Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-6 - STANDARDS FOR ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS › Part I - General Provisions except those specific to Parts II and IV › Section 62-6.001 - General

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The provisions of Part I (Rules 62-6.001
				  through  62-6.016, F.A.C.) of this chapter apply to all areas of the state
				  except where specific provisions in Part II (Rules
				   62-6.017 through
				   62-6.0182, F.A.C.), addressing
				  the Florida Keys, or specific provisions in Part IV (Rules
				   62-6.025 through
				   62-6.0295, F.A.C.), addressing
				  performance-based treatment systems, exempt or modify compliance with Part I.
				  Part III (Rules  62-6.019 through
				   62-6.023, F.A.C.) addresses the
				  registration of septic tank contractors and authorization of partnerships and
				  corporations. Part V (Rule
				   62-6.030, F.A.C.) addresses fees
				  for services throughout the chapter. The provisions of this chapter must be
				  used in conjunction with Chapter 381 and Part III of Chapter 489,
				  F.S.
(2) Structures used or
				  intended for human occupancy, employment or service to the public and locations
				  where people congregate, such as construction sites, fairs, and field locations
				  for agricultural workers shall provide approved wastewater treatment and
				  disposal systems. Except for the provisions of Rule
				   62-6.0101, F.A.C., permanent
				  structures shall not rely upon the use of holding tanks and portable toilets
				  for wastewater treatment and disposal.
(3) Combination of commercial and domestic
				  sewage into a single system shall require that all the sewage be treated as
				  commercial sewage.
(4) Except as
				  provided for in Section
				   381.00655, F.S., any existing
				  and prior approved system which has been placed into use and which remains in
				  satisfactory operating condition shall remain valid for use under the terms of
				  the rule and permit under which it was approved. Alterations that change the
				  conditions under which the system was permitted and approved, sewage
				  characteristics or increase sewage flow will require that the owner, or their
				  authorized representative, apply for and receive reapproval of the system by
				  the Department, prior to any alteration of the structure, or system. If an
				  applicant requests that the Department consider the previous structure's or
				  establishment's most recent approved occupancy, the applicant must provide
				  written documentation that the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system was
				  approved by the Department for that previous occupancy.
(a) An applicant will be required to complete
				  an application, and provide a site plan in accordance with rule
				   62-6.004, F.A.C., to provide
				  information of the site conditions under which the system is currently in use
				  and conditions under which it will be used.
(b) The applicant shall have all system tanks
				  pumped by a permitted septage disposal service. A registered septic tank
				  contractor, state-licensed plumber, person certified under Section
				   381.0101, F.S., or master septic
				  tank contractor shall determine the tank volume and shall perform a visual
				  inspection of the tank when the tank is empty to detect any observable defects
				  or leaks in the tank. The tank volume shall be obtained from the tank legend or
				  shall be calculated from measured internal tank dimensions for length, width
				  and depth to the liquid level line or from the measured outside dimensions for
				  length and width minus the wall thickness and depth to the liquid level line.
				  For odd shaped tanks and tanks without a legend, metered water flows from the
				  refilling of the tank may be used in lieu of measured inside or outside tank
				  dimensions. The person performing the inspection shall submit the results to
				  the Department as part of the application in accordance with rule
				   62-6.004, F.A.C.
(c) If a prior approved existing system has
				  been approved within the preceding five years, and the system was determined to
				  be in satisfactory operating condition at that time, a new inspection is not
				  required unless there is a record of failure of the system. If it is determined
				  that a new inspection is not required, only the application fee shall be
				  charged for this application and approval.
(d) If the use of a building is changed or if
				  additions or alterations to a building are made which will increase domestic
				  sewage flow, change sewage characteristics, or compromise the integrity or
				  function of the system, the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system serving
				  such building shall be brought into full compliance with the provisions and
				  requirements of these rules.
1. Proper well
				  setbacks shall be maintained.
2.
