Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-40 - Water Resources (WPC)
Chapter 0400-40-16 - Public Sewerage Systems
Section 0400-40-16-.02 - SUPERVISION OVER CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SEWERAGE SYSTEMS

(1) Preliminary Informations.

Whenever any new construction or any change of an existing system is contemplated, a statement concerning the proposed construction or change together with such preliminary plans, reports, operating cost data, construction cost estimates, and any other necessary data shall be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. These data will be reviewed by the Department to determine if sufficient information has been provided for review of the project and if the proposed project meets the Department's general design criteria and if additional changes will be necessary prior to preparation of the final plans and specifications. The Department's approval should be obtained in writing prior to preparation of the final plans and specifications.

(2) Sewage Samples.

Whenever any new construction or changes of an existing system involving the treatment works is contemplated representative samples of the sewage shall be properly collected and analyses are directed by the Department. These data and any other pertinent information shall be submitted to the Department.

(3) Final Plans.

Before work is commenced on any new construction or change of an existing system, final plans and specifications and cost estimates, together with such additional data as may be necessary to determine the suitability of the works, shall be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and no part of the work shall be started until the Department has given its written approval. All such plans should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date upon which action of the Department is desired. After construction has been completed, a set of "As Built" plans shall be submitted to the Department.

(4) Revision of Plans.

All changes in the plans and specifications requested by the Department must be made and approved by the Department prior to construction. In case it is necessary or desirable to make any additional changes in the approved plans and specifications, revised plans and specifications, together with a statement of the reasons for the changes, shall be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for review and no part of the work affected by the change shall be started until the Department has given its approval in writing.

(5) Work in Conformity with Plans and Specifications.

A copy of the approved plans and specifications shall be available at the job site at all times during construction. All work on new construction or changes of existing systems shall be done in conformity with the approved plans and specifications. The consulting or design engineer shall provide adequate inspection during construction to ascertain that all work is done in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

The Department's representative shall have access to the project at all times during construction. If the Department's representative observes work being done in a manner that does not conform to the approved plans and specifications, a request will be made through the engineer's representative or directly to the contractor to cease all work until the nonconformity with the approved plans and specifications has been rectified.

(6) Records of Existing Works.

Whenever there is any question concerning the suitability of existing structures, equipment or other parts of the sewerage system to perform the function for which intended, the Department may require the submission of plans or other data necessary to ascertain the details of such works in relation to their possible direct or indirect effect upon public health.

(7) Sewer Use Ordinance.

The governing body of each public sewerage system shall enact an ordinance that will state:

(8) Ownership and Operational Organization.

Prior to the approval of final plans and specifications for sewerage facilities that are not owned and operated by a municipality or public utility district, the Department must receive evidence of the ownership of the system by a satisfactory organization that will be responsible for the operation and maintenance (such organization as a corporation set up under the General Corporation Act of 1969, an organization that has a charter from the Tennessee Public Service Commission, or a title deed on FHA insured loans) of the system.

(9) Other Utilities.

No other utility lines or systems are to be placed in the same trench as sewer lines, and potable water lines should be placed a minimum horizontal distance of ten (10) feet from the sewer lines.