HomeMy WebLinkAbout310 CMR 15.302 (3) - Re: Refuting/Corroberating Findings of Prior Inspection Report,
310 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
15302: continued
(3) The inspector shall make reasonable professional efforts to determine the location and
� condition of all system components and relevant physical features. If any component cannot be
located or inspected, or any determination cannot be made, the inspector shall state on the
inspection form the reasons and the steps taken to complete the inspection. At a minimum,
reasonable professional efforts require compliance with the inspection requirements and protocol
� in 310 CMR 15.302(4)and(5). Where an inspection is conducted for the purpose of refut_ ;n�
or corroborating the findings of a prior inspection,reasonable professional efforts shall require,
*� at a minimum,that the inspector employ methods to determine the location and condition of all
�I system components and relevant physical features that are comparable to the methods employed
' by the prior inspector. Provided that these requirements are met,and the Approving Authority
agrees with the findings in writing,the reinspection shall supersede the prior inspection unless
otherwise determined in wriring by the Approving Authority.
- (4) Determinarion of High Groundwater Elevation. A deep hole observation test is not required '
to determine high groundwater elevation during an inspection.High groundwater elevation shall
be estimated by the inspector,using best professional judgment,based on the methods described
in 310 CMR 15.302(4)(a)through(c).
(a) The inspector shall review local maps and records of groundwater elevarion(previous
deep hole observation tests or groundwater monitoring results) on the site and nearby
properties,if available.
(b) If the system includes a cesspool,the cesspool shall be pumped during the inspection
and then examined to determine whether groundwater flows into the cesspool,indicating that
the cesspool is below high groundwater elevation.
(c) If the system includes a septic tank and distribution box, the condition of these
components and the surrounding soil shall be observed for indications that groundwater has
infiltrated the system. Care should be taken not to destabilize the distribution box or the
piping to or from the box.
These minimum requirements shall not prevent the use of additional methods.The elevation
of nearbywaterbodies,or evidence ofgroundwater infiltration in other subsurface structures(for
example, cellars), or hand augering to determine depth may aid in determining whether the
system is located in the groundwater. The methods used to determine high groundwater
elevarion shall be described in the inspection report. A system owner may choose to have the
high groundwater elevation determined by an observation well or deep hole observation test to
confirm or disprove the results obtained by the minimum requirements of 310 CMR 15302(4),
or in place of the minimum requirements.
(5) Location of Soil Absorntion Svstem. The location of any cesspool must be determined. For
systems with a septic tank and distribution box,excavation is not required to determine the
location of the soil absorption system. Reference may be made to as-built plans of the system �
(if any). All components of the soil absorption system shall be located where the failure criteria �
specified in 310 CMR 15.303(1)are triggered. Where the failure criteria specified in 310 CMR i
15.303(1) are not triggered, the location may be approximated by considering design flow, �
location of the distribution box and direction of outlet pipes,and physical condition of the site.
The location may also be determined by running a metal snake or similar device from the outlet ,
of the distribution box and using a metal detector, or use of similar methods. Nothing in
310 CMR 15.302(5) shall prevent an owner from choosing to establish the location of the �
leaching system through more intrusive methods. �
(6) Compliance with Denartment Guidance.The inspector shall complete the system inspection
in accordance with the Department's Guidance for the Inspection of Subsurface Disposal i
Systems. '
15303: Svstems Failin�to Protect Public Health and Safetv and the Environment �
(1) If one or more of the following conditions exist as documented by inspection by an ;
approved System Inspector,or determined by the local Approving Authority or the Department, j
the system is failing to protect public health and safety and the environment and shall be �
upgraded in accordance with the timeframes of 310 CMR 15305(1) and the standards of
310 CMR 15.404 and 15.405:
(a) Conditions applicable to all systems:
1. there is backup of sewage into the facility served by the system or any component of
the system as a result of an overloaded and/or clogged soil absorption system or cesspool;
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