§ 1972. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Agency” means the Agency of Natural Resources.

(2) “Building or structure” means a building or structure whose use or useful occupancy requires the construction or modification of a potable water supply or wastewater system.

(3) “Campground” means any lot of land containing more than three campsites occupied for vacation or recreational purposes by camping units, such as: tents, yurts, tepees, lean-tos, camping cabins, and recreational vehicles, including motor homes, folding camping trailers, conventional travel trailers, fifth wheel travel trailers, truck campers, van campers, and conversion vehicles designed and used for travel, recreation, and camping. There shall be no distinction made between noncommercial (no charge, no service) and commercial operations.

(4)(A) “Failed supply” means a potable water supply:

(i) that has been found to exceed the standard set by the Secretary in rule for one or more of the following contaminants:

(I) total coliform;

(II) nitrates;

(III) nitrites;

(IV) arsenic; or

(V) uranium;

(ii) that the Secretary affirmatively determines as not potable, due to the presence of a contaminated site, a leaking underground storage tank, or other known sources of groundwater contamination or naturally occurring contaminants; or

(iii) the Secretary affirmatively determines to be failed due to the supply providing an insufficient quantity of water to maintain the usual and customary uses of a building or structure or campground.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, a potable water supply shall not be a failed supply if:

(i) these effects can be and are remedied solely by minor repairs, including the repair of a broken pipe leading from a building or structure to a well, the replacement of a broken pump, repair or replacement of a mechanical component, or deepening or hydrofracturing a well; or

(ii) these effects have lasted for only a brief period of time, the cause of the failure has been determined to be an unusual and nonrecurring event, and the supply has recovered from the state of failure. Supplies that have recurring, continuing, or seasonal failures shall be considered to be failed supplies.

(C) If a project is served by multiple potable water supplies, the failure of one supply will not require the issuance of a permit or permit amendment for any other supply that is not in a state of failure.

(5)(A) “Failed system” means a wastewater system that is functioning in a manner:

(i) that allows wastewater to be exposed to the open air, pool on the surface of the ground, discharge directly to surface water, or back up into a building or structure, unless, in any of these instances, the approved design of the system specifically requires the system to function in such a manner; or

(ii) that results in a potable water supply being affirmatively determined by the Secretary to be a failed supply, and that information has been posted on the Agency of Natural Resources’ website.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (A) of this subdivision (5), a system shall not be a failed system if:

(i) these effects can be and are remedied solely by minor repairs, including the repair of a broken pipe leading from a building or structure to the septic tank, replacement of a cracked or broken septic tank, or replacement of a broken pump or associated valves, switches, and controls; or

(ii) these effects have lasted for only a brief period of time, the cause of the failure has been determined to be an unusual and nonrecurring event, and the system has recovered from the state of failure. Systems that have recurring, continuing, or seasonal failures shall be considered to be failed systems.

(C) If a project is served by multiple wastewater systems, the failure of one system will not require the issuance of a permit or permit amendment for any other system that is not in a state of failure.

(D) A wastewater system may be determined to be a failed system by the completion of a site visit that identifies one or more of the conditions set forth in subdivision (A)(i) of this subdivision (5).

(6) “Potable water supply” means the source, treatment, and conveyance equipment used to provide water used or intended to be used for human consumption, including drinking, washing, bathing, the preparation of food, or laundering. This definition does not include any internal piping or plumbing, except for mechanical systems, such as pump stations and storage tanks or lavatories, that are located inside a building or structure and that are integral to the operation of a potable water system. This definition also does not include a potable water supply that is subject to regulation under chapter 56 of this title.

(7) “Professional engineer” means an engineer licensed and in good standing by the Board of Professional Engineering under 26 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 20.

(8) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Natural Resources or a duly authorized representative of the Secretary. A duly authorized representative of the Secretary includes a municipality that has requested delegation, in writing, and has been delegated the authority to implement provisions of this chapter in lieu of the Secretary.

(9) “Subdivide” means to divide land by sale, gift, lease, mortgage foreclosure, court-ordered partition, or filing of a plat, plan, or deed in the town records where the act of division creates one or more lots. Subdivision shall be deemed to have occurred on the conveyance of the first lot or the filing of a plat, plan, or deed in the town records, whichever first occurs. A subdivision of land shall also be deemed to have taken place when a lot is divided by a State or municipal highway, road, or right-of-way, or when a lot is divided by surface waters with a drainage area of greater than 10 square miles.

(10) “Wastewater system” means any piping, pumping, treatment, or disposal system used for the conveyance and treatment of sanitary waste or used water, including carriage water, shower and wash water, and process wastewater. This definition does not include any internal piping or plumbing, except for mechanical systems, such as pump stations and storage tanks or toilets, that are located inside a building or structure and that are integral to the operation of a wastewater system. This definition also does not include wastewater systems that are used exclusively for the treatment and disposal of animal manure. In this chapter, “wastewater system” refers to a soil-based disposal system of less than 6,500 gallons per day, or a sewerage connection of any size. (Added 2001, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 13, 2002; amended 2007, No. 32, § 2, eff. May 18, 2007; 2023, No. 79, § 17, eff. July 1, 2023.)