Provisions of the Sanitation Code relating to Non-Collective Sanitation (ANC) – For distribution

Article 35: The private sector, particularly professional organizations involved in the collection, transfer, and disposal of septic tank sludge, is required to hold an accreditation.

Article 39: Every owner of a building not served by a public sewer system for domestic wastewater must install an Non-Collective Sanitation system, the components of which must be maintained in good working order.

Article 40: Internal wastewater collection and disposal systems must be maintained and cleaned by their owners. The State, local authorities, or their delegates may, in the event of failure to do so, take the necessary measures to ensure maintenance at the owners’ expense.

Article 54: Connection of wastewater to a public sewer system is mandatory. However, to be connected to the public sewer system, every property must have a water supply or a system capable of ensuring proper drainage at all times.

Furthermore, if the public sewer system does not exist or if the connection requirements are not met, the user is required to install wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems on their property, in accordance with applicable discharge standards.

Article 61: It is prohibited for anyone to construct infiltration systems, soakaways, septic tanks, or any other individual sanitation system outside the boundaries of their property.

Article 63: It is prohibited to discharge or allow wastewater to flow onto public roads, including shoulders and sidewalks, as well as into gutters, canals, ditches, and embankments that are part of them.

Article 75: It is forbidden to discharge rainwater into individual wastewater treatment systems.

Article 86: Residues from septic tanks are treated in sludge treatment plants. The discharge and dumping of septic tank sludge at any other location is prohibited.

Article 88: The collection, transport, and disposal of sludge from septic tanks is subject to prior authorization from the Ministry responsible for sanitation, under the conditions and procedures stipulated by current regulations.

Article 89: Treated wastewater, sewage sludge, and treated sludge from septic tanks that meet current standards may be used for various purposes, including agricultural and market gardening.

Article 101: Any property owner who allows wastewater from septic tanks and infiltration systems to flow into concessions, drainage works, and onto public roads, including shoulders, sidewalks, gutters, canals, ditches, and embankments, is liable to imprisonment for three to six months and a fine of 150,000 to 500,000 francs, or to one of these penalties alone.

Article 102: Anyone who installs an individual wastewater treatment system on public property or connects a wastewater network to a stormwater drainage network is liable to imprisonment for two months to one year and a fine of 200,000 to 2,000,000 francs, or to one of these penalties alone.

Article 104: Anyone who dumps or discharges excrement and sewage sludge into gutters, open storm drains, or enclosed stormwater drainage pipes, as well as onto the surface of landscaped natural areas or natural outfalls, is liable to imprisonment for two to eighteen months and a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 francs, or to one of these penalties alone.

Article 112: Anyone who constructs infiltration systems, cesspools, septic tanks, or any other individual sanitation works outside the boundaries of their property is liable to a fine of 500,000 to 2,000,000 francs.

The offender is ordered to restore the site to its original condition.

Article 118: Users are required to bring their existing collective or non-collective sanitation facilities into compliance within two years from the entry into force of this law establishing the Sanitation and Drainage Code.

 

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