Maine Subsurface Wastewater Program

Maine is a predominantly rural state, and relies heavily on decentralized sewage disposal facilities for disposal of human waste, i.e., septic systems. The State of Maine has regulated septic systems since 1926, to varying degrees. Over the years, the Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Rules) in their various versions have been administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MCDCP) and its predecessors.

The MCDCP has been, and continues to be, responsible for the Rules because they have historically been viewed as a public health code, rather than an environmental regulation.

The Subsurface Wastewater Program within the MCDCP's Division of Environmental Health is the program which promulgates and administers the Rules. Our mission is to minimize health and safety hazards associated with improperly installed subsurface waste water disposal systems.

What's New at the Subsurface Wastewater Program

Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules Adopted

The Division has adopted revised Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, pursuant to a public hearing and public comments there from. The effective date will be August 1, 2009.

The revised Rules will be posted on the Secretary of State's web site as soon as possible. The Division has prepared a Responsiveness Summary as well, addressing the specific changes and comments received.

PUBLIC HEARING HELD

A public hearing was held on June 12, 2009 for the proposed State of Maine Rules for Establishment and Operation of Crematoria, pursuant to 32 MRSA § 1405. The record will remain open until Friday, June 26, 2009 for the submission of written comments. E-mail comments should be directed to Tera Pare, Rules Coordinator or in writing to Division of Environmental Health, 11 SHS, 286 Water Street, 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04333. The projected adoption dated of the Rules is October 26, 2009. Learn more. (Link opens in a new tab.)

2009 Training Videos

The Subsurface Wastewater Program's 2009 training presentations are now available for downloading as videos. They are in Microsoft Windows Movie format (*.WMV). Please note that these do not include presentations by other participants in the training sessions.

Recently Approved Products

Aero-Tech

The Aero-Tech Models consist of a fiberglass tank with integral aeration-mixing, and settling areas. The device is designed to treat 500 to 1,500 gallons of wastewater per day, according to specific model. According to the information you provided, the Aero-Tech Model AT-500, AT-600, AT-750, AT-1000, and AT-1500 have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) pursuant to ANSI/NSF Standard 40 for residential wastewater treatment systems.

ICC Technologies, LLC Flowtech

The Flowtech consists of a four inch diameter perforated plastic pipe encased in a cylinder. The cylinder is comprised of non-woven geotetextile fabric on the upper 180 degrees and plastic mesh on the lower 180 degrees. The space between the cylinder and the pipe is filled with expanded polystyrene aggregate. The units range from five feet to 20 feet in length. Further, cylinders without a central pipe are added to create a bed configuration.

A full list of products approved for use in Maine is available on our Lists page.

2009 Maine Site Evaluator Written Examinations

The 2009 Maine Site Evaluator written examination will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Please contact Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator if you have questions.

LD 937 Fails To Pass

LD 937 (HP 640) "An Act To License Septic System Installers", was sponsored by Representative Edward Finch. The bill was unanimously voted "Ought Not To Pass" by the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development on April 7, 2009, subsequent to a work session on April 3, 2009. This bill, had it passed as written, would have required a license for onsite sewage disposal system installers. The requirements of the license would have included being licensed as a plumber and carrying proper insurance. There was no further discussion by the Committee prior to the vote.

Inspections During Property Transfers in the Shoreland Zone

Under Title 30-A §4216, a person purchasing property on which a subsurface waste water disposal system is located within a coastal shoreland area, as described in Title 38, section 435, shall prior to purchase have the system inspected by a person certified by the Department of Health and Human Services. An excpption may be made if it is impossible due to weather conditions to perform an inspection of the system prior to the purchase, in which case the inspection must be performed within 9 months after transfer of the property. If the inspection finds that the system is malfunctioning, the system must be repaired or replaced within one year after transfer of the property. The pertinent issues to be aware of in such situations are:

Non-Coastal Shoreland Zone –250 Feet,

Part of the law since 1989,

Transferor provides transferee with written statement that system has not malfunctioned in the last 180 days,

Coastal Shoreland Zone –250 Feet,

Part of the law since 2007, and

Buyer must have system inspection done by individual certified by the Department prior to purchase, unless:

• Inspection may be delayed up to nine months due to weather.

• No inspection needed if system is less than 3 years old.

• Seller had a written inspection report preformed in last 3 years, and gives a copy to buyer.

• Buyer certifies to LPI that system will be replaced within one year of purchase.

2009 Wetland Delineation and Identification Workshop

The 2009 MAPSS, MAWS, MASE, SSSNNE, & MFS Wetland Delineation and Identification Workshop will be held at Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine on September 9, 2009 from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm.

2009 Schedule Announced for URI Onsite Wastewater Training Program

Offered by University of Rhode Island, College of Environment and Life Sciences

Notice to All Site Evaluators

On December 1, 2008 the Subsurface Wastewater Program will be sending out the renewals for 2009 – 2011 Site Evaluator Licenses. February 28, 2009 is the expiration date of your current license.

Beginning with the 2007-2009 licensing period, each licensee shall earn a minimum of twelve (12) professional development hours within each license period in order to obtain license renewal. It is your responsibility to document your professional development hours for renewal.

On the renewal form there is a compliance statement for professional development hours that will have to be checked off. DO NOT SEND IN YOUR DOCUMENTATION WITH YOUR RENEWAL.

The Department will be conducting a random selection of Site Evaluators for a documentation review after the February renewal date.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Doug Coombs or Wendy Austin.

