The purposes of the Rules and Regulations of the Sewer Department
of the Town of Nantucket are:
A. To establish the technical and administrative procedures for making
connections to the sanitary sewer system, including in accordance
with the Nantucket Sewer Standards and Specifications;
B. To establish requirements, restrictions and controls on the quantities
and quality of what may be discharged to the sanitary sewer system;
such as discharges that may:
(1) Interfere with the operation of the publicly owned treatment works
(POTW) in any way;
(2) Pass through the POTW, to the groundwaters, inadequately treated
effluent that may cause contravention of standards for these waters
or surface waters or cause violation of the POTW's Groundwater
Discharge Permit (GWDP) or negatively impact the watershed into which
treated effluent is discharged;
(3) Reduce the opportunity to reclaim or recycle treated wastewater and/or
sludge from the system;
(4) Increase the cost or otherwise hamper or limit the disposal of sludges
and other residuals;
(5) Endanger municipal employees or the public;
(6) Cause, directly or indirectly, any public nuisance condition;
C. To prevent new sources of inflow and infiltration and eliminate private
source inflow;
D. To provide for equitable distribution to all users of the POTW, all
costs associated with the collection, transmission, treatment and
residuals disposal, and to provide for the collection of such costs;
and
E. To provide for the orderly planning, implementation and operation
of sewer systems' and treatment systems' components to improve
the health and environmental quality of the Town of Nantucket and
its people and resources.
The following rules and regulations are a part of the contract
with every person who discharges water and waste into the Nantucket
Sewer System and governs the relationship between the Sewer Department
and its consumers, contractors and/or developers, and all other persons
who install sewers, discharge wastewater, are connected into the sewer
system or apply for a connection to the sewer system.
Modifications, additions to or rescinding of these Rules and
Regulations may take place from time to time as approved by the Select
Board as required by MGL c. 83, § 10 and Chapter 396 of
the Acts of 2008 ("Nantucket Sewer Act"). The aforesaid Rules and
Regulations and all the previous amendments shall be deemed to be
valid and in full force and effect; and notwithstanding anything to
the contrary which may be contained therein, all further amendments,
changes, modifications, revisions, additions or rescission of the
aforesaid Rules and Regulations and previous amendments shall not
be valid without the approval of the Select Board.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning
of the terms used in these Rules and Regulations shall be as follows:
ACT or THE ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the
"Clean Water Act," as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to
time.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND or BOD
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days
at 20° C., expressed in milligrams per liter.
BUILDING SEWER
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a building plumbing
system that receives the discharge of wastewater from inside the walls
of the building and conveys it to the sewer service. The building
sewer extends 10 feet beyond the building foundation.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
A structure, room, enclosed floor space, or combination of
the aforementioned, used in the course of providing professional,
public and/or private services. An existing commercial establishment
is defined in this regulation as being substantially complete prior
to the availability of the Nantucket sewer system or Siasconset sewer
system areas or those that received construction approvals prior to
December 31, 2017. A new commercial establishment is defined in this
regulation as not being substantially complete prior to the availability
of the Nantucket sewer system or Siasconset sewer system areas, those
that received construction approvals on or after December 31, 2017.
CONNECTION TO SEWER
A connection shall exist where any tie-in is made to the
Nantucket sewer system or appurtenance thereof which has the potential
to contribute wastewater flow.
DIRECTOR
The person appointed by the Nantucket Town Manager as the
Director of the Nantucket Sewer Department who is vested with the
authority and responsibility for the implementation and enforcement
of these Rules and Regulations or their authorized deputy, agent or
representative.
DWELLING
A structure used or intended to be used by one family or
household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. An existing dwelling
is defined in this regulation as being substantially complete prior
to the availability of the Nantucket sewer system, or Siasconset sewer
system areas, those that received construction approvals prior to
December 31, 2017. A new dwelling is defined in this regulation as
not being substantially complete prior to the availability of the
Nantucket sewer system or Siasconset sewer system areas, those that
received construction approvals on or after December 31, 2017.
DWELLING UNIT
A room or enclosed floor space within a dwelling used by
or forming a habitable unit for one family with facilities for living,
sleeping, cooking and eating. A dwelling may consist of one or more
dwelling units. An existing dwelling unit is defined in this regulation
as being substantially complete prior to the availability of the Nantucket
sewer system or Siasconset sewer system areas, those that received
construction approvals prior to December 31, 2017. A new dwelling
unit is defined in this regulation as not being substantially complete
prior to the availability of the Nantucket sewer system or Siasconset
sewer system areas, those that received construction approvals on
or after December 31, 2017.
