Chapter 5.0 Board of Health Title 5
TOWN OF HOLDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF HEALTH REGULATIONS
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBSURFACE DISPOSAL OF SANITARY SEWAGE
Effective January 25, 1999
Title 5 of the State Environmental Code (hereafter called Title 5) shall be considered the minimum standard for the design and installation of subsurface disposal systems for sanitary sewage in the Town of Holden. In addition, the Holden Board of Health has issued the following supplemental regulations to Title 5. The intent of these supplemental regulations is to provide for inadequacies and/or deficiencies in the requirements of Title 5 as they apply to the Town of Holden.
The invalidity of any section(s) or provision(s) of these regulations shall not invalidate any other provision or section thereof.
Section H designates additional Holden requirements that supersede the corresponding Title 5 Sections.
Section H15.103 - Soil Profile
Should ground water be located within four (4) feet of the existing elevation, the lot will be deemed not suitable for building.
Section H15.104(6) - Percolation Testing
The percolation test is to be run during the approved open season, which will be determined by monitoring well results at the Board of Health’s discretion. Normally the percolation test should be conducted at the same time the deep hole test is done to determine maximum ground water elevation. All tests must be observed by a designated Agent of the Board of Health. The normal percolation season usually runs from December 15th through May 15th. The Board reserves the right to determine annual starting and ending dates for the testing season (U.S. Geological Survey data to be used).
All leaching facilities must be at least 25’ from all failing percolation tests. This distance must be maintained unless the proponent proves there is sufficient permeable material within the 25’ setback distance.
Section H15.212 - Depth to Ground Water
The minimum vertical separation distance of the bottom of the leaching facility and the weeping water mark shall be six feet.
Weeping water defined as, “Water entering the profile of the observation hole during the approved season.”
Section H15.248 - Reserve Area
No reserve area should be proposed in between the trenches of the primary leaching area.
Miscellaneous
All fees for the review, inspection and approval of septic system issues shall be subject to the schedule of fees approved and posted by the Holden Board of Health, known as, “Board of Health Fee Schedule.” As the same may be amended from time to time.