§ 42-141. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of this article:

Accessible sewer means a public sanitary sewer located in a street or alley abutting on the property in question or otherwise within 200 feet of any boundary of the property measured along the shortest available right-of-way.

Approved septic tank system means a watertight covered receptacle constructed according to plans approved by the health officer. Such tanks shall have a capacity of not less than 750 gallons and in the case of homes with more than two bedrooms the capacity of the tank shall be in accordance with the current recommendations of the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department. A minimum liquid depth of four feet should be provided with a minimum depth of air space above the liquid of one foot. The septic tank dimensions should be such that the length from inlet to outlet is at least twice but not more than three times the width. The liquid depth should not exceed five feet. The discharge from the septic tank shall be disposed of in such a manner that it may not create a nuisance on the surface of the ground or pollute the underground water supply, and such disposal shall be in accordance with recommendations of the health officer as determined by acceptable soil percolation data.

Health officer means the director of the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department or his designated representative.

Human excreta means the bowel and kidney discharges of human beings.

Other approved method of sewage disposal or treatment means any chemical toilet or other disposal or treatment device, other than a public sewerage system, septic tank, or sanitary pit privy as described in this section, the type, location and construction of which have been approved by the health officer.

Sanitary pit privy means a privy having a flytight floor and seat over an excavation in the earth, located and constructed in such a manner that flies and animals will be excluded, surface water may not enter the pit, and danger of pollution of the surface of the ground or the underground water supply will be prevented.

Sewage means all liquid, human, animal, household and industrial wastes from residences, buildings, and commercial or industrial establishments.

Watercourse means any natural or artificial drainage basin which conveys water either continuously or intermittently.

(Code 1992, § 28-101; Priv. Acts 1972, ch. 394, § 2)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction, § 1-2.