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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 26.04.02.07" title_num="26" subtitle_num="04" chapter_num="02" heading="Best Available Technology for Removal of Nitrogen (BAT).">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A person may not install, or have installed, an onsite sewage disposal system unless the onsite sewage disposal system utilizes BAT for any of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>New construction in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Areas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A replacement system to serve a property in the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Areas.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A person may not install, or have installed, for new construction or a replacement system an onsite sewage disposal system where the design flow is 5000 gallons per day or greater unless the sewage disposal system utilizes BAT or equivalent technology.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>New construction does not include the renovation, repair, or change of use of an existing residence or other building unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The residence or building is located in a Critical Area; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Approving Authority finds that residence or building’s existing onsite sewage disposal system is not adequate to serve the proposed changes, in accordance with this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>This regulation does not preempt a local jurisdiction's authority to require a BAT system outside the Critical Area in order to protect public health or the waters of the State.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The property owner shall maintain and operate all new and existing BAT systems for the life of the system through one of the following management measures:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The BAT system is operated and maintained by a responsible management entity approved by the Department, and established by the Approving Authority or local government, to assume operation and maintenance of BAT systems;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The BAT system is covered by a renewable operating permit, which is issued by or required by the Approving Authority and which includes enforcement provisions, inspections, and monitoring; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The BAT system is operated and maintained by a certified service provider. The owner shall ensure the BAT system is inspected and has necessary operation and maintenance performed at a minimum of once per year.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>All BAT systems sold in the State shall include both a two-year operation and maintenance contract and a two-year warranty, which shall be in effect at the point of initial installation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Certified Service Providers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall maintain a list of certified service providers.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individual may become certified if he completes and passes a course of study on operation and maintenance of BAT systems approved by the Department. The course of study shall include instruction on how BAT systems function as well as elements on operation, maintenance, and repair of BAT systems.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department may revoke a certification of service provider for BAT systems for violation of these regulations.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A certified service provider shall report on inspection, operation and maintenance activities to the Department, or the Department’s designee, in a manner acceptable to the Department on a yearly basis prior to the yearly anniversary of the date of installation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The certified service provider shall have a certificate of qualification from the manufacturer, vendor or the local representative of the BAT system being serviced.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A property owner may obtain certification as a service provider to maintain his system personally, subject to all the requirements of this regulation pertaining to operating and maintaining BAT systems.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A person who has completed a course of study approved by the Department for the installation of BAT, and has a certification of qualification for installing BAT systems from the manufacturer, is required to be present on the property while a BAT unit is installed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Within 1 month of the completion of an installation, a person installing a BAT system shall report to the Department, or the Department’s designee, in a manner acceptable to the Department, the address and date of completion of the BAT installation and the type of BAT installed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The owner of an onsite sewage disposal system with a design flow less than 1500 gpd, requiring a BAT system under §A or D of this regulation, may only install:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A BAT system that has been approved by the Department; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An individually engineered nonproprietary BAT system if a governmental agency or their designee is the responsible management entity or issues renewable operating permits.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>The owner of an onsite sewage disposal system with a design flow greater than 1,500 gpd, requiring a BAT system under §A, B or D of this regulation may only install a BAT system that is individually engineered for the site and approved by the Department or the Department’s designee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>A permitee shall construct a BAT unit in a manner and of materials acceptable to the Department and the Approving Authority.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>If the applicant demonstrates that extremely low, variable or sporadic wastewater flow results in malfunctioning of the BAT system, the Department may grant a variance to the BAT requirement upon a request from the Approving Authority.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>