1. (1) ADEM. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management
2. (2) ADPH. The Alabama Department of Public Health
3. (3) CERTIFICATE OF FINANCIAL VIABILITY (“Certificate”). The certification by the Commission of the financial viability of a ME.
4. (4) CLUSTER WASTEWATER SYSTEM. An integrated wastewater collection system and/or treatment system or multiple systems serving a single development or contiguous developments, which collectively have a design flow of 15,000 GPD or less, and is designed and permitted for discharge of the treated wastewater to a subsurface distribution system, but excluding systems that discharge directly to surface waters of the state. The system must be designed by and certified by a licensed professional engineer to comply with design and permit requirements established by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The term “cluster wastewater system” does not include a small-flow cluster system.
5. (5) COMMISSION. The Alabama Public Service Commission or the “PSC”
6. (6) COMMUNITY WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. An integrated wastewater collection system and/or treatment system or multiple systems serving a single development or contiguous developments, which collectively have a design flow of more than 15,000 GPD, and is designed and permitted for discharge of the treated wastewater to a subsurface distribution, but the term specifically excludes systems that discharge directly to surface waters of the state. The system must be designed and certified by a licensed professional engineer to comply with the design and permit requirements established by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
7. (7) CUSTOMER. A person, business, or other entity, public or private, that is connected or eligible for connection to a certified ME’s wastewater system upon proper payment of costs and fees and is subject to rates approved by the Commission.
8. (8) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Public Health or The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, as specified.
9. (9) DESIGN FLOW. The average daily flow that a wastewater system will treat with appropriate consideration given to maximum flow periods, equalization, and organic loading.
10. (10) DRAFT PERMIT. A preliminary permit issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management or the Alabama Department of Public Health setting forth the discharge and other requirements which will be included in the final permit (also referred to as an operating permit, discharge permit, or performance permit) that may be issued upon determination of financial viability and compliance with the department rules.
11. (11) EFFLUENT. Treated wastewater
12. (12) GPD. Gallons per day
13. (13) GROSS WASTEWATER PLANT. The value of the wastewater system components owned by a ME, determined by the actual original cost to construct the wastewater system as recorded by the party funding the construction.
14. (14) ME. A Wastewater Management Entity
15. (15) PSC. The Alabama Public Service Commission
16. (16) RESERVE ACCOUNT. Separate company bank account with the funds used only with Commission approval or in response to an emergency that requires immediate access to the account funds to prevent system failure.
17. (17) SMALL-FLOW CLUSTER SYSTEM. A wastewater system serving four or fewer dwellings, apartment units, or other establishments whether owned by a single person or multiple persons, including individual single-user septic tank systems but excluding systems that discharge directly to the waters of the state.
18. (18) VACANT LOT FEE (commonly referred to as “system access fee” or “capacity reservation fee”). Fee that allows MEs to collect funds prior to development of a lot to reserve sewer system access at a later date.
19. (19) WASTEWATER. Waterborne waste of similar composition as may be found in the typical residence or dwelling and sometimes referred to as sewage; but not to include wastewater generated at an industrial nonresidential site.
20. (20) WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ENTITY (“ME”). An entity which exercises sole responsibility for the operation and maintenance of one or more cluster or community wastewater systems.
21. (21) WASTEWATER SYSTEM. An integrated specialized technological process for the collection, treatment, processing, disposal, discharge, and reuse of domestic wastewater generated by multiple dwellings or establishments, including single structures with multiple units, sometimes referred to as a wastewater plant.

Author: Alabama Public Service Commission

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §22-25B-6.

History: Effective as Interim Rule: August 2009. Filed with LRS February 5, 2013. Filed for Codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Alabama Public Service Commission on February 5, 2013, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §41-22-7. Filed with LRS May 15, 2014. Filed for Codification in the Alabama Administrative Code by the Alabama Public Service Commission on May 15, 2014, pursuant to the Code of Ala. 1975, §41-22-7.