Maine Subsurface Wastewater Unit
Maine Subsurface Wastewater Unit
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 (MeCDC) and its predecessors.
The MeCDC 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 Unit, within the MeCDC's Division of Environmental Health, 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 Unit
On this page:
JETCC Training Announced
01/26/12 The Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee has announed its winter/spring 2012 training schedule.
A JETCC certificate of participation will be issued to those who attend and complete a workshop. Six and one-half Training Contact Hours will be awarded for full-day sessions and three and one-half for half-day sessions. This will apply to re-certification for LPIs and CEOs as well as towards the Maine DHHS and DEP Voluntary Certification Program for Septic System Installers & Contractors. Download the brochure.
Position on Local Modifications to HHE-200 Form
01/17/12 There have been proposals from some municipalities to alter the HHE-200 Form to accommodate local ordinances or preferences, particularly page 1. The Division has not approved any alterations to the HHE-200 Form, since alternations to the format and content of the Department's forms are not allowed, except that additional pages may be added as necessary for any individual design. The Division does not condone the practice of municipalities altering the HHE-200 Form to accommodate local ordinances or preferences, including but not limited to, alteration of content or format such that the minimum data specified by the Division is modified or eliminated. The Division has written a position paper on this subject, which explains our view in greater detail. Read the position paper.
State Site Evaluator Position is Vacant
01/03/12 Mark Hyland, State Site Evaluator has accepted a position at the Maine Emergency Management Agency as their Director of Operations. We have enjoyed having Mark as a co-worker and we will miss him greatly. We wish Mark success in this new path in his career.
We anticipate posting the position as soon as it is approved to be re-filled.
Family Burying Grounds
The creation of family burying grounds will no longer need to be registered with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Environmental Health (Division). For many years the Division has been approving applications for family burying grounds. However, based upon a recent review of the statutory language (13 M.R.S. § 1142) governing family burying grounds, the Division has determined that the statute does not require approval by the Division. As required by 13 M.R.S. § 1303 the Division will continue to review and approve all other cemeteries except Veterans Memorial Cemeteries.
Fillable Online HHE-200 Page One Available
A fillable PDF version of page one of the HHE-200 Form is now available. You may fill out the form online and print directly from your web browser or Adobe Reader, or save it to your computer.
Recently Approved Products
NJUN Systems, LLC
The NJUN System consists of a multiple chamber sequencing batch reactor which treats domestic wastewater to below detectable limits for total suspended solids and five day biochemical oxygen demand.
Update, Geomatrix Systems LLC, SoilAir
Geomatirx Systems LLC proposed and the Division approved a reduced separation of the disposal area to the seasonal high water table in profile 5 and 6 soils and from bedrock from 24 inches to 12 inches when a SoilAir system is used.
Update, ADS ARC 18 and Bio 2 Plastic Chambers
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. proposed and the Division approved revised spacing between ARC 18 and Bio 2 chambers.
Infiltrator Systems, Inc., TW-300 and TW-500 septic tanks
The TW-300 and TW-500 septic tanks consist of rotomolded high density polyethylene cylindrical tanks, with 300 and 500 gallons capacity, respectively. The tanks have molded reinforcing ribs and 24 inch diameter access opening.
View the list of all approved products
Updated 01/30/12
