The following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them as used in this chapter unless the context requires a different meaning:
(1) BOARD. The Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board.
(2) CONVENTIONAL ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM. An onsite sewage system consisting of a septic tank, or an Alabama Department of Public Health approved pretreatment device, with effluent discharging into a subsurface effluent disposal medium, where all portions of the effluent disposal field sidewalls are installed below the elevation of undisturbed native soil, including a conventional onsite sewage system as defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health regulations.
(3) ENGINEERED ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM. An onsite sewage system that varies from conventional onsite sewage system equipment, methods, processes, and installation procedures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Alabama Department of Public Health.
(4) GOOD STANDING WITH LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES OR OFFICIALS. A person in good standing with local health authorities or officials shall have had no substantiated complaints filed against him or her with the local health authorities or officials regarding the work of the person in the onsite sewage industry, and shall be known by the local health authorities or officials to be a person who abides by the rules and regulations of the Alabama Department of Public Health.
(5) GREASE TRAP. A receptacle containing nontoxic, nonhazardous liquid waste generated by a commercial food operation or institutional food preparation facility including, without limitation, fats, oil, grease, and food scraps, whether connected to a city sewer or not, to include a sewage tank, as defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health rules.
(6) INDIVIDUAL. A human person.
(7) INSTALLATION. The act of installing a conventional or engineered onsite sewage system.
(8) LICENSE. A valid and current certificate of qualification issued by the board which shall give the named person to whom it is issued authority to engage in the specialized area and level of qualification described on the certificate.
(9) LICENSEE. A qualified individual holding a license issued by the board.
(10) LICENSING PROCEDURE. The process of testing at the state level to determine the knowledge and skill of an individual with respect to onsite sewage systems, and the issuing of licenses to indicate that an individual has passed the examinations and met all other board-established qualifications for licensure.
(11) LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY OR OFFICIALS. The county health department in the county or counties in which a licensee performs work in or is engaged in the manufacture, installation, cleaning, servicing, or maintenance of onsite sewage systems or equipment.
(12) MANUFACTURER. Person engaged in the production of septic tanks or receptacle equipment used in onsite sewage systems.
(13) ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM. Any system of piping, treatment devices, pumps, alarms, or other facilities or devices that carry or convey, store, treat, or dispose of sewage (human waste) where the system is not connected to a public sewer, including an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system onsite septic system (OSS) as defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health rules.
(14) RESPONSIBLE CHARGE. The person in responsible charge must direct the projects involving the installation or service and repair of an onsite sewage system under Alabama law. The person in responsible charge must be a full-time employee, owner, partner, or a corporate officer of the partnership, corporation, business trust, or other legal entity. The person in responsible charge must possess the required skill, knowledge, and experience and have the responsibility to supervise, direct, manage, and control the installation, service, or repair activities of the business entity with which he or she is affiliated. The board may examine the technical and personal qualifications of the person in responsible charge and may investigate and/or examine the person's qualifications.
(15) SERVICING. The act of cleaning, maintaining, or repairing an installed onsite sewage system.
Last modified: May 3, 2021