Toilet Facilities and Sewage Disposal Regulations

REPUBLIC OF THE Mj\RSI-IALL ISLA I ~ DS ENVIEONf..illNTAL PROTECrION AUTH' HUT'{ TOILET FACIf.lTillS AND SE\VAGE DISPOSAL 'U~GULATIONS INDEX PAl1T J - GENEHA L PROVISIONS 1. Authority 2. Purpose 3. Effective date 4. Interpretation PAHT n .. TOILET·AND SEWAGE FACIfJTJES REOll REMENTS. 5, General requirements PART TTT . TYPE OF TOILET AND SEWAGE FAC LITIES G. Type 1 7. Typ e 2 8. TYIJC 3 9. Scwerage system 10. Water avnllable 11. Pre-existing buildings I 12. Absence of public water system 2.tJ~Tn' •.F E1~M ITS. 13. Permit required 14. Application for permit b, Special conditions 16, . Other permits PART V w TYPE 1 SEWERAGE SYSTEM STAND \l1n.s. 1'1, General requirements . 18, Connections 19, Additlonal rcquircmcuts PAHT VI - TYPE 2 SEPTIC TANK STANDAHl2S. 20. GC!lcrnl requirements 21. Overall consrructlon and design features 22. Scum storage 23. J:Jquid depth 24. Acccsslbllity of tunk 25. Location 26. Co...'er 27. 'I'auk excavation and backfill 28. Absorptlon systems 29. ~\;(;pagc pits PAnT vn ·.TYPE 3 PIHVY STANDARDS 30. General requirements 31. Cover 32. Location 33. InsDcction 34. Replacement PART VIII - TQILET FACILITY STANDARI!.S. 35. ,scats 36. Ventilation PATITJX· DISPQSITION QF SE\VAGE AND EX.C.J1I~Tf\ 37. Unlawful disposal PART X • MAINTEN.ANCE AND REPAIR RESPQ]\'.STBILlTY 38. Ma lntenauce 39. Repair or replacement PART XI - ENFQRCEMENT 4O. Violations 41. Eight to enter 42. Public hearing 43. PCH[1lty for lack of permit REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL PRQTECTION AUTHQRlTI' TOILET FACILITIES AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL REGUr ATIONS PART T - GENEHAL PROVTsrQI{S 1. .ll!.tllillitY H) These regulations are promulgated by the Republic of I Ie Marshall Islands Enviro 111 " nuul Protection Authority with the approval of the Minlstc : of Health Services pursuant to Section 21 of the Natlonal Environmental Protection AC' 1984. b) These regulations supercede all previous publications. .nd repeal 63 Trust TelTilory Code Chapter 13, Subchapter V, Toilet Facilities an- I Sewage Disposal RcglJ: nile :1$, c) These regulations have the force and effect of law. 'ftc purpose of these regulations is to establish nunnuum standards for toilet r~cili([cs and sewage disposal to minimize environmental pollution, 'icalth hazards, and ~.~~~~·:iy .1.~\.~:':;~~~~~~:': ~-~0111 such tZL:~1.~".~4 ~::\ 'I'hcse regulation? shall come into force one day aftcr their app 'oval by the Cabinet. 4. ldCf12rctfltion III these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: a) "Absorptlon system" means D. device constructed under tile ground surface to rccci ;'(: nnrl to dlsnlbutc effluent in such D mariner that the effluent is effectively filtered and ~'dl:: lIed below ground surface. i.'.' "Authority" means the Republic of the Marshall Is] .nds Environmental "'''()~:''" :[;~,:I Authority or its authorized staff representative. 1 c) "Owner of property" includes owner, occupant, pass! 5S0r, lessee, and any person who has control of tlte property. (:) "Perso n" means any individual, corporation, (I mpany, association, p2.J';ncl'::hip, agency, authority, commission, foundation, the Repi blic of the Marshall Li:\lJJs ~(oYcrnmcnt or its polltical subdivisions, or any local, state, -'I' foreign government Of r.iuniclpallty, or other institution or entity, whether public or pr vate. e) "Privy" means a structure and ground excavation for 1 lie disposal of human excreta Dy non-water carrlagc methods, Examples nrc: "water seal (,-llct" (sec FIGURE 4), "ventllat ed improved pit Iatrlne" (sec FIGURE 5), "pit privy", "outxilc benjo", "outhouse", "moH bwldcj", and "trench latrlue'u i) "Public building" means any enclosed structure in whic h ten or more persons may gather for any lawful purpose. Examples of public