FATS, OIL AND GREASE or FOG
Organic polar compounds derived from animal and/or plant
sources and accumulate in the sewer system. These are substances that
may solidify or become viscous at temperatures above 32° F. These
substances are detectable and measurable using analytical procedures
established in 40 CFR 136.
GARBAGE
Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation,
cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and
sale of produce.
GRINDER PUMP
A wastewater conveyance device. Wastewater and water from
water-using household appliances flows through the home's pipes
into the grinder pump's exterior holding tank. Once the wastewater
inside the tank reaches a specific level, the pump will turn on, grind
the waste into a fine slurry and pump it to the municipal sewer system.
LEACHATE
A liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste
and contains soluble, suspended or miscible materials removed from
such waste.
LICENSED UTILITY INSTALLER or LUI
A person who, upon submitting a license and permit bond,
certificate of insurance, and paying the utility installer's
license fee, all of which are approved by the Director, is permitted
to perform the installation of sanitary sewers or building sewers.
LOT
A tract of land in common ownership, including land under
water, not divided by a street, which may include multiple parcels
of adjacent land in common ownership.
LOW-PRESSURE SEWER
A pressure pipe that receives wastewater from low-pressure
sewer services and conveys it to the municipal sewer system.
LOW-PRESSURE SEWER SERVICE
A small-diameter pipe that connects an individual grinder
pump to a low-pressure sewer or to a gravity sewer. A low-pressure
sewer service is privately owned.
MAY
When used in these regulations, this term is permissive.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
Mixed-use properties, such as buildings with separate residential
and commercial units.
MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS
More than one dwelling unit on a single property or common
property, with each unit having a separate service connection, except
for tertiary dwellings that may have a common service connection.
MUNICIPAL SEWER
A publicly owned pipe or conduit used for transporting municipal
wastewater.
MUNICIPAL SEWER FORCE MAIN
A pipe that is used to convey wastewater from a municipal
wastewater pumping station to a gravity sewer or directly to a wastewater
treatment facility.
MUNICIPAL SEWER SYSTEM
Publicly owned structures, facilities and conduits intended
for the purpose of collecting and conveying municipal wastewater to
a wastewater treatment facility. Lateral sewer lines that connect
private sewer systems to the municipal sewer system are considered
privately owned.
MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
The wastewater that enters a municipal sewer system from
domestic, commercial and industrial sources.
NANTUCKET SEWER SYSTEM
All structures, equipment and processes required to collect,
transport and treat municipal wastewater on Nantucket.
NATURAL OUTLET
Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other
body of surface or groundwater.
NEEDS AREA
Based on the most recent Comprehensive Wastewater Management
Plan (CWMP), a study area where a majority of the developed or developable
properties located within the study area will not be able to utilize
a conventional Title 5 septic system to effectively dispose of wastewater
throughout and beyond the twenty-year planning period.
OUTBUILDING
Detached structures such as pool houses, sheds or garages
on the same lot as a primary dwelling. Outbuildings with sanitary
facilities are treated as bedrooms in these regulations.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation
or group.
pH
The logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen
ions in grams per liter of solution.
POLLUTION
The presence of pollutants or contaminants in quantities
or with characteristics that may alter the physical, chemical or biological
properties of receiving waters that:
A.
Result or will likely result in harm or detriment to the health,
safety or welfare of humans, animals, birds or aquatic life;
B.
Render or will likely render the waters substantially less useful
for domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational or
other reasonable uses; or
C.
Leave or likely leave the waters in such condition as to violate
any state water quality standards.
POTW TREATMENT PLANT
That portion of the POTW which is designed to provide treatment
(including recycling and reclamation) of municipal sewage and industrial
waste.
PREMISES
Any structure or group of structures operated as a single
business or enterprise; provided, however, the term "premises" shall
not include more than one dwelling.
PRETREATMENT or TREATMENT
The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination
of pollutants or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties
in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to or in lieu of discharging
or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a POTW. The reduction
or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical, biological processes,
or process changes or other means, except through dilution as prohibited
by 40 CFR 403.6(d).
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
Any substantive or procedural requirements related to pretreatment
that are imposed on an industrial user.
PROPERTY
Unless otherwise indicated, the term "property" means "lot."
PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS or POTW
A treatment works as defined by Section 212 of the Act, which
is owned by a state or municipality [as defined by Section 502(4)
of the Act]. This definition includes any devices and systems used
in the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of municipal
sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers,
pipes and other conveyances only if they convey wastewater to a POTW
treatment plant. The term also means the municipality as defined in
Section 502(4) of the Act, which has jurisdiction over the indirect
discharges to and the discharges from such a treatment works.
