H601.0 Disposal Fields

Distribution lines shall be constructed of clay tile laid with open joints, perforated clay pipe. perforated bituminous fiber pipe. perforated high-density polyethylene pipe, perforated ABS pipe, perforated PVC pipe, or other approved materials, provided that approved openings are available for distribution of the effluent into the trench area.

Before placing filter material or drain lines in a prepared excavation, smeared or compacted surfaces shall be removed from trenches by raking to a depth of 1 inch (25.4 mm) and the loose material removed. Clean stone, gravel, slag, or similar filter material acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, varying in size from ³/₄ of an inch to 2¹/₂ inches (19.1 mm to 64 mm), shall be placed in the trench to the depth and grade required by this section. Drain pipe shall be placed on filter material in an approved manner. The drain lines shall then be covered with filter material to the minimum depth required by this section, and this material covered with untreated building paper, straw, or similar porous material to prevent closure of voids with earth backfill. No earth backfill shall be placed over the filter material cover until after inspection and acceptance.

Exception: Listed or approved plastic leaching chambers and bundled expanded polystyrene synthetic aggregate units shall be permitted to be used in lieu of pipe and filter material. Chamber and bundled expanded polystyrene synthetic aggregate unit installations shall follow the rules for disposal fields, where applicable, and shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

A grade board staked in the trench to the depth of filter material shall be utilized where the distribution line is constructed with drain tile or a flexible pipe material that will not maintain alignment without continuous support.

Where seepage pits are used in combination with disposal fields, the filter material in the trenches shall terminate not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the pit excavation, and the line extending from such points to the seepage pit shall be approved pipe with watertight joints.

Where two or more drain lines are installed, an approved distribution box of sufficient size to receive lateral lines shall be installed at the head of each disposal field. The inverts of outlets shall be level, and the invert of the inlet shall be not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the outlets. Distribution boxes shall be designed to ensure equal flow and shall be installed on a level concrete slab in natural or compacted soil.

Laterals from a distribution box to the disposal field shall be approved pipe with watertight joints. Multiple disposal field laterals, where practicable, shall be of uniform length.

Connections between a septic tank and a distribution box shall be laid with approved pipe with watertight joints on natural ground or compacted fill.

Where the quantity of sewage exceeds the amount that is permitted to be disposed in 500 lineal feet (152.4 m) of leach line, a dosing tank shall be used. Dosing tanks shall be equipped with an automatic siphon or pump that discharges the tank once every 3 or 4 hours. The tank shall have a capacity equal to 60 to 75 percent of the interior capacity of the pipe to be dosed at one time. Where the total length of pipe exceeds 1000 lineal feet (304.8 m), the dosing tank shall be provided with two siphons or pumps dosing alternately and each serving one-half of the leach field.

Disposal fields shall be constructed in accordance with Table H 601.9.

     Minimum spacing between trenches or leaching beds shall be not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) plus 2 feet (610 mm) for each additional foot (305 mm) of depth in excess of 1 foot (305 mm) below the bottom of the drain line. Distribution drain lines in leaching beds shall be not more than 6 feet (1829 mm) apart on centers, and no part of the perimeter of the leaching bed shall exceed 3 feet (914 mm) from a distribution drain line. Disposal fields, trenches, and leaching beds shall not be paved over or covered by concrete or a material that is capable of reducing or inhibiting a possible evaporation of sewer effluent.

TABLE H 601.9
GENERAL DISPOSAL FIELD REQUIREMENTS

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
Number of drain lines per field	1	-
Length of each line	-	100 feet
Bottom width of trench	18 inches	36 inches
Spacing of lines, center-to-center	6 feet	-
Depth of earth cover of lines (preferred -18 inches)	12 inches	-
Grade of lines	Level	3 inches per 100 feet
Filter material under drain lines	12 inches	-
Filter material over drain lines	2 inches	-

For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 inch per foot = 83.3 mm/m

Where necessary on sloping ground to prevent excessive line slope, leach lines or leach beds shall be stepped. The lines between each horizontal section shall be made with watertight joints and shall be designed so each horizontal leaching trench or bed shall be utilized to the maximum capacity before the effluent shall pass to the next lower leach line or bed. The lines between each horizontal leaching section shall be made with approved watertight joints and installed on natural or unfilled ground.