The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a draft Manual For Land Treatment Of Wastewater Technical Guidance [DEP ID: 385-2188-006].  (formal notice)

The draft Manual contains guidance for project applicants and their consultants in the planning, siting, design, installation, operation and maintenance of wastewater land treatment systems that are not permitted by a Sewage Enforcement Officer.

These systems are based either solely or in part on the use of soil for effluent renovation. This manual incorporates the Department's experience with land treatment systems and generally accepted practices.

Topics covered in this manual include spray irrigation systems, drip irrigation systems and large-volume onlot sewage systems, including at-grade beds.

This manual also describes procedures regarding planning and permit applications for wastewater treatment systems based either solely or in part on the use of soils as the final treatment method.

Reasonable safety factors have been built into the design criteria considering the uncertainty of estimated long-term wastewater acceptance rates.

Proposals that do not meet the typical criteria provided in this manual will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

When this manual is finalized, it will replace, in entirety, the Department's Manual for Land Application of Treated Sewage and Industrial Wastewater [362-2000-009].

Comments are due February 5. 

A copy of the Manual will be posted on DEP’s eComment webpage.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for instructions on submitting comments.  Questions should be directed to Richard Wright at riwright@pa.gov or (717) 787-5017.

[Posted: December 6, 2024]

12/9/2024