Section 8.9. Operation and Maintenance
8.9.1. General
8.9.1.1. Scope
- This Section applies to the operation and maintenance of all sewage systems.
8.9.1.2. General Requirements for Operation and Maintenance
(1) Every sewage system shall be operated and maintained so that,
(a) the sewage system or any part of it shall not emit, discharge or deposit sanitary sewage or effluent onto the surface of the ground,
(b) sanitary sewage or effluent shall not emit, discharge, seep, leak or otherwise escape from the sewage system or any part of it other than from a place or part of the sewage system where the system is designed or intended to discharge the sanitary sewage or effluent, and
(c) except as provided in Sentence (2), sanitary sewage or effluent shall not emit, discharge, seep, leak or otherwise escape from the sewage system or any part of it into a piped water supply, well water supply, a watercourse, ground water or surface water.
(2) Clause (1)(c) does not apply to the use of a sewage system designed and operated such that properly treated effluent is discharged into soil.
8.9.2. Operation
8.9.2.1. Scope
(1) The requirements of this Subsection are in addition to the requirements of Subsection 8.9.1.
8.9.2.2. General
(1) Every sewage system shall be operated in accordance with,
(a) the basis on which the construction and use of the sewage system was approved or required under the Act or predecessor legislation, as the case may be, and
(b) the requirements of the manufacturer of the sewage system.
8.9.2.3. Class 4 Sewage Systems
(1) Every Class 4 sewage system shall be operated in accordance with the literature required by Sentence 8.6.2.2.(6).
(2) No person shall operate a treatment unit other than a septic tank unless the person has entered into an agreement whereby servicing and maintenance of the treatment unit and its related components will be carried out by a person who,
(a) possesses a copy of the literature required by Sentence 8.6.2.2.(6), and
(b) is authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain that type of treatment unit.
(3) The person authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain the treatment unit and who has entered into the agreement referred to in Sentence (2) with the person operating the treatment unit shall notify the chief building official if,
(a) the agreement is terminated, or
(b) access for service and maintenance of the treatment unit is denied by the person operating the treatment unit.
8.9.2.4. Sampling of Treatment Units
(1) Every person operating a treatment unit that is used in conjunction with a leaching bed constructed as a shallow buried trench, Type A dispersal bed or Type B dispersal bed shall,
(a) take a grab sample of the effluent to determine the level of CBOD5 and suspended solids in the effluent,
(b) carry out the sampling required by Clause (1)(a) in accordance with the methods described in the APHA/AWWA/WEF, “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”, and
(c) promptly submit the results of the sampling required by Clause (a) to the chief building official.
(2) Except as provided in Sentence (4), the sampling required by Sentence (1) shall be conducted,
(a) initially, once during the first 12 months after the sewage system was put into use, and
(b) thereafter, once during every 12 month period, at least 10 months and not more than 18 months after the previous sampling has been completed.
(3) The concentration of CBOD5 and suspended solids in the grab sample described in Sentences (1) and (4) is deemed to comply with the maximum concentration requirements set out in Table 8.6.2.2. when it does not exceed 20 mg/L for each of these parameters.
(4) If the results of the sampling required by Sentence (1) do not comply with Sentence (3), the person operating the treatment unit shall,
(a) resample the effluent in accordance with Clauses (1)(a) and (b) within 6 months after the previous sampling has been completed, and
(b) promptly submit the results of the resampling required by Clause (a) to the chief building official.
8.9.2.5. Class 5 Sewage Systems
(1) Every Class 5 sewage system shall be operated in accordance with the agreement referred to in Sentence 8.8.1.2.(2).
(2) No Class 5 sewage system shall be operated once it is filled with sanitary sewage until such time as the sanitary sewage is removed from the sewage system.
8.9.3. Maintenance
8.9.3.1. Scope
(1) The requirements of this Subsection are in addition to the requirements of Subsection 8.9.1.
8.9.3.2. General
(1) Every sewage system shall be maintained so that,
(a) the construction of the sewage system remains in accordance with,
(i) the basis on which the construction and use of the sewage system was approved or required under the Act or predecessor legislation, as the case may be, and
(ii) the requirements of the manufacturer of the sewage system, and
(b) all components of the sewage system function in their intended manner.
(2) The land in the vicinity of a sewage system shall be maintained in a condition that will not cause damage to, or impair the functioning of, the sewage system.
8.9.3.3. Interceptors
(1) Every grease interceptor referred to in Article 8.1.3.1. shall be maintained in accordance with CSA B481.4, “Maintenance of Grease Interceptors”.
8.9.3.4. Class 4 Sewage Systems
(1) Septic tanks and other treatment units shall be cleaned whenever sludge and scum occupy one-third of the working capacity of the tank.
8.9.3.5. Pressurized Distribution Systems
(1) The pressure head at the furthest point from the pump in all distribution pipes shall be checked for compliance with Articles 8.7.6.1. and 8.7.8.2. and the design specification at least every 36 months.
