Section 15.300 - Purpose and General Provisions(1) The proper operation and maintenance of all systems is essential to their proper functioning, to the avoidance of public health hazards and to the protection of the environment. 310 CMR 15.300 is intended to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of all systems. The goal of system inspection is to provide sufficient information to make a determination as to whether or not the system is adequate to protect public health and the environment. If any of the criteria or conditions listed on the inspection form and specified in 310 CMR 15.303 and 15.304 are met, the system is failing to protect public health or the environment and must be repaired, replaced or upgraded.(2) The provisions of 310 CMR 15.303 and 15.304 represent an initial effort to identify and upgrade those failed systems which pose the greatest risk to public health and safety, and to the waters of the Commonwealth.(3) The Department shall produce educational materials suitable for distribution to the general public describing the importance of proper maintenance and operation of on-site systems and the impact of such systems on public health and the environment. In addition to its own distribution, the Department shall make such materials available to Local approving authorities and other interested persons.(4) Any person owning or operating a facility on which an on site subsurface sewage treatment and disposal system is installed shall be responsible for the inspection and maintenance of, and any necessary upgrades to, the system.(5) Facilities with an increase in the nitrogen loading rate in accordance with 310 CMR 15.262(6) and (7) shall be inspected annually. The inspection shall document at a minimum: whether the system has been continually operated as approved; if the system consists of a greywater filter, whether it is operating properly; and whether compost and blackwater are disposed of off-site in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The results of each annual inspection shall be submitted to the Department and the Local Approving Authority by January 31st of the following year.