Which of the following is included in the definition of a subsurface sewage disposal system?

A subsurface sewage disposal system encompasses technologies or methods designed for the disposal of untreated domestic wastewater below the surface of the ground, and septic tank absorption systems fall under this definition. These systems involve a septic tank where solids settle and are naturally broken down, followed by an absorption field (also known as a drain field) where the liquid waste is further treated by microbial action in the soil.

The reason septic tank absorption systems are classified under subsurface sewage disposal systems is due to their inherent design and function, which revolves around treating and dispersing wastewater underground, thus mitigating health risks and environmental impacts associated with surface disposal. This method is widely used in rural and less densely populated areas where public sewage systems are not available.

Other options like public sewer systems, cesspools, and stormwater management systems lack the definition associated with a septic tank absorption system. While cesspools can sometimes handle sanitary waste, they are not recognized as effective or compliant systems in many jurisdictions due to their environmental risks. Public sewer systems manage waste through centralized treatment facilities and are therefore not considered subsurface sewage disposal. Stormwater management systems focus primarily on controlling surface water runoff and do not treat or dispose of sewage directly, distinguishing them from subsurface sewage disposal methods.