13.05.020 Private sewage disposal systems

13.05.020 Private sewage disposal systems.

A. Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available, all persons owning or leasing property in closely built-up areas shall comply with the following provisions of this chapter for private sewage disposal systems.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in an insanitary manner upon public or private property within Jasper County, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the County, any human excrement or sewage.

C. At any business building situated within Jasper County where there is installed a sewage disposal system which is not connected to a public sewer system, and no public sewer system is available, there shall be established, installed, or constructed and maintained a private sewage disposal system which shall comply with the standards of the Indiana State Board of Health as contained in Bulletin SE 13 of the Indiana State Board of Health or in such manner as approved by the Indiana State Board of Health. Bulletin SE 13 is incorporated by reference as part of this section, and two copies are filed in the office of the County Auditor and County Health Officer for public inspection.

D. Any privy situated within Jasper County shall be of the sanitary type and shall be constructed and maintained in a clean condition and so that insects and rodents cannot enter the vault. Any privy shall be located properly to protect water supplies from contamination. (See Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3, Sec. 52(c) of the Indiana State Board of Health.)

E. All private residential sewage disposal systems and privies shall be installed, constructed and maintained in an approved manner as described in Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 of the Indiana State Board of Health, which Rule is herewith incorporated by reference as a part of this section, and two copies filed in the office of the County Auditor and County Health Officer for public inspection.

F. The installation of any other private residential sewage disposal system, not described in Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 of the Indiana State Board of Health, of mechanical, chemical, or other means may be approved by the Jasper County Health Officer. Said requirements, plans and specifications must bear the written approval of the Indiana State Board of Health. It is deemed necessary to have soil tests taken, either by an Indiana State Board of Health Soil Scientist or a private soil consultant. The Indiana State Board of Health will determine what appropriate system is needed, and only that system will be installed according to Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3.

G. Should any defect exist or occur in any private sewage disposal system or privy which would cause the sewage disposal system or privy to fail to meet the requirements in subsections (D), (E), and (F) of this section, and cause an insanitary condition, the defect shall be corrected immediately by the owner or the agent of the owner, occupant, or agent of the occupant. Failure to do so shall be a violation of this chapter and the violator shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in JCC 13.05.040.

H. Wherever a public combined or sanitary sewer becomes available and is within 500 feet of the property line of the residential or business property served by a private sewage disposal system or privy, situated within Jasper County, a direct connection shall be made to the sewer and any septic tanks, seepage pits, outhouses, privy pits, and similar sewage disposal and treatment facilities shall be abandoned and filled in a safe and sanitary manner.

I. Whenever a new business building or subdivision is developed in an area where a public combined or sanitary sewer is available, a connection shall be made to the sewer if such connection can be made at a reasonable cost.

J. After receiving an order in writing from the County Board of Health or the duly appointed Health Officer, the owner, agent of the owner, the occupant, or agent of the occupant of the property shall comply with the provisions of this chapter as set forth in the order and within the time limit included therein. The order shall be served on the owner or the agent of the owner, or the occupant or agent of the occupant, but may be served on any person who, by contract with the owner, has assumed the duty of complying with the provisions of an order.

1. Before commencement of construction of any building or private residence where a private sewage disposal system or privy is to be installed or where any alterations, repairs or additions of an existing private sewage disposal system are planned, the owner or agent of the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the County Health Officer.

2. The application for such permit shall be made on a form provided by Jasper County, which application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications and other information as is deemed necessary by the County Health Officer.

3. A permit for a private sewage disposal system or privy shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the County Health Officer. He, or his agent, shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction; and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the County Health Officer when the work is ready for final inspection, before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within two working days of the receipt of notice by the County Health Officer.

4. The application for a permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the building where the sewage disposal system is under construction. The notice should be plainly visible from the public thoroughfare serving this building. [Ord. 08-14-23 § 2; Ord. 9-5-17A §§ 1 – 3; Ord. 8-5-91B § 3; Ord. 1-3-89D § 1; Code 1988 § 70.02.]