NC H594

Amends G.S. 130A-343 to allow the Commission for Public Health to approve wastewater trench systems as innovative systems if they are functionally equivalent to accepted wastewater trench systems.

Requires manufacturers to petition the Commission and provide specifications, performance data, and a certified statement from an independent third-party engineer or testing laboratory demonstrating functional equivalency.

Establishes five performance criteria for functional equivalency: equal or superior material properties and chemical durability, equal or greater permeable sidewall and bottom infiltrative area, similar conveyance and application methods, equal or superior structural integrity, and equal or greater field-installed storage volume.

Prohibits the Commission from conditioning approval on the manufacturer having operational systems already installed in the state or from imposing conditions and limitations that differ from those applicable to the accepted wastewater trench system.

Effective upon passage (ratified June 16, 2011).