[Adopted 6-6-1982 by Ord.
No. 39 as Ch. 9, Sub. A, of the 1982 Code; amended
in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. I)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Coarse material manufactured from stone, gravel or slag,
having Type B characteristics as described in Department of Transportation
specifications, Form 408, Section 703.3, Table B, and uniform size
and grading equivalent to American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials No. 57, as described in Form 408, Section
703.3, Table C.
Areas used primarily for the production of crops and where
the soil is without vegetative cover during certain periods of the
year.
A method of demonstrated on-lot sewage treatment and disposal
not described in this part.
An individual sewage system located on a single lot serving
a single-family residence, where soil mottling is within 20 inches
of the mineral soil surface, the installation, operation and replacement
of which is guaranteed by the property owner.
Piping carrying liquid wastes from a building to the treatment
tank or holding tank.
A system of piping, sand media, aggregate and collection
piping in a buried liner used for the intermittent filtration and
biochemical treatment of sewage.
The Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. § 691.1 to 691.1001).
A system employing the use of demonstrated on-lot sewage
treatment and disposal technology in a manner specifically recognized
by this article. The term does not include alternate or experimental
sewage systems.
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
The pump housed in a dosing tank which provides a measured
volume of sewage effluent to the pressurized distribution system in
an absorption area.
For the purpose of determining the number of lots in a subdivision
only as it relates to the determination of planning exemptions and
fees for planning module reviews under this article, that part of
a multiple-family dwelling or commercial or industrial establishment
with flows equal to 400 gallons per day (GPD). These flow figures
are not intended to be used for the calculation of flows for the design
of community sewerage systems or for the allocation of flows related
to community sewerage systems. Community sewerage system flows for
design and permitting purposes shall be calculated using the procedures
established in the Department's Domestic Wastewater Facilities Manual
(DEP-1357).
A method of on-lot sewage treatment and disposal not described
in this article which is proposed for the purpose of testing and observation.
The tank housing the piping and sand of the free-access sand
filter.
Areas where the predominant vegetative cover is comprised
of trees with a closed canopy.
An accessible system of tanks, dose piping, sand media, aggregate
and collection piping used for the intermittent filtration and biochemical
treatment of sewage.
Material consisting of mesh polypropylene, polyester, nylon
or similar material, used to prevent migration of fine aggregate into
coarser aggregate.
An area where the predominant vegetative cover is comprised
of grasses, bushes or trees not forming a closed canopy.
An individual sewage system which serves a single dwelling
and which treats and disposes of sewage using a system of piping,
treatment tanks and soil renovation through spray irrigation.
A system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single
lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into
the soil or into waters of this commonwealth or by means of conveyance
to another site for final disposal.
A liquid, gaseous, radioactive, solid or other substance,
which is not sewage, resulting from manufacturing or industry or other
plant or works and mine drainage, silt, coal mine solids, rock, debris,
dirt and clay from coal mines, coal collieries, breakers or other
coal processing operations. The term includes substances whether or
not generally characterized as waste.
A submersible pump used to convey effluent to the sand filter
and from the sand filter to the chlorine/retention tank.
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying
strata which includes one of the following:
A seasonal high-water table, whether perched or regional, determined
by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
A rock with open joints, fracture or solution channels, or masses
of loose rock fragments, including gravel, with insufficient fine
soil to fill the voids between the fragments.
A rock formation, other stratum or soil condition which is so
slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of effluent.
A municipality (or any combination of municipalities acting
cooperatively or jointly under the laws of the commonwealth), county,
county department of health or joint county department of health.
A part of a subdivision or a parcel of land used as a building
site or intended to be used for building purposes, whether immediate
or future, which would not be further subdivided. Whenever a lot is
used for a multiple-family dwelling or for commercial, institutional
or industrial purposes, the lot shall be deemed to have been subdivided
into an equivalent number of single-family residential lots as determined
by estimated sewage flows.
A city, incorporated town, township, borough or home rule
municipality other than a county.
National Sanitation Foundation.
A Comprehensive Plan for the provision of adequate sewage
systems adopted by a municipality possessing authority over the provision
of the systems and submitted to and approved by the Department as
provided by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P. S. § 750.1
et seq.) and 25 Pa. Code Ch. 71 (relating to administration of sewage
facilities program).
