Laws, Regulations & Manuals

Onsite Sewage

Regulations:
  19CSR 20-3.060 to 20-3.080

19 CSR 20-3.060, page 16, Minimum Construction Standards for Onsite Sewage Systems

(1) Definitions, Setback Distances, and Flow Rates
(2) Site Evaluations and Percolation Tests
(3) Building Sewers
(4) Sewage Tanks
(5) Absorption Systems
(6) Alternative Systems and Variances
(7) Soils Morphology Evaluations

19 CSR 20-3.070, page 49, Inspection/Evaluation of Existing Onsite Sewage Systems related to the sale of real estate

19 CSR 20-3.080, page 52, Requirements for Percolation Testers, Onsite Soils Morphology Evaluators, and Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installers

Draft Rule Changes:

Changes to 19 CSR 20-3.070 and 19 CSR 20-3.080 have been drafted.  Questions and input regarding the rules are welcome.

These proposed changes are only draft and would not be effective until the rulemaking process is complete.  The official rulemaking starts with department approval of a proposed amendment or rule, which is then submitted to be published in the Missouri Register.  Written comments are accepted during an official comment period and responses are published with the final order of rulemaking.  Changes could possibly become effective by the end of September or October 2008.

19 CSR 20-3.070 Draft Rule Changes:

19 CSR 20-3.070 is the rule setting requirements for inspectors/evaluators of onsite wastewater treatment systems and inspections/evaluations related to real estate transactions.

Proposed changes include:

• The department’s licensing requirements and the licensing and renewal processes are described separately;
• The license application processing fee would increase to $90.00 for a three year period;
• A $15.00 processing fee would be required for lost ID card replacements.
• Continuing education requirements would change; after the initial 3-year registration period and renewal, which requires 20 continuing education units, the draft changes propose to reduce continuing education requirements to 12 units every three years (for second and later renewals);
• The standards for inspectors/evaluators and inspection requirements would be updated and with the addition of standards of practice:
  • Possess a current license with the department before conducting any inspection or evaluation of an OWTS;
• Record their license number on all bids, proposals, contracts, invoices, inspection reports, evaluation reports, and other correspondence with the requesting party or the department;
• Document inspections and evaluations accurately in writing on department approved forms;
• The department could place an inspector/evaluator/s license on probation as well as suspend or revoke the license;
• Some definitions would be added, and other wording changed, with the intent of making the requirements clearer.

19 CSR 20-3.080 Draft Rule Changes:

19 CSR 20-3.080 is the rule setting requirements for installers, soil evaluators and percolation testers.

Proposed changes include:

• After the initial 3-year registration period and renewal, which requires 20 continuing education units, the draft changes propose to reduce continuing education requirements to 12 units every three years for advanced OWTS installers and onsite soil evaluators (for second and later renewals), and to reduce the requirements to 8 units every three years for basic installers and percolation testers (for the second and later renewals);
• Dates and wording related to when installer registration requirements first became mandatory would be removed;
• The department’s registration process, temporary and probationary registration process, and renewal process are described separately;
• A $15.00 processing fee would be required for lost ID card replacements.
• Additional items would be included in the standards of practice for installers:
• A requirement to notify the administrative authority when an installer is no longer associated with an OWTS application or permit, takes over a project in progress or otherwise changes their involvement with an OWTS;
• Installers are to provide notice and an opportunity for inspection of construction as required by the administrative authority;
• Installers could not create or worsen a health or safety hazard, nuisance condition or contamination of surface or groundwater when working on an OWTS.
• Non-registered percolation testers and onsite soil evaluators would be considered in violation of section 701.053 RSMo.
• Some definitions would be added, and other wording changed, with the intent of making the requirements clearer.