation, maintenance and monitoring specifications shall be provided for review and approval for any supplemental treatment system. The manufacturer's maintenance requirements shall be incorporated into the mandatory conditions of the operating permit.

(4)

The property owner shall comply with all maintenance requirements of the manufacturer and shall ensure that a qualified service provider, qualified professional or manufacturer's representative conducts a visual and operational inspection of the system a minimum of once a year or more frequently if required by the manufacturer to determine if the system is functioning properly.

(5)

The property owner shall submit a report, prepared by a qualified professional, or manufacturer's representative, a minimum of once a year, and within thirty days of inspection. The report shall include: verification that all manufacturer's maintenance requirements have been completed, the results of all inspections, analysis of the wastewater from the inspection ports for TSS, BOD, and TN, a concluding statement that the system is functioning properly, and if not, what needs to be repaired or replaced and when it should be completed.

(Ord. No. 3343, § 1, 12-6-16)