Division of Environmental Health

1

• Basic Subsurface Wastewater Disposal System
  Installation

2
Introduction

• Background
• Maine is a predominantly rural state, and relies
  heavily on decentralized sewage disposal
  facilities for disposal of human waste, i.e.,
  on-site sewage disposal systems. The Division of
  Environmental Health and its predecessors have
  regulated on-site sewage disposal since 1926.
• The Subsurface Wastewater Program provides
  technical and administrative assistance to local
  plumbing inspectors who issue both internal and
  subsurface permits, conduct construction
  inspections, and perform enforcement actions.
• The Subsurface Wastewater Program is responsible
  for licensing soil site evaluators to insure
  proper design of sewage systems. Improper design
  and or installation can cost the homeowner as
  much as 20,000.

3
Introduction

• Program Goals
• To oversee the proper design and construction of
  subsurface sewage disposal systems, and the
  system of inspection necessary to monitor
  compliance.
• To develop and administer a voluntary
  certification program for on-site sewage disposal
  system installers, in conjunction with the Maine
  Department of Environmental Protection.
• To develop and maintain a database to track
  causes and rates of on-site sewage disposal
  system failure.
• To increase public awareness of on-site sewage
  disposal system issues, through increased use of
  Internet resources, regular printings of a
  Program newsletter, and increased outreach
  programs.

4
Introduction

• Program Activities
• Maintain copies of all internal plumbing and
  subsurface waste water permits issued statewide.
  
• Process approximately 40,000 plumbing permits
  annually, which generate approximately 550,000
  in dedicated revenue.
• License qualified Soil Site Evaluators to design
  subsurface waste water disposal systems pursuant
  to CMR 245.
• Review administration of CMR 241 by
  municipalities and Local Plumbing Inspectors
  pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. 4212 et. seq.

5
Introduction

• Program Staff
• Russell Martin, PE, Program Director
• Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator
• James Jacobsen, Environmental Specialist IV
• Brent Lawson, State Plumbing Inspector
• Wendy Austin, Office Associate II
• Lorraine Martin, Office Associate I

6
Introduction

• Voluntary Contractor Certification
• All septic system installers are eligible for the
  program. Initial certification requires
  attendance at one full day training course and
  the submission to the Division of copies of the
  first pages of the designs for two systems
  installed after attending the course.
• To maintain certification a minimum of 12 hours
  continuing education course each five years
  thereafter will be required.
• A listing of Certified installers shall be
  maintained by the Division of Environmental
  Health. Copies of the list are distributed to
  all Local Plumbing Inspectors and Site Evaluators
  and to anyone from the general public requesting
  it. The list is also posted on the Division of
  Environmental Healths web site.

7

• Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
• Division of Environmental Health
• Subsurface Wastewater Program

8
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types
• There are two very broad categories of onsite
  sewage disposal systems
• Primitive systems, which consist of an alternate
  toilet such as a pit privy, and a small greywater
  disposal area to accommodate a hand carried or
  hand pumped water supply and
• A combined system, which is typically comprised
  of a septic tank and/or an advanced treatment
  unit, and a disposal area sized to accommodate a
  pressurized water supply with full plumbing
  fixture loads.
• There are many types of disposal areas, ranging
  from the low tech stone and pipe beds, to high
  tech devices such as fabric wrapped cuspated
  plates.

9
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types Primitive
• To install a primitive system, a completed
  HHE-200 Form is required which includes a test
  pit for both the pit privy (if used) and the
  greywater disposal area.
• The greywater disposal area would be sized at 25
  gpd per fixture, with a maximum of 3 fixtures
  allowed. Any type of disposal area can be used
  for the greywater disposal area.

10
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types Primitive
• The greywater disposal area would be sized at 25
  gpd per fixture, with a maximum of 3 fixtures
  allowed.
• Any type of disposal area can be used for the
  greywater disposal area.
• No septic tank is required for a primitive system.

11
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types Combined
• A disposal bed acts as an underground retention
  area. Stone (3/4 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter)
  is used in the construction of a bed to provide
  void space for the storage of effluent and to
  allow it to drain slowly through the soil.
• The disposal bed size is calculated by
  multiplying the expected volume of wastewater by
  the size rating of the original soil.

12
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types Combined
• Bed widths usually vary from 4 feet to 20 feet.
  Narrow beds are more advantageous than wide beds
  because they increase the sidewall area relative
  to the bottom area which promotes longevity of
  the disposal area. The advantages of wide beds
  are that they are more easily installed with
  mechanical equipment and require less over-all
  area for installation than narrow beds.

13
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• System Types
• Cesspools and straight pipes were state of the
  art in the 1920s and 1930s.By their design
  cesspools discharge directly into the seasonal
  high ground water table, and may short circuit to
  dug wells.Cesspools and dry wells were last
  legal for domestic sewage disposal in 1969.

14
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• By the late 1940s clay agricultural drainage
  tiles and vee-notched plank trenches were in
  common use.
• These systems provided a void space in the soils
  into which effluent could be introduced, and then
  absorbed by the soil. These were the forebears
  of most modern proprietary disposal devices.

