(A) Purpose. This subchapter is enacted to provide minimum standards for the regulation of subsurface sewage treatment systems (ISTS) including: their proper location, design and construction; their necessary modification and reconstruction; their operation, maintenance and repair for the purpose of protecting surface water and groundwater from contamination by human sewage and waterborne household and commercial wastes; the protection of the public’s health and safety; and the elimination and prevention of the development of public nuisances, pursuant to the authority granted under M.S. Chs. 115 and 145A, as they may be amended from time to time, and Minn. Rules Chs. 7080, 7081 and 7082, that may pertain to sewage and wastewater treatment. All sewage generated in unsewered areas of the county shall be treated and dispersed by an approved SSTS that is sited, designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter or by a system that has been permitted by the MPCA.
(B) Sewage discharge to ground surface or surface water. It is unlawful for any person to construct, maintain, or use any wastewater treatment system regulated under this subchapter that results in raw or partially treated wastewater seeping to the ground surface or flowing into any surface water. Any surface discharging system must be permitted by the MPCA under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program.
(C) Objectives. The principal objectives of this subchapter are as follows:
(1) The protection of the city’s lakes, rivers and streams, wetlands, and groundwater essential to the promotion of public health, safety, welfare, socioeconomic growth and development of the city in perpetuity;
(2) The regulation of proper ISTS construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance to prevent the entry and migration of contaminants, thereby ensuring the non-degradation of surface water and groundwater;
(3) The establishment of minimum standards for ISTS placement, design, construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance to prevent contamination and, if contamination is discovered, the identification and control of its consequences and the abatement of its source and migration;
(4) The appropriate utilization of privy vaults and other non-water carried ISTS; and
(5) The prevention and control of water-borne disease, lake degradation, groundwater related hazards, and public nuisance conditions through technical assistance and education, plan reviews, inspections, ISTS surveys and complaint investigation.
(Ord. 2015-03, passed 2-25-2015) Penalty, see § 51.99