Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 6 Sewage Pumping Vehicles

An operator of a seepage/sewage pumping vehicle is required to register with the local jurisdiction as per California Health and Safety Code Sections 117400-117450. A public health license shall be issued to the owner of a seepage/sewage pumping vehicle when that person has demonstrated that either the owner or an employee of the owner has adequate knowledge to train other employees as described in Section 11.38.910.

A change of address of the owner including a member of a partnership that is registered and of the place of business thereof shall be reported in writing by the owner to the Director within two (2) days after the change of address.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

A public health license shall only be issued after the applicant or his or her representative submits demonstrates adequate knowledge of the following topics:

A.

Knowledge of the equipment to be used.

B.

The applicant's knowledge of sanitary principles and of the laws and ordinances affecting human health or nuisances, including the factors that evidence a failing OWTS and appropriate locations for disposal of septage. Proper use of personal protective equipment.

C.

Clean up of spills or discharges of sewage from failed plumbing systems.

Knowledge may be demonstrated by submitting curriculum for the training of new staff to the Director for approval, completion of a training course from a professional organization, such as the California Onsite Water Association (COWA), or an approved public entity or an online course acceptable to the Director. The individual receiving the training shall be designated as the trainer for his or her organization. The applicant shall maintain a trainer as part of the organization. If the trainer leaves the organization, it has ninety (90) days to obtain a new trainer.

The owner shall be responsible for ensuring that employees responsible for the clean out of septic tanks, chemical toilets, cesspools and sewage seepage pits are properly trained before they work independently, and get trained annually thereafter.

The owner shall have available for the Director upon request the name of the trainer and records of the employee's annual trainings.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

No person shall operate a sewage pumping vehicle without first making application and securing a license from the Director.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

A.

Applications for seepage/sewage pumping vehicles shall be made on forms provided for that purpose by the Director. All applicable fees, shall be paid at the time of the application.

B.

The application shall include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the year and make of vehicle, the vehicle license number, the tank capacity, the owner information, the location where the vehicle shall be stored, and any other data required by the Director.

C.

Upon receipt of an application, the Director shall make an inspection of the seepage/sewage pumping vehicle. If the applicant has complied with all applicable laws and regulations, and the vehicle meets the requirements of the inspection, the Director shall approve the application, and issue an annual license.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

The Director may suspend or revoke the license of an operator of one (1) or more seepage/sewage pumping vehicles or the license of an individual seepage/sewage pumping vehicle.

The Director may suspend or revoke a license issued to an operator of one (1) or more sewage pumping vehicle for any of the following violations:

A.

Discharge of sewage or the contents of one (1) or more trucks in a location other than one approved by the Director.

B.

Failure to submit quarterly reports identifying all of the locations serviced and where the contents of the truck were discharged.

C.

Failure to report locations that evidence conditions of a failing OWTS, a cesspool, or an earthen pit privy.

The Director may suspend or revoke a license issued to a sewage pumping vehicle for violations of this code, including, leakage of sewage from the tank, valves, piping, or other equipment that may discharge to the ground surface.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

Seepage/sewage pumping vehicles shall be identified with the business name, City, State, Zip Code and phone number on both sides of vehicle. The business name shall be in letters and numbers at least three (3) inches in height, additional information shall be at least one (1) inch in height and all letters and numbers shall be of a color contrasting to the vehicle. The public health registration number shall be located on the rear of the vehicle in letters and numbers at least three (3) inches high and of a color contrasting to the vehicle.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

A seepage/sewage pumping vehicle shall be constructed and maintained at all times with the following components in good working order:

A.

A water tight tank, valves, piping, pumps and equipment maintained free from leakage.

B.

A hose for flushing contaminated areas.

C.

A quick release valve on the discharge outlet.

D.

A metal sleeve or other suitable device provided to reach from discharge outlet to manhole.

E.

Tight fitting covers for tank openings.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

A.

All contents of the sewage holding tank shall be deposited in an approved County Sanitation District location or at a location approved by the Director.

B.

Personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and boots shall be provided to all employees working with sewage or septage.

C.

A sewage spill kit shall be maintained on the vehicle for use in cleaning-up any sewage spills. The sewage spill kit shall contain at a minimum:

Containment barriers to prevent the spill from entering a storm drain.

Absorbent material.

A shovel.

Garbage bags.

Liquid disinfectant and powdered lime.

D.

The vehicle registration shall be maintained on the vehicle.

E.

The vehicle exterior shall be maintained free of sewage or other waste material.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)

A.

Seepage/sewage pumping vehicles are required to file with the Director a quarterly report specifying all of the following:

The name and address of the owner or tenant of each and every one of the premises where a septic tank, cesspool, or sewage seepage pit has been cleaned out by the registrant, his or her employees, or by others on his or her behalf and the date of each cleaning.

The location where the cleanings are disposed of.

Discharges of waste that may result in violation of laws or ordinances required to be known by the registrant pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 117420.

B.

OWTS showing symptoms of failure must be reported to the Director within twenty-four (24) hours of pumping. Factors evidencing a failing OWTS are identified in Section 11.38.042.

(Ord. 2018-0037 § 32, 2018.)