15
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Concrete chambers are available in H-20 load
  ratings, and in 4 x 8 and 8 x 8 sizes.
• Chambers are sized upon their footprints in
  cluster configurations.
• Sidewall allowances are included for chamber
  sizing, when installed in trench configuration
  with one foot of stone along the long sides.

16
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Plastic chambers are sized upon their footprints
  in cluster configurations and are available in a
  variety of heights and widths.
• Sidewall allowances are included for sizing when
  installed in trench configuration.
• Some designers include stone along the sides and
  beneath plastic chambers. In such cases,
  separations are measured from the stone, not the
  chambers.

17
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Fabric wrapped tubes consist of perforated
  corrugated plastic pipe, wrapped in non-woven
  filter fabric. The fabric is separated from the
  pipe by a layer of random weave plastic fibers or
  a layer of expandedplastic mesh.

18
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Fabric wrapped tubes are sized at the equivalent
  of 5 square feet per linear foot, due to their
  increased surface area and unobstructed void
  space.
• Fabric wrapped tubes are most often installed in
  serial distribution for non-engineered systems
  (e.g., they zigzag along the slope of the site).

19
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Cuspated plate systems are presently available
  only in the form of the Eljen GSF (formerly,
  In-drain) and the Eljen Mini-Max.
• The devices consist of egg crate shaped plastic
  plates through which non-woven filter fabric is
  interwoven, resulting in increased surface area
  for biological growth.

20
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• The Eljen GSF system requires a specific grade of
  coarse sand to function properly, specifically
  meeting ASTM C-33 standards.
• Flow for flow, the Eljen GSF system would have
  the smallest footprint of any device disposing of
  septic tank effluent, due to the high ratio of
  surface area to footprint.

21
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Geo-synthetic aggregate pipe systems consist of a
  perforated pipe, surrounded by textured
  polystyrene cubes, within a netting tube.
• They are available with and without surrounding
  nonwoven geotextile fabric.
• They can be installed in either trench or cluster
  configuration.

22
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Drip irrigation systems have been used in Maine
  for several years. The major differences between
  conventional systems and drip irrigation systems
  are uniform distribution of effluent and shallow
  placement of trenches.
• Drip irrigation systems must be preceded by
  pretreatment to avoid or minimize clogging of the
  disposal lines.

23
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• The drip emitter system uses small diameter
  piping with integral drip emitters, installed in
  a grid. A series of valves are used to regulate
  flow and flush the system for prevention of
  solids accumulation.

24
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Disposal Areas
• Installation of porous hose drip irrigation is
  minimally invasive, and can include covering
  at-grade installations with bark mulch,as is
  about to take place in this picture. This is
  best suited for seasonal use due to lack of frost
  protection.

25
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Advanced Treatment
• Aerobic or advanced treatment units utilize
  an aerobic (oxygen rich) process, and removes
  substantial amounts of BOD5 and TSS which are not
  removed by primary anaerobic (oxygen poor)
  treatment, such as occurs in septic tanks.
• At right is a simple aerated tank.

26
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Advanced Treatment
• The bacteria in aerobic treatment tanks,
  although more active, are also more fragile and
  sensitive to fluctuating conditions than
  anaerobic bacteria in septic tanks.
• Aerobic treatment tanks are relatively more
  expensive, require maintenance, and need an
  energy source.
• At right is a recirculating extended treatment
  tank.

27
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Site Evaluation Process
• Site evaluation combines on-site soil evaluation
  with consideration of site conditions.
  Licensed Site Evaluators are required to have
  the skill and ability to properly identify and
  accurately report soil textures and limiting
  factors so they can adequately classify soils,
  recognize site limitations and properly size
  disposal systems.

28
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Site Evaluation Process
• The physical characteristics of a parcel of land
  must be fully evaluated in order to design a safe
  and effective disposal system. Each site has its
  own unique characteristics and limitations which
  must be observed and considered in the design.
• Observations of the surrounding land and
  development are just as important as viewing the
  particular parcel of land under consideration.

29
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Site Evaluation Process
• Disposal of liquids into the soil from a
  disposal area is through soil pores, between soil
  aggregates and through root channels. Soil
  texture, soil structure, moisture content, and
  root penetration also affect the liquid movement
  through the soil.

30
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Site Evaluation Process
• Sometimes the applicant has a preference to where
  the system is to be placed if the soil conditions
  are accommodating. First considerations should
  be given to the desired locations if at all
  possible.
• This sites potential locations for a replacement
  disposal area are limited by adjacent development
  and a small lot size.

31
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Site Evaluation Process
• However, if limited soils are available or there
  are setback conflicts, the Site Evaluator may
  have to prepare a variance request, for as best a
  fit as possible when considering existing
  development.
• This property abuts the site in the prior slide.
  Note the location of a non-potable dug well, and
  the drilled well casing under the oil tank.