RIGHT OF ENTRY/ACCESS
For purposes of inspections and service, properties that
are connected to the Nantucket sewer system shall grant Town of Nantucket
personnel, in a timely manner, access to any structure connected to
the sewer. The Town of Nantucket determines a "timely manner" as 24
hours and no longer than 48 hours from request.
SANITARY SEWER
A sewer that carries sewage from residences, commercial buildings,
industries and institutions, together with minor quantities of ground,
storm and surface waters that are not admitted intentionally.
SECONDARY DWELLING
A detached single-family dwelling located on the same lot
as a primary dwelling unit.
SEPTAGE
That material removed from any part of an on-site sewage
disposal system, including, but not limited to, the solids, semi-solids,
scum, sludge and liquid contents of a septic tank, tight tank, privy,
chemical toilet, cesspool, holding tank or other sewage waste receptacle.
It does not include any hazardous substances as defined in 40 CFR
116.
SEWAGE
A combination of the water-carried wastes from residences,
business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments.
SEWAGE EJECTOR PUMP
A high-volume, low-pressure submersible solids handling pump
used when a bathroom, laundry room or any other type of plumbing fixture
is located below the level of the building sewer.
SEWER
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SEWER COMMISSION
Pursuant to Chapter 396 of the Acts of 2008, the entity that
is responsible for the policies, finances, goals, operation and maintenance
of the good order of the Nantucket sewer system. The Nantucket Select
Board may serve as the Sewer Commission.
SEWER DISTRICTS
Areas in Nantucket served by the Municipal sewer system,
and approved by Town Meeting, as enacted in Chapter 396 of the Acts
of 2008.
SEWER SERVICE LATERAL
The portion of the privately owned sewer system that connects
the building sewer to the municipal sewer system; otherwise known
as a "sewer connection." A sewer service lateral is privately owned.
SHALL
When used in these regulations, this term is mandatory.
SLUG
Any discharge at a flow rate or concentration which could
cause a violation of prohibited discharge standards or any discharge
of a nonroutine, episodic nature, including but not limited to an
accidental spill or a noncustomary batch discharge.
STORM DRAIN
A conduit or channel which carries storm and surface waters
and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than
unpolluted cooling water.
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE
A structure shall be defined as substantially complete as
of the date of issuance of an occupancy permit.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Solids that either float on the surface or are in suspension
in water, sewage or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory
filtering.
TERTIARY DWELLING
A third dwelling unit under the same ownership as at least
one other owner-occupied dwelling unit on the lot.
TREASURER
The Treasurer of the Town of Nantucket.
WASTES
Shall be classified as follows:
A.
INDUSTRIAL WASTESAny water-carried or liquid waste resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade or business, or from the development or recovery of any natural resource.
B.
INSTITUTIONAL WASTESAny wastewater generated by schools, places of worship, correctional facilities, nursing homes, group homes and other community facilities.
C.
COMMERCIAL WASTESThe water-carried wastes from nonmanufacturing establishments such as hotels, restaurants, stores and places of business.
WASTEWATER
The spent water of the community. From the standpoint of
source, it may be a combination of the liquid and water-carried wastes
from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants and institutions.
WATERCOURSE
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously
or intermittently.
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently
break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure,
appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the POTW. Any person
violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under
charge of disorderly conduct and/or vandalism.
The Director shall determine, assign and maintain a facility
for the discharge of septic tank waste to the Surfside WWTF of the
Town of Nantucket. Such facility shall be the only point allowed for
the discharge of septic tank waste and its use shall be governed by
the following:
A. Only carriers licensed by the Board of Health and approved by the
Sewer Commission may discharge septage at the treatment facility.
B. Septic tank waste which does not meet the definition of sewage established
in the regulations will not be accepted.
C. Discharge of septic tank waste is limited to the hours of normal
operations for the Surfside WWTF; Monday through Friday from 7:00
a.m. to 3:30 p.m., unless otherwise arranged with the Chief Operator
and approved by the Director or their designee.
D. The pumping, hauling, discharge of septic tank waste shall be in
accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Environmental
Code (310 CMR 15).
E. All septage waste must be tested for pH to determine compliance with
existing Sewer Regulations. The Chief Operator must be notified before
industrial or commercial loads are discharged.
F. Haulers must provide a manifest of the origin of the septic waste
on forms provided by the Sewer Department.
G. Cleanup of the septage receiving area is required after each septage
discharge.
H. Failure of the hauler to comply with these regulations, including
failure to make payments as required, shall be cause for the Sewer
Commission to revoke its permit to discharge at the facility.