1. (a) Every wastewater system shall be located the minimum setbacks from the site features specified in Table IX. The setback shall be measured on the ground surface, unless otherwise specified in this Rule, from the nearest wastewater system component sidewall or as otherwise specified in a system specific rule or PIA Approval.

   TABLE IX. Minimum setbacks from all wastewater systems to site features

2. (b) Wastewater systems may be located closer than 100 feet but never less than 50 feet from water supply wells or an upslope spring for repairs, space limitations, and other site-planning considerations when one of the following conditions is met:

   1. (1) the well was constructed prior to July 1, 1993, in accordance with 15A NCAC 18A .1720; or

   2. (2) a variance for a reduced well setback has been issued in accordance with one of the following:

      1. (A) 15A NCAC 02C .0118 for a shared water supply well, or for a transient non-community public water supply well; or
      2. (B) 15A NCAC 18C .0203(b) for a non-transient non-community public water system.
3. (c) Wastewater systems shall not be located closer than 100 feet to springs, uncased wells, and ungrouted wells used as a source of drinking water and located downslope from the dispersal field.

4. (d) The reduced setbacks in Table X shall apply to septic tanks and pump tanks if a leak test has been performed at the job site on the septic tank and pump tank in accordance with Rule .0805 of this Subchapter that verifies the tank, pipe penetrations, and riser connections are watertight.

   TABLE X. Reduced setbacks for tanks to some site features

5. (e) No minimum setback shall be required from a well that has been permanently abandoned in accordance with 15A NCAC 02C .0113 and for which a record of abandonment has been submitted in accordance with 15A NCAC 02C .0114.
6. (f) Initial and repair dispersal field systems shall not be located under impervious surfaces or areas subject to vehicular traffic unless approved in accordance with G.S. 130A-343 and Section .1700 of this Subchapter.

7. (g) If a supply line or force main is installed under areas subject to vehicular traffic or areas subject to soil disturbance or compaction, one of the following pipe materials shall be used:

   1. (1) DIP;
   2. (2) a minimum of Schedule 40 PVC, Polyethylene, or ABS pipe sleeved in DIP;
   3. (3) a minimum of Schedule 40 PVC, Polyethylene, or ABS pipe sleeved in DOT traffic rated culvert pipe;
   4. (4) a minimum of Schedule 40 PVC, Polyethylene, or ABS pipe with 30 inches of compacted material provided over the crown of the pipe; or
   5. (5) other pipe materials may be proposed when designed, inspected, and certified by a PE and approved by the LHD.

8. (h) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (a) of this Rule, wastewater systems with a proposed DDF greater than 3,000 gpd, as determined in Rule .0401 of this Subchapter, shall be located the minimum setbacks from the site features in Table XI.

   TABLE XI. Minimum setbacks from wastewater systems greater than 3,000 gpd to site features

9. (i) Wastewater systems with a DDF greater than 3,000 gpd that meet the requirements of Rule .0510(f) of this Subchapter may use the setbacks identified in Table IX of this Rule.

10. (j) Collection sewers, force mains, and supply lines shall be located the minimum setbacks to site features shown in Table IX, unless a different minimum setback is specified in Table XII. When a reduced setback to a collection sewer, force main, or supply line is utilized, the piping requirements for the reduced setback shall be extended to comply with the unreduced setback. The distribution device shall receive the reduced setback when demonstrated to be watertight with an on-site leak test.

    TABLE XII. Minimum setbacks from collection sewers, force mains, and supply lines to site features

    *Pipe materials other than DIP, Schedule 40 pressure rated PVC, or Schedule 80 PVC shall be acceptable when the materials conform to materials, testing methods, and acceptability standards meeting water main standards and when the line has been designed, installed, inspected, and certified by a PE and approved by the LHD.

11. (k) The minimum setback from water lines to collection sewers, force mains, or supply lines shall be 10 feet, except as follows:

    1. (1) the water line is laid in a separate trench with the elevation of the bottom of the water line 18 inches above the top of the collection sewer, force main, or supply line; or
    2. (2) the water line is laid in the same trench as the collection sewer, force main, or supply line with the water line located on one side of the trench, on a bench of undisturbed earth and with the elevation of the bottom of the water line 18 inches above the top of the collection sewer, force main, or supply line. The collection sewer, force main, or supply line shall be located the width of the trench from the water line.

12. (l) Collection sewers, force mains, and supply lines and water lines shall not cross, except as follows:

    1. (1) 18 inches clear vertical separation is maintained, with the collection sewer, force main, or supply line crossing under the water line; or

    2. (2) the water line crosses under the collection sewer, force main, or supply line or 18 inches clear vertical separation is not maintained and the following criteria are met:

       1. (A) the collection sewer, force main, or supply line is constructed of DIP with joints equivalent to water main standards and extends 10 feet on each side of the point of crossing, with full sections of pipe centered at the point of crossing; and
       2. (B) the water line is constructed of ferrous materials with joints equivalent to water main standards and extends a minimum of 10 feet on each side of the point of crossing, with full sections of pipe centered at the point of crossing.

13. (m) Collection sewers, force mains, and supply lines shall not cross storm drains, except as follows:

    1. (1) 12 inches clear vertical separation is maintained between the collection sewer, force main, or supply line and storm drain;
    2. (2) the collection sewer, force main, or supply line is constructed of DIP with mechanical joints or restrained push-on joints equal to water main standards; or
    3. (3) the collection sewer, force main, or supply line is encased in concrete or DIP for a minimum of five feet on either side of the crossing.

14. (n) Collection sewers, force mains, and supply lines shall not cross under a stream, except as follows:

    1. (1) a minimum of 36 inches of separation from the stream bottom is maintained;
    2. (2) the collection sewer, force main, or supply line is constructed of DIP with mechanical joints or restrained push-on joints equal to water main standards; or
    3. (3) the collection sewer, force main, or supply line is encased in concrete or DIP for a minimum of 10 feet on either side of the crossing and protected against the normal range of high and low water conditions, including the 100-year flood or wave action.
15. (o) Collection sewer, force main, or supply line aerial crossings shall be constructed of DIP with mechanical joints or restrained push-on joints equal to water main standards and freeze protected. Pipe shall be anchored for a minimum of 10 feet on either side of the crossing.
16. (p) If septic tanks, pump tanks, grease tanks, raw sewage lift stations, wastewater treatment plants, sand filters, and other advanced pretreatment systems are located in areas subject to flooding at a frequency greater than a 10-year storm, they shall be designed and installed to be watertight and to remain operable during all flooding events.

History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-334; 130A-335(e) and (f); S.L. 2019-215, s.2; S.L. 2024-49, s.4.22;
Eff. January 1, 2024;
Amended Eff. June 1, 2026.