1. Bedroom means a private room where people usually sleep for the night. Story County does not have a building code, so there are no specific items, such as an egress, a closet, minimum room size, minimum height, etcetera, that make a room a bedroom. Residential septic system sizing is based on the number of bedrooms and soil type. A bedroom, for septic sizing, accommodates two people. Owners, in the process of selling a house, shall disclose the total number of bedrooms used for sizing the septic system, as stated on the permit, in an effort to inform buyers of the wastewater generation capacity.
2. Certified Installer means a person who qualifies as a Certified Installer of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (CIOWTS). Certification, recertification, and continuing education for CIOWTS is accredited by the Iowa On-site Waste Water Association (IOWWA). Continuing education credits for CIOWTS certification obtained prior to January 1, 2018 may continue to be tracked with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or IOWWA. If the IOWWA board members have good reason to believe the certified installer is not meeting the standards of a CIOWTS contractor, the IOWWA board has the authority to revoke a certification, with an appeal process available for the contractor. Refer to the IOWWA Certified Installer On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems Credentialing Handbook.
3. Maintenance contract means a binding document between the property owner and a septic system maintenance contractor. A maintenance contractor has been trained by the system's manufacturer to service, monitor, make minor repairs, and report on said manufactured system. For systems no longer being manufactured, a person may service a septic device via permission granted by a variance issued by the EH. Maintenance contractors are not required to be a Certified Installer.
4. Professional Septic System Evaluator and Designer (Professional Evaluator)
A. Includes a person who is able to successfully:
(1) Demonstrate knowledge and skill in soil morphology, observing attributes such as color, mottling, reduction-oxidation, texture, structure, and compaction.
(2) Identify seasonal groundwater levels and other limiting layers.
(3) Identify soil loading rates.
(4) Identify topography and landforms and complex slopes as they relate to wastewater treatment.
(5) Identify the optimum type and placement and depth of disposal systems.
(6) Design systems as per the requirements of IAC Chapter 69 "Private Sewage Disposal Systems" and this ordinance.
(7) Identify the proper use of pumps, tanks, distribution boxes, drop boxes, valves, plumbing, piping, grease traps, holding tanks, and aggregate.
(8) Demonstrate knowledge of wastewater strengths.
B. Professional Evaluators include (but not limited to):
(1) Licensed engineers in the State of Iowa. A minimum of three years of experience in onsite wastewater treatment system design and soil evaluations are required.
(2) Individuals with a bachelor's or associate's degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or related field. A minimum of three years of experience in onsite wastewater treatment system design and soil evaluations are required.
(3) The Story County Sanitarian
C. A person wanting to work in Story County as a Professional Evaluator shall submit an application and supporting documentation to EH. Application forms shall be provided by EH. An interview may be requested by EH to aid in determining if a person is qualified to be a Professional Evaluator in Story County. An appeal for denials may be requested in writing to the BOH within thirty days of EH's decision.
5. Stream means any watercourse listed as a "designated use segment" in rule IAC Chapter 61 567-61.3 (455B) which includes any watercourse that maintains flow throughout the year or contains sufficient pooled areas during intermittent flow periods to maintain a viable aquatic community. Designated use segments include:
A. Class 'Al' water, as per the State of Iowa water classifications, also referred to as a primary contact recreational use water, means waters in which recreational or other uses may result in prolonged and direct contact with the water, involving considerable risk of ingesting water in quantities sufficient to pose a health hazard. Such activities would include, but not be limited to, swimming, diving, water skiing, and water contact recreational canoeing.
B. Class 'A2' water, as per the State of Iowa water classifications, also referred to as a secondary contact recreational use water, means waters in which recreational or other uses may result in contact with the water that is either incidental or accidental. Such uses include fishing, commercial and recreational boating, any limited contact incidental to shoreline activities and activities in which users do not swim or float in the water body while on a boating activity.
C. Class 'A3' water, as per the State of Iowa water classifications, also referred to as a children's recreational use water, means waters in which recreational uses by children are common. Such waters are water bodies having definite banks and bed with visible evidence of the flow or occurrence of water. This type of use would primarily occur in urban or residential areas.