§ 34-506. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Absorption field means a configuration of distribution lines placed in trenches to absorb sewage effluent from a septic tank.
Absorption pit means a pit, dry well or hole in which aggregate is placed and may be utilized in lieu of or in conjunction with a conventional absorption field under certain conditions.
Absorption trench means a trench in which aggregate and a distribution line is laid.
Absorption trench bottom area means the total bottom area of all absorption trenches expressed in square feet.
Aggregate means washed gravel or crushed stone, ranging in size from one-half inch to 2½ inches.
Alternative onsite sewage management system means any onsite sewage management system which has proven reliability and performance in field use, but which differs in design or operation from approved conventional septic tank and absorption-field systems.
Approval or approved means accepted or acceptable by the board of health in accordance with applicable specifications stated herein or with additional criteria accepted by the board of health.
Bedroom means any room that could normally be expected to be used for sleeping and has an enclosed closet in or adjacent to the room with access to that room from a main corridor or hall.
Board of health means the Fulton County Board of Health or its designated representative.
Building sewer means that part of the piping of a drainage system outside of the building which receives and conveys liquid wastes to a public sewer, private sewer, onsite sewage management system or other subsurface disposal meeting the approval of the board of health. The term shall also include all nonperforated piping (solid pipe) and sewage conduits utilized in an onsite sewage management system.
Central distribution box means a watertight structure which receives sewage from a septic tank, dosing tank or pump chamber and equally distributes it to two or more distribution boxes in a central onsite sewage management system.
Central onsite sewage management system means an onsite sewage management system serving more than one building designed or used for human occupancy or congregation.
Certified contractor means any person who:
(1)
Engages in the construction, repair or alteration of an onsite sewage management system;
(2)
Has passed an examination administered by the board of health demonstrating his or her familiarity with this article;
(3)
Consistently complies with this article; and
(4)
Possesses a valid certification.
Commercial development means a development other than "residential development" and shall include any development used for retail, wholesale, commercial/office, industrial, churches, etc.
DHR means the Georgia Department of Human Resources, specifically those divisions associated with environmental health and safety.
Distribution box means a watertight structure which receives sewage from a septic tank, dosing tank or pump chamber and equally distributes it to two or more absorption trenches.
Distribution line means perforated drainpipe laid in an absorption trench to convey and distribute septic tank effluent.
DNR means the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, specifically those divisions associated with environmental health and safety.
Dosing tank means a watertight structure with a siphon designed to discharge sewage effluent intermittently to a distribution box or alternately to distribution boxes including central distribution boxes.
Dry sewer means a sanitary sewer constructed to applicable governmental standards, accepted by the appropriate governmental jurisdiction, and not connected to an active public or community sewerage system.
Easement means any portion of a parcel or lot legally dedicated for the exclusive use by a utility or governmental or private entity, thereby precluding use of that area for the construction of or reserve area for an onsite sewage management system.
Exemption plat means any subdivision of land administratively approved by the appropriate governmental jurisdiction and is exempted from predescribed subdivision platting procedures. The term shall include but not be limited to exception plat, administrative subdivision, etc., with the total number of lots not exceeding five.
Experimental or innovative onsite sewage management system means any onsite sewage management system installed for testing and observation, but does not preclude use of a conventional onsite sewage management as required by the board of health.
Floodplain means any area susceptible to being flooded or as designated by the 100-year floodplain area, including type A zone flood areas as determined or established in flood studies. This term shall also include 100-year water levels in detention and retention ponds.
Grade means the ratio of vertical drop of pipe invert, trench bottom or ground surface to the horizontal distance traversed.
Grease trap means a device in which the grease content of sewage from food service establishments, nonresidential kitchens, etc., only, is intercepted and congealed and from which the grease may be removed for proper disposal.
Lot means any parcel of land intended as a unit for transfer of ownership, for development, or both.
Mobile home park means a parcel of land developed for placement of two or more mobile homes for residential occupancy.
