Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 007 - Arkansas Department of Health
Division 04 - Environmental Health Services
Rule 007.04.93-005 - Alternative Systems Manual

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

GENERAL POLICY REGARDING ALTERNATE SEHAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION

As mandated by Act 402 of 1977, the Division of Environmental Health Protection, Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), encourages studies and submission of plans for alternative methods of treating and disposing of wastes generated by individual residences. However, the ADH is not obligated to accept or approve any system which would pose a threat to the health and safety of the citizens of Arkansas. The.concept, applicability and construction requirements of each alternate system proposed will be reviewed on a case by case basis. All alternative systems are considered to be experimental and will not be approved as a uniform plan of development in any municipality, community, subdivision, or other developed area. The ADH's acceptance and approval of an alternative design does not release the homeowner from any obligation, responsibility or liability relating to the system's operation and maintenance or any discharge, planned or unplanned. Also, ADH approval in no way constitutes a guarantee that the system will function as designed.

No alternative or experimental project will be considered if site and soil conditions indicate a standard septic tank/soil absorption system is feasible. Systems using subsurface absorption are preferable to surface discharges except in situations where groundwater quality would be jeopardized.

When the permeability of the ground strata is such that subsurface disposal by a conventional septic tank system is absolutely unacceptable, consideration will be given to an individual home treatment scheme with a surface discharge. Sewage discharges, however, may not be approved in subdivisions, built-up areas, or other critical high-use areas. Only sites demonstrating sufficient isolation from the populace and providing an acceptable location for a surface discharge will be considered. For proposed or newly constructed residences, a minimum lot size of three (3) acres is required. This should allow enough area for the system's effluent to remain on-site. Off-site discharges will only be considered on residences with existing, failed sewage disposal systems. All off-site discharges will also require a National Point Discharge Elimination System CNPDES) Permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (ADPC&E).

PLAN REVIEW PROCEDURE

All plans for alternative and experimental sewage treatment or disposal systems serving individual residences are reviewed by the Environmental Program Services (EPS), Division of Environmental Health Protection staff. All plan specifications and ancillary information must be submitted in triplicate and a $30 plan review fee is required. Only currently licensed Designated Representatives and Sanitarians, employed by the Arkansas Department of Health, may submit plans. Each application must be accompanied by a statement as to why a conventional septic tank/soil absorption system is not feasible and a site evaluation submitted by the Local Sanitarian or Program Specialist.

Guidelines for Plan Submissions are provided by EPS and are periodically updated. In addition to the plan review fee, the following items are required in triplicate:

An outline of the alternate system review procedure is as follows:

SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEMS

Soil absorption systems are designed to infiltrate pretreated or conditioned sewage into the natural soil found at the disposal site. The pretreated or conditioned sewage then undergoes final renovation in the natural soil itself. The type of soil absorption system selected is determined by the limitations imposed by the soil, groundwater features and site location. Soil absorption systems are designed to have NO discharge of sewage to the ground surface. Protecting groundwater from sewage contamination Is a prime concern with soil absorption systems. No disposal scheme that has the obvious potential to contaminate groundwater will be considered.

Soils vary in wetness and seasonal water tables vary during the year. Soil absorption designs must account for wet conditions normally encountered in the late winter and spring. Applications are expected to present data on the soil type, texture, slope, and depth to rock or the seasonal water table. The depth to the seasonal water table (perched or apparent) may be determined either by the presence Cor absence) of chroma 2 mottling or by actual measurements conducted during the four wettest months of the year. Data from the Soil Conservation Service soil manuals is also helpful.

CAPPING FILL SYSTEMS

A capping fill is a modification to a soil absorption system used when the effective sidewall (gravel) of the disposal trench is Installed within 6 inches of the natural soil surface. A capping fill consists of a layer or cap of permeable soil positioned above a shallow absorbtion bed. This maintains the separation between the absorption trench bottom and the limiting layer and provides an adequate cover over the absorption bed.

The limiting layer can be either bedrock or a seasonal water table. The soil separating the trench bottom and the limiting layer can be no finer than a sllty clay loam. The slope of the absorption site cannot exceed 12 percent. Submitted plans must indicate both the original and the finished contours.

