A. Licensed Private Sewage Disposal Installation Contractor. No installation shall be made without a written permit from the Health Authority issued either to a Licensed Private Sewage Disposal Installation Contractor, or to the owner or lessee of the lot. All septic system installations, repairs, alterations, extensions and modifications must be performed by a Licensed Private Sewage Disposal Installation Contractor. In order to operate in McHenry County, a contractor must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) pursuant to 225 ILCS 225/4, of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.
B. Installer Responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the licensed private sewage disposal installation contractor to install the septic system per the approved septic design, and to notify the Health Authority of any discrepancies between the installation site and the approved septic design. Failure to install the septic system per the approved septic design or to notify the Health Authority of such discrepancies constitutes a violation of this Ordinance by the Private Sewage Disposal Installation Contractor.
C. Protection of Area. After the permit has been issued for a proposed private sewage disposal system, the area in which the system is to be installed shall be identified and shall not be cut, excavated, filled, or otherwise altered in any way except as specified in the approved plans. The permit holder shall protect the area from construction traffic and all other activities, which might compact the soil.
D. Owner Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to protect all components and reserve areas of his private sewage disposal system from damage due to installation of utilities. A minimum five-foot horizontal separation between all sewage system components and utility conduit shall be maintained. Where local conditions prevent a five (5) foot separation, a forcemain, manifold or building sewer may be laid closer than five (5) feet from a utility conduit, provided that the forcemain, manifold or building sewer is sleeved within a larger diameter Schedule 40 or heavier solid pipe for any portion less than five (5) feet.
E. Free from Encroachment. The area to be used for a private sewage disposal system shall be selected and maintained so that it is free from encroachment by driveways, decks, accessory buildings, swimming pools, parking areas, buried lawn sprinkling systems, underground utility services, patios, slabs, additions to the original structure or any other structure which limits free access to the system for maintenance, servicing or proper operation. A permanent barrier is required to prevent trafficking of the septic system when the system abuts a parking lot or driveway.
F. Decks/Patios. Decks shall be allowed over septic tanks, aeration devices and lift stations provided that access is maintained at each access point for maintenance and repair, and that the deck does not encroach upon the soil absorption or designated expansion areas. For decks greater than or equal to five (5) feet above the ground surface, the space below the deck will be considered the access. Patios shall be allowed over septic tanks, aeration devices and lift stations provided that free access to all of the portals is provided.
G. Construction Traffic. On sites where septic system installation will be difficult (i.e. on small lots), the Health Authority will require that the location for material storage and a pathway for construction traffic be specified on the septic design.
H. Tree Removal. Any removal of trees greater than or equal to six (6) inches in diameter shall be by cutting near the surface. Stumps may be removed by grinding or cutting, but shall not be uprooted.
(Ord. O-201711-51-031, passed 11-14-2017)