06- 096 C.M.R. ch. 543, § 1

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 096-543-1 - Definitions

A.BOD. Biochemical oxygen demand. The quantity of oxygen utilized by a mixed population of microorganisms in the aerobic oxidation of the organic matter.

B.CERCLA. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 - 9675.

C.Cesspool. A drywell that receives untreated domestic wastewater containing human excreta and that sometimes has an open bottom or perforated sides.

D.Discharge. Any spilling, leaking, pumping, injecting, pouring, emptying, dumping, disposing or other addition of any pollutant to waters of the State.

E.Domestic wastewater. Any wastewater produced by ordinary living uses, including liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, or the water-carried waste from the discharge of water closets, laundry tubs, washing machines, sinks, dishwashers, or other source of water-carried wastes of human origin. This definition includes wastewater from commercial, industrial or residential sources that is of a similar quality (constituents and strength) to that produced by these same ordinary living uses.

F.Drywell. A well, other than a subsurface wastewater disposal system, completed above the water table so that its bottom and side are typically dry except when receiving fluids.

G.Fluid. Any material or substance that flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas, or any other form or state.

H.Formation. A body of consolidated or unconsolidated rock with similar lithologic characteristics that is prevailingly, but not necessarily, laterally continuous and is mappable on the earth's surface or traceable in the subsurface.

I.Hazardous waste. For the purposes of this chapter, hazardous wastes are those substances identified as hazardous by the Board in 06-096 CMR 850(3).

J.Holding tank. A closed, liquid-tight structure designed and used to receive and store wastewater for ultimate disposal at another site. A holding tank may not discharge wastewater to surface or groundwater or onto the surface of the ground. Holding tanks must be physically and chemically compatible with the contents of the wastewater.

K.Home occupation fish or shellfish processing. The performance of fish or shellfish processing work at a single-or multi-family residence where the use of the property for fish or shellfish processing is secondary to the use of the property as a residence and at least one occupant of the residence is involved with the fish or shellfish processing work.

L.Non-domestic wastewater. Wastewater from commercial, industrial or residential sources that has constituents unlike that of or of significantly higher strength than that of domestic wastewater.

M. Pollutant. Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water. Refer to 38 M.R.S.A. §361-A(4-A) for a detailed definition.

N.Radioactive waste. Any waste containing radioactive material that emits ionizing radiation spontaneously in concentrations that exceed those listed in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table II, Column 2.

O.RCRA. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 - 6992k.

P.SDWA. The Safe Drinking Water Act ( Pub. L. 93-523, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§ 300fet seq.)

Q.Subsurface wastewater disposal system. Also known as a septic system or subsurface fluid distribution system. Any system designed to dispose of waste or wastewater on or beneath the surface of the earth, including, but not limited to: septic tanks; disposal fields; pretreatment filters, piping, or any other fixture, mechanism, or apparatus used for those purposes.

R.TSS. Total suspended solids. The total of all settleable and nonsettleable solids in a sample of wastewater or other fluid, measured in milligrams per liter by weight.

S.Well. Also known as injection well. A bored, drilled or driven shaft whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension, whether the shaft is typically dry or contains liquid; or a dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or a subsurface wastewater disposal system. This definition specifically excludes retention basins, lagoons or any ditch or dug hole that is wider than it is deep.

T. Well injection. The subsurface discharge of fluids into or through a well.

06- 096 C.M.R. ch. 543, § 1