The disposal site and borrow site must be scarified to destroy the vegetative material. Stumps should be left in place at the disposal site to prevent extensive disruption of the soi1.

The fill must extend a minimum of 10 feet beyond the edge of the absorption field. The fill area must be seeded and watered regularly to prevent erosion.

The fill material used must be a uniform loam or sandy loam with a maximum clay content of 27 percent. A minimum of 10 inches of settled fill must cover the absorption area. The depth of fill above the original ground surface is measured after settling. Loam and sandy loam soils can be expected to settle from 20 to 25 percent.

Inspection ports must be provided at the end of the first and last absorbtion trenches on a level ground system and every other absorbtion trench on sloping ground systems.

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SAND-LINED TRENCHES

Some soils encountered in Arkansas are limited in their use with conventional septic systems due to excessive permeability or poor filtration characteristics. The sand lined trench (SLT) concept is intended to enhance the renovation by filtering, slowing down, and spreading the septic tank effluent prior to introducing it into the natural soil. This should prevent a "spot loading" situation that could jeopardize groundwater quality. A SLT design should be considered on sites demonstrating a percolation rate of less than 10 minutes per inch or soils with a high stone content with little clay.

The basic components of an SLT system are the septic tank, the distribution system, and the filter bed. The septic tank requirements are the same as with a standard system though special care should be taken to insure that the tank has no holes, cracks, or other leaks that would allow the sewage to bypass the treatment scheme.

The distribution system consists of a properly constructed dose chamber, an acceptable pump or siphon, and either a distribution box or pressure manifold. Serial distribution is not acceptable for use with a SLT system. The dose pump or siphon must" be capable of delivering a controlled dose of septic tank effluent at an application rate of from 0.25 to 0.5 gallons per linear foot of trench.

The filtration section of a SLT is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Basically, it consists of a conventional gravel bed or gravel-less pipe surrounded by at least 12 inches of filter sand in all directions except the top. The gravel bed or gravel-less pipe should be covered with 2-4 inches of sand. The entire SLT is then covered with untreated building paper or soil fabric before the earth cover is added. At this time, the gravel bed design and the gravel-less design are considered equal. When using the gravel-less pipe, the drainfield connections and inspection ports designed for use with gravel-less pipe systems are required.

The size of the SLT is determined by the number of bedrooms in the residence. Each bedroom will require 95 feet of trench. Commercial establishments (domestic waste only) may be sized by using 0.75 linear feet of trench per gallon of septic tank effluent.

All SLT trenches must be installed on contour. An inspection port suitable for monitoring the water level must be provided for each trench in a SLT system.

SIZING A SAND-LINED TRENCH SYSTEM

A list of sources for approved sand is provided in Attachment 1.

2 Sand-lined Trench Details -Either is acceptable -Both must be dosed -Use 95 linear feet/bedroom

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UNDERDRAIN SYSTEMS

Underdrains may be used in relatively level areas to lower the seasonal water table in order to use standard absorption trenches or capping fill systems. Underdrain systems are intended to be used on soils that meet the hydraulic conductivity requirements for standard systems. The minimum separation of absorption trenches Is 10 feet on underdrain systems. The underdrains are similar to curtain drains and are situated between the absorption trenches (see drawing).

The underdrains are from 6-12 inches wide and up to six feet deep. A four inch perforated PVC Pipe is placed in the bottom of each underdrain and covered with at least 12 inches of sand. The underdrains are backfilled with the original material. The ends of the PVC pipe are connected to the sump or discharge line.

The discharge from an underdrain systems is considered treated sewage and must be retained on-site or meet NPOES requirements for an off-site discharge. Road or highway ditches are not an acceptable route of discharge.

Underdrain System

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WISCONSIN SAND MOUND SYSTEMS

Sand mounds are an alternate method of on-site sewage disposal pioneered by the University of Wisconsin. The state of Wisconsin has adopted this system as a standard means of soil absorption. Since the soils encountered in Arkansas are markedly different from those in Wisconsin, sand mounds are considered an experimental system. Since the requirements established by Wisconsin are as up to date as any available, all sand mound submissions must comply with the current site, design and construction requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations. Information may be obtained through the Department's main offices in Madison.