Updated 06/19/09

Program Information

Maine Subsurface Wastewater Program

What's New at the Subsurface Wastewater Program

Featured Links

Online Services

Program Information About Us Forms Links Lists Newsletters Policies Publications Training	Maine Subsurface Wastewater Program Maine is a predominantly rural state, and relies heavily on decentralized sewage disposal facilities for disposal of human waste, i.e., septic systems. The State of Maine has regulated septic systems since 1926, to varying degrees. Over the years, the Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Rules) in their various versions have been administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MCDCP) and its predecessors. The MCDCP has been, and continues to be, responsible for the Rules because they have historically been viewed as a public health code, rather than an environmental regulation. The Subsurface Wastewater Program within the MCDCP's Division of Environmental Health is the program which promulgates and administers the Rules. Our mission is to minimize health and safety hazards associated with improperly installed subsurface waste water disposal systems. What's New at the Subsurface Wastewater Program Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules Adopted The Division has adopted revised Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules, pursuant to a public hearing and public comments there from. The effective date will be August 1, 2009. The revised Rules will be posted on the Secretary of State's web site as soon as possible. The Division has prepared a Responsiveness Summary as well, addressing the specific changes and comments received. PUBLIC HEARING HELD A public hearing was held on June 12, 2009 for the proposed State of Maine Rules for Establishment and Operation of Crematoria, pursuant to 32 MRSA § 1405. The record will remain open until Friday, June 26, 2009 for the submission of written comments. E-mail comments should be directed to Tera Pare, Rules Coordinator or in writing to Division of Environmental Health, 11 SHS, 286 Water Street, 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04333. The projected adoption dated of the Rules is October 26, 2009. Learn more. (Link opens in a new tab.) 2009 Training Videos The Subsurface Wastewater Program's 2009 training presentations are now available for downloading as videos. They are in Microsoft Windows Movie format (.WMV). Please note that these do not include presentations by other participants in the training sessions. Recently Approved Products* Aero-Tech The Aero-Tech Models consist of a fiberglass tank with integral aeration-mixing, and settling areas. The device is designed to treat 500 to 1,500 gallons of wastewater per day, according to specific model. According to the information you provided, the Aero-Tech Model AT-500, AT-600, AT-750, AT-1000, and AT-1500 have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) pursuant to ANSI/NSF Standard 40 for residential wastewater treatment systems. ICC Technologies, LLC Flowtech The Flowtech consists of a four inch diameter perforated plastic pipe encased in a cylinder. The cylinder is comprised of non-woven geotetextile fabric on the upper 180 degrees and plastic mesh on the lower 180 degrees. The space between the cylinder and the pipe is filled with expanded polystyrene aggregate. The units range from five feet to 20 feet in length. Further, cylinders without a central pipe are added to create a bed configuration. A full list of products approved for use in Maine is available on our Lists page. 2009 Maine Site Evaluator Written Examinations The 2009 Maine Site Evaluator written examination will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Please contact Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator if you have questions. LD 937 Fails To Pass LD 937 (HP 640) "An Act To License Septic System Installers", was sponsored by Representative Edward Finch. The bill was unanimously voted "Ought Not To Pass" by the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development on April 7, 2009, subsequent to a work session on April 3, 2009. This bill, had it passed as written, would have required a license for onsite sewage disposal system installers. The requirements of the license would have included being licensed as a plumber and carrying proper insurance. There was no further discussion by the Committee prior to the vote. Inspections During Property Transfers in the Shoreland Zone Under Title 30-A §4216, a person purchasing property on which a subsurface waste water disposal system is located within a coastal shoreland area, as described in Title 38, section 435, shall prior to purchase have the system inspected by a person certified by the Department of Health and Human Services. An excpption may be made if it is impossible due to weather conditions to perform an inspection of the system prior to the purchase, in which case the inspection must be performed within 9 months after transfer of the property. If the inspection finds that the system is malfunctioning, the system must be repaired or replaced within one year after transfer of the property. The pertinent issues to be aware of in such situations are: Non-Coastal Shoreland Zone –250 Feet, Part of the law since 1989, Transferor provides transferee with written statement that system has not malfunctioned in the last 180 days, Coastal Shoreland Zone –250 Feet, Part of the law since 2007, and Buyer must have system inspection done by individual certified by the Department prior to purchase, unless: • Inspection may be delayed up to nine months due to weather. • No inspection needed if system is less than 3 years old. • Seller had a written inspection report preformed in last 3 years, and gives a copy to buyer. • Buyer certifies to LPI that system will be replaced within one year of purchase. 2009 Wetland Delineation and Identification Workshop The 2009 MAPSS, MAWS, MASE, SSSNNE, & MFS Wetland Delineation and Identification Workshop will be held at Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine on September 9, 2009 from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm. 2009 Schedule Announced for URI Onsite Wastewater Training Program Offered by University of Rhode Island, College of Environment and Life Sciences Notice to All Site Evaluators On December 1, 2008 the Subsurface Wastewater Program will be sending out the renewals for 2009 – 2011 Site Evaluator Licenses. February 28, 2009 is the expiration date of your current license. Beginning with the 2007-2009 licensing period, each licensee shall earn a minimum of twelve (12) professional development hours within each license period in order to obtain license renewal. It is your responsibility to document your professional development hours for renewal. On the renewal form there is a compliance statement for professional development hours that will have to be checked off. DO NOT SEND IN YOUR DOCUMENTATION WITH YOUR RENEWAL. The Department will be conducting a random selection of Site Evaluators for a documentation review after the February renewal date. If you have any questions feel free to contact Doug Coombs or Wendy Austin. Updated 06/19/09	Featured Links Online Rules Variances Site Evaluator Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Ten Tips for Systems Cemeteries and Crematoria Certifications Public Swimming Pools DHS & DEP Review of Drinking Water and Plumbing Control Programs Online Services Publications Order Form Permit Labels & Forms Record Search Form Water Records Spreadsheet Map and Directions Feedback Form .