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Spring Hill staff brief board on BioClear decentralized sewer standards, propose city ownership and strict soil testing
Summary
City staff presented detailed draft standards for decentralized sewer systems centered on the BioClear (AquaPoint) treatment approach, recommending city ownership, strict soil testing by Tennessee-licensed soil scientists, reserve fields equal to 50% of primary area, O&M by licensed operators, and an MOU process for developer-built systems.
City staff delivered an extended work-session briefing on decentralized sewer options and proposed standards on Dec. 1, recommending adoption of the BioClear system (manufactured by AquaPoint) as the town's preferred decentralized treatment technology and proposing the city hold operating permits and ownership of the facilities.
Mr. Allen, the staff presenter, described BioClear as a compact, modular treatment system that treats up to about 20,000 gallons per day in a single unit and disperses treated effluent through subsurface drip fields. "We are primarily talking about the BioClear treatment system," Mr. Allen said, noting the system includes settling tanks, fiberglass/PVC treatment units, pumps, UV disinfection and optional SCADA monitoring.
Staff stressed siting constraints: systems require suitable native soils and certification by a Tennessee-licensed soil scientist, and designs must include a primary disposal field sized at 100% of design flow plus a 50% reserve area to ensure long-term performance. Mr. Allen noted design assumptions of 250 gallons per day per equivalent dwelling unit and explained setback guidance (for example, a 200-foot minimum from residential structures and 100 feet from potable wells), pressure testing requirements, and inspection and record-drawing standards.
To manage long-term performance, staff proposed the city hold the operating permit with TDEC listed in the city's name, and for developers to dedicate the land for the facility and reserve fields to the city at or before first final plat; developers would pay design, permitting and construction costs and provide performance and maintenance bonds. Mr. Allen said the MOU and full design package would be reviewed in public by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and then submitted to TDEC for final approval.
Board members raised questions about land needs, costs and housing affordability; staff suggested tools such as offset agreements for sewer-development fees to soften the cost to homebuyers. The board directed staff to prepare a resolution formalizing proposed standards and to bring a companion resolution on alternative systems within two weeks to clarify the process for developers and applicants.
Staff noted that, while BioClear is available from a single vendor (AquaPoint), it has been used by nearby jurisdictions and staff does not believe a single-source standard will cause market distortion; the board was told TDEC approval is expected to take roughly 30–40 days on similar spec updates.