The purpose of the sand mound is to renovate the septic tank effluent by passing it through an adequate sand fill (see Attachment 1) and introducing this renovated wastewater into the natural soil over a broad area. They may be used to overcome such soil/site limitations as permeable soils at sites with a high seasonal groundwater table, rapidly permeable soils over cracked or creviced bedrock, and slowly permeable soils at sites with or without a seasonal groundwater table near the surface. The minimum depth of a soil over cracked or creviced bedrock is two feet. The maximum elevation of seasonal groundwater at the proposed site is two feet from the natural soil surface. No sand mound installation will be approved in a flood plain or a filled site. They will not be approved for installation on top of a failed conventional system.

Wisconsin sand mounds have been evaluated for several years In Arkansas. The life expectancy of a properly constructed and maintained mound appears to be 7-10 years. Therefore, when mounds are utilized, a site for a second mound or alternative must be included in the proposal.

Most of the problems encountered with existing mounds were a result of:

SURFACE DISCHARGING SYSTEMS

As of April 1, 1991, all off-site sewage discharges from individual homes are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit requirements. Individual homes with discharges remaining on the owner's property are not subject to these requirements. All commercial operations are subject to NPDES permit requirements.

To insure on-site retention of sewage effluent, a minimum lot size of three acres is required on all proposals Involving a surface discharge system. When a surface discharge system Is proposed to replace an existing failed sewage disposal system, the three acre minimum lot size may be waived. This does no£ relieve the owner from meeting NPDES requirements.

When a surface discharge system fails to function properly or does not consistently meet the discharge requirements, the discharge of sewage must stop Immediately. The owner will be allowed to use the septic tank, or mechanical treatment plant as a holding facility until adequate repairs are made. The sewage from these holding facilities must be pumped by a licensed septic tank cleaner and disposed of at an NPDES permitted f ac i 1 i ty.

The current maximum pollutant levels are listed below. Some streams and drainages may have more stringent limits.

All off-site discharges must be adequately disinfected prior to discharge. The requirements for disinfection are discussed at the end of this section.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to adequately maintain the sewage treatment system and to insure that the effluent limits are met. The homeowner is also responsible for all costs relating to monitoring and record keeping. An approval by the Health Department is no guarantee that the design is capable of meeting the established limits. Sewage discharges into lakes used as a primary or secondary water supply or bodies of water used for body contact sports are not acceptable and will not be permi tted.

Alternative/experimental systems are not intended and will not be approved as a uniform plan of development in any subdivision, residential area, or any developed or high use areas. Only sites demonstrating sufficient isolation from the populous will be considered. Any reduction in the approved lot size or any increase in the sewage load will void Health Department approval.

AEROBIC TREATMENT PLANTS

Commercially available aerobic package treatment plants designed for individual family dwellings are frequently used in place of site built treatment facilities. These provide a commercially designed and tested device along with a performance warranty and maintenance service. Being premanufactured, they can be installed in a relatively short time and weather delays are not common. A list of approved treatment plants is provided In Attachment 4 and the requirements for becoming approved are discussed in Appendix I of this manual.

Aerobic treatment plants are required to meet the same permitting and discharge requirements as other treatment schemes. Being a mechanical device, regular, routine, maintenance is absolutely necessary for continued performance. Owners of aerobic treatment plants must maintain a valid service contract with a certified individual or company. Licensed aerobic treatment plant distributors and sewage treatment plant operators certified through training provided by either the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology or the Arkansas Environmental Academy meet this requirement. Licensed distributors must provide factory certified maintenance personnel and service. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to pay for all maintenance, effluent testing and records keeping.

Health Department surveys have noted a high malfunction rate for aerobic treatment plants. A lack of routine maintenance appears to be the major problem. It is very important for the homeowner to understand the maintenance requirements and the costs relating to those requirements before selecting an aerobic treatment plant.

INTERMITTENT SAND FILTER

Intermittent sand filters used with properly sized and maintained septic tanks or aerobic treatment plants are capable of producing a high quality effluent to meet state discharge requirements. Disinfection is required on all surface discharge systems. The disinfection requirements are stated in another section of this manual.