32
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Setback Requirements
• Waterbody setbacks
• Major water body 100 ft.
• Minor water body - 50 ft.
• Drainage ditch 25 ft.
• Toe of fill to wetlands - 25 ft.

33
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Setback Requirements
• Well setbacks (without variances)
• Owners well 100 ft.
• Abutters well 100 ft.
• Public supply well 300 ft.
• Water line (not main) 10 ft.

34
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Setback Requirements
• Structures and property lines
• Property lines 10 ft.
• Slopes gt 31 10 ft.
• Slab, etc. foundation 15 ft.
• Full foundations 20 ft.
• Burial grounds 25 ft. from toe of fill

35
Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules

• Setback Requirements
• Structures and property lines
• Property lines 10 ft.
• Slopes gt 31 10 ft.
• Slab, etc. foundation 15 ft.
• Full foundations 20 ft.
• Burial grounds 25 ft. from toe of fill

36
Construction Related Rules

• Section 800.3 Dig Safe Law
• The Dig Safe Law 23 MRSA 3360-A(D) places
  certain notification requirements on any person
  doing excavations, including any operation in
  which earth, rock or other material on or below
  the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by
  means of power tools, power equipment or
  explosives, except tilling of the soil and
  gardening or agricultural purposes.

37
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 801 Site Preparation
• Section 802 Excavation
• Section 803 Installation
• Section 804 Backfill
• Section 805 Disposal Fields
• Section 806 Final Grading
• Chapter 9 Treatment Tanks
• Section 904 Inlet Outlet Connections
• Section 907 Tank Installation
• Chapter 14 Piping
• Section 1402 Connecting Delivering Pipes
• Section 1403 Distribution Pipes
• Section 1404 Distribution Boxes
• Table 14-1 Plumbing Material Standards

38
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 801.2 1504.2.7 Placement of Erosion
  Control Devices

Lake or Pond Shoreline
Erosion Control
Wetland Boundary Hydraulically Connected to the
Lake or Pond
Wetland Boundary Not Hydraulically Connected to
Lake or Pond
100 FT
75 FT
Fill Extension
25 FT
Disposal System
39
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 801.3 Clearing
• Removal of all vegetation within the system
  footprint including
• all fill extensions.
• Section 801.4 Scarify the site
• Roto-till or plow to a depth of 6-8 inches
  within the system footprint including all fill
  extensions.
• Section 801.5 Transitional horizon
• Mix 4 inches of backfill into original soil
  within the system footprint including all side
  and down slope fill extensions.
• Always necessary for Soil Profiles 1, 2, 3, 4,
  7, 8, and 9.

40
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 801.3 Clearing Section 801.4 Scarify the
  site Section 801.5 Transitional horizon

Area for Vegetation Removal Scarification Transit
ional Horizon
Fill Extension
Disposal Area
Transitional horizon necessary on flat sites
(0-3)
Transitional horizon necessary on Soil Profiles
1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9
41
Construction Related Rules Chapter 8 - Disposal
Field Construction Techniques

• Section 802.2 Disposal Field Bottom
• The bottom of each disposal field shall be
  installed at the elevation specified on the
  permit. It shall be maintained to a level grade
  no greater than 2 inches within 100 feet.
• If coarser material is used beneath proprietary
  devices, it shall be considered part of the
  disposal field for determining the location of
  the bottom of the disposal system.

Top Elev
Bottom Elev
42
Construction Related Rules Chapter 8 - Disposal
Field Construction Techniques

• Section 802.3 Unnecessary Compaction
• Excavation shall be carried out in a manner that
  will avoid unnecessary compaction of both
  sidewalls and bottom area. Excavation should be
  carried out, when possible, by a back-hoe
  operating from outside the perimeter of the
  previously excavated portions of the disposal
  fields.

43
Construction Related Rules Chapter 8 - Disposal
Field Construction Techniques

• Section 802.4 Smeared or Compacted Surfaces
• Any portion of the bottom or sidewall of the
  disposal area that becomes smeared or compacted
  due to construction activities or natural
  conditions must be re-scarified to establish a
  good soil-system interface.

44
Construction Related Rules Chapter 8 - Disposal
Field Construction Techniques

• Section 802.5 Weather Conditions
• Work should be scheduled so that excavated areas
  are not exposed to rainfall or wind-blown silt.
  Any loose soil or debris that is washed or
  otherwise deposited within the excavation must be
  removed prior to backfilling.
• Disposal fields should not be installed in frozen
  ground or when the ambient air temperature is
  below freezing, especially if construction will
  take place over several days.

45
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 803.1 Construction
• The installer is responsible for compliance with
  all Rule standards and the permitted plan
  (HHE-200 Form).
• Section 803.2 Soil and Backfill Material
• The installer is responsible to make sure that
  construction activities do not adversely affect
  the permeability of the native soil or backfill.

