(1) No septic tank, grease interceptor, privy, or other tank associated with an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system can be cleaned or have its contents removed until the service person has obtained an annual operating permit from the Department in the county in which the service company is located. Permits issued under this section authorize the disposal service to handle liquid waste associated with food operations, domestic waste, or domestic septage. Such authorization applies to all septage produced in the State of Florida, and food establishment sludge which is collected for disposal from onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.

Terms Used In Florida Regulations 62-6.010

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Chambers: A judge's office.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
    (2) Application for a service permit must be made to the Department on Form DEP 4012, effective date 06-21-2022, “”Application for Septage Disposal Service Permit, Temporary System Service Permit, Septic Tank Manufacturing Approval”” herein incorporated by reference at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14364. Any change to the permit conditions requires a permit amendment using form DEP 4012. Permit amendments do not alter the permit issue or expiration date. Copies of this document are available as provided in subsection (10) below. The following must be provided for the evaluation prior to issuance of a service permit:
    (a) Evidence that the applicant possesses adequate equipment such as a tank truck with a liquid capacity of at least 1,500 gallons, pumps, as well as other appurtenances and tools necessary to perform the work intended. Equipment may be placed into service only after it has been inspected and approved by the Department. Tanks used for the storage of septage and food service sludges must be constructed, sized, and operated in accordance with the following provisions:
    1. Septage storage tanks must be constructed of concrete, fiberglass, corrosion-resistant steel, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Tanks must be watertight and must be water tested during the inspection by the Department for leaks prior to placing into service. Storage tanks installed after the effective date of this rule must meet the setback requirements of Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-6.0101(7)(a)
    2. Construction of concrete tanks must be at a minimum equal to that required of concrete septic tanks in Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-6.013 Fiberglass tanks and tanks of similar materials must be constructed in accordance with standards found in Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-6.013
    (b) The proposed disposal method and the site to be used for disposing of onsite sewage treatment and disposal system septage.
    (c) The contractor registration number and certificate of authorization number, if applicable.
    (3) When a permit is issued, the number of said permit along with the name of the company, its phone number, and the gallon capacity of the waste storage tank shall be prominently and permanently displayed on the service truck in contrasting colors with 3 inch or larger letters. Use of removable magnetic signs shall not be considered permanent display of vehicle identification information. A septage disposal service permit shall be suspended, revoked or denied by the Department in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 120, for failure to comply with requirements of this chapter.
    (4) After septage or food establishment sludge is removed from an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, the original lid of the tank shall be put back in place, or be replaced with a new lid if the original lid is broken. The tank lid shall be completely sealed and secured as per Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-6.013(2)(i), and the ground backfilled and compacted so that the site is left in a nuisance free condition.
    (a) Contents of any treatment tank, including all chambers of a multi-chambered tank, or pump tank shall be removed in their entirety when pumped. Where in the opinion of the person pumping any onsite sewage treatment and disposal system waste receptacle or pump tank, the complete removal of all tank contents may create an unintended problem in regards to the continued use of the system, a complete pumpout is not required. The pumper must document, in writing, to the system owner the reason for the partial pumpout, the gallonage pumped from the system, and what material was left in the tank.
    (b) The access to pump a tank must be through the lid of the tank, through the manhole or by moving a sectional lid. Where the tank is chambered, separate chambers must be accessed through the manholes or sectional lid for the chamber being pumped. Pumping shall not be accomplished by entering the tank through inlets or outlets. Where the lid of the tank must be broken in order to gain access for the removal of tank contents, or at anytime when the lid is broken, the lid shall be replaced.
    (5) Untreated food establishment sludges, and septage shall be transported to an approved treatment facility in such a manner as to preclude leakage, spillage or the creation of a sanitary nuisance.
    (6) Septage and sludges must be transported in such a manner to preclude leakage, spillage or the creation of a sanitary nuisance.
    (7) The food establishment sludge and contents from onsite waste disposal systems must be disposed of at a site and by a disposal method approved by the Department. Untreated domestic septage or food establishment sludges must not be applied to the land.
    (a) Land application of domestic septage and sludges is not permitted under this chapter.
    (b) All septage and food establishment sludge haulers regulated by Fl. Admin. Code Chapter 62-6, are to maintain a collection and hauling log at the main business location which provides the information listed below. Records must be retained for five (5) years.
    1. Date of septage or waste collection,
    2. Address of collection,
    3. Indicate whether the point of collection is a residence or business and if a business, the type of business,
    4. Estimated volume, in gallons, of septage or waste transported,
    5. Location of the approved treatment facility,
    6. Date and time of discharge to the treatment facility; and,
    7. Acknowledgement from treatment facility of receipt of septage or waste.
    (c) Septage which contains toxic or hazardous waste must be disposed of in accordance with the rules of the Department.
    (d) Food establishment sludges may be discharged into permitted domestic wastewater treatment facilities pursuant to the requirements of Fl. Admin. Code Chapter 62-600
    (8) Septage and food establishment sludge storage tanks may be located at sites owned or leased by the disposal service. Where leased, a copy of the complete lease agreement must be provided as part of the application. The lease must provide for the final disposition of all tanks and designate the party to be held responsible for final disposition of any tank on a leased facility. Whenever locations or tanks are modified, added, or removed, the applicant must amend their service permit application using Form DEP 4012 and provide all current information to the Department prior to any changes being made. All changes must be noted on an amended permit and will not alter the issue date of the permit. All alterations must be inspected by the Department at the time of installation as well as after removal of any tank.
    (9) Potable water supplies located at septage and food establishment sludge storage tank site must be provided with back flow prevention devices to prevent potential contamination of water supplies.
    (10) All materials incorporated herein may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Onsite Sewage Program at www.floridadep.gov or 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #3596, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.
Rulemaking Authority 381.0065(3)(a), 381.0065(4)(e), 489.553(3) FS. Law Implemented 381.0065, 386.041, 373.4595 FS. History-New 12-22-82, Amended 2-5-85, Formerly 10D-6.52, Amended 3-17-92, 1-3-95, 5-14-96, Formerly 10D-6.052, Amended 3-22-00, 5-24-04, 11-26-06, 6-25-09, 4-28-10, 7-16-13, Formerly 64E-6.010, Amended 6-21-22.