				  Prior to any modification of the system, the owner shall apply for and obtain a
				  permit for modification of the system from the Department in accordance with
				  Rule  62-6.004, F.A.C. The permit
				  shall be valid for 18 months from the date of issue. Where building
				  construction has commenced, it shall be valid for an additional 90
				  days.
3. Necessary site
				  investigations and tests shall be performed at the expense of the owner by
				  either an engineer with soils training who is licensed in the state of Florida
				  pursuant to Chapter 471, F.S., registered septic tank contractors, master
				  septic tank contractors, or persons certified under Section
				   381.0101, F.S., or Department
				  personnel for the appropriate fee specified in Section
				   381.0066,
				  F.S.
(e) For residences,
				  flows shall be calculated using new system criteria for bedrooms and building
				  area, including existing structures and any proposed additions. Table I and
				  footnotes shall apply. No part of the existing structure, or the addition to
				  the structure shall be allowed to cover any part of the system. Non-load
				  bearing structures, such as a concrete patio floor, are allowed to cover the
				  septic tank, provided that access to the tank is provided for maintenance. The
				  structure above the septic tank shall have a minimum opening of 225 square
				  inches at each end of the septic tank for access into the tank. The structure
				  shall not be in direct contact with the tank. A barrier of soil or plastic
				  shall be used between the tank and non-load bearing structure. A modification,
				  replacement, or upgrade of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system is
				  not required for a remodeling addition if a bedroom is not added. For those
				  residences that add sewage flow, the system shall be required to be altered to
				  meet the following criteria:
1. The septic
				  tank need not be replaced if it is structurally sound and is within one tank
				  size of the required specifications found in Table II, for the proposed
				  structure. An approved outlet filter shall be installed if one is currently not
				  in place. If existing tanks are not within one tank size of the required
				  specifications found in Table II, for the proposed structure, they shall be
				  replaced or supplemented to meet current sizing requirements. If a new tank is
				  installed in series, the resulting configuration must meet the sizing
				  requirements for tanks-in-series in Rule
				   62-6.013, F.A.C.
2. The Department shall require the existing
				  drainfield to be increased to current rule drainfield size requirements for the
				  proposed estimated sewage flow using the appropriate soil loading rate and
				  sizing criteria for new systems. Where the existing elevation of the bottom
				  surface of the drainfield is less than 24 inches above the wet season high
				  water table, the bottom of the drainfield shall be maintained at the existing
				  separation or a minimum of 12 inches above the wet season high water table,
				  whichever is greater.
3. Where the
				  bottom of the drainfield is less than 12 inches above the wet season high water
				  table, the drainfield shall be brought into full compliance with all new system
				  standards, as long as it is the intent of the applicant to proceed with the
				  addition to the residence.
(f) For commercial establishments, the system
				  shall not be required to be altered if domestic sewage flow is not expected to
				  increase by more than 20% of original design flow or require more than one tank
				  size adjustment. A Department approved outlet filter device shall be installed.
				  Any system which is used to treat and dispose of commercial wastewater shall be
				  brought into full compliance with the provisions and requirements of current
				  rules when there is any increase in sewage flow or increase in waste
				  strength.
(g) These requirements do
				  not authorize a residence or establishment to exceed the lot flow allowances
				  authorized under paragraph
				   62-6.005(7)(c),
				  F.A.C. Establishments that currently exceed lot flow allowances shall not be
				  allowed to increase sewage flow.
(h) The installation of a laundry system, a
				  gray water system, a grease interceptor, or additional drainfield as a
				  precautionary measure to prolong system functioning of an existing system is
				  considered a modification to the system. Such installation is not a
				  modification if it is associated with an increase in estimated sewage flow or
				  change in sewage characteristics, if the system is in failure or if the
				  existing system is in non-compliance with the terms of the original permit, in
				  which case it will be considered a new system.
(i) If an existing system is disconnected
				  from a structure that was made unusable or destroyed following a disaster, the
				  system may be reconnected to a rebuilt structure per the provisions of Section
				   381.0065(4)(x),
				  F.S.