46
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 804.2 Backfill standards
• Describes material to be utilized beneath and
  around the disposal area.
• Section 804.2.5 804.2.6
• Describes the type and depths of material to be
  used over and above the disposal area. (8
  total)

4 Fill as specified on HHE-200 Form
4 Cover material, loam or soil amendment
47
Construction Related Rules

48
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 805.1 Installation requirements
• Sets the following requirements for the disposal
  area
• 805.1.1 Maximum tolerance of 2 in 100 feet for
  distribution pipes and disposal area bottom.
• 805.1.2 805.1.3 - Hole spacing for pressure
  distribution systems
• 805.1.4 - Proprietary Devices are allowed if
  listed in Appendix B and must be installed in
  accordance with manufacturers recommendation.
  Section B-109 defines when specific proprietary
  devices can be substituted without a formal
  re-design by the site evaluator.

49
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 805.2 Disposal Field Stone
• Sets the following requirements for the disposal
  area stone
• 805.2.2 Minimum of 7 below the 4 pipe and 1
  above for 12 total.
• 805.2.3 New Table 800.1 defines uniform and
  clean standard.

50
Construction Related Rules

51
Construction Related Rules Chapter 8 - Disposal
Field Construction Techniques

• Section 805.2.4 Placement
• Stone may be placed in the disposal field site
  using a back-hoe, front-end loader, or dump
  truck, from the sides of the disposal field
  rather than by driving onto the prepared area of
  the disposal field.
• In the case of large disposal fields, tracked
  equipment may be operated within the disposal
  field.

52
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques
• Section 806.0 Final Grading
• Sets the following requirements for the
  completion of the disposal area
• 806.2 Minimum of 4 of loam or soil amendment
  over entire disposal area including fill
  extensions.
• 806.4.1 Vegetative covers.
• Allowed on top of the system grass, clover,
  trefoil, vetch, bark chips, wood chips, pine
  needles.
• Allowed on fill extensions Woody shrubs.
• Never allowed on either Trees.

53
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 8 - Disposal Field Construction
  Techniques

No Trees Allowed New or Existing
Woody Shrubs Allowed
41 Slope
54
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 9 Septic Tanks, Dosing Tanks Grease
  Interceptors
• Section 904.0 Inlet Outlet Connections
• Sets the following requirements for the septic
  tank baffles
• Inlet Baffle 4 if PVC
• Extends 6 to 9 below liquid level
• Watertight seal with tank wall
• Outlet Baffle 4 if PVC
• Extends 16 below liquid level
• Extends to within 1-2 of tank top
• Watertight seal with tank wall

55
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 9 Septic Tanks, Dosing Tanks Grease
  Interceptors

Illustration of Inlet Outlet Tee Style Baffles
Liquid Level
Inlet Baffle
6 to 9 in
Outlet Baffle
16 in Min.
14 in to 28 in Typ.
Minimum 30 in
12 inches Grease Trap
Septic Tank
56
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 9 Septic Tanks, Dosing Tanks Grease
  Interceptors
• Section 907.0 Tank Installation
• Sets the following requirements for septic tank
  installation
• Bedded on clean sand, gravel or stone.
• Set level and accessible for pumping.
• H-20 rated under traffic areas.
• Watertight and prevented from floating when
  empty.
• Backfilled with clean material.

57
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 9 Septic Tanks, Dosing Tanks Grease
  Interceptors

Access Risers
12
4 Loam
Liquid Level
Inlet Baffle
Outlet Baffle
Septic Tank
Clean Backfill
Clean Backfill
Sand, gravel or stone bedding
Illustration of Tank Installation
58
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 14 Piping
• Section 1402.0 Connection Delivery Pipes
• Sets the following requirements for pipe
  installation
• 1402.2 Allowed pipe materials.
• 1402.4 Bedding.
• 1402.5 Alignment Grade.
• 1402.6 Pitch.
• 1402.7 Frost Protection.
• 1402.8, 9, 10 Separation of Water Sewer
  Lines.

59
Construction Related Rules

• Chapter 14 Piping
• Table 14-1 Plumbing Material Standards for
  Disposal Systems

60
Construction Related Rules

• Section 1402.5 Alignment Grade
• Connecting pipes shall be laid in a continuous
  grade and as nearly as possible in a straight
  line. Drop manholes may be installed if found
  necessary. Horizontal bends, where required,
  shall not be sharper than 45 degrees. The inside
  angle between adjacent sections of pipe shall be
  no less than 135 degrees.
• Section 1402.7 Frost Protection
• In cases where the delivery pipe from a dosing
  tank will be installed higher than the maximum
  expected depth of frost penetration, the design
  shown in the application for a disposal system
  permit shall insure that the delivery pipe will
  drain at the end of each dosing cycle or be
  provided with 2 inches of high density expanded
  rigid polystyrene insulation.

