NC H381

Adds "advanced pretreatment" as a new defined term covering biological, chemical, or physical processes (aeration, clarification, digestion, disinfection, filtration, separation, settling) used in addition to or instead of septic tanks in ground absorption systems

Requires Commission rules to include advanced pretreatment and system control requirements for wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal systems

Allows professional engineers designing wastewater systems under engineered option permits to use advanced pretreatment technologies not yet approved in North Carolina

Streamlines approval for advanced pretreatment systems certified by nationally recognized bodies by requiring the Department to approve innovative wastewater system applications upon verification of testing data (minimum 55 datasets over 26 weeks), compliance with effluent standards, and consistency with the certification body's approval

Authorizes the Commission for Public Health to adopt temporary and permanent rules to implement the changes, effective upon becoming law for applications filed on or after that date