Sec. 21-358. - Inspections of OWTS (General).

(a)

The purpose of the OWTS inspection is to assess the condition of the OWTS and provide the WWMD manager with the technical and background information needed to determine the maintenance requirements for each OWTS in the town, and/or the need for system upgrade or replacement. This article authorizes the passage of authorized representatives of the town, the WWMD manager or their designees and septage haulers licensed by the town onto private property when necessary for the periodic inspection, pumping, maintenance and repair of OWTS. The owner shall maintain his/her OWTS so that it is accessible for inspection and maintenance.

(b)

All inspections shall follow the criteria and procedures outlined in the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Septic System Check-Up: The Rhode Island Handbook for Inspection (hereinafter referred to as "the handbook"). Under normal circumstances, a private town-approved OWTS inspector will do OWTS inspections. A private town-approved OWTS inspector must, at a minimum, have attended and passed the courses to be accredited through the University of Rhode Island Onsite Wastewater Training or an equivalent training program both for conventional (URI's INSP 100 course) and, if applicable, innovative systems (URI's INSP 200 course). The WWMD manager shall also be qualified to perform inspections, but shall only do so in special circumstances.

(c)

Mandatory first baseline inspection. The phased implementation shall, at a minimum, begin with the mandatory first baseline inspection. Said first inspection shall include an inspection when the septic tank has not yet been pumped. Some systems will require a re-inspection after pump out when the septic tank is empty.

(d)

Routine maintenance inspections. Thereafter, routine maintenance inspections take place once every three (3) years. Routine maintenance inspections need not include a pumpout, unless recommended by a the previous inspection or if the combined depth of sludge and scum layer in the septic tank is greater than twenty-five (25) percent of the depth of the tank. More frequent or less frequent inspections may be required if deemed appropriate by the WWMD manager, or per the recommendation of a qualified septic inspector as the result of a previous inspection. All individual sewage disposal system owners shall be notified of inspection schedules as provided herein.

(e)

Inspections between pumpouts for a particular system may be limited to sludge, liquid and scum measurements, according to the recommendations of the most recent may be limited to sludge, liquid and scum measurements, according to the recommendations of the most recent inspection. More thorough inspection procedures may be undertaken at, or shortly following, system pumping.

(f)

Reserved.

(g)

If a property owner has had an inspection performed by a qualified inspector or a pumpout performed by a qualified inspector before required to do so by this article, and the inspector completes the town-required form, the system need not be inspected or pumped for three (3) years from the date of service, or as recommended by the inspector.

(h)

The WWMD manager shall have the authority to order the inspection of any OWTS when it has been determined that the OWTS requires immediate repair, maintenance, replacement and/or improvements, or if there has been a change in use, conversion from seasonal to permanent occupancy, or other significant event that might affect the performance of an OWTS.

(i)

After an OWTS has been inspected, the owner will receive an inspection report from the WWMD or his/her designee detailing the findings, including any corrective actions, maintenance requirements, and the timeframe for the next inspection and/or corrective actions.

(j)

Cesspools. When the initial inspection record and report find that a cesspool exists and that such cesspool is not adequately treating septage in accordance with this article, the cesspool will be considered a failed system and the RIDEM will be notified of such. The WWMD manager will notify the owner and require that an application be submitted to the RIDEM for the necessary permit to repair the system. Such application must be made within sixty (60) days of the WWMD manager's notice. If a cesspool is found by the WWMD manager to be adequately treating septage, the manager shall not notify RIDEM as a matter of policy but shall keep such information on record for use in determining priority areas for upgrading OWTS and/or future sewers. All cesspools must comply with the Rhode Island Cesspool Act of 2007.

(k)

Privies. Construction of new privies is prohibited.

(Ord. of 3-8-2011, § 8)