61
Construction Related Rules

• Section 1402.4 - Bedding
• Pipes shall be laid on a firm foundation
  satisfactory to the plumbing inspector. Pipes
  shall be protected from freezing if there is any
  possibility of liquid remaining in the pipes. At
  least one cleanout shall be provided for every
  100 feet of connecting pipe in a gravity system.
• Section 1402.6 - Pitch
• The minimum pitch of the building sewer is ¼ inch
  per foot. For pipes 4 inches in diameter or
  larger, 1/8 inch per foot may be authorized by
  the plumbing inspector. The building sewer may
  not be smaller in diameter than the building
  drain. The minimum pitch of the gravity effluent
  line is 1/8 inch per foot.

62
Construction Related Rules

• Section 1402.8 Water Service Building Sewer
• A structures water service pipe and the building
  sewer shall be separated by undisturbed or
  compacted earth when possible.
• The water service pipe may only be placed in the
  same trench as the building drain and building
  sewer when the bottom of the water service pipe
  at all points shall be a minimum of 12 inches
  above the top of the sewer at its highest point,
  and the water service pipe shall be placed on a
  solid shelf excavated at one side of the common
  trench.

63
Construction Related Rules

• Section 1402.9 Public Water Main Building Sewer
• A public water main and a building sewer shall be
  separated by 10 feet horizontally, edge of pipe
  to edge of pipe when possible.
• The public water main may only be placed in the
  same trench as the building sewer when the bottom
  of the water main at all points shall be a
  minimum of 18 inches above the top of the sewer
  at its highest point, and the water main shall be
  placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of
  the common trench.

64
Construction Related Rules

• Section 1402.10 Public Water Main Building
  Sewer Crossing
• A building sewer crossing above a public water
  main shall utilize one of the following methods

10 Pipe Sleeve w/concrete seals
10 Centered
Min 18
Min 18
Public Water Main
Gravity Sewer
Pressure Sewer
65

• HHE-200 Form
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
• Division of Environmental Health
• Subsurface Wastewater Program

66
HHE-200 Form

• Page One
• Page one of the HHE-200 Form must be signed by
  both the owner/applicant and the Site Evaluator
  before a permit can be issued.
• It is important to check that each block on the
  form is properly completed. If any information
  is lacking, the LPI should not issue the permit.

67
HHE-200 Form

• Page One

68
HHE-200 Form
Page One
69
HHE-200 Form
Page Two The site plan should show all prominent
features in the vicinity of the proposed
system.Test pit logs should be complete and
accurate.
70
HHE-200 Form
Page Two
71
HHE-200 Form
Page Two
72
HHE-200 Form
Page Two
73
HHE-200 Form
Page Three Page three should contain all
necessary construction data for installation of
the disposal area.
74
HHE-200 Form
Page Three
75
HHE-200 Form
Page Three
76
HHE-200 Form
Page One This example of Page One is clear,
concise, and legible. All of the appropriate
boxes have been completed.
77
HHE-200 Form
Page One
78
HHE-200 Form
Page One
79
HHE-200 Form
Page One
80
HHE-200 Form
Page Two This site plan shows all the prominent
features in the vicinity of the proposed
system.Test pit logs are clear, complete, and
accurate.
81
HHE-200 Form
Page Two
82
HHE-200 Form
Page Two
83
HHE-200 Form
Page Three Page three of this example contains
all the necessary construction data for
installation of the disposal area.
84
HHE-200 Form
Page Three
85
HHE-200 Form
Page Three
86

• Permitting
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
• Division of Environmental Health
• Subsurface Wastewater Program

87
Permitting

• Duties of the Local Plumbing Inspector
• The Local Plumbing Inspector (LPI) is the primary
  contact at the local level for issuance of
  internal plumbing permits, subsurface wastewater
  disposal system permits, and enforcement of the
  Maine Internal Plumbing Rules (CMR 238) and the
  Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
  (CMR241).
• The LPI is responsible for enforcing all the
  provisions of both Rules. He or she shall act on
  any question concerning the method or manner of
  construction and the materials to be used in the
  installation of a system, except as may be
  specifically provided for by other requirements
  of the Rules, such as variances. CMR 241, sec.
  106.0

88
Permitting

• Permitting Process
• A total of five copies of the Subsurface
  Wastewater Disposal Application generally should
  be made one copy for the designer, one original
  for the owner, and three copies for permitting
  purposes.
• A total of 3 copies of the actual permit are
  needed one for the owner, one Town copy, and one
  State copy.

89
Permitting
Application While it is not necessary to be
completely familiar with the site evaluation
process, it is necessary to be familiar with the
site evaluation report, known as the HHE-200
Form. Three pages comprise the minimum
required pages for an HHE-200 Form. Page 1, at
right, contains basic site and contact
information.
90
Permitting
Application It is important to check that each
block on the form is properly completed. Page
one of the HHE-200 Form must be signed by both
the owner/applicant and the Site Evaluator before
a permit can be issued.
91
Permitting
Permit labels  Permit labels will only be issued
to the Local Plumbing Inspector appointed to the
area. Permit labels should be ordered when the
LPI's quantity reaches ten. This gives the
Department time to process the order. If an LPI
has more than one area, make sure the correct
area is printed on the label in which the permit
label is being issued.
92
Permitting
Permit labels  The label on the far left is the
permanent record for the permit number,
permittees name, date of issue and inspection,
fee charged, and installers name. Eventually,
after final inspection, this will be forwarded to
the Department.
93
Permitting
Permit labels  The center label is to be placed
on the owners copy of the HHE-200 Form. It
serves as formal notice to any interested party
that a legitimate permit has been issued to
install an onsite sewage disposal system.
94
Permitting
Permit labels  The two smaller labels on the far
right are to be placed on the Town and State copy
of the HHE-200 Form, respectively. These copies
serve as permanent records of the design, but not
of any subsequent inspections.
95
Permitting