Following pretreatment (e.g. septic tank.) the effluent is pumped through a distribution grid ponding the surface of the filter sand. The pretreated effluent 1s renovated as it percolates through the filter sand. The effluent is collected by 4 inch perforated PVC pipes located An a gravel bed under the sand filter. The effluent is then routed to the disinfection apparatus just prior to discharge.

The successful use of sand as a filter media is dependent on the chosen size and uniformity of the grains. Filter media size and uniformity are expressed in terms of "effective size" and "uniformity coefficient". The effective size of the sand media affects the quantity of sewage that may be filtered, the filtration rate, the depth particles penetrate, and the quality of the effluent. A sand media that is too coarse reduces the retention time to the point that adequate renovation is not attained.

Uniform application to the sand media is addressed by pumping the pretreated sewage through a pipe manifold system. This uniformly loads the filter with a relatively low volume of sewage that can be repeated several times during the day. This regime allows for maximum filter retention time and the use of small effluent pumps while optimizing treatment. The distribution apparatus normally consists of a 11/2 to 2 inch schedule 40 PVC manifold with 11/4 inch laterals with 3/16 inch holes drilled every 30 inches. The laterals are spaced from 30 to 36 inches apart. All joints and connections must be properly glued.

The filter bed is covered with 6 to 18 inches of earth to eliminate the nuisance odors associated with septic effluent. Based on normal operating conditions, life expectancy of these systems is seven to ten years. Costs to provide the required maintenance for the filter bed are extremely high due to the necessity of removing and replacing the earth cover. This factor should be considered by the designer when selecting a treatment scheme since the homeowner will be financially responsible for operation and maintenance.

Dosing tanks equipped with a properly sized sewage effluent pump are essential for all sand filter beds. This will permit the proper distribution for the effluent over the entire sand filter area. Recommended dosage volumes and pump or siphon sizes can be determined from the design criteria presented in the tables provided below.

ISF's situated on sites where ground water contamination is possible will be required to use a 30 mil, or thicker, liner. A list of approved liners provided in Attachment 3.

DESIGN CRITERIA FOR INTERMITTENT SAND FILTERS

Septic Tank With Earth Covered Intermittent Sand Filter Bed

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LAGOON SYSTEMS

Small, shallow sewage lagoons serving an individual residence will be considered on sites demonstrating a sufficient isolation. Like other surface discharge systems, lagoons are not for use in subdivisions or other densely populated areas. Lagoons must be located at least 100 feet from the owners house and at least 300 feet from any other residence or other high-use area. Sewage lagoons should not be situated where they would block a drainage area and create ponding in the surrounding area. Lagoons should be located at least 100 feet from property lines or other areas readily accessible to the public. All trees located within 100 feet of the lagoon must be removed and not allowed to re-establish. Sunlight and wind are vital for proper lagoon operation.

All treatment schemes utilizing lagoons must provide adequate pretreatment with either a conventional septic tank or an approved aerobic treatment unit. Filtration and chlorinatlon are required on lagoons with an off-site discharge. Lagoon effluent discharged off-site must meet all NPDES requirements.

The following chart indicates the side length of lagoons required for various sized residences. For residences with more than four bedrooms, the formula below on the chart may be used to calculate the side length. Note that lagoons are not recommended for residences with less than 2 bedrooms or with an estimated daily flow less than 300 gal Ions per day.

Lagoon Sizing Chart

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In general, the construction requirements for an individual sewage lagoon are similar to the Soil Conservation Service construction guidelines for stock ponds or tanks. The berm or levee should have a 2:1 or a 3:1 slope depending on the soil properties at the site. The berm should also have a relatively flat surface at the top approximately one foot wide. The height of the berm is determined by the difference in elevation between the natural ground surface and the bottom of the lagoon. The bottom of the lagoon should be above the wet seasons' groundwater level. This will prevent seasonal groundwater from occupying the working depth and thus overloading the system. The designed working depth on an individual home lagoon should be about three feet with a maximum (or overload) depth not to exceed five feet. On a typical installation, the bottom of the lagoon would be about two feet below the natural ground surface. This may vary allowing for different soil properties and lagoon size limitations.