buildings are, but not limited to: schools, churches, theaters, courtrooms, commercial establishments, sporting arenas.Tails, Ilo~::d!als, hotels, food establishments, indoor exhlblts or exh i 'rit lons, resorts, and a\l di tori IJ11\S. U "Scum" means a mass of sewage solids floating on the surface of wastes in a septic LwIe which is buoyed up by gas~ grease) or other substances. b) "Seepage pit" means an absorption system consisting of a covered pit with 0P(!jj jointed lining into which septic tank effluent or laboratory, kit .hcn or laundry waste may seep or leak into the surrounding soil. i)'BcpHc tank" means II water-tight receptacle which receives raw sewage de:;i[!,J10d nnd constructed so as ,to retain solids, digest organic matt. -r through a period of d etc:l [il)!l, and allow the liquid to .dischargc into the sub-sell outside the tank through a buried cpcn-jolnt piping system or a seepage pit. j) "Septic tank system" means a septic tank as defined a Jove together with the burled roll absorption system. 1:.) "Sewage" includes urareated er-msnrncrcrrrty trcareo human excreta, food waste disposed of through sewers, liquid waste from residences, connnerclal and industrial establishments, und such diluting water as may have entered the waste disposal system. I) "Sewerage system" means any arrangement of devices a nd structures used for coJLcliJ:g, trcatlng, transporting, conveying, or disposing of sewage 2 P.·\HT 11 - TOILET AND Sfi:\VACrf': FACILITIES REQVJ '~FMEt,ns j [ Is required that all public buildings or any buildings which may be used for dl't'c:~fil1;:.s shall have toilet and sewage facilities in accordance with the types as provided LI L,l'l III of these regulation. . .. PART TTf - TYPE QF TOILET AND SEWAGE FACI UTJES 'L)'p~ 1 refers to u toilet which is flushed with water and counccrcd to a sewerage Iij'S! ':m .ivnllablo to the public, 'J'ype 2 rercrs to u toilet which is Ilushed with water and connected to a septic tank 'l'YPC 3 refers to a privy (outside benjo), Where a sewerage system.is available to the public, all wastewater plumbing outlets fro"j iJ!IY buildings 5hn11 be connected to the sewerage system, and all toilet facilities shall be 'i'yp() 1. This regulation shall apply to fill public buildings or any buildings which may be lisec) for dwcUings, and are constructed after the effective date of this regulation. 3 '. .herc water is available from a public works division, other government agency, or p.Ivt.i ; . (:1nchlsu, but H sewerage system is not available to the public, toilet facilities shall b.i 'J:: l,l: ~; except that if, in the opinion of the Authority, a Type 2 facility may not function P':Ol,,-'i"!y due to poor seepage rate, inappropriate water supply; lot condition, or other rl)~1:>C: I, .he Authority may at its discretion and by written instrument, require a Type 1 or Tvpc J .aclllty to he used. This regulation shall apply to all public buildings or any b.illu: :l~ ; which may be used for dwellings, and are constructed after the effective date of tl.Is ::.:e:: Iation, I;,' i All other public buildings or any buildings which may be used for dwellings wnic.. .,: e in exlstencc before the effective date of this regulation and are using Type 2 faciJi!i~;;;J may continue to use SUC~l facilities if they meet the applicable sanitation r('qL;j'~;J;!()IILs aud pose 110 lmmedlate water pollution threat or public health hazard. Pro','; :~Q;.!, however, that one year from the effective date of this regulation, the said facilities sh all :.c connected to a sewerage system available to the public, an d if no such system is avalluul;', shall be caused to conform to Part VI of these regulations. :.~ AU Ofher public buildings or any buildings which :!