Scope

Table of Contents

1.

Scope

 6. Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants    Appendix A 
2.

Definitions

 7. Effluent Treatment and Disposal   Appendix B 
3.

General

 8. Treatment Mounds   List of Figures
4.

Piping

 9. Sand Filters     
5. Septic, Holding, and Effluent Tanks  10. Open Discharge System    
    11. Sewage or Effluent Lagoons     

Standard of Practice Explanation

1 Scope, Objectives, and Interpretation

  

1.1. Scope

  
1.1.1. This Standard of Practice sets out design standards, installation standards and material requirements for on-site private sewage systems handling less than 25 m3 (5,500 Imperial gallons) expected sewage volume per day, and which include
  1. holding tanks and septic tanks,
  2. packaged sewage treatment plants,
  3. disposal fields,
  4. treatment mounds,
  5. open discharge systems,
  6. sewage or effluent lagoons, and
  7. sand filters.

The requirement that a building be connected to a sewage system is set out in the Alberta Building Code. The Building Code also includes criteria setting out when a system must connect to a municipal system or a private sewage system. See Pg. 97, Connection to a municipal sewer.

This standard applies to systems that generate less than 5,500 gallons per day and treat and dispose of the sewage on the property served. See definitions Pg. 14, definitions Property and Pg. 13, definitions Onsite.

For expected volumes of sewage per day in excess of 25 m3 (5,500 imperial gallons) or disposed of off the property contact Alberta Environment.

The application and uses of private sewage disposal systems are rapidly changing. Available technologies include everything from a septic tank to a mechanical aerobic treatment systems employing additional chemical treatment.

1.2. Objectives

  
1.2.1. The objective of a private sewage system designed and installed in accordance with this Standard is to treat and dispose of sewage and effluent so that the sewage or effluent
  1. does not present a risk to public health, and
  2. does not cause degradation of the environment.
 Self explanatory.

See Pg. 9, 1.1 Scope

1.3. Interpretation

  
1.3.1. Intent statements, notes, and warning statements are not intended as enforceable statements but are included to provide additional information or an explanation regarding specific requirements. Intent statements are included with many of the articles in the standard. Reviewing these when interpreting the requirement for a specific situation will provide assistance.
1.3.2. This Standard and standards referenced herein do not make or imply any assurance or guarantee with respect to life expectancy, durability or performance of equipment and materials referenced herein. Self explanatory.
1.3.3. Metric units of measure are the official measurement used in this Standard with approximate Imperial equivalents provided in brackets for user convenience. Self explanatory.
1.3.4. Words italicized in this Standard are defined in Section 2 Italicized words in the Standard of Practice have a defined meaning while used in the context of this application and may have a different meaning in other applications. Please check the definitions for the proper use of italicized words in the Standard of Practice.
1.3.5. The numbering system in this Standard uses this format
  • 5 Section,
  • 5.1. Subsection,
  • 5.1.1. Article,
  • 5.1.1.(1) Sentence,
  • 5.1.1.(1)(c) Clause,
  • 5.1.1.(1)(c)(i) Subclause.
 Self explanatory.
1.3.6. Sections 2 to 11 are each divided into three subsections dealing with
  1. design standards,
  2. installation standards, and
  3. requirements for materials.
 Each subsection includes but is not limited to:
  1. Design standards indicate criteria for the functional design and sizing of the systems, etc.
  2. Installation standards indicate the minimum distance requirements for clearances to property lines, water tables, buildings, etc.
  3. Requirements for materials used in the type of installation as identified by the section title.