HomeMy Public PortalAboutSewage Ordinance - Affidavit of Publication - 1980CITY OF MEDINA
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT
AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS CODE
Regulating the installation, construc-
tion, alteration, extension and repair of in-
iividual soil treatment and sewage dis-
iosal systems: requiring permits for. and
licensing of persons engaged in the con-
struction thereof: and providing for in-
spection and prescribing penalties.
SECTION I TITLE
This code and its provisions shall be
known as the Individual Sewage Treat-
ment and Disposal Systems Code of the
City of Medina.
SECTION II PURPOSE
The purpose of this ordinance is to
promote the health, safety, morals.
prosperity, esthetics and general welfare
of the residents and property owners of
the City of Medina: to protect land, water
and other natural resources within and
outside the city from impairment, pollu-
tion, or destruction as charged under Min-
nesota Statutes 1973, 116B.01: to prevent
flooding and flood damage; to facilitate
the division and subdivision of land; to
save residents and property owners from
the large and unnecessary expenses of
providing central sewers and water ser-
vices where such expenses may
reasonably be avoided.
The City of Medina determines that, in
areas not served by public sanitary sewer,
the effluent from sewage tanks (septic
and aerobic) shall be disposed of by a soil
-ea tment and disposal system which shall
ie a series of drainfield trenches herein
referred to as "subsurface soil treatment
and disposal systems".
SECTION III DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of these regulations,
certain terms or words used herein shall
be interpreted as follows: the word
"shall" is mandatory, the words "should"
and "may" are permissive. All distances.
unless otherwise specified, shall be
measured horizontally.
Administrator - That person charged
with the enforcement of local sanitary or-
dinances, including, but not limited to zon-
ing administrators, sanitarians, building
officials, and health officers.
Aerobic Tank - Any sewage tank which
utilizes the principle of oxidation in the
decomposition of sewage by the introduc-
tion -of air into the sewage.
Agency - The Minnesota Pollution Con-
trol Agency
Agency Approved Disposal Facility -
Any disposal facility which has an NPDES
(National Pollutant Discharge Elimina-
tion System) Permit or State Disposal
System Permit or letter of approval from
the Agency.
AIternative System (Innovative
'ystem) - An individual sewage treatment
'stem designed to mitigate site charac-
eristics of high groundwater and slow
permeability. The two general types of
systems are the innovative subsurface ab-
sorption systems (including shallow .
trenches and equal distribution system)
and innovative mound systems. Engineer-
ing methods and devices employed by in-
novative systems are presented in the
Design :Manual.
Raffle - A device installed in a septic
tank for proper operation of the tank, and
to provide maximum retention of solids.
Includes vented tees and submerged pipes
in addition to those devices that are nor-
mally called baffles.
Bedrock - That laver of parent material
which is consolidated and unweathered.
Bedroom - Any room within a dwelling
unit which is designed, used, or intended
for use as a sleeping room.
Building Drain - That part of the lowest
piping of the drainage system which
receives the discharge from soil, waste,
and other drainage pipes inside the walls
of the building and conveys it to the
building sewer beginning at least one foot
outside the building footings.
Building Sewer - That part of the
drainage system which extends from the
end of the building drain and conveys its
discharge to an individual sewage treat-
ment system. Adequate cleanouts shall be
provided as per State Plumbing Cedes.
Capacity - The liquid volume of a
sewage tank using inside dimensions
below, the outlet.
Cesspool- An underground pit into
which raw household sewage or other un-
treated liquid waste is discharged and
from which the liquid seeps into the sur-
rounding soil.
Clerk - The Clerk of the City of Medina.
Council - The Council of the City of
Medina.
Distribution Pipes - Perforated pipes or
agricultural drain tiles that are used to
distribute• sc.aWagR tank effluent in a ^,il
treatment system.
Dosing - Dosing is the periodic applica-
tion of effluent to soil absorption area.
Distribution Device - A device which is
used to distribute sewage tank effluent to
the distribution pipes.
Dosing Device - A pump, siphon, or
other device that is used to discharge
sewage tank effluent from the dosing
chamber into the distribution device or
treatment system.
Dosing Chamber - (or pump pit or wet
well) A tank or separate compartment
following the sewage tank which serves as
a reservoir for the dosing device.
Dwelling Unit - A residential building or
portion thereof intended for occupancy by
a single family but not including hotels,
motels, boarding or rooming houses or
tourist homes.
Equal Distribution - The distribution of
sewage effluent equally over the entire
soil absorption area.
Existing System - Any individual
sewage tratment system installed before
the effective date of this regulation, and
any system for which a permit has been
issued by the local unit of government
before the effective date of these stan-
dards.
Filter Material - Clean rock, crushed
igneous rock or similar insoluble, durable
and decay -resistant material free from
dust, sand, silt, or clay. The size shall
range from one-half inch minimum
diameter to two and one-half inch effec-
tive diameter.
Floodplain - Means lands which are sub-
ject to flooding during a ten-year flood as
defined herein.
Note: If there arp any lake levels which
have been recorded for a number of years
by the Department of Natural Resources.
these should be referred to and the highest
kr., wn level of the watertable in the lake
should be the reference point for the loca-
tion of sewage disposal systems. If a flood -
plain ordinance is in effect, the required
regulations in the Minnesota Shoreland
Ordinance apply.
Greywater - Liquid waste from a dwell-
ing produced by bathing. laundry. culinary
operations and from flood drains. and
specifically excluding toilet waste.
Impermeable - With regards to bedrock.
a bedrock having no cracks or crevices
and having a vertical permeability less
than one inch in 24 hours shall be con-
sidered impermeable. With regard to
soils, a soil horizon or layer having a ver-
tical permeability less than one inch in 24
hours shall be considered impermeable.