\uy be used for dwellings whlc.i f!1'C in existence before the effective date of .this regulation UJ1C& are using Type :~ fadlitics, may continue to usc such facilities if they meet the applicable sanitation reqnircn.cnts and pose no immediate water pollution threat Of public health hazard. Prov.:..\:c) however, that one year from the effective date of this regulation or upon 'Written notil.cntion by the Authority, whichever is earlier, if a water supply is available the said fa·~iljUcs shall be upgraded by the owner of the property to Type 2 facilities confonning to Part VI I)f these regulations, and if a water supply Is not available the said facilities shall be !ll::dc: by the owner of the property to conform with Part V11 of these regulations. 12. itJ.).'j0IlCe of ppblic water system L. the absence of 'water and sewerage systems available to the public, all toilet and dLp, ... ·.:1 CaeiliLies shall be at least Type 3. Toilet and disposal facilities m:1Y be Type 2 with .:j(.•vrlttcn approval of the Authority. 4 PART IV - PERMITS ::0 building construction! public or private, may be initiated without first obtaining a ])', .m.: r.om the Authority providing that the toilet disposal facilities intended to serve suci. L'Lllding will be in compllance with these regulations. 111. :.!mlknll.n..!.!... for per III it ',.) Appllcutlon for permits shall be 011 a form approved by the Authority and ~~':: .. : !L:ll!ile tile following information: (I) plot plan drawn to scale completely dimensioned, showing direction and approximate slope of surface, location of all present and proposed structures, drainage channels, utilities, roads, surface water and sewage facilities in .rclatlon to property line and other structures; (Il) rlescrlption Of the complete installation of toilet facilities and sewage disposal including quality, kind and grade of material, equipment and method of assembly and installation. ;1) Applications shall be made no later than 30 calendar days before the building CCJ)L.;~ ruction is scheduled to begin. ::) Applicarlons shall be accompanied by 11 processing Ice of $25.00, which is not l't:l',::uL.blc) except that no fee is required by the government of the Republic of the r'lfn~.';kll Islands. The Authority may waive the processing fcc for good reason upon wd:;I:n request of the applicant, .l) Each application shall be signed by the applicant and shall constitute an ngl"';i.:n!i~nt that thc applicant will assume responsibility for undertaking building ('OJ. .iructlcn ill accordance with these regulations. 5 15. D:lCr,iO} conditions 'l ue Authority may, upon issuing a permit, impose any conditions or special rcqu.rcn.cuts us it sees fit. All such conditions and requirements shall be listed on a wl'ill ::i! : .rstrurucnt attached to the permit. 1"') building permit or occupancy permit under any Republic of the Marshall Islands Ia ','I (,\:' \.. gulation shall be issued without prior compliance with these regulations. PART V - TYPE 1 SEWERAGE SYSTEM STANDARDS 17. .L ',lUTllLLQ.w.!ir.e Inell(12 A sewerage system available to the public shall conform to the requirements of all btl iIdiJlg:. operatlons, maintenance, and plumbing plans and specifications, which shall be made available to the public by th~ operator of the sewerage system and which shall be appro l'C(~ by the Authority. AllY deviations from prescribed procedure and materials must .be aprroved by the person responsible for the operation of the sewerage system and the Aut~,.:l'1!