(A) A sewage holding tank is an alternative method of sewage disposal pursuant to I.C. 16-41-25-9.
(B) An application must be filed by the property owner or property owner’s agent including:
(1) An application form provided by the County Health Department;
(2) A construction plan of sufficient clarity to show compliance with this chapter;
(3) A copy of a written contract with an operator of a septage management vehicle providing for the removal of septage at regular intervals; and
(4) A written statement, signed by the property owner, indicating that copies of all receipts and other records as requested be submitted to the local health department within ten days of service.
(C) All sewage holding tanks shall:
(1) Have a minimum capacity of the greater of:
(a) One thousand gallons; or
(b) At least two times the design daily flow of the home or commercial structure as determined by 410 IAC 6-8.3 or 410 IAC 6-10.1; and
(2) Have a capacity of no more than 10,000 gallons.
(D) A sewage holding tank shall meet all separation distances required for a septic tank in 410 IAC 6-8.3 and 410 IAC 6-10.1.
(E) A sewage holding tank shall meet all construction requirements of septic tanks in 410 IAC 6-8.3 and 410 IAC 6-10.1.
(F) All sewage holding tanks shall have at least one riser to the surface for ease in pumping the tank. A secondary childproof plug shall be installed under any riser to the surface.
(G) A construction permit issued by the County Health Department is required prior to the installation of the holding tank or gravity sewer.
(H) For sewage holding tanks that will serve facilities that are regulated by the State Department of Health (campgrounds, youth camps, mobile home parks, agricultural labor camps, and medica facilities), written approval from the State Department of Health shall be required prior to issuance of a construction permit for the sewage holding tank.
(I) A gravity sewer, meeting the requirements for a residential sewer in 410 IAC 6-8.3 or the requirements for a building sewer in 410 IAC 6-10.1 shall be used to make a direct connection between the plumbing of the structure with plumbing and the holding tank.
(J) All sewage holding tanks installed in the county shall have:
(1) An installation inspection to confirm proper installation and to confirm the outlet of the last tank has been appropriately sealed prior to backfilling;
(2) An audible and visible alarm that will activate when the level in the tank reaches two-thirds of the tank’s capacity; and
(3) The alarm wired in by an electrician and verified operational.
(K) All holding tanks shall be required to have an operating permit issued by the County Health Department.
(1) The construction permit issued for the installation of the holding tank shall also serve as the operating permit for the first two years of service.
(2) An operating permit for a sewage holding tank shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance.
(3) An operating permit shall be renewed prior to, or within ten days of, expiration.
(4) An operating permit fee as stated in the County Health Department fee ordinance shall be due at the time of operating permit renewal.
(L) All receipts from pumping and maintenance of a sewage holding tank and other documents for repair or modification of a sewage holding tank need to be submitted to the local health department within 30 days of service via digital transmission or hard copies provided to the County Health Department.
(M) An operating permit not renewed within ten days of expiration or a sewage holding tank not operated in a safe and sanitary manner, including receipts and other paperwork not submitted as required, is a violation of this chapter and may be subject to penalty as described in § 53.99, permit revocation, and/or denial of permit renewal.
(N) Use of a sewage holding tank must be discontinued if:
(1) Connection to an approved on-site sewage system becomes available to the owner; or
(2) Connection to sanitary sewer becomes available within 300 feet of the property line on which the sewage holding tank is being used.
(O) Upon connection to an on-site sewage system or sanitary sewer, the sewage holding tank shall be abandoned unless it will be converted for use as a septic tank or a dosing tank in an on-site sewage system.
(Ord. 2023-20, passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 53.99