No person may install, award a contract for construction or
construct an individual or community on-lot sewage system or install,
construct, occupy or use a building to be served by that system without
first obtaining a permit from the local agency, except as provided
in Subsections C through E.
A permit shall be required by the local agency for alterations
or connections to an existing individual or community on-lot sewage
system when the alteration or connection requires the repair, replacement
or enlargement of a treatment tank or retention tank or the repair,
replacement, disturbance, modification or enlargement of a soil absorption
area or spray field or the soil within or under the soil absorption
area or spray field.
Includes an individual; association; public or private corporation
for profit or not for profit; partnership; firm; trust; estate; department;
board; bureau or agency of the United States or the commonwealth;
political subdivision; municipality; district; authority; or other
legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and
duties. The term includes the members of an association, partnership
or firm and the officers of a local agency or municipal, public or
private corporation for-profit or not-for-profit.
A person registered to practice engineering in this commonwealth
who has experience in the characterization, classification, mapping
and interpretation of soils as they relate to the function of on-lot
sewage disposal systems.
A person registered to practice geology in this commonwealth
who has experience in the characterization, classification, mapping
and interpretation of soils as they relate to the function of on-lot
sewage disposal systems.
A person certified as a sewage enforcement officer and who
has documented two years' experience in the characterization, classification,
mapping and interpretation of soils as they relate to the function
of on-lot sewage disposal systems and either a bachelor of science
degree in soils science from an accredited college or university or
certification by the American Registry of Certified Professionals
in Agronomy, Crops and Soils.
A watertight receptacle, which receives and retains sewage
and is designed and constructed to facilitate ultimate disposal of
the sewage at another site. The term includes the following:
CHEMICAL TOILETA permanent or portable nonflushing toilet using chemical treatment in the retaining tank for odor control.
HOLDING TANKA tank, whether permanent or temporary, to which sewage is conveyed by a water-carrying system.
PRIVYA tank designed to receive sewage where water under pressure is not available.
INCINERATING TOILETA device capable of reducing waste materials to ashes.
COMPOSTING TOILETA device for holding and processing human and organic kitchen waste employing the process of biological degradation through the action of microorganisms to produce a stable, humus-like material.
RECYCLING TOILETA device in which the flushing medium is restored to a condition suitable for reuse in flushing.
A substance that contains the waste products or excrement
or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals; a substance
harmful to the public health, to animal or aquatic life or to the
use of water for domestic water supply or for recreation; or a substance
which constitutes pollution under the Clean Streams Law.[1]
An official of the local agency who reviews permit applications
and sewage facilities planning modules and issues permits as authorized
by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P. S. § 750.1
et seq.) and conducts the investigations and inspections that are
necessary to implement the Act and regulations thereunder.
A system of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and
disposal which will prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately
treated sewage or other waste into waters of this commonwealth or
otherwise provide for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal
of sewage or other waste. The term includes:
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into waters of this commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal.
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating or disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or spray field or by retention in a retaining tank.
INDIVIDUAL SEWERAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a retaining tank.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMA sewage facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots or two or more equivalent dwelling units and the treatment or disposal, or both, of the sewage on one or more of the lots or at another site.
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMA community sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or retaining tank.
COMMUNITY SEWERAGE SYSTEMA publicly or privately owned community sewage system, which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a retaining tank.
A written permit issued by the Sewage Enforcement Officer,
permitting the construction of an individual sewage system under this
article.
Individual or community sewerage system designed to adequately
treat sewage flows not greater than 2,000 GPD for final disposal using
a stream discharge or other methods approved by the Department.
A layer of soil approximately parallel to the soil surface
with characteristics produced by soil-forming processes.
A soil color pattern consisting of patches of different colors
or shades of color interspersed with the dominant soil color which
results from prolonged saturation of the soil.
The collection of soil horizons, including the natural organic
layers on the surface.
A deflection device at the outlet tee or baffle of a septic
tank designed to deflect buoyed solids from escaping the tank.
Piping, spray heads and ground surface to the outside edges
of the wetted perimeter, used for the application and treatment of
the sewage effluent in an individual residential spray irrigation
system.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or other parcel
of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions
of land, including changes in existing lot lines. The enumerating
of lots shall include as a lot that portion of the original tract
or tracts remaining after other lots have been subdivided therefrom.
A watertight tank designed to retain sewage long enough for
satisfactory bacterial decomposition of the solids to take place.
