A presentation about the approval process in Massachusetts for nitrogen-removing technologies. Presented by Claire Golden, environmental engineer with the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, during a Buzzards Bay Coalition 2014 Decision Makers mini-workshop on nitrogen-reducing septic systems. Learn more at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/DecisionMakers
2. I/A Approval Process at MassDEP
Nitrogen-Reducing I/As and Conditions of
Approval
Path to General Use Approval
Operation and Maintenance
Use of Shared Systems with I/As
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
3. Title 5 - 1995 Code (Oct 1994)
Nitrogen loading limitations (440 gpd/building acre)
Nitrogen Sensitive Areas
Zone II of PWS
IWPA of PWS
Areas served by on-site wells and on-site septic
Limitations apply primarily to new construction or
increase in flow but may be required for upgrades
also under Maximum Feasible Compliance
Code did not go into full effect (March 31, 1995)
until some I/As for N-reduction were approved.
RSF established as standard (550 gpd/ac).
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
4. Established 4 Tiers of Approval
Remedial Use Approval
General Use Approval Process
Piloting Use Approval
Provisional Use Approval
General Use Approval
Approvals
Design considerations
Nitrogen-reduction
Phosphorus-reduction
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
5. Remedial Use
upgrades only
no increase in design flow
Piloting Use
permitted installation at up to 15 locations
Provisional Use
permitted installation at up to 50 locations
General Use
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
6. General Use
1 generic
3 patented
Provisional Use
9 patented
Piloting Use
3 patented
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
11. BioBarrier Wastewater Treatment System
(BioBarrier)
Hydro-Kinetic Wastewater Treatment System
(Hydro-Kinetic)
RUCK CFT System (RUCK CFT)
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
13. Piloting – up to 15 systems state-wide
Operations
Data
Apply for Provisional Use Approval
Provisional – up to 50 systems state-wide
Operations
Data
Apply for General Use Approval
General
15. Approval process for shared system must be
completed
Potential cost savings
Potential more consistent treatment
Systems are fully inspected every three years
(inspection at time of transfer not required)
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014
16. Shared components must be defined
Financial mechanisms put into place as needed
I/As
Pump chambers
Establishment of ownership entity
Trusts
LLC
Easement for shared components
Documents provided in Title 5 regs
Buzzards Bay Coalition – March 5, 2014