Section 410IAC6-8.3-90. Abandonment of an on-site sewage system

   (a) When the use of an on-site sewage system is discontinued, the following procedure must be followed for all tanks and electrical service:

(1) Electrical power must be disconnected at the source. All controls and panels must be removed.

(2) All above ground electrical lines that will not be used for other purposes must be removed.

(3) A licensed septic tank cleaner must pump all contents from all tanks in the on-site sewage system.

(4) The tanks must either be:

(A) removed or the lids crushed into the tanks and the holes or tanks backfilled with debris-free sand or other granular material, concrete, or soil material that is compacted to prevent settling (if a sand mound is being abandoned, sand, aggregate and soil cover from the sand mound may be used for filling the tank or tanks); or

(B) filled with flowable fill.

(5) Properly grade and establish vegetative cover.

  (b) The components of the soil absorption system may be left intact, if there are no plans to use the area for other purposes. Vegetative cover must be maintained.

  (c) If effluent has surfaced, those areas must be covered with hydrated lime followed by top soil and a vegetative cover.

  (d) If components of the soil absorption system are to be removed, the following procedure must be used:

(1) A licensed septic tank cleaner must pump all contents from all distribution boxes in the on-site sewage system.

(2) Allow sufficient time after the on-site sewage system is taken out of service and the tanks pumped to make sure the entire soil absorption system is completely dry.

(3) A contractor must remove the distribution network, aggregate, and sand (if any) from the site.

(4) The contractor must dispose of the materials at a licensed landfill.

(5) The site must be properly graded and a vegetative cover established.

  (e) Written documentation of tank abandonment must be provided to the local health department by the homeowner in the form of a receipt from the contractor. (Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 6-8.3-90; filed Oct 19, 2012, 2:06 p.m.: 20121114-IR-410120156FRA; filed Apr 9, 2014, 9:51 a.m.: 20140507-IR-410130350FRA)