Individual Sewage Treatment System -
A sewage treatment system, or part
thereof, serving a dwelling, or other small
living or business unit, or group thereof,
which utilizes soil treatment and disposal.
Lawn Area - The area bounded by the
dimensions required for the proper loca-
tion of the soil treatment area.
Mottling - A zone of chemical oxidation
and reduction activity, appearing as
splotchy patches of red, brown, orange,
and gray.
Mound System - A system where the soil
treatment area is built above -ground to
overcome limits imposed by proximity to
watertable or bedrock, or by rapidly or
slowly permeable soils, as described in
the Medina Sewer System Design Manual.
New System - Any individual sewage
treatment system installed after the ef-
fective date of these standards.
Official Soil Map - The Soil Survey of
Hennepin County, Minnesota, 1974, a copy
of which is attached hereto and made a
part hereof by reference, adopted as the
official Soil Survey of the City of Medina
together with any detailed supplemental
operational Soil Surveys made pursuant to
such map.
Percolation Rate - The time rate of drop
of a water surface in a test hole as
specified in Section IV of this regulation.
Non-comforming System - A prohibited
system: a system located within a
designated 10-year floodplain; a system
which does not meet all the location
design or construction standards of the
Design Manual: a system which is being
used beyond its capacity; a system which
has failed to treat properly and/or dispose
of the entire current input; a system
results in one or more of the following con-
ditions:
in A discharge of pollutants, or any li-
quid, to the surface of the ground or to any
lake, stream, or other body of water.
(21 An inability to accept a sewage input
from an unoccupied building.
(3) The creation of a safety hazard due
to unprotected or improper construction
or maintenance.
(4) The creation of any type of public
nuisance.
Plastic Limit - A soil moisture content
below which the soil may be manipulated
for purposes of installing a soil treatment
system. and above which manipulation
will cause compaction and puddling.
Pressure Distribution System - This dis-
tribution system consists of a pumping
chamber and properly sized pumps and
pipe to accomplish equal distribution.
Privy - A toilet waste treatment device
consisting of a pit where only toilet
wastes, fecal matter. urine and toilet
paper are discharged. The privy shall be
used in conjunction with a greywater
system.
Sand - A soil texture composed by
weight of at least 25 percent of very
coarse. coarse. and medium sand varying
in size from two to 0.25 mm. less than 50
percent of fine or very fine sand ranging in
size between 0.25 and 0.50 mm, and no
more than ten percent of particles smaller
than 0.05 mm.
Seepage Pit - (or leaching pit or dry
well) An underground pit into which a
sewage tank discharges sewage or other
liquid waste and from which the liquid
seeps into the surrounding soil through the
bottom and openings in the side of the pit.
Septage - Those solids and liquids
removed during periodic maintenance of a
septic or aerobic tank, or those solids and
liquids which are removed from a holding
tank.
Setback - A separation distance
measured horizontally in which no In-
dividual Sewage Treatment and Disposal
System can be constructed.
Sewage - Any water carried domestic
waste, exclusive of footing and roof
drainage, from any industrial,
agricultural, or commercial establish-
ment, or any dwelling, or any other struc-
ture. Domestic waste includes, but is not
limited to liquid waste produced by
bathing, laundry, culinary operations and
liquid wastes from toilets and floor drains,
and specifically excludes animal waste
and commercial process water.
Sewage Tank - A water -tight tank used
in the treatment of sewage. Includes, but
is not limited to, septic tanks and aerobic
tanks.
Sewage Tank Effluent - That liquid
which flows from a septic or aerobic tank
under normal operation.
Septic Tank - Any watertight, covered
receptacle designed and constructed to
receive the discharge of sewage from a
building sewer, separate solids from li-
quid, digest organic matter. store solids
through a period of detention, and allow
the clarified liquids to discharge to a soil
treatment system.
Site - The proposed on -site sewage treat-
ment system area.
Site Evaluator - Any person so
designated by the city such as a soil scien-
tist. geologist. or registered professional
engineer.
Slope - The ratio of vertical rise or fall
to horizontal distance,
Soil Boring - Any type of excavation
capable of revealing detailed charac-
teristics of penetrated soils
Soil Classification- Where soil particle
sizes or textures are specified in this
regulation, they refer to the Guide for
USDA Soil Textural Classification (See
Figure 11).
Soil Permeability - The rate of water in-
filtration into the soil expressed as a rate
(inches per hour). Permeability is most
often measured by the Uhland Core
method where the rate at which water
passed through a water saturated soil un-
der one-half foot of standing water.
Soil Scientist - A person who has had
four years academic training and who has
had field experience in the identification
of the soil types defined in the Soil Survey
of Hennepin County. Minnesota. 1974.
Soil Survey - The systematized study of
soils, including the study of particulate
makeup. slope. permeability. and other
morphological soil characteristics: the
systematized study of soil behavior and
predictions of soil behavior for purposes of
individual soil treatment and Sewage Dis-
posal Systems: the classification of soils
into defined soil types: soils mapping to
show the boundaries of specific soil types
and their geographic distribution, as set
forth in Standard Soil Survey USDA. a
copy of which is attached hereto and made
a part hereof by reference.
Soil Treatment Area - An area where
sewage tank effluent is treated and dis-
posed of below the ground surface by
filtration and percolation through the soil.
and also by transpiration. Includes those
systems commonly known as seepage bed.
trench drainfield, disposal field, and in-
cludes mounds. electroosmosis systems,
and seepage pits.
Standard System - An individual sewage
treatment system employing a sewage
tank and the soil treatment system com-
monly known as trenches. drainfield, or
leachfield.
