[Adopted 2-14-2012 by Ord. No. 1517]
The purpose of this article is to establish procedures for the
installation, use and maintenance of sewage grinder pumps and any
associated force mains or low-pressure laterals. It is hereby declared
that the enactment of this article is necessary for the protection,
benefit and preservation of the health, safety and welfare of the
inhabitants of this municipality.
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise,
the meaning of the terms used in this article shall be as follows:
Springfield Township's Official Plan as defined in the Pennsylvania
Sewage Facilities Act, Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. 1535 (1965),
No. 537, as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 through 750.20a ("Sewage
Facilities Act" or "Act 537").
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Any electric motor drive, submersible pump capable of macerating
all material found in normal domestic sanitary sewage, including reasonable
amounts of objects, such as plastics, sanitary napkins, disposable
diapers, rubber and the like, to a fine slurry, and pumping this material
through a small-diameter discharge.
Any parcel of real estate located within Springfield Township
upon which there is erected a structure intended for continuous or
periodic inhabitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals
and from which structure sewage shall or may be discharged.
A change in the Springfield Township Act 537 Plan to provide
for additional or newly identified future or existing sewage facilities
needs, as defined fully in Section 1 of the Sewage Facilities Act,
35 P.S. § 750.1.
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole
or partial, or any property located in Springfield Township.
A revision to the Act 537 Plan resulting from a proposed
subdivision as defined in the Act.
Any substance that contains any of the waste products or
excrement or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals
and any noxious or deleterious substance being harmful or inimical
to the public health, or to animal or aquatic life or to the use of
water for domestic water supply or for recreation or any substance
which constitutes pollution under the Clean Streams Law, 35 P.S. § 691.1
through 691.1001, as amended.
A study, survey, investigation, inquiry, research report
or analysis which is directly related to an update revision. The studies
provide documentation or other support necessary to solve specific
problems identified in the update revision.
Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a First
Class Township having an address of 50 Powell Road, Springfield, PA
19064.
A comprehensive revision to the Act 537 Plan required when
the Department or Springfield Township determines the official plan
or one or more of its parts is inadequate for existing or future sewage
facilities needs of the Township or its residents or landowners.
The connection of proposed new land development or a proposed
new improved property to an existing or proposed sewerage system through
the use of sewage grinder pumps, their associated force mains, or
low-pressure laterals shall occur only after an official plan revision
to the Act 537 Plan, approved by both Springfield Township and the
Department, designates that the proposed properties be served by such
a connection.
A.
The Township is hereby authorized and empowered to enforce the provisions
of this article and to adopt such rules and regulations concerning
sewage, which it may deem necessary from time to time to affect the
purposes herein.
B.
The Township is hereby authorized and empowered to take such actions
as are necessary, including, but not limited to, entering into agreements
with property owners that assure proper operation and maintenance
of sewage facilities within the Township's service area, including,
but not limited to, sewage grinder pumps and any associated force
mains or low-pressure laterals.
A.
Springfield Township shall exercise its powers and legal authority
set forth herein, and under all applicable statutes, ordinances, and
other laws, to effect the purpose of this article.
B.
The Township shall require an agreement with each property owner
proposing to install a sewage grinder pump or low-pressure sewer system
to assure the short- and long-term operation, maintenance, use, service,
repair or replacement of such systems.
C.
The Township shall require that all grinder pumps and low-pressure
sewer systems (and the installation, use, operation, maintenance,
service, repair and replacement thereof) shall comply with the rules
and regulations of the Township in effect from time to time.
D.
The Township shall require that all grinder pumps and low-pressure
sewer systems shall be connected to the Township's sewerage collection
and conveyance system in full compliance with the rules and regulations
of the Township in effect from time to time.
E.
The Township shall review the type of grinder pump used and assure
that the property owner has provided documentation that full-service
capacity is available locally on short notice in case of malfunction.
F.
Springfield Township shall bear no responsibility for the purchase,
installation, use, operation, maintenance, service, repair, or replacement
of the grinder pump and/or its low-pressure sewer systems and low-pressure
force main or lateral, except as otherwise set forth herein.
A.
Each property owner served by a grinder pump shall bear full responsibility
for providing, installing, using, operating, maintaining, servicing,
repairing and replacing his/her grinder pump and/or its low-pressure
force main or lateral, unless otherwise set forth herein.
B.
Where the low-pressure force main or lateral is shared between property
owners, they shall submit to Springfield Township a declaration of
easements, covenants and restrictions in recordable form setting forth
the agreement of each benefited property owner with respect to the
installation, use, operation, maintenance, service, repair and replacement
of the low-pressure system, which agreement shall bind all future
property owners. Following the approval of the low-pressure sewer
system by all applicable agencies, the Township will not issue a permit
for its installation, until evidence is presented that the agreement
has been recorded in the Office for the Recording of Deeds, Delaware
County, Pennsylvania.
C.
Each property owner shall annually renew, for the life of the grinder
pump, and shall annually provide to the Township a copy of a system
contract with an authorized maintenance contractor (hereinafter the
"maintenance contractor"). The maintenance contractor shall be a private,
independent contractor, who has been given special training by the
original equipment manufacturer and is authorized by the manufacturer
to service the grinder pump and all appurtenances.
D.
After the first month of operation of the grinder pump, and annually
thereafter, or more frequently if the manufacturer of any component
parts recommends more frequent servicing, the property owner shall
have the maintenance contractor provide the property owner and the
Township with copies of a report signed by the maintenance contractor
certifying that the grinder pump is operational in accordance with
the permit. The inspection and maintenance program will include, at
a minimum, the manufacturers' recommended services and inspections
for each separate component of the system. The maintenance contractor's
report shall include the average daily flow from water meter readings,
if available. The report shall also indicate resolution of any deficiencies
noted in the maintenance contractor's inspection or any service or
alarm call during the past year. If a revision or modification is
made to the system, an amended and revised drawing detailing the revision
or modification shall be provided to the property owner and the Township.
The property owner is responsible for obtaining any required permits
from Springfield Township for any revision or modification to the
grinder pump, and all appurtenances to it, and the low-pressure system.
In the event Springfield Township elects to perform the property
owner's obligations contained in this article or any agreements entered
into by the property owner and the Township, the Township shall charge
the property owner the cost incurred by the Township in performing
the property owner's obligations hereunder or in any subsequent agreements,
and the property owner shall reimburse the Township for all such costs.
In the event of the property owner's failure to perform under
this article or any subsequent agreements resulting herefrom, the
Township shall have the right, but not the obligation, to perform
the property owner's obligations under this article and/or to pursue
whatever legal or equitable remedy it shall deem appropriate, including,
but not limited to, bringing an action for specific performance against
the property owner to compel compliance with this article or any subsequent
agreement resulting herefrom. The property owner shall reimburse the
Township for all costs incurred by the Township in doing so, including
legal fees. The Township shall also have the right to file a lien
against the property to secure to the Township any reimbursement of
costs due to the Township.
All such rules and regulations adopted by the Township to effectuate
this article shall be in conformity with the provisions herein, all
other ordinances of Springfield Township, and all applicable laws,
and applicable rules and regulations of administrative agencies of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
All ordinances or resolutions, or parts of ordinances or resolutions
insofar as they are inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed.
If in any sentence, clause, section or part of this article
is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid,
such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect
or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections
or parts of this article, it being the intent that such remainder
shall be and shall remain in full force and effect.
This article shall become effective immediately.
