EHO Evaluation Guide for Holding Tank Applications In accordance with the B.C. Sewerage System Regulation, a person must not construct a holding tank unless they hold a permit issued by an Environmental Health Officer (EHO). Applications for holding tank permits should be assessed on a case-by case basis. This Guide has 5 sections: 1. PRE-APPLICATION 2. HOLDING TANK PERMIT APPLICATION 3. HOLDING TANK PERMIT ISSUANCE 4. INSPECTION INFORMATION 5. LETTER OF CERTIFICATION 1. PRE-APPLICATION a) Is the applicant aware of the costs of installing and maintaining the holding tank? The price of installing a holding tank can be costly and will require the assistance of an electrician to complete the alarm work for the system. This cost in combination with ongoing maintenance, can be unacceptable to the home owner. Maintaining a holding tank system can be very costly, especially on a long-term basis. Cost is related to several factors including the frequency of pump-out, availability of a pump and hauler, the distance the pump and hauler must travel to the holding tank site, the distance to the approved disposal site, disposal charges at the approved site, etc. In some cases it may not be possible to maintain a holding tank (i.e. no approved sewage disposal site within the area). EHO s are advised to suggest that applicants contact local pump and haulers to get information related to potential annual costs for pumping. b) Has the applicant investigated other options for sewage disposal? The preferred method of domestic sewage disposal is an on-site sewerage system or connection to a community sewerage system. However, in rare situations, these options may not be practical or achievable. Generally, on-site sewerage systems cost less to install and are cheaper and easier to maintain. However, in some circumstances, property conditions may require the use of expensive Type 2 or Type 3 sewerage systems. In these cases, it may be 1
advisable to suggest that the applicant perform a lifetime cost comparison of each system to determine the best option. c) Does the local government have a bylaw in place that grants the municipality/regional district access and ensures the maintenance of the holding tank? Verify whether or not a holding tank bylaw exists for the area. In situations where operators of holding tanks neglect to maintain their holding tank, the local government can intervene and charge any costs related to maintenance or clean up back to the property owner. Note: Although an EHO should promote other more sustainable options for sewage disposal, an EHO cannot legally deny a permit to construct without reason. Having a prohibitive local government bylaw in place, a lack of capacity in the municipal sewage systems, a potential health hazard concern, or an incomplete application are all examples of potential reasons to deny an application. 2. HOLDING TANK PERMIT APPLICATION a) Is the application complete? The review process begins when a complete application is received. All relevant fields of the Holding Tank Permit Application have been completed The $400 application fee has been received. Holding tank plans and specifications are attached and have been prepared and sealed by an Authorized Person. NOTE: An EHO has the discretion as to what they will or will not accept. They are responsible for deciding whether or not to issue the permit. Further, at the EHO s discretion, an engineered drawing may not be warranted (e.g. short term use of an above ground poly tank). Septic tanks are generally not acceptable as holding tanks but dual purpose tanks may be available. Acceptable tanks can be identified as having the current CAN/CSA B66 approval with designation as a holding tank; visible by the H on the CSA approval stamp. Additional information can be found in the Planners/Installers Guide to Holding Tanks. Site plan (drawn to scale) is attached. It shows the location of the proposed holding tank in relation to: buildings (with descriptions), location of all surface water bodies (lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, etc.), and the location of drinking water source and water lines, and property boundaries. 2
Proposed Maintenance Plan for the holding tank is attached. As per Section 5 of the Sewerage Regulation, an owner of a holding tank must ensure that it is being maintained in accordance with the maintenance plan. In addition, owners must keep records of maintenance carried out. The maintenance plan plays a pivotal role in the operation of the holding tank. EHOs should ensure that all items identified in the Maintenance Plan section of the Planners/Installers Guide to Holding Tanks are included in an applicant s maintenance plan, as well as any other information they feel is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the holding tank. Any other information that was requested by the EHO. b) Does the application meet the requirements of the Holding Tank Guidelines? NOTE: The EHO is ultimately the one deciding whether or not to issue the permit. If an EHO wants the installation inspected and sealed by an Authorized Person, this must be listed as a condition on the Holding Tank Permit Construction and Installation The installation of the holding tank and related works shall be done in good practice, inspected and sealed by an Authorized Person. There is no prescriptive requirement in the regulation that the construction and installation of a holding tank must be inspected and sealed by a BC Professional Engineer. It is up to the EHO as to what they will or will not accept. The following information is provided to assist in decision making concerning Authorized Persons; Tanks constructed on site always need to be professionally engineered. This includes tanks that are poured in place or those that come in pieces and are assembled on-site. Registered Onsite Wastewater Professionals cannot construct in place. The Authorized Person should have a way of testing the water tightness of the tank A high water table may require the tank to be anchored. Discussions with the Authorized Person could determine whether or not they have the knowledge and experience to deal with issues that may be encountered in areas where there is a high water table. 3
3. HOLDING TANK PERMIT- ISSUANCE An EHO may issue a permit to construct a holding tank only if satisfied that: a) A holding tank is adequate to deal with the domestic sewage originating from the structure, and b) The use of the holding tank will not, if the maintenance plan is followed, cause, or contribute to, a health hazard. An EHO may attach conditions to a permit that are necessary to ensure items (a) and (b) above. On the HOLDING TANK PERMIT check-off the conditions being applied to the permit along with any other conditions they feel are necessary. NOTE: The Sewerage System Regulation does not require an inspection of a holding tank after it has been installed. If an inspection is needed it must be listed as a condition on the permit. A general inspection form (supplementary report form) can be used to document findings during the inspection. 4. INSPECTION INFORMATION The holding tank and risers must be sealed against the entry of ground and surface water. An Authorized Person must certify the structural integrity and water tightness of the holding tank after installation and prior to back filling. The tank must be of sufficient weight or anchored to prevent flotation or movement in areas with high water tables or low bearing soils. Approved depth of bury must not be exceeded. The lot must be landscaped to divert surface water away from the holding tank. The inlet and/or manhole access must be secured to prevent access and locked when not in use. An installer or electrician may be needed to check that the audio and visual alarm is functional. 4
5. LETTER OF CERTIFICATION Once the holding tank has been installed, but prior to use, the applicant must submit a completed Letter of Certification to the Health Authority in accordance with the permit conditions. 5