Surfacewater Flooding - On major
streams, the ten-year floodplain as
defined by the Department of Natural
Resources, or where a floodplain is es-
timated by local officials and/or the
Department of Natural Resources. On
lakes, high water levels as determined or
recorded by the Department of Natural
Resources or, in the case of no depart-
ment record, by local records or ex-
perience. Other surfacewater flooding or
high water areas should be determined by
local information.
Ten -Year Flood - A flood which has the
probability of occurrence once in ten
years, or the level to which floodwaters
have a ten percent chance of rising in any
given year.
Toilet Waste Fecal matter urine.
toilet paper and any water used for
flushing.
Valve Box - Any device which can stop
sewage tank effluent from flowing to a
portion of the soil treatment system: in-
cluding but not limited to caps or plugs on
distribution or drop box outlets• divider
boards. butterfly valves. gate valves or
other mechanisms.
Watertable - The highest elevation in the
soil where all voids are filled with water.
as evidenced by presence of water or soil
mottling or other information.
Normal (or Ordinary) High Water Mark
- A mark delineating the highest water
level which has been maintained for a suf-
ficient period of time to leave evidence
upon the landscape. The normal high
water mark is commonly that point where
the natural vegetation changes from
predominantly aquatic to predominantly
terrestrial.
Watertight - Constructed so that no
water can get in or out below the level of
the outlet.
Water Usage - Water usage shall be es-
timated by the best current available
data.
SECTION IV GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Applicability
1. General
These standards define the minimum
standards for individual sewage treatment
systems installed in Medina. It is inten-
ded that the administration and enforce-
ment of these standards be conducted by
the Administrator of the City of Medina
except for the following systems which re-
quire State Disposal System Permits:
a. Systems disposing of waste other than
sewage.
b. Collector systems which serve fifteen
(15) dwellings, or 5,000 gallons per day,
whichever is less.
c. Individual sewage treatment systems
which serve a single facility generating
greater than 15,000 gallons per day.
In all three cases, approval by the Ad-
ministrator shall be obtained prior to the
issuance of a license or permit by either
the State Department of Health or the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
2. New and Existing Systems
a. All systems installed subsequent to
the adoption of these standards shall be
located, designed and constructed in ac-
cordance with the requirements of these
standards.
b. All existing systems which are not
located, constructed or installed in accor-
dance with the provisions of these stan-
dards, shall be brought into compliance as
closely as is practicable with the require-
ments of these standards whenever such
system fails, causes a nuisance, or re-
quires a repair or alteration (not including
maintenance) .
B. Discharge Prohibited
Raw sewage, septic tank effluent. or
seepage from a soil treatment system
shall not be discharged to the ground sur-
face. abandoned wells, or bodies of sur-
facewater, or into any rock formation the
structure of which is not conducive to
purification of water by filtration, or into
any well or other excavation in the
ground.
C. Lot Size
A lot shall have an adequate area for all
expected improvements in addition to an
adequate area of soil suitable for the in-
stallation of the individual sewage treat-
ment system in accordance with all re-
quirements pertaining thereto.
D. Connection to Public Sewer
Nothing shall prohibit the use of in-
dividual sewage treatment systems where
public or other sewage or other waste dis-
posal systems are not available or cannot
reasonably be, made available. provided
site and soil conditions are satisfactory as
outlined in Section 12.
E. Treatment Required
The system or systems shall be designed
to receive all sewage from the dwelling.
building. or other establishment served.
Footing or roof drainage shall not enter
any part of the system.
F System Components
The system shall consist of a building
sewer, sewage tank, and soil treatment
system. A11 sewage shall be treated in a
sewage tank or toilet waste treatment
device. and the sewage tank effluent shall
be discharged to the soil treatment
system.
G. Prohibited Installations
Cesspools and seepage pits shall not be
installed.
H. System Sizing
Where the construction of additional
bedrooms, the installation of mechanical
equipment or other factors likely to affect
the operation of the system can be
reasonably anticipated, the installation of
a system for such anticipated need shall
be required.
SECTION V LICENSING
No person, firm or corporation shall
engage in the business of installing, con-
structing, or repairing sewage disposal
systems within the municipality without
first obtaining a license to carry on such
occupation •from the Council and procur-
ing and posting with the Clerk a bond in
the amount of Two Thousand ($2,000)
dollars in favor of the municipality and the
public, conditioned upon the faithful per-
formance of contracts and compliance
with this ordinance. Such license shall be
renewable annually on or before April 30
and may be revoked or refused renewal by
the Council for cause. Any installation,
construction, alteration or repair of a
sewage disposal system by a license in
violation of the provisions of this or-
dinance or refusal on the part of a licensee
to correct such defective work performed
by such licensee shall be cause for revoca-
tion of or refusal to renew a license.
Before any license issued under the
provisions of this section may be revoked
or its renewal refused. the licensee shall
be given a hearing to show cause why such
license should not be revoked or refused.
Notice of the time, place, and purpose of
such hearing -shall be in writing. The an-
nual license fee shall be fifty ($50) dollars.
Application for such license shall be made
annually on a form furnished by the Coun-
cil.
The persons licensed shall demonstrate
their knowledge and ability to install in-
dividual soil treatment and sewage dis-
posal systems by attending and com-
pleting at least one Home Sewage
Workshop conducted by the University of
Minnesota Extension Service.
SECTION VI PERMITS
A. Applicability
No person. firm. or corporation shall in-
stall, alter. repair or extend any individual
sewage disposal system in the
municipality without first obtaining a per-
mit therefor from the Building Inspector.
For specific installation, alteration.
repair. or extension; and at the time of ap-
plying for said permit. a fee shall be paid
based on the city fee schedule. Such per-
mits shall be valid for a period of six
months from date of issue. Work done
without permit shall be subject to double
fee.
B. Application Forms
Applications for permits shall be made
in writing upon printed blanks or forms
furnished by the Council and shall be
signed by the applicant.
