10-144 C.M.R. ch. 241, § 15 - INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY INSPECTIONS OF DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

A. SCOPE: This section governs the Department's minimum standards for the inspection of subsurface wastewater disposal systems in Maine, as required by 22 MRS §42 (3-B). This section applies to independent third party subsurface waste water system inspectors certified by the Department.

B. REQUIRED SYSTEM INSPECTIONS: Subsurface wastewater disposal system inspections are required by Maine statute, 30-A MRS §4216, for properties that include a subsurface wastewater disposal system located in the shoreland zone, when ownership of the property is transferred. This law requires that for such property transfers, an inspector certified by the Department must complete the inspection.

C. SYSTEM INSPECTIONS NOT REQUIRED: For properties not located in the shoreland zone, no disposal system inspection is required by Maine statute. Inspections of disposal systems not located in the shoreland zone initiated by a potential purchaser or for other reasons do not require that a person certified by the Department complete the inspection. Utilizing an inspector certified by the Department and the standards and procedures recommended in this rule should be beneficial to both the buyer and seller of properties outside the shoreland zone.

D. DISPOSAL SYSTEM INSPECTION CONCEPTS: The inspection of a subsurface wastewater disposal system be an objective evaluation of the components of a system leading to conclusions regarding the system's current condition. The inspection is not a guarantee of system performance or functionality at any time in the future. The results of disposal system inspections are not endorsed or certified by the Department or the State of Maine.

Notes

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 241, § 15