(A) As defined by I.C. 13-11-2-199.5, SEPTIC TANK SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEM for purposes of this section, means pipes laid in a system of trenches or elevated beds, into which the effluent from the septic tank is discharged for soil absorption, or similar structures.
(B) Subject to division (D), a property owner is exempt from the requirement to connect to a district's sewer system and to discontinue use of a septic tank soil absorption system if the following conditions are met:
(1) The property owner's septic tank soil absorption system was new at the time of installation and was approved in writing by the Health Department;
(2) The property owner, at the property owner's expense, obtains a written determination from the Health Department or its designee that the septic tank soil absorption system is not failing. The Health Department or its designee shall provide the owner with a written determination not later than 60 days after receipt of the owner's request. If the Health Department or its designee fails to provide a written determination within 60 days, the owner, at the owner's expense, may obtain a written determination from a qualified inspector. If the Health Department or its designee determines that a septic tank soil absorption system is failing, the property owner may appeal the determination to the Dearborn County Board of Health. The decision of the board is final and binding.
(3) Within the time limits set forth in division (F), the property owner provides the district with:
(a) The written notification of potential qualification for the exemption described in division (F); and
(b) The written determination described in division (A)(2);
(C) If a property owner, within the time allowed under division (F), notifies a district that the property owner qualifies for the exemption under this section, the district shall, until the property owner's eligibility for an exemption under this section is determined, suspend the requirement that the property owner discontinue use of a septic tank soil absorption system and connect to the district's sewer system.
(D) A property owner who qualifies for the exemption provided under this section may not be required to connect to the district's sewer system for a period of ten years beginning on the date the new septic tank soil absorption system was installed. A property owner may apply for two five-year extensions of the exemption provided under this section by following the procedures set forth in divisions (B) and (C). If ownership of an exempt property is transferred during a valid exemption period, including during an extension of an initial exemption:
(1) The exemption applies to the subsequent owner of the property for the remainder of the exemption period during which the transfer occurred; and
(2) The subsequent owner may apply for any remaining extensions.
However, the total period during which a property may be exempt from the requirement to connect to a district's sewer system under this section may not exceed 20 years, regardless of ownership of the property.
(E) A district that has filed plans with the Department of Environmental Management to create or expand a sewage district shall, within ten days after filing the plans, provide written notice to affected property owners:
(1) That the property owner may be required to discontinue the use of a septic tank soil absorption system;
(2) That the property owner may qualify for an exemption from the requirement to discontinue the use of the septic tank soil absorption system; and
(3) Of the procedures to claim an exemption.
(F) To qualify for an exemption under this section, a property owner must:
(1) Within 60 days after the date of the written notice given to the property owner under division (E), notify the district in writing that the property owner qualifies for the exemption under this section; and
(2) Within 120 days after the district receives the written notice provided under division (1), provide the district with the written determination required under division (B)(2).
(G) When a property owner who qualifies for an exemption under this section subsequently discontinues use of the property owner's septic tank soil absorption system and connects to the district's sewer system, the property owner may be required to pay only the following to connect to the sewer system:
(1) The connection fee the property owner would have paid if the property owner connected to the sewer system on the first date the property owner could have connected to the sewer system.
(2) Any additional costs:
(a) Considered necessary by; and
(b) Supported by documentary evidence provided by;
the district.
(H) A property owner who connects to a district's sewer system may provide, at the owner's expense, labor, equipment, materials, or any combination of labor, equipment, and materials from any source to accomplish the connection to the sewer system, subject to inspection and approval by the Board of Health or its designee.
(I) This section does not affect the authority of the State Department of Health, the Dearborn County Board of Health, the Dearborn County Health Department, or a County Health Officer with respect to a septic tank soil absorption system.
(J) The Dearborn County Board of Health shall have the authority to set reasonable fees for inspections.
(K) For purposes of this section, a septic tank soil absorption system is "failing" if one or more of the following apply:
(1) The system refuses to accept sewage at the rate of design application and interferes with the normal use of plumbing fixtures.
(2) Effluent discharge exceeds the absorptive capacity of the soil into which the system discharges, resulting in ponding, seepage, or other discharge of the effluent to the ground surface or to surface waters.
(3) Effluent discharged from the system contaminates a potable water supply, ground water, or surface waters.
(L) As used in this section, "qualified inspector" means any of the following:
(1) An employee of the Health Department who is designated by the Health Department as having sufficient knowledge of onsite sewage systems to determine if an onsite sewage system is failing.
(2) An individual who is certified by the Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association as an onsite sewage system installer or inspector.
(3) An individual listed by the State Department of Health or a local health department with jurisdiction over the service area of the property inspected as having sufficient knowledge of onsite sewage systems to determine if an onsite sewage system is failing.
(BC Ord. 2017-010, passed 9-19-17)