(1) (a) A person that submits a layout plan under ARM 37.111.205 must obtain department approval of plans and specifications that meet the requirements of this rule. Approval under this subchapter does not remove the need to obtain other approvals that may be required under other state, local, or federal laws (including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336) . For example, a local board of health may adopt a regulation governing sewage systems under 50-2-116 , MCA, that is more stringent than the requirements in this rule.

(b) A limited services campground may use a sealed vault pit privy or alternative system approved by the department for sewage disposal, provided the system does not place sewage in a location likely to cause pollution of state waters, in violation of Title 75, chapter 5, MCA, or pose potential adverse public health effects.

(c) If a public sewage system of adequate capacity is available, and the owner of the public sewage system agrees to provide service, connection must be made to the public sewage system and its services used exclusively. If a public sewage system is not available, a multiple family or public system must be developed and used as approved by the department. The system must be designed and constructed in accordance with ARM 17.36.302, 17.36.304, 17.36.305, 17.38.101, and 17.38.105, whichever is appropriate.

(d) A sanitary station is required in each general services campground that provides trailer space for recreational vehicles, unless the following circumstances exist:

(i) each trailer space is provided with an individual sewer riser;

(ii) a sanitary station accepted by the department or local health authority is available for public use on a full-time basis within 15 miles from the campground, and the campground owner or operator has posted a sign at the campground stating the location of the nearest available sanitary station; or

(iii) the department determines that installation of a sanitary station is not feasible because of lack of electricity, water under pressure, or other sanitary reasons, and the campground is designed for use only by tent campers or by recreational vehicles.

(e) If a sanitary station is required, as determined under (d) above, there must be at least one station for every 100 trailer spaces lacking individual sewer risers.

(f) (i) A sanitary station consists of:

(A) a minimum 4-inch sewer riser connected to the trailer court or campground sewage system;

(B) a concrete apron at the inlet end that is at least 4 feet square and sloped to the drain;

(C) a suitable self-closing hinged cover over the center drain;

(D) a water outlet with approved anti-back siphoning devices connected to the trailer court or campground water supply system to permit periodic washdown of the immediate adjacent area; and

(E) other features that ensure that the requirements of ARM 17.36.302 and 17.36.305, as applicable, are met.

(ii) The sanitary station apron must be in good repair and must prevent sewage from puddling or becoming a nuisance.

(iii) Signs must be placed at all sanitary stations stating the water is unsafe for drinking.

(g) If facilities for individual sewer connections are provided, the following requirements apply:

(i) The sewer riser must have a 4-inch diameter and must be located on the trailer space so that a sewer connection to the trailer drain outlet will approximate a vertical position. The sewer riser must be separated from the water riser by at least 6 feet at finished grade.

(ii) Surface drainage must be diverted away from the riser.

(h) A sewer service lateral must be constructed as follows:

(i) The lateral must be water tight at all points.

(ii) The lateral must be constructed of schedule 40 PVC, schedule 40 ABS, or other pipe approved under the state plumbing requirements described in ARM 24.301.301(1) as a drain, waste, or vent pipe.

(iii) Lateral pipe size must be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter.

(iv) The lateral must be sloped to maintain a 2-foot/second flow velocity (1/8-inch per foot for 4-inch line) .

(i) The below-ground sewer connection must have a nominal inside diameter of at least 3 inches and the slope of any portion of the connection must be at least 1/4-inch per foot. The sewer connection must consist of one pipe line only, without any branch fitting. Each joint must be watertight.

(j) All materials used for sewer connections must meet the state plumbing requirements as described in ARM 24.301.301(1) . An exception to this requirement is that the "flex hose" may be used for making the sewer connection only in a campground and only when the connection will be made for 30 days or less when restricted to RVs that are located on designated trailer spaces and are not skirted.

(2) The department, upon consultation with the local health authority, may allow a deviation from a specific requirement set forth under (1) (d) through (j) above, upon demonstration by the applicant to the department that the deviation does not have the potential to cause adverse public health effects or pollution of state waters.

(3) Upon department approval of plans and specifications, the sewage disposal system for the campground or trailer court, as applicable, must be constructed as designed in the plans and specifications.

(4) Upon installation of a sewage disposal system, the system must be tested by filling with water or other equivalent means approved by the department. For a system lateral constructed of schedule 40 PVC or standard weight cast iron pipe, the applicable test, unless approved otherwise by the department, is exposure to a pressure of at least a 10-foot head of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. If the sewage disposal system leaks during the test, the system may not be put into service until the leak is repaired.

(5) Extension, alteration, or replacement of any sewage system must be in accordance with ARM 17.36.301 through 17.36.305 and, if the system is a public sewage system, ARM 17.38.101 and 17.38.105.

(6) The department hereby adopts and incorporates by reference the provisions of ARM 17.36.302 through 17.36.305, setting standards for sewage treatment and disposal systems; ARM 17.38.101 and 17.38.105, setting requirements for public water and sewer plans and cross connections; and ARM 24.301.301(1) , which describes state plumbing requirements for sewage systems. Copies of ARM 17.36.302 through 17.36.305, 17.38.101, 17.38.105, and 24.301.301(1) may be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Health Policy and Services Division, Food and Consumer Safety Section, P.O. Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951, or the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901.