• Record Keeping
• HHE-200 Forms and Plumbing Applications should be
  kept on file by the Town until a replacement
  system has been installed, that is, for the life
  of the system. 
• Filing by map and lot number is the most popular
  method simply because everything that has to deal
  with that certain property is all contained in
  one folder. 

96
Permitting

• First Time System Variances
• An application for a first time system variance
  consists of an HHE-200 (design and application)
  and HHE-215 (variance request) forms.
• The First Time System Variance Request Form must
  include the signatures of the owner/applicant,
  Local Plumbing Inspector, and Municipal
  Official(s).
• If the variance being requested is to waive the
  minimum soil suitability criteria, additional
  measures such as, but not limited to, enlarging
  the disposal area or raising it with extra fill
  are needed. These measures get points from a
  series of tables in the Rules.
• If a system is inside the shoreland zone (250
  feet from a major water body) or in a regulated
  subdivision, the minimum acceptable point score
  is 65. Otherwise, the minimum acceptable score is
  50.

97
Permitting

• Replacement System Variances
• Replacement System Variances do not require a
  point score. Otherwise, they are very similar to
  First Time System Variances.
• An application for a Replacement System Variance
  consists of an HHE-200 (design and application)
  and HHE-204 (variance request) forms, along with
  the signatures of the owner/applicant and Local
  Plumbing Inspector.
• The signature of the Municipal Official(s) is not
  required.

98
Permitting

• Local versus State Variance Approval
• Most replacement variances can be approved at the
  Local level by the LPI. In those cases where the
  LPIs authority is exceeded, the Department of
  Health and Human Services will review the
  application, and issue an approval if
  appropriate.
• Before submitting a variance to the Department
  for review, the applicant must obtain the
  signatures of the LPI, the owner/applicant, and
  in the case of First Time Systems the Municipal
  Official(s) on the variance request forms.
• There is no State review fee for State-level
  variance review.

99
Permitting

• Replacement Septic Tanks
• If a replacement septic tank is being installed
  to serve an existing non-engineered disposal
  area, and there are no alterations proposed to
  the disposal area, no soil test is needed.
• The LPI can prepare an application for a
  replacement septic tank by completing Page 1 of
  an HHE-200 Form.

100
Permitting

• Vault Privies
• Vault privies are permitted as Alternative
  Toilet.
• Vault privies are intended to receive and store
  only human wastes until the wastes are removed
  for disposal.
• Sealed vaults shall have a minimum liquid
  capacity of at least 500 gallons.
• The LPI can prepare an application for a vault
  privy by completing Page 1 of an HHE-200 Form.

101
Permitting

• Holding Tanks
• Holding tanks require an HHE-200 Form and a
  completed holding tank pumper agreement (HHE-233)
  with an owner and municipality statement.
• Holding tanks are designed to receive and hold
  wastewater leaving a structure, for
  transportation to a municipal treatment plant or
  to an approved land spreading site.

102
Permitting

• Holding Tanks
• Holding tanks can not be used to satisfy the
  requirements for a Seasonal Conversion Permit or
  a first time system located within the shoreland
  zoned area of major water courses, except as
  allowed by local ordinance.
• Holding tanks are allowed only when, due to site
  conditions, lot configuration, or other
  constraints, the installation of a system with a
  disposal area is not feasible.

103

• Inspections
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
• Division of Environmental Health
• Subsurface Wastewater Program

104
Inspections

• Responsibilities
• The LPI is responsible for making all the
  inspections required in the Rules. The LPI may
  engage such expert opinions as may be deemed
  necessary to report upon unusual technical issues
  that may arise, subject to the approval of the
  municipal officers.
• The LPI must carry proper credentials of the
  office while inspecting any and all systems and
  premises in the performance of his or her duties.
• While enforcement of the Maine Internal Plumbing
  Rules (CMR 238) is a responsibility of the LPI,
  internal plumbing inspections are not dealt with
  in this presentation.

105
Inspections

• Timing Sequence
• There are a minimum of two inspections required
  for subsurface wastewater disposal systems.
• The first inspection shall be made after site
  preparation to confirm that
• the vegetation has been cut and removed in the
  disposal field area,
• the area under the disposal field and backfill
  extensions has been roughened,
• a transitional horizon has been established, and
  
• the erosion and sedimentation control measures
  are in place.