·" before lnstallatlon, Tte connection of any building to a sewerage system available to the public shall conform ',0 the requircmcnts of the building, operations, maintenance, and plumbing plans and i:!ic('jficntions, which shall be made available to the public and which shall be ap prO,'(:(i bJ' the Authority. Any deviations from prescribed procedure and materials must be nr~;"'Q;cd by the person responsible for the operation of the sewerage system and the AulllO':il;·; before installation. All such conncctions shall be made gas-tight and water tlg!lL G 19. (MinonG] rfN\lirC T1l cnts :;) additlon to the requirements set forth in regulation 17, the person responsible for l ',e '[Jl!l'[lliDIl of a sewerage system available to the public shall: (i) (ii) (i ii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) ("I'm) safely operate, maintuin, modify, inspect, clean and repair the system: keep permanent, detailed, up-to-date records of equipment and operations; keep a written contingency plan for emergency operations, im mediately correct emergency conditions and continue corrective \\'01'1 until the unit is operational; collect nIl contractually uno statutorlly required envlronmcnral data; check, inspect, and verify all aspects of operations to ensure continuity of operation in accordance with the system's elf sign; immediately clean up any surface leakage from the system provide maintenance, inspection, repair and modiflcatir.n to the sewage outfall systems, and well as make every rcasoriabl. effort to record daily outflow; operate a:s:Cwugc truck to be used to pump public Li.'(\ [Jl~\ .ite sl"pill tanks for eHsposal in the sewerage system. PAT{T VI - TYPE 2 SEPTfC TANK STANDARDS 20. !;cnQra} rl,!C[u irCrllCll ts Septic tanks shall be constructed of sound) durable, watertight materials that arc not ;.ilb-icct to excessive corrosion or decay, They shall be designed to be watertight below tile ::q! lcJ level, to withstand all expected physical forces, to provide settling of solids, :1':C', .u.uuion of sludge and scum, and access for uppro p riate inspection and cleaning. 7 Suptic tanks may be constructed of tile following: (i) precast rcinlorcctl concrete; (ii) poured-in-place concrete; (iii) concrete block; (iv) materials approved by the Authority. ;)) Septic tanks may have-single or multiple compartments and may be oval, circular, r-ctangular, or square in plan} provided the distance between the inlet and outlet of tne t':lll"i8'at least equal to the liquid depth or the tank, In general, tank Ieugth should be at l..:.i;;( two to three times the width. Refer to FIGURE 1 for examples of three typical sept Ic '~II ': shapes appropriate to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. ,-) .l>. typical concrete septic tank is illustrated in FIGURE Z. .Jel.:11 storage volume shall consist of fifteen percent or more of the requ red liquid l'8.pacifj o:' the: tank and shall be provided in the space between the liquid surface and the cop ui .nu.. t and outlet devices. ';.'J: -. liquid depth of a septic t,m.'nk sh31I DC not less than thirty inches nor more than seventy t'.,) inches. 3c;;lic tanks 'shall be installed in a location so as to be accessible for srI vicing and cleani.. ..:, -uid shall have no structure or other obstruction placed over tht" 1 Sf) as to intcri... ..; . 'Hll such operations. 8 ';0 septic tank system or seepage pit shall 00 located) constructed or maintained so us i. ;' ntumluate any potable water supply, an d In no case shalt any septic tank system or .. ';; q;,; pit be located at 11 horizontal distance of less than fifteen feet from any body or', ,:i.', nor shall any septic tank system or seepage pit be located less than onc hundred Icc. ~~" ;l UIlY well, without the express wriucn permission of the Authority. 26. ::Ol'cr :) Every septic tank or seepage pit shall be provided with a substantial and "\'i;(::'CL: '!It COVC1' and shall be provided with properly placed manhole coverings not less t;!