For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) ADEM. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

(2) ADPH. The Alabama Department of Public Health.

(3) CERTIFICATE OF ECONOMIC VIABILITY. The certification by the commission of the financial viability of a wastewater management entity's financial viability pursuant to this chapter.

(4) CLUSTER WASTEWATER SYSTEM. An integrated wastewater collection system or treatment system, or both, or multiple systems serving a single development or contiguous developments, which collectively have a design flow of 15,000 GPD or less, and is designed and permitted for discharge of the treated wastewater to a subsurface distribution system, but excluding systems that discharge directly to surface waters of the state. The system must be designed by and certified by a licensed professional engineer to comply with design and permit requirements established by the ADPH. The term does not include a small-flow cluster system.

(5) COMMISSION. The Alabama Public Service Commission.

(6) COMMUNITY WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. An integrated wastewater collection system or treatment system, or both, or multiple systems serving a single development or contiguous developments, which collectively have a design flow of more than 15,000 GPD, and is designed and permitted for discharge of the treated wastewater to a subsurface distribution system, but the term specifically excludes systems that discharge directly to surface waters of the state. The system must be designed and certified by a licensed professional engineer to comply with the design and permit requirements established by ADEM.

(7) CUSTOMER. A person, business, or other entity, public or private, that is connected or eligible for connection to a certified wastewater management entity's wastewater system upon proper payment of cost and fees and is subject to rates approved by the commission.

(8) DEPARTMENT. ADEM or ADPH as their jurisdiction is applicable according to the terms of this chapter.

(9) DESIGN FLOW. The average daily flow that the wastewater system will treat with appropriate consideration given to maximum flow periods, equalization, and organic loading. Flow from the same subdivision or contiguous subdivisions developed as a common group of wastewater systems, shall be combined as one flow, even if from separate systems, for the purpose of determining whether ADEM or ADPH will permit the system.

(10) DRAFT PERMIT. A preliminary permit issued by the department setting forth the discharge and other requirements which will be included in the final permit that may be issued upon compliance with department rules.

(11) DWELLING. A house, manufactured/mobile home or house trailer, shelter, structure, or building, or portion thereof, that is or could reasonably be expected to be occupied in whole or in part as the home, residence, or sleeping place of one or more persons.

(12) EFFLUENT. Treated wastewater.

(13) ESTABLISHMENT. A facility other than a dwelling that is or could reasonably be expected to generate wastewater of similar composition as a dwelling and of similar strength of or higher strength than a dwelling.

(14) GPD. Gallons per day.

(15) PSC. The Alabama Public Service Commission.

(16) SMALL-FLOW CLUSTER SYSTEM. A wastewater system serving four or fewer dwellings, apartment units, or other establishments whether owned by a single person or multiple persons, including individual single-user septic tank systems but excluding systems that discharge directly to the waters of the state.

(17) WASTEWATER. Waterborne waste of similar composition as may be found in the typical residence or dwelling and sometimes referred to as sewage; but not to include wastewater generated at an industrial nonresidential site.

(18) WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ENTITY. An entity which exercises sole responsibility for the operation and maintenance of one or more cluster or community wastewater systems.

(19) WASTEWATER SYSTEM. An integrated specialized technological process for the collection, treatment, processing, disposal, discharge, and reuse of domestic wastewater generated by multiple dwellings or establishments, including single structures with multiple units, sometimes referred to as a wastewater plant.