C. Descriptions and Plans
Each application for a permit shall have
thereon the correct legal description of
the property on which the proposed in-
stallation, alteration, repair, or extension
is to take place and each application for a
permit shall be accompanied by a plot
plan of the land showing the location of
any proposed or existing buildings and
trees located on the property within 75
feet of the existing or proposed system
and complete plans of the proposed
system with substantiating data, if
necessary, attesting to the compliance
with the minimum standards of this or-
dinance. A complete plan shall include the
size and design of all parts of the system
to be installed, altered, repaired, or exten-
ded. The application shall also show the
present or proposed location of water sup-
ply facilities and water supply piping, and
the name of the person, firm, or corpora-
tion who is to install the sewage disposal
system and shall provide such further in-
formation as may be required by the Coun-
cil.
SECTION VII ADMINISTRATION
The Council shall assign responsibility
for administration of this ordinance to a
qualified Administrator. This
qualified Administrator shall have atten-
ded at least one Home Sewage Workshop
conducted by the University of Minnesota
Extension Service and shall periodically
familiarize himself/herself with in-
novative technology. The administrator
shall have the authority to waive any ap-
plication requirement for altering or
repairing an existing sewer system if it is
determined that requirement of such wi11
be an unnecessary hardship.
SECTION VIII SITE EVALUATION
Proposed sites for all private sewage
disposal systems shall be explored,
evaluated. and reported on forms as
provided for by the City. Site investiga-
tion shall be made by a site evaluator.
The site evaluator's report, signed and
sealed by him. shall indicate assessment
of the suitability of the site and the site's
soils for sewage disposal. System type
and design should be ascertained and
reported by him following the terms of the
Medina Sanitary Code. Soils shall be iden-
tified by strata and the textural classes of
the strata defined according to an accep-
ted classification system.
The findings shall be supported with:
1. A location plan, with the proposed
lots, lines and streets clearly marked.
2. A log of all soil exploration including a
description of the various strata encoun-
tered.
3. Slopes of the land area in question.
4. Groundwater conditions (including in-
dications of seasonal groundwater fluctua-
tions) .
5. The design and type of system selec-
ted according to the Medina Sanitary Code
(including the amount and type of fill re-
quired or any special design factors which
should be considered).
6. Distances to all surface waters, wells,
springs, or other surface waters within
one hundred fifty (150) feet of the
proposed disposal area.
7. Results of at least three (3) percola-
tion tests and one (1) soil boring perfor-
med according to testing procedures
described in Section IX.
Soil Scientists shall also describe the
soils at the site in accordance with the
standards of the National Cooperative Soil
Survey and the Hennepin County Soil Sur-
vey - 1974.
SECTION IX SOIL BORINGS AND
PERCOLATION TESTS
A. General
Soil boring and percolation tests shall be
performed under the supervision of the
site evaluator. The location of these tests
shall be indicated on the preliminary plot
and certified by the person conducting the
test.
B. Soil Boring Tests and Soil Investiga-
tion Pits
Sufficient borings shall be made to por-
tray adequately the character of the soil,
groundwater levels (seasonal high water
table) and depths to bedrock. The borings
shall be distributed as uniformly as possi-
ble and their location shall be shown on
the location plan.
Table 1
Number of Soil Investigation Pits or Bor-
ings
Daily Volume of Sewage - Less Than 500
Gallons - Number of Pits required 1
and/or Number of Borings required 1.
For Each Additional 500 Gallons - Num-
ber of Pits required 1 and/or Number of
Borings required 1.
The soil borings on sites shall be to a
depth of five feet or the ground -water
table. within the proposed soil absorption
area. The report of the test shall indicate
the slope. the soil characteristic by strata.
and maximum groundwater elevation.
The minimum diameter of the borings
;hall be four inches.
SECTION X PERCOLATION TES1
PROCEDURE
A. Number and Location of Tests
Three (3) or more tests shall be made in
separate test holes spaced uniformly over
the proposed absorption field site and
their location clearly marked on a map of
the area.
B. Type of Test Hole
A hole with horizontal dimensions of
four (4) to twelve (12) inches and vertical
sides shall be dug or bored to the depth of
the proposed absorption trench. The holes
may be bored with an auger of not less
than four (4) inches in diameter.
C. Frozen Soils
Percolation test shall not be performed
in frozen soil or frost conditions.
D. Preparation of Test Hole
The bottom and sides of the hole shall be
carefully scratched with a knife blade or
sharp pointed instrument to remove any
smeared soil surfaces and to provide a
natural soil interface into which water
may percolate. A11 loose material shall be
removed from the hole and two (2) inches
of coarse sand or fine gravel shall be ad-
ded to protect the bottom from scouring
and sediment.
E. Saturation and Swelling of the Soil
The hole shall be carefully filled with
clear water to a minimum depth of twelve
(12) inches over the gravel. Water shall
be kept in the hole for at least twelve (12)
hours, and preferably overnight, by refill-
ing if necessary, or by supplying a surplus
reservoir of water, such as in an
automatic siphon. In sandy soils contain-
ing little or no clay, the swelling
procedure shall not be required and the
test may be made as described under Item
d.5 (c) after the water from one filling of
the hole has completely seeped away.
F. Percolation Rate Measurement
With the exception of sandy soils, per-
colation rate measurements shall be made
on the day following the procedure
described under Item D and E above and.
as follows: A percolation test data sheet
should be kept and submitted for each
test.
1. If water remains in the test hole after
the overnight swelling period, the depth
shall be adjusted to approximately six (6)
inches over the gravel. From a fixed
reference point, the drop in water level
shall be measured over a thirty (30)
minute period. This drop shall be used to
calculate the percolation rate.
