12VAC5-613-70. General approval testing and evaluation

The division shall develop a protocol to verify the expected performance of treatment units of small AOSSs that meet TL-2 or TL-3 effluent quality. The protocol to evaluate and test field performance of TL-3 treatment units shall include the following minimum requirements:

1. The manufacturer shall evaluate at least 20 treatment units installed in the Commonwealth of Virginia for single family residences occupied full-time, year-round throughout the testing and evaluation period;

2. The manufacturer shall provide the division with quarterly results of influent and effluent samples measuring, at a minimum, BOD and TSS for each installed treatment unit;

3. Operation and maintenance shall be performed on each treatment unit during the evaluation period in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and

4. An independent third party with no stake in the outcome of the approval process shall oversee and administer the testing and evaluation protocol. Examples of an independent third party include faculty members in an appropriate program of an accredited college or university, a licensed professional engineer experienced in the field of environmental engineering, or a testing firm that is acceptable to the division.