R317-560-2. General Requirements

2.1 Vault privies and earthen pit privies are permitted as a substitute for water closets, for temporary or limited use in remote locations where provisions for water supply or wastewater disposal pose a significant problem. The intended primary use of vault and pit privies in this rule is for facilities such as labor camps, semi-developed and semi-primitive recreational camps, temporary mass gatherings, and other approved uses. Potable water under pressure may or may not be available.

2.2 Requests for the use of vault privies or earthen pit privies shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the local health department having jurisdiction and must receive the written approval of the local health officer or his designated representative prior to the installation of such devices.

2.3 Vault privies and earthen pit privies shall be located and constructed in such a manner to prevent the entrance of precipitation or surface water into the vault or pit, either as runoff or as flood water.

2.4 All vault privies shall comply with the following:

A. They shall be located a minimum of:

(1) 10 feet from property lines and water distribution pipes.

(2) 15 feet and not more than 500 feet from any living or camping spaces served.

(3) 50 feet from any nonpublic culinary water source and from any lake, stream, river, or watercourse, measured from the high water line.

B. They shall be located at least 100 feet from "deep" public water supply wells. It is recommended that vault privies be located at least 1500 feet from "shallow" wells and springs used as public water sources. Any proposal to locate closer than 1500 feet must be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the health authority, taking into account geology, hydrology, topography, existing land use agreements, and potential for pollution of water source. Any person proposing to locate a vault privy closer than 1500 feet to a public "shallow" well or spring must submit a report to the health authority which considers the above items. The minimum required isolation distance where optimum conditions exist and with the approval of the health authority may be 100 feet. R309-106 requires a protective zone, established by the public water supply owner, before a new source is approved. Public water sources which existed prior to the requirement for a protective zone requirement may not have acquired one. Such circumstances must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the health authority. "Deep" wells and "shallow" public water supply sources are as defined in R309-106.

C. The maximum high water table shall be at least 2' below the maximum depth of the vault.

2.5 All earthen pit privies shall comply with the following:

A. They shall be located a minimum of:

(1) 25 feet from property lines and water distribution pipes.

(2) 25 feet and not more than 500 feet from any living or camping spaces served.

(3) 100 feet from any lake, stream, river, or watercourse, measured from the high water line.

B. They shall be located at least 100 feet from "deep" wells that are nonpublic water supply sources. They shall be located at least 200 feet from "shallow" wells and springs that are nonpublic water supply sources. Although this latter separation distance shall be generally adhered to as the minimum required separation distance for "shallow" nonpublic water supply sources, exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the health authority, taking into account geology, hydrology, topography, existing land use agreements, and potential for pollution of water source. Any person proposing to locate an earthen pit privy closer than 200 feet to an individual or nonpublic "shallow" well or spring must submit a report to the health authority which considers the above items. In no case shall the health authority grant approval for an earthen pit privy to be closer than 100 feet from a "shallow" well or spring. "Deep" wells and "shallow" nonpublic water supply sources shall be defined as for public water sources in R309-106.

C. They shall be isolated from public water supply sources as specified for vault privies in R317-560-2.4.B.

D. The maximum high water table shall be at least 4' below the maximum depth of the pit.