A. Modification Or Discontinuance Required: If, upon inspection, an SSTS is found to be a failing system or a system posing an imminent threat to the natural environment or the public health, safety and welfare, then the SSTS shall, if possible, either be modified or repaired to comply with this chapter or its use discontinued within the time periods specified in this section.
B. Failing Septic Systems: A failing SSTS, as defined in Minnesota Rules 7080.1500 subparagraph 4b, shall be upgraded, replaced, or its use discontinued within the six (6) months of issuance of the notice of noncompliance.
C. SSTS System Posing An Imminent Threat: Any SSTS posing an imminent threat to the natural environment or public health, safety, or welfare, as defined in Minnesota Rules 7080.1500 subparagraph 4b, shall be abated within ten (10) days. The system shall be upgraded, replaced or repaired, or its use discontinued, within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed six (6) months.
D. Remediation: A permit shall be required when an operational component is added or a method employed to an SSTS to recover a failing treatment area. Required information for this permit will be a description of what is wrong with the existing SSTS, an inspection/compliance of the components of the system, a lab sample of the existing effluent to determine abnormalities and a preliminary site evaluation of what the upgrade options will be on the property if the remediation fails to correct the problem. A management plan/operating permit will also be required.
E. Emergency Actions:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the building official or City Engineer may require pumping of a septic system not more than twenty four (24) hours of issuance of a notice of failing system or SSTS system posing an imminent health threat being issued and compliance with the following additional requirements:
a. Install a level alarm within the tank that includes an audible horn and strobe light visible from the public street.
b. Seal the septic tank outlet converting the tank to a holding tank.
c. Expose the service manhole for pumping the septic tank.
d. Seal all outlets within the basement of the structure served by the septic system.
e. The property owner shall provide the City a right of entry to the property to allow for any needed inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement of the failed system with all costs incurred by the City being the responsibility of the property owner.
2. Actions as may be required by the building official or City Engineer to immediately abate a threat to public health, safety and welfare shall not exempt the property owner from providing for a compliant system in accordance with this chapter. (Prior Code § 4-3-4)