2. If no water remains in the hole after
• he overnight swelling period. clear water
,shall be added to bring the depth of water
r.n the hole to approximately six (6) inches
over the gravel. From a fixed reference
point. the drop in water level shall be
measured at approximately thirty (30)
minute intervals for four hours, refilling
six (6) inches over the gravel. if
necessary. The drop that occurs during
the final thirty (30) minute period shall be
used to calculate the percolation rate.
3. In sandy soils or other soils in which
the first six (61 inches of water seeps
away in less than thirty (30) minutes. the
time interval between measurements
shall be taken as ten (10) minutes and the
test shall be run for one (1) hour. The drop
that occurs during the final ten (l0)
minutes shall be used to calculate the per-
colation rate.
SECTION XI SITE CRITERIA FOR
SYSTEMS ENCOMPASSED BY THIS
ORDINANCE
This code allows for the standard sub-
surface soil absorption systems.
Necessary minimum conditions for the
proper functioning of this system are
listed below.
A. Standard Subsurface Soil Absorption
System
1. Percolation Rate - The percolation
rate must be faster than 60 minutes per
inch and less than 0.5 minutes per inch.
2. Depth to groundwater or seasonally
saturated horizons - for proper functioning
of this system. the minimum depth to
groundwater or seasonally saturated con-
ditions shall be more than five (5) feet.
3. Flooding Hazard - there must be no
hazard of flooding in the area where these
systems are installed.
4. Slope - The land slope in the area
proposed for the soil absorption field shall
not be greater than 12 percent.
5. Depth to bedrock or other impervious
materials - the depth to impervious
materials must be more than six (6) feet.
SECTION XII SOIL SERIES
Soil series which in most cases will be
considered suitable for installation of the
systems discussed in the design manual.
A. The following soil series may be
suitable for installation of conventional
subsurface soil absorption system
described in the design manual.
HbB, HbC, HbB2, HcC2, HeB, WC,
HIB, H1C, LrB, LrC, LsB2, LsC2.
B. The following soil series and other
associated land generally have such
severe limiting conditions that no conven-
tional soil absorption sewage disposal
systems will adequately treat the effluent,
therefore, no development requiring the
provision of an on -site sanitary sewage
disposal system shall be allowed on these
soils except as provided in Section XVI.
LtB
NeB •
EnB, EnC, ErB2, ErC2
D1B, DIA
Du
KkB, KkC, K1Ca
LmB
AnB, AnC
BsB, BsC
DnA, DnB, DnC
Dp
EtA, EtB, EtC
Hayden and Lester with percolation rate
faster than 60 minutes
Ca
Co
HbD, HbF, HcD2, HdF
D1C
HeD, HeF, HID, HIE
Mt
Sh
LrD, LrE, LsBz
KkD, KkE, K1D2
EnD, EnE, ErD2, EsF
EtD
Ha
SECTION XIII SEWAGE TANKS
A. Capacity
1. Residential Units
Each residential unit shall be served by
two septic tanks. The liquid capacity of a
septic tank serving a dwelling shall be
based on the number of bedrooms contem-
plated in the dwelling served and shall
conform to capacities given below (see
definition of Bedroom and General Provi-
sion H).
Table 2
Number of Bedrooms - Tank Liquid
Capacities (Gallons) respectively:
2 or less 750
3 1,000
4 1,250
5 or 6 1,500
7, 8, or 9 2,000
For ten (10) or more bedrooms, the sep-
tic tank shall be sized as a non-residential
unit (See Section 3.b).
2. Non -Residential Units
The liquid capacity of a septic tank serv-
ing an establishment other than a dwelling
shall be sufficient to provide a sewage
detention period of not less than 36 hours
in the tank for flows less than 1,500 gallons
per day, but in no instance shall the liquid
capacity be less than 750 gallons. For
flows greater than 1,500 gallons per day,
the minimum liquid capacity shall equal
1,125 gallons plus 75 percent of the daily
sewage flow rate, which shall be deter-
mined by measurement or estimated
from data provided by the Agency.
B. Location
1. The sewage tank shall be placed so
that access is convenient for the removal
of liquids and accumulated solids.
2. The sewage tank shall be placed on
firm and settled soil capable of bearing
the weight of the tank and its contents.
3. Sewage tanks shall be set back the
following distance from the features given
below.
Table 3
Feature - Minimum Setback Distances
(Feet) respectively:
Water Supply We11
a. 50 feet deep or less 100
b. 50 feet deep or more 50
Buried Pipe Distributing Water
Under Pressure 10
Buildings 10
Large Trees 10
Property Line 10
Table 4
Feature Minimum Setback Distances
tFeet) respectively:
Natural Environment for each individual unit
Lakes and Streams 150 4. Trench and bed size shall be as set
Recreational Development forth in Table 5.
Lakes and Rivers 75
General Development Lakes
and Streams 50
C. Aerobic Tanks
Aerobic tank treatment systems shall
comply with the following design require-
ments:
The treatment system including each in-
dividual unit or compartment shall be
easily accessible for inspection and main-
tenance and shall be provided with
secured covers.
The raw sewage flow from the dwelling
shall be intercepted by a trash trap prior
to its entering the aeration compartment.
The trash trap shall have a net holding
capacity of not less than 20 percent of the
average daily flow. The invert level to the
trap shall be above the liquid level and dis-
charge directly into the trap. The outlet
from the trap to the aeration compart-
ment shall be deep baffled or equipped
with a tee or long ell.
The trash trap shall be readily accessi-
ble for inspection and effective cleaning
and shall be so constructed as to prevent
unauthorized entry.
The aeration compartment shall have a
minimum holding capacity of five hundred
gallons or one hundred twenty gallons per
bedroom, whichever is greater.
The method of aeration shall be accom-
plished by mechanical aeration, diffused
air, or both. The method used shall main-
tain aerobic conditions at all times.
