Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 241 - SUBSURFACE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL RULE
Section 144-241-6 - APPLICATION FOR DISPOSAL SYSTEM PERMIT

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-241-6

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. GENERAL

1. The Subsurface Wastewater Disposal System Application (HHE-200 Form) and all other required forms must be completed on forms developed by the Department for permits to install disposal systems. The application must be complete and include, but is not limited to, the following minimum information as outlined in the following sections. Except for soils and system design information, the owner/applicant or authorized agent is responsible for accuracy of the information provided in the application:

2. Page one of the HHE-200 form:
a. Property Location, Owner/Applicant Information;

b. Permit Information;

c. Design Details including the projected design flow of wastewater and method of calculation; and the geodetic latitude and longitude of the disposal field center, expressed as degrees, minutes, and seconds to an accuracy of ± 30 feet and referenced to in the NAD 83 datum; and

d. The Site Evaluator Statement.

3. Page two of the HHE-200 form:
a. The Site Plan must be drawn at a scale that clearly depicts the following site features that directly affect the system design and compliance with this rule, and if practical, within the following distances within at least a 100-foot radius around systems with design flows less than 1,000 gallons per day, 200-foot radius around systems with design flows between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons per day, and at least a 300-foot radius around engineered systems (systems with design flows of 2,000 gallons per day or more) and depict the following:
i. Property boundaries: The boundaries of the lot as indicated by the property owner;

ii. Existing manmade features: Locations of existing and proposed structures, roadways, water wells and disposal fields on the same lot and on abutting or neighboring lots to show compliance with the applicable setbacks;

iii. Water bodies: Location of all surface water bodies, natural and artificial, and all springs;

iv. Wetlands: The boundaries of any potential wetland area;

v. Locations of all observation holes;

vi. The location of the proposed system and existing disposal system if present including, but not limited to, disposal fields, septic tank, pump/dosing tanks and grease interceptors and connecting piping (a supplemental site plan may be included should additional space be required);

vii. Surface water diversions: Location of existing and proposed surface water diversions;

viii. Site location map;

ix. North arrow; and

x. Graphic Scale: Each design on this page must include a graphic scale.

b. Soil Profile Description and Soil Condition Logs, pursuant to Section 5:
i. Soil profile and condition, limiting factor and depth to limiting factor;

ii. Ground Slope: Magnitude and direction of the maximum ground slope at the observation hole.

4. Page three of the HHE-200 form:
a. The Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Plan must be drawn at a scale that clearly depicts the following:
i. The location and type of the proposed system including, but not limited to, disposal fields, pump/dosing tanks, distribution pipes, connecting piping, fill material extensions with their shoulders and limits, septic tanks, grease interceptors and curtain drains;

ii. Elevations: The original ground elevation at the highest point along the uphill edge of each disposal field, and the original ground elevation of the four corners of each disposal field, all referenced to the elevation reference point. The number of ground surface elevation measurements taken within and around a disposal field must be sufficient to adequately determine the required elevation of the disposal field and the extent of the fill material extension;

iii. Elevation Reference Point: The location and description of a system elevation reference point (ERP) set at elevation zero and located outside the fill extension areas (preferably within 100 feet of the field). When feasible, the ERP must be established at an easily located, reasonably-expected-to-be-permanent feature, (for example, a fire hydrant, a surveying monument, a structure, etc.) When such a feature is not available, the site evaluator shall set their own reasonably-expected-to-be-permanent feature for the ERP, (for example, using a grade stake with rebar in a flagged tree), which must be shown on the design or in specific notes as "no alteration or termination without site evaluator's approval". The distance in inches of the ERP above ground level at the ERP location must also be indicated. Elevations must be given in inches above or below the ERP except for large systems, those greater than 1,000 GPD, which may use a reference point set to the datum for the entire project and may use elevations in feet and decimal (tenths of feet).

iv. System ties: three measurements from two or more known horizontal reference points or two measurements from one horizontal reference point with compass bearings for each horizontal measurement, to a minimum of two proposed disposal field corners. System ties must be located outside the fill extension areas and preferably within 100 feet of the disposal field(s). When feasible, the system ties must be established at an easily located, reasonably-expected-to-be-permanent feature, (for example, a fire hydrant, a surveying monument, or a structure). When such a feature is not available, the site evaluator must set their own reasonably-expected-to-be-permanent feature for tie points, (for example, using a grade stake with rebar or setting a nail in a flagged tree), which must be shown on the design or in specific notes as "no alteration or termination without site evaluator's approval". Alternatively, system tie details may be shown on page 2;

v. Staked Corners: All four corners of the disposal field must be staked by the site evaluator and/or engineer. Wooden stakes or wire flags are recommended to use as stakes;

vi. Cross-section line: a line running across the proposed disposal field (perpendicular to the long axis of the field) which identifies the location of the cross-section diagram for the disposal field;

vii. The limits of the fill extension must be shown for each corner of the disposal area with dimensions shown; and

viii. Scale: Each design must include a graphic scale.

b. Backfill Requirements: Depths of fill material required at each corner of each disposal field.

c. Construction Elevations: The elevation of the bottom of each disposal field, the top of the distribution pipes or proprietary disposal devices within each disposal field and finish grade elevation.

d. Disposal Field Cross-Section: Cross-section diagrams must be drawn for each proposed disposal field at a scale that clearly depicts the following features:
i. Original ground surface with notes for site preparation including scarification and transitional horizon;

ii. Height and width of disposal field stone or proprietary devices with dimensions;

iii. Pipes and on-center spacing with dimensions;

iv. Depths of fill material required;

v. Fill crown slope and shoulders with dimensions;

vi. Limits of all fill extensions with dimensions:

5. Proprietary Products: The site evaluator shall clearly indicate on the HHE-200 form or on an attachment to same, his or her relationship with a company or concern that sells or distributes proprietary devices.

6. Applicable Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations: The completed HHE-200 Form must conform to all provisions of applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations, including those administered by public water systems.

7. The LPI may authorize changes to the location(s) of treatment tanks, lift stations, building sewers, distribution boxes, drop boxes, and force mains provided that applicable minimum setback distances are maintained. Such alterations must be documented by the LPI.

B. LOCATION, DEPTH, AND MINIMUM NUMBER OF OBSERVATION HOLES

1. General: Because Maine soil conditions can change dramatically within a few feet, more than one observation hole is often necessary to allow a site evaluator to better define the true soil conditions beneath a proposed disposal field. Observation holes used for design purposes must be located at representative points clearly within the footprints of proposed non-engineered subsurface wastewater disposal fields.

2. Minimum number of observation holes: The number of observation holes must be sufficient to determine the soil and site characteristics beneath the entire disposal field.

3. Minimum depth of observation holes: The minimum depth of observation holes is based upon the soil horizons and conditions present at the site of a proposed disposal field, as follows:
a. Hydraulically restrictive horizons: Observation holes must extend at least 12 inches into the hydraulically restrictive horizon to check for bedrock except that no excavation is required greater than 48 inches in depth.

b. Seasonal ground water table: Observation holes must extend at least 12 inches below the seasonal ground water table to check for bedrock except no excavation is required greater than 48 inches in depth.

4. Dig Safe Law: The "Dig Safe Law" requires notification if other than hand tools are utilized to dig observation holes (See 23 MRS § 3360-A).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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