Nonsewered toilet system means any portable structure used for the collection, temporary storage and chemical treatment of human body wastes that is not connected to an onsite sewage management system or public or community sewerage system.
Onsite sewage management system means a system that includes a septic tank, absorption field and all other elements intended to be used for management and disposal of sewage onsite.
Percolation coefficient means the ratio of absorption trench bottom area to percolation; it is expressed as the allowable rate of sewage application in gallons per square foot per day.
Percolation rate means the rate, expressed in minutes per inch, at which water seeps into saturated soil in a test hole under constant-rate conditions.
Percolation test means the approved method established for determining the percolation rate as stated in this article.
Physical development means construction including, but not limited to, any site preparation, grading, excavation for slabs or footings, erection of a structure, road construction, well construction or installation of an onsite sewage management system.
Point of availability means the existing or predesigned location at which a public or community sewerage system terminates as determined by the appropriate governmental jurisdiction.
Premises means any place or building where people live, work or congregate.
Private water supply means any water supply consisting of a single well and appurtenance serving two or less residences on one lot.
Privy means a waterless sanitary fixture meeting board of health requirements for receipt and disposal of human body wastes.
Public or community sewerage system means any sewage collection, treatment and disposal system, including sewers, treatment plants, pumping stations, force mains and all other elements owned, operated or managed by a public entity (including agents thereof) and serving more than one residential premises.
Reserve area means an area designated for the replacement of an onsite sewage management system in accordance with the current regulation should the initial system fail.
Residence means any building or structure intended for housing of a single family.
Residential development means any subdivision of land subject to predescribed platting procedures of the appropriate governmental jurisdiction, and shall include but not be limited to developments with the total number of lots exceeding five.
Septic tank means an approved watertight structure installed underground to receive sewage from a building sewer, effecting separation and organic decomposition of sewage solids and discharging effluent to an absorption field or another element of an onsite sewage management system.
Sewage means human excreta, all water-carried wastes and/or liquid household waste including greywater from residences or similar wastes (byproducts) from commercial and industrial establishments.
Sewage lift pump means any device, including all appurtenances, designed to temporarily store and discharge sewage effluent to a higher elevation to effect disposal to a public or community sewerage system or an onsite sewage management system. It shall meet all requirements as set forth by the board of health and shall include, but not be limited to, an alarm system, emergency bypass plumbing to an absorption pit, electrical supply, etc.
Sewer availability means that a public or community sewerage system is in an accessible location (existing or predesigned) to a residential development, commercial development or any lot in accordance with the criteria as set forth in this article.
Sewer moratorium means a situation has been mandated or voluntary restrictions placed on total or restricted access to or use of a public or community sewerage system essentially ceasing or severely restricting future building activity during a set time period.
Special event means any activity attracting more than 50 persons that is sponsored, organized, promoted, managed or financed by any person, group, partnership, organization, corporation, business or governmental entity where individuals congregate to participate in or observe an activity in outdoor or portable enclosed or semi-enclosed structures for more than two consecutive hours.
Subdivision means the division of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, mobile home sites or other land or property regardless of the existing or proposed use for the purpose, whether immediate or future, for sale or legacy and includes resubdivision and where appropriate to the context, relates to the process of subdividing or to the land or area subdivided.
Toilet means a sanitary fixture meeting board of health and plumbing code requirements for receipt and conveyance of human body wastes to a public or community sewerage system or an onsite sewage management system.
Usable area shall be the total area in a lot that is determined by the board of health to be suitable for installation of an onsite sewage management system including the reserve area. The area shall not include any bodies of water, floodplains, easements, etc., except those portions that would be precluded for use by this article via minimum separation distance requirements.
Well means an excavation or opening into the ground by which groundwater is sought or obtained to serve as an onsite water supply.
(Res. of 9-7-88(3), § 30-2-7-1; Ord. No. 18-0340, Att. A, 5-16-18)
Cross reference
Definitions generally, § 1-2.