D. The settling compartment shall have
a minimum net holding capacity equal to
twenty percent of the volume of the aera-
tion compartment. The design shall
provide for effective settling and con-
tinuous return of settled sludge to the
aeration compartment.
E. A minimum one year warranty and
an initial two year service contract which
specifies regular inspection calls and ef-
fluent quality checks shall be provided as
a part of the purchase agreement.
F. A11 other features of the aerobic
tanks not specifically mentioned above
shall comply with National Sanitation
Foundation Standard No. 40.
SECTION XIV STANDARD SOIL AB-
SORPTION SYSTEM
A. General
Final treatment and disposal of sewage
tank effluent shall be by means of soil
treatment and disposal.
B. Sizing
1. The required soil treatment area shall
be determined by number of bedrooms
(see definition of "Bedroom" and General
Provision H for dwellings and definition of
"water use" for other establishments).
2. The minimum soil treatment area re-
quired for any dwelling shall provide for
at least two bedrooms.
3. The minimum soil treatment area re-
quired for multiple residential units shall
consist of the sum of the areas required
Percolation
Rate in
Minutes Per
Inch
Faster than
(d)
1zto5 (e)
6 to 15
16 to 30
31 to 45
46 to 60
Slower than 60 (f
Per gallon of
Waste per day lc
0.83
1.27
1.67
2.00
2.20
Table 5
(a) Table is based on a sewage flow of
150 gallons per day per bedroom.
(b) In every case sufficient area shall be
provided for at least two bedrooms in
residential units.
(c) When treatment system design is
based on gallons of water per day, the re-
quired treatment area may be reduced for
trenches only, by the following percen-
tages: 20 percent for 12 inches of filter
material below the distribution pipe; 34
percent for 18 inches; and 40 percent for 24
inches. . The filter material shall com-
pletely encase the disposal pipes to a
depth of at least one inch.
(d) Soil is unsuitable for standard
system if percoiation rate is faster than
l z minute per inch. See sections 17-18 for
alternative systems.
(e) Consider alternative sewage treat-
ment units for soils with this percolation
rate range. See Sections 17-18 for alter-
native designs.
(f) Soil is unsuitable for standard
system if percolation rate is slower than
60 minutes per inch. See Sections 17-18 for
alternative systems.
C. Location
Any soil treatment area shall be set
back the following distances from the
features given below:
Table 6
Feature - Setback Distance in Feet
respectively:
Water supply well less than 50 feet deep
and not encountering at least 10 feet of im-
pervious material. -100
Any other water supply well or buried
water suction pipe - 50
Buried pipe distributing water under
pressure - 10
Building - 20
Property Lines - 10
Natural Environment Lakes and
Streams - 150
Recreational Development Lakes - 75
General Development Lakes and
Streams - 50
Trees - 10
SECTION XV SEPARATE
TOILET --WASTE GREYWATER
SYSTEMS
Required Soil Treatment Area in Square Feet
Per bedroom (a) (b)
Beds Trenches
Depth of Filter Material
Below Distribution Pipe (c)
In Inches
6 12 18 24
125 125
190 190
250 250
300 300
330 330
100
150
200
240
265
85
125
165
200
220
75
115
150
180
200
A. General
1. A toilet waste treatment device shall
be used in conjunction with a greywater
system.
2. In all cases, only toilet wastes shall be
discharged to toilet waste treatment
devices. Greywater or garbage shall not
be discharged to the device except as
specifically recommended by manufac-
turer.
B. Toilet -Waste Treatment Devices
1. Toilet -waste treatment devices shall
be considered as one of two types; 1)
privies, and 2) other devices, including but
not limited to; incinerating, composting,
biological, chemical, recirculating or
holding toilets.
2. Type 1- Privies
a. Pit privies shall not be installed
where the bottom of the pit is less than
four (4) feet above the water table. A
vault privy shall be used in areas of high
groundwater. The vault of a vault privy
shall be constructed in the same manner
as a septic tank.
b. Privies shall be set back from surface
waters the same distance required for
buildings and from property lines and
water supply wells the same distance as
required for soil treatment areas.
c. Pits or vaults shall be of sufficient
capacity for the residence they serve, but
shall have at least 50 cubic feet of
capacity.
d. The sides of the pit shall be curbed to
prevent cave-in.
e. The superstructure shall be construc-
ted so as to be easily cleaned, and it shall
be insect proof. The door and seat shall be
self -closing. All openings including vent
openings shall be screened.
f. Privies shall be adequately vented.
g. When the pit is filled to within one
foot of the top, the solids shall be removed
or a new pit shall be constructed. The
abandoned pit shall be filled with clean
earth and slightly mounded to allow for
settling. Removed solids shall be disposed
of by burial, or by land application in ac-
cordance with agency guidelines for
sludge disposal and all local ordinances
and codes.
h. All liquids and soils removed from a
vault privy shall be treated and disposed
of by burial or by application in accor-
dance with the Agency's sludge disposal
guidelines.
3. Type II - Other Devices
a. Other devices may be used when
reasonable assurance of performance is
provided.
b. All Type II devices shall be vented.
c. All electric. gas and water connec-
tions to a Type II device shall conform to
all local ordinances and codes.
d. Operation and maintenance of all
Type II devices shall follow the manufac-
turer's recommendations.
4. All materials removed from a Type I
or II toilet waste treatment device, in-
cluding but not limited to; ashes, compost.
and all solids and liquids, shall be disposed
of in a public sewage system or by burial
or by land application in accordance with
the agency's sludge disposal guidelines
and all local ordinances and codes.
C. Greywater System
1. Plumbing
a. The drainage system in new systems
shall be based on a pipe diameter of two
inches to prevent installation of water
flush toilets. There shall be no openings or
connections to the drainage system, in-
cluding floor drains larger than two inches
in diameter. For repair or replacement of
an existing system, the existing drainage
system may be used.
b. Toilets or urinals of any kind shall not
be connected to the drainage system.
