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About the Subsurface Wastewater Program

Responsibilities

It is the Subsurface Wastewater Program’s responsibility to:

  • Promulgate and administer the Subsurface Waste Water Disposal Rules (CMR 241), Rules for Appointment and Administration of Local Plumbing Inspectors (CMR 240), and Rules for Site Evaluators of Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Systems (CMR 245).

  • Maintain copies of all plumbing and subsurface waste water permits issued statewide.

  • Approximately 40,000 plumbing permits are processed annually, which generate approximately $275,000.00 in dedicated revenue.

  • The Program processes approximately 10,000 subsurface waste water permits annually.

  • License site evaluators for subsurface waste water disposal systems pursuant to CMR 245.

  • Provide reviews of engineering plans for compliance with or variance from departmental rules in support of the Division's various program areas.

  • Provide interagency reviews and make recommendations for Maine Department of Environmental Protection, MaineLand Use Regulation Commission, Maine Department of Education, and Bureau of Public Improvements, among others.

  • Conduct site inspections to assist site evaluators, local officials, and property owners.Administer a voluntary subsurface waste water disposal system installers certification program, in association with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

  • Review and approve mausoleums, crypts and cemeteries.

Program Staff

Russell G. Martin, P.E., Program Director

The Program Director directs the day to day operation of the Subsurface Wastewater Program and carries out public advocacy of public health issues. Meets with and establishes agreements (MOUs) with other state agencies on common issues as necessary. Decides actions on complaints and investigations and documents evidence to support actions before the administrative hearings office. The Program Director decides on the need for revisions in the rules that occur at least annually, and decides on the need to be proactive in statute changes that affect program management, prepares legislation as necessary, and decides on the necessity to obtain support through other programs headed by the Chief of Community Health Services. Assures that decisions made are based on prior decisions and that all parties to enforcement decisions are given due process. The Program Director is also responsible for documenting and preparing annual budgets.

Wendy Austin, Office Associate II

The Office Associate II is responsible for handling incoming & outgoing mail, answering phones and answering a lot of the public's questions. Logs all the variances that come in, on the computer, send out letters if they are incomplete. Schedules Public Hearings, mailings, printing, and makes sure things are done on schedule. Supervises data control clerk, and also assists on entering data.

Douglas Coombs, State Site Evaluator

The position duties include providing onsite assistance to Site Evaluators, Local Plumbing Inspectors, and the general public in interpreting site and soil conditions, and investigating malfunctions of onsite sewage disposal systems; investigating complaints against Site Evaluators; and administering the Site Evaluator program. Administration of the Site Evaluator program in turn includes administering both the written and field examination for prospective Site Evaluators; and providing technical and regulatory assistance to Site Evaluators. The position also provides guidance and interpretation of the Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules to other State agencies. The position reviews applications for onsite sewage disposal systems when time and other obligations permit.

James Jacobsen, Environmental Specialist IV

The Environmental Specialist IV is responsible for project review, including disposal systems serving 2,000 gallons per day or more, nonresidential waivers to the Minimum Lot Size law, inter-agency reviews involving onsite systems, and applications for new products or processes related to onsite sewage disposal systems for use in Maine. The ES IV also maintains the program’s web site, prepares the newsletter, and participates in various outreach activities such as contractor certification seminars.

Brent Lawson, State Plumbing Inspector

The position inspects new and existing onsite sewage disposal system installations and the work and practices of onsite sewage disposal system installers, municipal officers, and Local Plumbing Inspectors. Responsibilities include performing technical inspections, investigations of installations of onsite sewage disposal systems for compliance with Maine State Plumbing Code, Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules and related enforcement duties, assisting and supporting Local Plumbing Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officers, and investigations of complaints regarding Local Plumbing Inspectors’ performance.

Lorraine Martin, Office Associate I

Thie Office Associate I is responsible for supporting the Program’s Office Associate II; for administration and maintenance of plumbing permit, Site Evaluator, Local Plumbing Inspector, and contractor databases; for issuing plumbing permit labels to Local Plumbing Inspectors; for creating and issuing a quarterly financial report for all Maine municipalities; for issuing plumbing permits when no Local Plumbing Inspector is available for a given community or township; and for coordinating Local Plumbing Inspector appointments to the Unorganized Territories, and with input from State Planning Office appointments to organized municipalities.