Lagoon Profile

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After construction, the berm should be sodded or seeded with a suitable grass cover, and a fence must be constructed around the lagoon to prevent entry by children or pets. A gate providing access for maintenance and sampling is required.

At least two feet of water should be added to the lagoon before the Initial use. This will establish aerobic conditions in the lagoon which will aid in proper operation. A properly operating Lagoon will be green in color and present no odor. Hhen a lagoon goes septic, the water will turn dark and begin to stink. If the water level in the lagoon is below two feet, make-up water should be added to dilute the effluent and to reinstate an aerobic environment. If, after the addition of make-up water, the lagoon is still septic, add lime on a daily basis until the lagoon again becomes green and ceases to cause odors.

A sewage lagoon is not a maintenance free system. The area around the lagoon should be kept mowed and no trees or shrubs should be allowed to establish on the berm. Woody plants tend to block wind and sunlight and their roots cause leaks in the lagoon berm.

DESIGN FOR CRITERIA FOR ROCK PLANT FILTERS

The Rock Plant Filter (RPF) is a method of providing secondary treatment to septic tank effluent. A RPF is essentially an artificial marsh that relies on the action of microorganisms on the rock media, absorption by the roots of aquatic plants and microbes working together to achieve treatment. The top surface of the filter must be open to the air, but odor problems are not anticipated. A RPF system may be considered on sites where low soil permeability prohibits the use of a conventional residential septic system. Sites demonstrating a slope greater than 8% will not be considered. The characteristics and shape of the proposed RPF site will determine which of the two bed designs is most applicable. No variations from the bed designs shown below will be considered. A typical cross section has been included to better explain the design concept. Discharge from a RPF must be retained on this owner's property. This requires at least a 3 acre lot. This requirement may be waived on repairs to existing, failed septic systems. All off-site discharges must be chlorinated prior to discharge. All off-site discharges require an NPDES Permit from the Department of Pollution Control and Ecology.

Primary treatment for the RPF system is accomplished with a conventional septic tank. Residences with 1 or 2 bedrooms will require a 1,000 gallon tank (minimum) and residences with 3 or 4 bedrooms will require a 1,250 gallon tank. The septic tanks used must comply with all requirements outlined in Health Department regulations. When replacing an existing, failed septic system, the existing concrete septic tank may be used if it is in good repair, adequately baffled and meets the standard sizing criteria for subsurface absorption field systems. If the RPF is installed at an elevation higher than the outlet of the septic tank, an approved dose chamber and pump will be required.

The RPF itself is essentially a shallow, completely level, rectangular gravel bed with septic tank effluent ponded at a designed depth of one foot and with a total gravel depth of 18 inches. The gravel used must be clean, washed creek gravel and may range in size from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches. Do not use crushed stone. Also, do not use pea gravel on the surface or any other part of the RPF. The RPF beds are to be installed on contour and level. The plants from the accompanying list are planted at regular intervals with the roots below the level of the ponded effluent. As suitable plants are determined, they will be added to the list. All soil must be washed from the plants' roots prior to planting in the RPF. All installations will require a plastic bed liner. A single layer, 30 mil plastic liner with inlet and outlet boots, is required. A list of suppliers for approved liner materials is provided in Attachment 3. Multiple layers of a liner material less than 30 mils is not acceptable. Roots projecting into the RPF trench must be trimmed even with the trench wall or bottom to prevent damage to the liner. The RPF must be constructed to prevent any surface water or groundwater from entering the filter bed. This would wash soil into the filter, thereby clogging the bed. This would also reduce the residence time of the sewage in the RPF.

The inlet and outlet devices for a RPF must be designed to insure even distribution and collection and to reduce the possibility of clogging. Both the inlet and outlet devices are to be installed at the same level to pond the septic tank effluent at a one foot depth. The inlet and outlet devices consist of a 10 foot, 4 inch perforated PVC Pipe with a standard "T" fitting in the center. These are installed within one foot of the ends of the bed. The ends of all pipes must be capped.