The term includes the following:
SEPTIC TANKA treatment tank that provides for anaerobic decomposition of sewage prior to its discharge to an absorption area.
AEROBIC SEWAGE TREATMENT TANKA mechanically aerated treatment tank that provides aerobic biochemical stabilization of sewage prior to its discharge to an absorption area.
Soil or soil profile, unaltered by removal or other man-induced
changes, except for agricultural activities, that would adversely
affect the siting or operation of on-lot systems.
Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches,
watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, ponds, springs and
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water, or of their parts, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
A.
No raw sewage, treatment tank effluent or seepage from a subsurface
absorption system shall be discharged to the surface of the ground
or into waters of the commonwealth, nor shall it be discharged, except
as hereinafter provided, into any rock formation, the structure of
which is not conducive to purification of water by filtration.
B.
From and after the effective date of this article, no person or persons
shall commence the construction, alteration or extension of any kind
or of any nature whatsoever of an individual or community sewage system
without first making application for a sewage permit to the Sewage
Enforcement Officer and receiving approval of the same. Sewage permits
are required for residential structures requiring sewerage systems.
C.
A department sewage permit is required for the disposal of industrial
waste and some classes of community sewerage systems which are subject
to approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
D.
Minimum specifications regarding soil percolation test procedures,
septic tank capacities and other data pertaining to individual sewage
disposal systems are available from the Department and are minimum
requirements of the Township also, unless otherwise made more stringent
in this article. This data may first be requested from the Sewage
Enforcement Officer, and if he has additional copies, they will be
made available for general use.
E.
In the event that a sewage permit is issued by the Sewage Enforcement
Officer, it is specifically required that the disposal system constructed
upon the premises noted on the permit shall not be closed and operation
of said sewage system permitted until said system has been inspected
by the Sewage Enforcement Officer. The applicant may cover the installation
upon receipt of written approval by the Sewage Enforcement Officer
or, in the absence of written approval or disapproval, at the expiration
of 72 hours, excepting Sundays and holidays, after the system has
been inspected by the Sewage Enforcement Officer.
F.
If, upon inspection, the Sewage Enforcement Officer determines that
the installed system does not meet specifications, he shall so specify
the deficiencies in said installed system, in writing, to the applicant.
The applicant shall not put the system into operation until such deficiencies
have been corrected and until such system has been reinspected and
approved by the Sewage Enforcement Officer. There shall be an additional
fee charged for each reinspection of an installed system where such
reinspection is necessary for the reason set forth above.
G.
It shall be the duty of the owner or occupant of a premises to give
the Sewage Enforcement Officer free access to the property at reasonable
times for the purpose of making such inspections as are necessary
to determine compliance with the requirements of this article.
H.
Holding tanks and related sewage disposal systems are individual
sewage systems and require sewage permits. Because such systems do
not provide for final on-lot treatment and disposal of the sewage
and require regular service and maintenance to prevent their malfunction
and overflow, they shall only be used where the Department finds and
gives written notice to the approving body that the requirements of
the Department have been met, and the following:
(1)
Holding tanks shall be large enough to hold a minimum of three days'
sewage waste or 1,000 gallons, whichever is larger.
(2)
Holding tanks shall be constructed of durable material and shall
be completely watertight.
(3)
The holding tank shall be equipped with a warning device to indicate
when the unit is within 75% of capacity. Such warning device shall
create an audible or visible signal at a location frequented by the
homeowner or responsible individual.
(4)
Disposal of waste from a holding tank must be to a site approved
by the Department.
A.
All applications for permits shall be made to the Sewage Enforcement
Officer who shall issue a permit upon compliance by the applicant
with provisions of this article and by regulations adopted hereunder.
B.
The Sewage Enforcement Officer may refuse to grant a permit for the
construction of an individual sewage disposal system where public
or community sewerage system is reasonably available.
C.
Application for permits shall be in writing, shall be signed by the
applicant and shall be made on a form supplied by the Township.
D.
Any person whose application for a permit under this article has
been denied may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter
before the Township Commissioners within 30 days after receipt of
the request (in writing).
E.
All installations covered by an approved sewage permit shall be completed
within three years after the issuing date of the sewage permit. If
installations are not completed within the stated period, application
must be made for a new sewage permit. Applicant will be required to
install the sewage system in accordance with latest Department and/or
Township regulations in effect at the date of each permit issued.
Should changes in the installation be required, the standard fee schedule
for new sewage permit will be issued without charge.