106
Inspections

• Timing Sequence
• The second inspection shall be made after
  installation of the system components, including
  stone, pipes or proprietary devices, tanks, hay,
  filter fabric, and fill beneath and beside of the
  disposal area but before backfill is placed above
  the disposal system components.
• This inspection shall include any curtain drains,
  diversion ditches, berms or other measures
  outlined on the design to improve the function of
  the system.

107
Inspections

• Timing Sequence
• When a system is ready for inspection, the
  installer must make arrangements with the LPI to
  inspect all parts of the system.
• The installer shall have the proper apparatus and
  equipment present for conducting the inspection.
• The LPI shall be notified at least 24 hours
  before the system is ready to be inspected. This
  does NOT mean that the LPI must perform the
  inspection within 24 hours of notice.

108
Inspections

• Timing Sequence
• No part of a system may be backfilled until it
  has been inspected and approved. If any part is
  covered before being inspected and approved, it
  shall be uncovered at the discretion of the
  plumbing inspector and at the expense and risk of
  the owner.
• If inspection discloses defective material,
  design, siting, or poor construction that does
  not conform to the requirements of the Rules, the
  nonconforming parts shall be removed, replaced,
  and reinspected.
• The LPI must sign the inspection block on the
  HHE-200 Form or Plumbing Application, just below
  the permit label area, which comprises a
  Certificate of Approval.
• The LPI should simultaneously sign the
  permittees copy and the Towns copy. This will
  provide the Town and the permitee with a
  permanent record that the inspection took place.

109
Inspections

• First Inspection
• All four corners of the disposal field shall be
  staked by the site evaluator and/or engineer.
• Wooden stakes or wire flags are recommended to
  use as stakes.
• Vegetation shall be cut and removed from the area
  where backfill material is to be placed.

110
Inspections

• First Inspection
• A common preparation flaw is omission of the
  scarification of original soil, and the
  transition horizon under the disposal area and
  fill extensions.
• The original organic layer will eventually
  compact and decay under the system fill.
• This leads to sealing of the native soils and
  lack of infiltration of effluent.

111
Inspections

• First Inspection
• The area under the disposal field and backfill
  extensions shall be plowed or disked parallel to
  the topographic contour to produce a thoroughly
  roughened surface. CMR 241 sec. 801.4
• On sites where the backfill material is coarser
  than the original soil, a minimum of 4 inches of
  backfill materials must be mixed into the
  original soil to form a transitional horizon. CMR
  241 sec. 801.5

112
Inspections

• First Inspection
• Where soils have been exposed or disturbed,
  especially adjacent to water bodies or wetlands,
  erosion and sedimentation control measures are
  necessary.
• Erosion and sedimentation control measures
  include, but are not limited to, silt fences,
  check dams, and staggered hay bale barriers.

113
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• Three measurements from two or more known
  horizontal reference points, or two horizontal
  reference points with a compass bearing, to a
  minimum of two proposed disposal field corners
  are required.
• System ties shall be located outside the fill
  extension areas and preferably within 100 feet of
  the disposal field(s).

114
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The soil texture for backfill is coarse sand to
  gravelly coarse sand with approximately 4 to 8
  of the sand, silt and clay fraction passing a
  200 sieve. The upper limit of clay sized
  particles in the sand, silt, and clay fraction
  shall be approximately 2. The backfill shall
  contain approximately 15 to 30 (by weight)
  coarse fragments (gravel 2 mm to 3 inches).

115
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The backfill is suitable if the soil texture is
  loose single grains, the individual sand grains
  can be readily seen (similar to salt or sugar
  grains) and felt, it will fall apart when
  pressure is released but has enough fines to
  stain the lines in the palm of the hand or, if
  squeezed when moist, it will form a cast that
  will crumble when touched and bears very careful
  handling and it does not form a ribbon between
  the thumb and forefinger but has enough fines to
  stain the lines in the palm of the hand.

116
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• Short circuiting may occur when a system was
  constructed with improper fill extensions or
  shoulders and wastewater weeps through an area of
  least resistance to flow.
• The disposal area will not hold an excessive
  amount of wastewater when hydraulic mounding and
  short circuiting occur.

117
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The disposal field stone shall be clean, uniform
  in size and free of fines, dust, ashes, or clay.
  It shall be no smaller than ¾ inch and no larger
  than 2 ½ inches in size.
• A site evaluator may define a more stringent
  standard for stone size for any particular
  system.
• The disposal field stone depth shall extend at
  least 7 inches beneath the bottom of the
  distribution pipes and shall extend at least 1
  inch above the top of the distribution pipes.

118
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• A common installation error is use of poor
  quality or poorly sized stone, which results in
  reduced void space and occasional sealing off by
  very fine particles.
• Stone must be between ¾ and 2 ½ in size, clean,
  and evenly sized to provide sufficient void
  space.
• Some installers wrongly interpret the size range
  as allowing a mix of sizes.