~,- '. )ltccn Inches in diameter and handhole openings no less than six inches in Jl;i:,IC:, .:1' tor cleaning purposes. No cover shall be placed over any septic tank system or seepage pit until it !l[i~::)( :t inspected and approved by the Authority, 27. ,:.JUll< (:xCllvatiQn jlnd 1)ilcld"ill [.'he hole to receive the tank shall be large enough to permit the proper placement 0~' >~ .u.k and backfill, Tanks shall be Installed on a solid base that will nor settle and ,i) Septic tank effluent shall be conducted to the absorption system through a wa;.:~'~ 0ilt PVC pipe 'and fillings. ')) Distribution pipc:ior gravity-Ilow absorption systems Shall be fOl l r inches in d~: :~i; ':::1' and shall be perroratcd; Distribution pipe and pipe fittings shall be 0 f materials c.. .. ,;!, . I.J!' wllhstnudlng corrosive action by sewage and sewage-generated gases, (:.) A one foot minimum separation is required between trench bottnm and the !;:':.!o' ::J!l ground water table. ,:) A typical absorption field installation [or level or nearly level topography is il~, :L ·~C:tl in IrIGUlill3. ',Ct, ,'r;c pilS may lie used to supplement the subsurface disposal field (1, in lieu of such 1';;->: .Iicrc conditions favo r the operution of seepage pits, as may be foune nc-cssa ry and '11.' "l '.:c.!, by the Authority on II case-by-case basis. Every seepage pit wl ere caving is Plj.':;~,: ;;,:n,ll! be lined with concrete building blocks, stones, precast concrete or < im llar durabl: lJ .• ~crinl. ,PAHT VB - TYPE 3- PHI"Y STANDARPS 30. (;(;:,:...::1"u1 rQQnircmCllt .:JI '~'ype 3 facilities shall be constructed of such material us will prevent access to human ex ,:l'c:tn by rodents, nics or other vectors. All such facilities shall be designed so as to )1.:n' .nize odor, environmental pollution, health hazards, and public nuiranr-c, Two typlcn! ,.;;':·::':lples of Type 3 facilities nrc illustrated in FIGURE 4 (a water seal toilet) and, FIGVl' 1.:: ~ (u ventilated improved pit latrine). ,\.1) non-water carriage excreta disposal pits shall be covered from time to lime. as' neu:!;::' .:\',',\,Uh earth or lime to exclude flies and prevent odcr. 32. .r ",\!'iJ.!l! N, '!.)'pc:1 facility shall we located, constructed or maintained so as to I ont aminate any:' .:' .. !(; water supply, and in no case shall any Type 3 facility be lvcau-d at a horizt ,1: : distance of less than fifteen feet from lilly body of water. ;",' . 'YP!~ 3 f'acillty shall be put ill usc until it lias been inspected nnd PII ovcd by the i\ .'. : i.y, 10 j <1 • . ',n lllfH: c' m.wJ I 'JY~)e 3 r~ldlilies sllall be replaced and properly scaled and filled wir h ".lrth whci II:, 1;'\' ,xr:rda reaches within tv..o feet of the ground surface. J.:,,\HT VIn ~ TOILET FACILITY STANDARDS ,.!j uiilet t:eals shall have a close-Fitting cover. \:eIltihltion shall be provided Cor each Type 1 and Type 2 toilet facility to extei d ou: .;(: (he building, and shall not be less than six feet high measured from Ihe grour-d !t" .... P/~rtT.lX • DTSPQSlTfON OF SEWAGE AND EXCRETA It shall be unlawful to dispose of treated, scmitrc:Hcd, or U12trc:.!tcl sewage or ~X";-~,' 1 into any pond, welI, reservoir, body or water, or onto the ground, wh. ther pullic OJ' )1': .ute, unless it is clearly shown that such activity is necessary for economic and social V~~>l\.: :;'L' for research purposes; and that the said activity poses no public he;' lth haza rd. A ';v(-.:ial permit shall be required from the Authority for each such activity. 11 t{\Ln:....6~. ~~l\.{;\'TENAJ\'c:r~ ANn HEPArR HSSPONSTnTLITY »ilcts and sewage Iacilitlcs shall be maintained at nil times in good rcpiir and n <l c;'.:: ,:IH] sanitary condition. The owner of the property is primarily respo ns. ile for 11 c ';ll'" .';' :.i completeness, good repair, and maintenance of toilet and sewage hcilities n cou..» .ity with applicable sanitation regulations. . '.!!j toilet aud sewage disposal facility, septic tank, seepage pit, or privy which faj Is to t ,)" )y'with the provisions of these regulations, shall be repaired, altered, clcanr d, CJJI>!j,,: .. or removed rind replaced by the owner of the property as may be ordered by tIC r\. 