Guidelines for a New Septage Detention or Treatment Facility (SDTF)

Guidelines for a New Septage Detention and Treatment Facility (SDTF)
The following information is needed to obtain a Permit for a Septage Detention
and Treatment Facility.
Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the permit applicant to obtain
applicable zoning approvals for the proposed site. Included in the submittal of an
application for a Septage Detention and Treatment Facility shall be an approval
letter from the unit of local government having zoning authority over the area
where the facility is to be located. This approval letter shall state that the
proposed facility meets all of the requirements of the local zoning ordinances, or
that the site is not zoned. It is highly recommended that obtaining zoning
approval is accomplished prior to any of the following steps. Following are the
basic items required to obtain a permit for a tank to temporarily store Septage.
An Application for a Permit to Operate a Septage Detention and Treatment
Facility shall be completed and submitted. Item 4 on the back of the application
requires a description of the proposed facility to include the size, type and number
of structures to be used. Please be aware that parts of detention and treatment
facilities located below grade shall be certified by a professional engineer to be
constructed in substantial compliance with the plans and specifications. As a
result, a buried or partially buried tank and lines require a leak or pressure test
report signed by a professional engineer.
A notarized Landowner's Authorization form is required if anyone else's name is
currently on the deed other than the individual applying for the permit. Please
ensure all landowners' sign the authorization and that a definite time period with
a specific start date is indicated.
The applicant will need a copy of the NC Septage Management Rules and in
particular will address all requirements in regards to permitting and site location.
State rules can be accessed from our website at
https://edocs.deg.nc.gov/WasteManagement/0/edoc/1280312/Septage%20Ma
nagement%20Rules.pdf?sea rchid=f59031e7-8449-4bc0-b501-95dff6578d57. The
main Rules that deal with Septage Detention and Treatment Facilities are 15A
NCAC 13B .0837 Septage Detention and Treatment Facility Permits and 15A
NCAC 13B .0838 Standards for Septage Detention and Treatment Facilities. As
indicated in the name of the Rule Section, Rule .0837 describes what is to be
submitted to apply for a permit and Rule .0838 describes the standards for the
operation of a detention facility. The Rules that apply to setback distances are
.0838 (m), (n), and (o).

An Aerial Photograph shall be included with the permit submittal. The aerial
photograph must extend for a distance of at least 1000 feet in all directions from
the site property boundaries. An aerial photograph is usually available from your
local tax office or they can instruct you where to obtain one in your area. The
aerial should indicate the setbacks from any features noted in the rules.
A Vicinity Map (county road map) showing the site location shall be included with
the permit submittal. Please mark the proposed site location on the aerial photo
and the vicinity map.
To obtain a permit for the treatment or processing of septage (such as a
dewatering facility) the following additional items are required.
- An operation and maintenance manual signed by the applicant outlining
information and instruction on how the facility is to be operated, equipment
maintenance, minimization of odors, spill and leak cleanup and other relevant
information.
- Site drawings with PE stamp.
- Disposal authorizations for the solids resulting from the treatment process.
- Disposal authorizations for the liquids resulting from the treatment process.
Please note that facilities with a storage capacity in excess of 25,000 gallons are
considered high capacity and shall meet increased setback requirements or
provide 100% containment to prevent offsite contamination from major spills as
per Rule 15A NCAC 13B .0838(o).
Please note that ORIGINAL signed forms, plans etc. are needed to issue a permit.
The time frame to obtain a septage detention and treatment facility permit varies
in regards to the amount of information that must be submitted, revisions that may
be needed and the daily workload that this office manages. This office will perform
a site inspection to establish setbacks and ensure compliance with septage
management rules.
Please be aware that the detention or treatment of septage that is not permitted
may result in administrative penalties up to $15,000 per violation per day in
accordance with NC General Statute 130A-22. A pre -operational inspection shall
be performed and a permit issued (signed) before septage detention or treatment
shall occur.

For permit forms and other information visit the Division of Waste Management
website at https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/waste-
management-rules/septage.