Toilet waste or garbage shall not be dis-
charged to the drainage system.
c. Garbage grinders shall not be connec-
ted to the drainage system.
2. Building Sewer
The building sewer shall meet all re-
quirements of sewage system design ex-
cept that the building sewer for a
greywater system shall be at least two in-
ches in diameter.
3. Sewage Tank
Greywater septic tanks shall meet all
sewage tank requirements except that the
liquid capacity of a greywater septic tank
serving a dwelling shall be based on the
number of bedrooms contemplated in
the dwelling served and shall be at least as
large as the capacities given below in
Table 7.
Table 7
Number of Bedrooms - Tank Liquid
Capacity (gallons) respectively.
2 or'less or hand pump 300
3 500
4 625
5or6 750
7, 8, or 9 1,000
4. Distribution and Dosing
Distribution and dosing of greywater
shall meet all requirements of the sewage
system design.
5. Final Treatment and Disposal
a. Standard System
A standard greywater system shall
meet all requirements of sewage system
design except that the required treatment
area shall be calculated as in Table 8.
Table 8
Percolation Rate
Minutes Per Inch
'zto5 (c) (d)
6 to.15
16 to 30
31 to 45
46to60(e)
SECTION XVI OTHER SYSTEMS
A. General
On 5 acre lots or larger. or where it has
been found that an existing system is fail-
ing. this code allows the installation of one
of two alternative systems. The two
general types of systems are the in-
novative subsurface absorption systems
(including shallow trenches and equal dis-
tribution system) ; two types of innovative
mound systems to be installed on soils
with slow permeability or high
groundwater problems.
B. Conditional Permit
Other systems shall be employed only
after the issuance of a zoning ordinance
conditional use permit provided the
following:
1. Reasonable assurance of perfor-
mance of such system is presented to the
city.
2. The engineering design of such
system is first approved by the city.
3. There is no discharge to the ground
surface or to surface waters.
4. Treatment and disposal of wastes is in
such a manner so as to protect the public
health and general welfare.
5. Such systems comply with all ap-
plicable requirements of these standards
and with all local codes and ordinances.
C. System Review and Monitoring
All permitted special systems shall an-
nually furnish the Administrator with an
inspection report assuring proper system
operation by June 30.
D. System Failure
Any failing system violating the condi-
tions of the special permit shall cease
operation and special permit shall be
revoked.
E. Site Criteria For Innovative Subsur-
face Soil Absorption Systems
1. Percolation Rate - The percolation
rate must be faster than 60 minutes per
inch and slower than 0.5 minutes per inch.
2. Depth to groundwater - Depth to
groundwater or seasonally saturated area
must be greater than three feet from the
bottom of the trench.
3. Flood Hazard - There must be no
flooding hazard.
4. Slope - The land slope in the area be-
ing considered for the installation of the
system must not be greater than 12%.
5. Position on the landscape - The
system shall be installed on level areas, on
top of rises on convex slopes, on sides of
rises on plane. The systems shall not be
installed in depressions, swales or
drainage -ways, and shall maintain a 50'
setback from lot lines.
Required Trench Bottom Area Per Residence
Number of Bedrooms
2 3 4 5 6
90 109 127 146 165
137 166 195 224 253
180 218 257 295 333
216 262 307 353 398
238 288 338 388 438
F. Site Criteria for Innovative Mound
Systems
1. Percolation Rate - The percolation
rate in 12 inches or more of natural _sur-'
face soil shall be faster than 60 minutes
per inch and the percolation rate in subsoil
and/or substratum shall be faster than 120
minutes per inch.
2. Depth to groundwater - The depth to
groundwater shall be greater than 3 feet if
the percolation rate is 60 to 120 minutes
per inch and 2 feet with a percolation rate
of 30 to 60 minutes per inch.
3. Flood Hazard - There shall be no
hazard of flooding within the area con-
sidered for installation of the system.
4. Slope - The land slope in the area be-
ing considered for installation of the
system shall not be greater than 6%.
5. Position on the landscape - The
system shall be installed on level areas;
such as the top of mounds and the level
planes of stepped slopes. The systems
shall not be installed in depressions;
swales, or drainageways, and shall main-
tain a 50' setback from lot lines.
G. The following soil series may be
suitable for installation of an innovative
system described in the design manual
LtB Hayden and Lester
NeB percolation faster
than 60 minutes
EnB, EnC, ErB2, ErC2
D1B, D1A
Du
KkB, KkC, K1CA
LmB
AnB, AnC
BsB, BsC
DnA, DnB, DnC
Dp
EtA, EtB, EtC
H. The following soil series and other
associated land generally have such
severe limiting conditions that no soil ab-
sorption sewage disposal systems will
adequately treat the effluent, therefore no
development requiring the provision of an
on -site sanitary sewage disposal system
shall be allowed on these soils.
Ca
Co
HbD, HbF, HcD2, HdF
D1C
HeD, HeF, H1D, H1E
Mt
Sh
LrD, LrE, LsBz
KkD, KkE, K1D2
EnD, EnE, ErD2, EsF
EtD
Ha
Ma
SECTION XVII INSPECTION
The Administrator shall make such in-
spection or inspections as are necessary to
determine compliance with this or-
dinance. No part of the sewage disposal
system shall be covered until it has been
inspected and accepted by the Ad-
ministrator. It shall be the responsibility
of the applicant for the permit to notify
the Administrator that the job is ready for
inspection or reinspection, and it shall be
the duty of the Administrator to make the
indicated inspection within twenty-four
(24) hours after such notice has been
given. It shall be the duty of the owner or
occupant of the property to give the Ad-
ministrator free access to the property at
reasonable times for the purpose of mak-
ing such inspections. Upon satisfactory
completion and final inspection of the
sewage disposal system, the Ad-
ministrator shall issue to the applicant a
certificate of approval.
