(a) Private sewage disposal systems constructed prior to the effective date of this section (Ordinance 1975-4, passed February 26, 1975) shall comply with any provision of this chapter deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety or his or her designated representative.
(b) The Building Department or its authorized representative is hereby authorized and directed to make such inspections as are necessary to determine satisfactory compliance with this chapter.
(c) The owner or occupant of a property shall give the Building Department or its authorized representative free access to the property at reasonable times for the purpose of making such inspections as are necessary to determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(d) An individual sewage disposal system which has been installed by a homeowner for his or her personal residence shall not be covered or placed in operation until the installation has been inspected and until written approval of the system has been issued by the Building Department.
(e) The Building Department or its authorized representative may make inspections during the course of the construction of any individual sewage disposal system, to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(f) If a homeowner who installs his or her own private sewage disposal system backfills any portion of the system and/or covers the same with earth, cinders, gravel, shale or any other material which will prevent the same from being readily viewed to determine if the system meets all requirements of this chapter before receipt of written approval from the Building Department, the Department may give fifteen days notice in writing to such homeowner to uncover such backfilled or covered portions of such system. If, at the end of such fifteen days, the homeowner has not uncovered the individual sewage disposal system, the permit is automatically invalidated and penalty action may be taken. The Commissioner of Public Health and Safety or his or her designated representative may elect to have the system uncovered at the expense of the homeowner. Failure of the homeowner to pay such costs within thirty days shall result in execution of a lien against the property.
(Ord. 1975-4. Passed 2-26-75; Ord. 1995-16. Passed 5-22-95.)
(g) All on-site private sewage disposal units shall be inspected on an annual or more frequent basis if deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety or his or her designated representative. Inspections on systems shall include the following:
(1) Aerobic systems. A test of effluent for turbidity and a test of the mechanical parts of the system, including motors, alarm lights, chlorine release systems, electrical connections, etc.; or
(2) Anaerobic systems. A check of the property for surface ponding, improper effluent run-offs or any other condition which would indicate an improperly operating system. Dye tests shall be performed when, at the sole discretion of the inspector, a health problem may exist.
(Ord. 1983-5. Passed 5-23-83; Ord. 1984-22. Passed 12-10-84.)