'JL 11: ; ~ /. PART XI - ENl'QRCEMENT '1) A person who violates any provision of these regulations or any pern it) 1'(;(, '.i;: .uient or order issued thereunder, shall be subject to enforcement 81 I ion by r11C AU!!Il.'ily. l)) The enforcement action may be any or all of the following: (I) revocation of a permit issued under these regulations; (ii) the making of a cease arid desist order in relation to t111~ subject mutter of the violation; (iii) the imposltlon of a civil penalty, fixed by the Authority, nrt exceed ng $10,000,00 for cnch day 011 which the violation cont lnur «; 12 (iv) lile inst it utio n or civil proceedings to restrain the, io!:Jtio; and (v) uny other action aut hor izcd by the Na t ional Environ 'Icntal J rotcct io: Ad 1l)8.:t or any other law. ,1(: Authority may) whenever it is necessary for the purposes of : iesc rc ;uIation~, ente; :,. :-' establishment or upon any property, at rcnsouable times, Io : the p: rposes r f iIlSl)l;';" ,ji or obtaining information to carry out the purpose of these f';;u]atio·ls. :.) When the Authority revokes a permit under regulation 24 b)(i) 0" makes I ccas« , :1,1 desist order under regulation 24 b)(ii), or both, a public henrinj: shall b ~ COH:.!;!(~ cd by the Authority to determine the authenticity of the facts UP( n which the ordc was :11:.1c. , ) Adequate notice of the hearing, and an adequate opportur ity to a -pcar an r 1)(' 1 ',c,,: .It tid) hearing, shall be j];IVCll 1.0 all intt.. rested persons. 43. :.~.:.n.Jllly for lack of permit . ' 11)" person -required to have a permit under these regulations I: 1.d eng~ ged in 8 I acLiri/:, without such 1). permit shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100,( r per d: y for eac-i day ~h, activity is conducted without a permit. l] Arlop:«:' :.:: (!~I: Alilhori!) (.III February (i, l~~)() . ..,j.,·W~ ~ ~...~ . ~:~~2 8Jibn Kaoll., Chairman Environmental Protection Authority Republic of the Marshall Islands Appro", ) by tile l\Jirdstcr of Health Sec-vices on februa ry 9 1990. UfTM Ruben Zackhras r Minister of Health Services Republic of the Marshall Islands EFF~C~IVE DATE: Feb~uary 24, 1990 [.\ 1 Typical septt ic.t.ank shapes, FIGURE )Nin. 6" I:".: 1~.,1.""----'--·"-·· \, '-. G,'Qu.n..::.d j:.:U:..rt:...:o:..:c:..o::...:: :..I~'-- -- ~ ~ , TIohl 1001 I:> ' 01<:. and C:;'{,:' I" mirl/mum , COUlkoc ct I; walo(IIr;;~\~ ;.:, . t" rnll1l(r,:::,~ . Manholll opol'lino to"mfn. dlmolulon ~ S'CTIO~ Hondhoro opol\lno 6~ mli"l, olmr i"l1l' ,/ ;: Rolnio',:,nQ mosh or ~Io<.' '" - ~1\'.111 bCJ 'JPpro:.:l",oIOIY lo0'!. 01 dO;;Jlh 010' lank' ",1I1l v o r i Ic a t a-c o s . I:; U-:;uld COI)ocliy In Qollo'u oqcors lfUldo volum, In C'J. It. (Lx \'/y, Liquid dopJll):< 7,40. . o - ~:ul ross Ihon ~O" dapth. Gloolor Ihen 71" lhould nol bo ccnstc ornd In ranI< capacity, S ., ~;cl 10~1 Ihoni15'to 0111'10 tOQuirod liquid capacity C, L . Z - !/.lrdmum oj 6" but nol croorOllhor1 ~O't 0111'10 dopth 0, I " OullO! 10' rtracuoo ':' PUN I SII-IGLE COMPAtHMENT SEPTlC TANI< (C01<CUffij nPICAL EXAMPLE I I r /,. I, I I I " '. .',.:., .';l ",. ...;, ...-.: I', r ,.. I" .' II.•-. .-...•.•• ---'--- 'r ..,O,·.:...-..--....:........-----~ i" I ; a .... 0 9· 11 ,) \0 j., 'V .<; .. "~ t;J '1 't' . , . I .", , '> ;. t> A ) . " lo' ,... ,) 'IT ,~ I1, ~ .. .. 0 0 !> .. r '1 C> 'l ~ V ~ 'D o .. .'/'"' , C.I-/Eb .. C£,ViEk)\ :n: . y .. . i> P.. ." \ ~ t· : ': I- 4. >-" " , to b ~, t> (.> \I ' I, , i SCl\.LE.1";l'-0" H!\'n;l\. ~;Ei\L TOILET - 'l'¥PICl\L EX1I.HPLE FIGUI<.E <1 TOILf-'T VJ ill tL <1 > I PIT .' :;' .;. ::::: ..: '~ -- Df:. L8V'E1 ~-i;!- -+--+--~--~..yrr..Trin..:n/~ ,~ ;~/f;\ 11 1 11 1 0 1 1 4 1- 0 " \1'-0 11..J.- . .- -r'--' ....... .. .... . ..-.. '" -'1---- .. I G1 OII .J- - - .--'---'-'~-" - ..-' ',fl.:::'! ,LLl\'L'ED IH.PlWVJ.:D. PI'i' (VIl') Ll\'l'l\INl': - TYl)ICi\L EX' WI,' FIGUnE :)