Commercial On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

Program Goals

To minimize health risks to the public and potential contamination of surface and ground waters by ensuring that non-residential on-site sewage treatment systems are designed, constructed, maintained, altered, or repaired in accordance with established standards.

Legal Authority

Article 17 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, Article II-A of the Monroe County Sanitary Code.

Program Highlights

• Review and approve plans and specifications following NYSDEC and MCDPH design standards.
• Review the proposed NYSDEC State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit.
• Consult with the applicant, design engineer, county and municipal officials, the New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation, and the public.
• Conduct site and construction inspections.
• Perform surveillance sampling to meet SPDES permit effluent limits as necessary.
• Respond to complaints and conduct investigations.
• Take enforcement actions pursuant to Article III, Title I, Section 309 (f) of the Public Health Law as necessary.

Application Procedure

Application is made by completing the “BSP-5 Form” for surface discharges and a “C SUB 2002 Form” for subsurface discharges. Copies of these forms are available from the Monroe County Department of Public Health, Bureau of Public Health Engineering, Plan review/Public Water Supply, 111 Westfall Road, Room 938, Rochester, New York 14620. One (1) copy of the completed form must be submitted to the Department of Health along with the following:

1. One (1) copy of the engineering and design report.
2. One (1) copy of the proposed plans and specifications prepared by a licensed professional engineer, exempt land surveyor, or architect.

The application must be accompanied by a form, completed by the municipal building inspector, that provides general site information. Additionally, the application requires that percolation and deep-hole tests be taken on-site and witnessed by the Department of Health.

Other Mandated Permits and Reviews

Non-residential on-site sewage disposal systems with flows greater than 1000 gallons per day require a NYSDEC State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit.

Other Information

Where the proposed development is in or near an existing sewer system service area, the Department of Health may require the development to be served by the existing sewer system rather than by an on-site sewage disposal system.

Download Form BSP-5 (88k PDF)—Application for Approval of Plans for a Wastewater Disposal System.