All RPF beds must have a border to exclude surface runoff and prevent loose soil from being washed into the filter bed. This border must extend at least 4 inches above the surface of the soil around the bed and extend at least 4 inches below the surface of the soil around the bed and extend at least 4 inches below the soil surface. The border may be constructed of either treated landscaping timbers nailed together or of treated lumber. Any other border material must be approved by the agency prior to use.

Before planting the plants, the filter must be ponded to the designed working depth to provide water for the roots. The filter may be ponded slightly deeper after planting to insure that water is available for the new plants. This is easily done by capping the outfall pipe. The minimum number of plants required is on the accompanying chart. The plants are to be planted on staggered, 18 inch intervals. All soil is to be removed from the root ball just prior to planting. It may be desirable to apply a water soluble fertilizer after planting to start plant growth. It may be necessary to either flood the bed or add water with a "soaker hose" for a period of time after the plants are installed. Aquatic plants need plenty of water to survive and grow. Yearly maintenance is accomplished by removing the dead plant material (not the roots) each spring and preventing grass or weeds from being established in the RPF.

Management practices to enhance on-retention of the sewage effluent are encouraged.

AQUATIC PLANTS CONSIDERED FOR USE IN ROCK PLANT FILTERS

Sizing Criteria

*For additional bedrooms, add 50 ft. to filter size and 12 plants.

Rock/Plant Filter

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DISINFECTION OF SEWAGE EFFLUENT

All effluent from individual home treatment systems must be adequately disinfected prior to the point of surface discharge. Any proven conventional disinfection method will be given due consideration. Approved disinfection methods Include:

Tablet feed, erosion chlorinators are the most widely used. Only commercially available chlorinators will be considered. Design and/or performance data must be included in the plans submitted. Chlorinators proposed for installation must be capable of automatic operation and must provide a controlled chlorine dosage proportional to the effluent flow rate. A minimum dosage of 10 ppm chlorine and a contact time of at least 30 minutes during peak flow periods is required. When tube feed, tablet type chlorinators are proposed, they shall be designed to deliver a continuous, unhindered gravity feed of the tablets. Some tablet types have a tendency to wick, and swell in the tubes. This results in a stoppage of the chlorine tablet feed.

A chlorine contact chamber must be provided following the chlorinator to insure adequate disinfection of the effluent. The chamber must be well baffled to prevent any direct path for flow between chamber inlet and outlet. The minimum acceptable size is 25 gallons for most residences. The sizing of the contact chamber for other types of establishments will be done on an individual basis. The point of discharge from the chamber must be well above the high water level of the receiving stream or ditch. The chamber discharge elevation must also be below its influent elevation to prevent filter flooding.

Proposals for ozone and ultraviolet light devices must be accompanied by installation, operation and performance data supplied by the manufacturer. This should include laboratory tests results demonstrating the capabilities of the units.

OTHER WASTEWATER DEVICES

The devices disussed In this section are neither soil absorption nor treatment systems. They are special use system designed for low use applications or to reduce the amount of sewage going into another type of system.

HOLDING TANKS

Holding tanks are only economically feasible on buildings with small daily flows. Examples are office buildings or small stores (not grocery or food service) with employee toilets and lavatories only. Holding tanks will not be considered for residences (full or part time) due to the quantity of wastes generated. Since all wastes will be stored on-site until pumping, a 1,000 gallon or ten day capacity whichever is larger, will be the minimum size allowed. Holding tank systems must be readily accessible for pumping in all seasons and weather conditions. A gravel or paved surface for the pumping truck must be adjacent to the tank. The pumper truck must be able to drive to within 10 feet of the service riser. To facilitate pumping, a 12 inch diameter riser will be required on all holding tanks.

Proof of a notarized contract with a licensed septic tank pumper will be required before a permit to operate is issued. The contract must provide for pumping within 24 hours of notification and state where the sewage will be deposited. Unlike septage, holding tank contents cannot be land applied. The only acceptable method of disposal is deposition into a municipal sewage treatment plant with which the septic tank pumper has permission to dump. In some areas of the state, it is difficult to find a treatment plant willing to accept holding tank wastes. This should be explored before proposing this type of system. The owner of the structure being served by a holding tank is ultimately responsible for the proper disposal of the holding tank contents.

