§ 24-322. Private wastewater disposal.

The following applications shall be adhered to in the connections to a private sewer:

(1)

Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of this article, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section. No permit for a septic tank or other individual sewage disposal facility shall be issued by the county health department without a valid zoning compliance and a letter of non-availability from the board. The availability of water and sewer service is defined elsewhere in this article.

(2)

Septic tanks shall be constructed, repaired, altered, enlarged and maintained in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the county health department.

(3)

No person shall construct, repair, alter or enlarge any septic tank unless he receives approval by the county health department and shall hold a valid permit for such work issued by the county health department.

(4)

The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all regulations of the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or any other applicable state regulation or statute. No private sewage disposal system shall be permitted to discharge to any natural surface outlet.

(5)

No septic tank or other subsurface disposal facility shall be installed where a public sewer is accessible as defined elsewhere in this article, to the premises involved.

(6)

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to property served by a private sewage disposal system, a connection shall be made to the public sanitary sewer within 90 days after notice, subject to the provisions in section 24-167, section 24-321 of this article. Any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall then be cleaned of sludge and filled with suitable materials in accordance with the appropriate local, state and federal ordinances, statutes, and regulations.

(7)

The owner(s) shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times.

(8)

Every flush toilet shall be connected to a public sewer where available or to a septic tank. Flush toilets shall be provided at all times with sufficient running water under pressure to flush the toilet clean after each use.

(9)

No pit privy shall be installed.

(10)

Discharge of septic tanks into sewer system.

a.

Restricted. It shall be unlawful to empty, dump throw or otherwise discharge, into any manhole, or other opening, or into the board's sewer system, or any system connected with and discharging into the sewer system, the contents of any septic tank, sludge, sewage or other similar matter or material, except as provided in the paragraph below.

b.

Permits. The board's water and sewer director is hereby authorized to grant permits to discharge the contents of septic tanks (from domestic sources only) at locations specified by the director of the water and sewer department and under his supervision. Such permits may be revoked at any time if, in the opinion of the director of the water and sewer department, continued dumping of such matter into the sewers will be injurious to the sewer system or treatment processes. Any person/company which pumps septic wastes commercially shall do so only after obtaining required state permits from the Okaloosa County Health Department.

c.

Charges as specified in Appendix A. A charge shall be made for the privilege of dumping contents of septic tanks, as provided in separate regulations. A record shall be kept of such dumpings and statements shall be payable within 30 days after rendition. Failure to pay the amounts due within such 30-day period shall be cause for revoking the permit.

(11)

Any dwelling that has a septic tank, privy or any other sewage, industrial waste, or liquid waste disposal system, located thereon that does not function in a sanitary manner shall be corrected within 30 days from the receipt of written notification from the county health department that said system is not functioning in a sanitary manner, and it is ordered that said system be corrected.

(12)

Premises with private water systems where public sewers are available shall be connected with the public sewerage system as stated in this article.

(13)

No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the county health department.

( Ord. No. 16-16 , § 1, 9-6-16)