If upon inspection, the Administrator
discovers that any part of the sewage dis-
posal system is not constructed in accor-
dance with the minimum standards
provided in this ordinance, he shall give
the applicant written notification describ-
ing the defects. The applicant shall pay an
additional fee for each reinspection that is
necessary. The applicant shall be respon-
sible for the correction or elimination of
all defects, and no sewage disposal system
shall be placed or replaced in service until
all defects have been corrected or
eliminated.
SECTION XVIII DESIGN AND IN-
STALLATION STANDARDS
A11 system installations, alterations and
repair shall be in conformance with the
Medina Sewage Treatment Design Manual
for system materials, design and con-
struction standards. The Medina Sewage
Treatment Design Manual shall be on file
with the City Administrator.
SECTION XIX MAINTENANCE
At least once a year the owner of any
septic tank or his agent shall measure or
arrange for measurement of the depth of
sludge and scum in such septic tank.
When, as a result of such measurement,
the top of the sludge layer in the tank or
any compartment of the tank is found to
be less than twelve (12) inches below the
bottom of the outlet baffle or submerged
pipe. or if the bottom of the scum layer is
within three (3) inches of the bottom of
the 'septic tank outlet baffle or submerged
pipe, the owner or agent shall arrange for
the removal and sanitary disposal of
sludge and scum from the tank; provided
that such requirement for measuring shall
be waived for any septic tank which is
cleaned as indicated at least once each
calendar year. It shall be unlawful to
operate a septic system which does not
meet the requirements of this Section.
SECTION XX ANNUAL INSPECTIONS
Each owner of property containing an
innovative sewage disposal system shall.
within twelve (12) months from and after
the date of the adoption of this ordinance.
cause said system to be inspected by a
person, firm, or corporation duly licensed
by the City pursuant to Section 5 of this or-
dinance and yearly thereafter shall.
within said twelve (12) month period. sub-
mit to the City Clerk a written statement
showing the date upon which inspection
was completed, the name and address of
the person, firm or corporation by whom
such inspecting was completed, and a
report of finding of said inspection.
SECTION X\I ENFORCEMENT
Non -conforming systems shall be issued
orders requiring maintenance, repair.
alteration or replacement. Systems found
to be non -conforming due to location or
construction shall be located and ,or made
conforming within one calendar year from
the date of the order. Systems found to be
non -conforming due to failure or pollution
hazards shall have remedial action re-
quired within a reasonable period of time
as follows:
Septic tanks or systems found to be
clogged. overflowing, leeching, or
otherwise discharging pollutants shall be
pumped within 48 hours and thereafter as
needed and the system shall be repaired,
altered. or replaced within 90 days.
SECTION XXII OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this ordinance are to
provide adequate and safe methods of
sewage disposal and to prevent the con-
tamination of any existing or future water
supply by any existing or future sewage
disposal system or both.
SECTION XXIII PENALTIES
Any person, firm, or corporation
violating any of the provisions of this or-
dinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be fined
in an amount not to exceed five hundred
(500) dollars or imprisoned for a time not
to exceed ninety (90) days, or both. Each
day that any violation is continued shall
constitute a separate offense.
SECTION XXIV LIABILITY OF CITY
LIMITED
This ordinance shall not be construed
to relieve or lessen the responsibility or
liability of any person, firm, party,
partnership, or corporation owning,
operating, controlling, or installing any
wells or water supply systems for
damages to persons or property caused by
any defect therein, nor shall the City be
held as assuming such liability by reason
of the inspection authorized herein or cer-
tificate of inspection issued as herein
provided.
SECTION XXV VARIANCES
The City Council may permit variations
from the requirements of this ordinance of
the applicant demonstrates by evidence
that the following qualifications are met:
A. Because of the particular physical
characteristics, shape, topographical con-
ditions, hydrological conditions, or soil
conditions of the specific lot, a particular
hardship to the applicant would result, as
distinguished from an inconvenience, if
the strict letter of the regulations were to
be carried out.
B. The conditions upon which the ap-
plication for a variance is based are uni-
que to the lot for which the variance is
sought. and are not generally common to
other similar property in the city.
C. Alleged hardship is caused by the re-
quirements of the ordinance and has not
been created or contributed to by the per-
sons presently or formerly having an in-
terest in the lot.
D. The granting of a variance will not be
detrimental to the public welfare or in-
jurious to land, ground water or the use
and enjoyment of other properties in the
neighborhood.
E. Conditions and Restrictions - The
City Council, may impose conditions and
restrictions upon the lot in the granting of
a variance, so as to insure compliance
with the regulations and the spirit and in-
tent of this ordinance.
SECTION XXVI BUILDING PERMITS
No building permit shall be issued for
any structure requiring an individual
sewage disposal system unless an applica-
tion and tests, as required by this or-
dinance, for the premises involved have
been filed with and approved by the City
and all other provisions of this ordinance
relative to said structure have been met.
SECTION XXVII SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this ordinance or the
application thereof to any person or cir-
cumstances is held to be invalid, such in-
validity shall not affect other provisions of
this ordinance or application of any other
part of this ordinance which can be
given effect without application of the in-
valid provision. To this end the provisions
of all sections, subsections or subdivisions
herein and the various applications
thereof are declared to be severable.
SECTION XXVIII EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall be effective follow-
ing its passage and publication in accor-
dance with the law.
Adopted this 18th day of December, 1979
by the City of Medina.
Thomas Anderson
Mayor
ATTEST:
Donna Roehl
Clerk -Treasurer
Published in the Crow River News Wed-
nesday Jan. 16, 1980.