All holding tanks must be watertight. A Schedule 40 sanitary tee must be provided for the inlet. An alarm float must be installed in the holding tank to indicate when 757, of the capacity has been reached. Information on the float alarm system's brand name, manufacturer, use and installation must be provided at the time plans are submitted. The alarm itself, either audible, visual, or both, must be installed inside the structure being served and in a visible location. The name of the licensed pumper and his telephone number must be displayed on the alarm.

Since all waste from a holding tank system are pumped, water saving devices are strongly recommended. These can substantially reduce the daily volume of effluent produced and therefore will reduce the frequency and cost of pumping.

The use of holding tanks for establishments with a small daily waste flow have generally been successful. Some of the problems encountered have been the lack of a suitable disposal site, groundwater infiltration that greatly increased pumping frequency, alarm failure, failure of employees to respond to the alarm and the inability to pump the holding tank in very inclement weather. The owner of the building to be served should be aware of these potential problems.

Typical Holding Tank

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COMPOSTING AND INCINERATING TOILETS

A composting toilet is a device specifically designed to retain and process body wastes and, in some cases, household garbage by biological degradation. The process may be either thermophilic or mesophj.lic depending on the design of the toilet. Thermophilic devices are normally smaller and require some type of energy input to maintain the desired temperature. Mesophilic devices rely on the heat produced by the biological process to maintain the required temperature. Whether or not a device can accept household garbage is dependent on it's design and intended use. An incinerating toilet is a device designed to reduce body wastes, both urine and feces, to an ash residue. Needless to say, a significant input of energy is required. The type of energy used is dependent on the design of the device used.

Only manufactured composting and incinerating toilets which have been tested and approved. Each application requesting approval of a composting or incinerating toilet must also provide for the disposal of the homes1 greywater. Household greywater wastes, exclusive or urine and feces, must be handled and disposed of in a manner approved by the Arkansas Department of Health. The preferred method of handling greywater is through a conventional septic tank and absorption field. Since the use of a composting or incinerating device will reduce to volume of household wastes, a 35% reduction in the absorption field size will be granted. Other methods of treating and/or disposing of greywater will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Only those methods which adequately protect the health of the homeowner and the public will be considered. All methods utilizing a discharge of any type must be capable of producing an effluent meeting current discharge standards. When the discharge cannot be expected to be retained on-site, easements from affected property owners will be required.

Some manufacturers claim the stabilized compost is safe and may be used as a soil additive in gardens. The actual health risks associated with this composted material have not been adequately assessed. The stabilized compost from a composting toilet must be buried onsite or deposited in an approved sanitary landfill. The ash from incinerating toilets requires no special handling since any pathogen would be destroyed in the incineration process.

A list of approved composting and incinerating devices is provided in Attachment 2. All composting and incinerating devices must be evaluated by an ANSI approved laboratory under NSF standard 41.

APPENDIX I

Requirements for the Approval of Aerobic Treatment Plants For Distribution In Arkansas

Aerobic treatment units may be used for treating domestic sewage waste, provided that each unit is installed, operated and maintained in conformance with the following provi sions:

APPENDIX II

Requirements For Becoming An Aerobic Treatment Plant Distributor

The following items are required to become a distributor, of aerobic treatment plants for residential use. Application is made to the Environmental Program Services Section, Environmental Health Protection Division, Arkansas Department of Health:

APPENDIX III

Requirements For Personnel Certified To Repair Aerobic Treatment Plants

ATTACHMENT 1

Sources Of Sand Acceptable For Use In Intermittent Sanri Filters. Wisconsin Sand Mounds an.d Sand Lined Trenches

ATTACHMENT 2

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ATTACHMENT 3

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ATTACHMENT 4

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SEVERABILITY

If any provisions of these Rules and Regulations, or application thereof to any person is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these Rules and Regulations which can effect without the invalid provisions of applications, and to this end the provisions hereto are declared to be severable.

REPEAL All Regulations and parts of Regulations in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.