119
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The disposal field stone shall be covered with a
  layer of nonwoven fabric or two (2) inches of
  compressed hay.
• Nonwoven fabric may be used, provided the edges
  of adjacent sheets of fabric overlap by a minimum
  of 6 inches and the for the fabric shall be 4.0
  ounces/square yard (per ASTM D-3776).

120
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• Proprietary disposal devices approved by the
  Department as substitutes for disposal field
  stone and perforated distribution pipes shall be
  installed per the manufacturers instructions.
• Proprietary devices are generally covered with
  nonwoven filter fabric, according to their
  respective manufacturers instructions.

121
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The elevation reference point should be clearly
  identified and easily found on the site.
• When practical, the elevation reference point
  should be located on a permanent item.
• Elevations shall be given in inches above or
  below the Elevation Reference Point.

122
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• It is important to check the actual elevations to
  make certain that the system was installed at the
  designed elevations.
• The number of ground surface elevation
  measurements taken within and around a disposal
  field shall be sufficient to adequately determine
  the required elevation of the disposal field and
  the extent of the associated fill material
  extensions.

123
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• Septic tanks must be installed such that the
  elevation of the septic tank inlet shall be at
  least 2 inches higher than the elevation of the
  septic tank outlet or the outlet of the first
  compartment. The inverts of the inlets of
  subsequent compartments shall be at least 1 inch
  above their outlets.

124
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• The fill material around septic tanks, dosing
  tanks, holding tanks, aerobic treatment tanks and
  external grease interceptors shall be free of
  large stones, roots, or foreign objects, placed
  in layers, and thoroughly tamped.
• For prefabricated plastic or fiberglass septic
  tanks, the fill material shall not be thicker
  than the thickness recommended by the
  manufacturer.

125
Inspections

• Second Inspection
• All dosing tanks shall be watertight and made of
  the same materials as septic tanks.
• Manholes for dosing tanks shall terminate a
  minimum of 4 inches above the ground surface.
• Dosing tanks must be protected with at least 2
  inches of expanded rigid polystyrene around the
  tank, or installed in frost free conditions.

126
Inspections

• Final Stabilization
• At least 4 inches of soil or soil/soil amendment
  mix, suitable for establishment of a good
  vegetative cover shall be placed over the entire
  filled area including the fill material
  extensions.Final grading shall be completed in
  such a manner that surface water will not collect
  over the disposal field.
• Immediately after completion of final grading,
  the fill material surface shall be stabilized by
  mulching and seeding, or sodding to prevent
  erosion.

127
Inspections

• Final Stabilization
• Grass, clover, trefoil, vetch, perennial wild
  flowers, or other herbaceous perennials may be
  utilized for disposal field surfaces.
• Woody shrubs or trees are unacceptable on
  disposal field surfaces. They may be used in
  conjunction with a hardy perennial ground cover
  on backfill material extensions only.

128
Inspections

• Failed Inspections
• Upon notice from the plumbing inspector that work
  is being done contrary to the provisions of the
  Rules, such work shall be immediately stopped.
• The stop work order shall be in writing and shall
  be given to the owner of the property involved,
  or to the property owners agent, or to the
  person doing the work. It shall state the
  conditions under which the work may be resumed.
• Any person who shall continue any work after
  having been served with a stop work order, except
  such work as the person is directed to perform to
  remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be
  considered to be violating the Rules.

129
Inspections

• Additional Inspection Fee
• Inspections and fees, in addition to those
  mandated by these Rules, may be required by the
  LPI, through adoption of a local ordinance.
• Additional inspections may also be required by
  the LPI when the work is found to be incomplete
  at a prearranged inspection, when work is found
  to be unsatisfactory or when access cannot be
  obtained at a prearranged date and time.
• In such cases, additional inspection fees may be
  assessed by the municipality with the entire
  additional fees being retained by the
  municipalities. CMR 241 sec. 1110.2.2

130
Permitting

• Certificates of Approval
• The LPI must sign the inspection block on the
  HHE-200 Form or Plumbing Application, just below
  the permit label area, which comprises a
  Certificate of Approval.
• The LPI should simultaneously sign the
  permittees copy and the Towns copy. This will
  provide the Town and the permitee with a
  permanent record that the inspection took place.

131
Contact Information

• Other Agencies
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection
• 1-800-452-1942 or 207-287-3901
• Maine Land Use Regulation Commission
• 207-287-2631
• State Planning Office
• 1-800-662-4545 or 207-287-3261
• Plumbers Examining Board
• 207-624-8627

132
Contact Information

• Website http//www.maine.gov/dhhs/eng/plumb/in
  dex.htm

133
Contact Information

• Program Staff
• Russell Martin, PE, Program Director 287-4735
• James Jacobsen, Project Reviews, Webmaster
  287-5695
• Douglas Coombs, LSE, Site Evaluation Program
  287-5688
• Brent Lawson, State Plumbing Inspector 287-5670
• Wendy Austin, Plumbing Permits Data Entry
  287-5672
• Lorraine Martin, Plumbing Permits and Program
  Support 287-5689

134
The End