F.
All designs submitted for permit issuance shall conform to the following;
failure to do so will require additional fees:
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Site Plan Information
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1.
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Property dimensions and bearings.
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2.
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Easements to be shown.
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3.
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Perc holes and probe(s).
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4.
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Septic location and size in regard to surveyed or flagged property
lines.
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5.
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North arrow.
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6.
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Direction of slope.
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7.
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Delineated wetlands or bodies of water.
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8.
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Outline of berm.
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9.
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Adjoining wells and septics.
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10.
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Lot number and site location.
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11.
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Location of applicant's well and house (minimum 1,000 square
feet), existing or proposed.
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12.
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Location of proposed driveway.
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13.
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Elevations at proposed septic bed corners.
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14.
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Septic and dosing tank locations.
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15.
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Setbacks for zoning.
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16.
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Establish benchmark elevation.
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17.
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System to be staked in field.
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18.
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Current survey of property.
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Design Criteria
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1.
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Number of holes in laterals, system flow, friction loss to be
shown and calculated.
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2.
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Number of bedrooms.
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3.
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Limiting zone, perc rate and required depth of deer sand.
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4.
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Length of laterals, delivery line and the required (design)
dose volume.
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5.
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Diameter of piping used in all aspects of the septic system
design and construction pump curve.
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6.
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Recommended septic tank specifications.
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7.
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Diagram of piping and lateral sizing.
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8.
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Profile of septic showing berm, sand, stone and piping.
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9.
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Name, address and phone number of designer.
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10.
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Show height of system after construction using established bench
mark.
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A.
A sewage enforcement officer shall be employed by the local agency
who is qualified and certified by examination of the Department of
Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and who
has been issued such certification by the Certification Board. The
Sewage Enforcement Officer shall have the power to:
(1)
Issue permits for individual and some community sewage systems, including
alternate systems, as per current Department regulations.
(2)
Issue permits only within the jurisdiction of the local agency in
which he is employed, provided that he may issue permits within the
jurisdiction of other local agencies upon written approval of such
local agencies.
B.
The duties of the Sewage Enforcement Officer shall be as follows:
(1)
He shall not install an individual or community sewage system in
any area under his jurisdiction.
(2)
No fee for services or work performed shall be accepted by the Sewage
Enforcement Officer other than the fee established by the local agency.
(3)
No test shall be conducted or permit issued by the Sewage Enforcement
Officer for an individual or community sewage system for any lot in
which such officer has a financial interest, or for any lot in which
any person is related to such officer by blood or marriage or has
a financial interest, or for any lot in which an employee or business
partner of such officer, other than the local agency has a financial
interest, unless the Sewage Enforcement Officer has received prior
written approval by the Department of Environmental Protection.
(4)
He shall either observe, conduct personally or otherwise confirm,
in a manner approved by the Department, all tests used to determine
the suitability of a site for the utilization of an individual or
community sewage system before a permit for such system is issued.
All percolation test results performed by authorized persons other
than the Sewage Enforcement Officer before a permit can be issued.
(5)
He shall give written notice to applicants or permittees of any approval,
denial or revocation of a permit.
(6)
He shall provide the Department of Environmental Protection with
the pink copy of Form ER-BCE-128, Application for Sewage Disposal
System, upon approval or disapproval of each such application, and
shall submit, following final inspection of each system, the completed
green copy of said copy, in accordance with current Department regulations.
A.
The Township Commissioners shall establish, by resolution, a schedule
of fees to be paid by the applicant for services rendered with respect
to processing of applications, inspections, review of plans, performance
of percolation tests by authorized Township representatives and other
services related to new sewage systems or extensions, alterations,
modifications or changes to existing systems.
B.
The schedule of fees in effect at any period of time shall be posted
in the Township Municipal Building and shall be available to interested
persons upon request. All fees must be paid in full, in accordance
with the official schedule of fees, at the time application is made
for the required services.
C.
The Sewage Enforcement Officer shall prepare and submit to the Township
Commissioners a record of all fees paid by applicants for services
rendered with respect to this article.
This article shall be enforced by action brought before a Magisterial
District Judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of
summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Any person, partnership, corporation or other entity who or which
violates or permits a violation of the provisions of this article
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, pay a fine of not
more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution, and, in default of
the payment of the fine and costs of prosecution, shall be imprisoned
for a period not exceeding 30 days.
