1.
The following tapping, connection, and customer facility fees are
hereby imposed upon all users of the sewer system for each new building
sewer connected to the sewage collection system. No person shall connect
any dwelling unit and/or improved property to any part of the sewer
system without first making application for and securing a permit,
in writing, from the Township.
A.
Tapping Fee.
(1)
The Township shall have the power to establish, by resolution
adopted by the Township, a tapping fee upon the owner of each dwelling
unit and/or improved property (other than such owner who is subject
to contractual or special agreements providing for the payment of
certain sums in lieu of a tapping fee) whose building sewer is connected
to the sewage collection system, regardless of whether such connection
is direct or indirect, including changing the type of use of the improved
property previously connected to connecting one or more new uses of
the type hereinafter referred to through an existing connection, and
regardless of whether such improved property is connected through
one or more building sewers or that the building sewer is owned by
the Township or by any owner other than the Township.
(2)
The tapping fee shall be established by resolution of the Township.
(3)
Each dwelling unit shall be charged separately, even though
two or more dwelling units are or will be connected through one building
sewer to the sewage collection system.
(4)
Every other improved property shall be charged a tapping fee
at the established rate multiplied by the ratio of the estimated or
actual flow of water per day for the improved property divided by
260 gallons of water per day. Whenever actual sewage or wastewater
flows exceed estimates, an additional tapping fee shall be charged.
(5)
Where any dwelling unit and/or improved property connected to the sewage collection system shall be converted, enlarged or remodeled, or additional buildings shall be constructed on the improved property and connected directly or indirectly to the sewage collection system, so as to create or establish additional uses as classified in Subsection 1A(1) hereof, an additional tapping fee determined in accordance with this section for each such additional use shall be payable to the Township by the owner of said dwelling unit and/or improved property.
(6)
Tapping fees are not a guarantee of capacity.
(7)
Tapping fees paid by the owner are retained by the owner and
are not transferrable between entities but can be transferred between
properties. The tapping fees can be reimbursed by the Township and
resold at its discretion.
B.
Connection Fee and Customer Facility Fee.
(1)
In addition to the tapping fee, the Township reserves to the
right to establish and charge a connection fee and/or a customer facility
fee. The connection fee shall relate to any costs to the Township
relative to the lateral, while the customer facility fee shall relate
to any costs to the Township relative to the building sewer.
(2)
The connection fee shall be established by resolution of the
Township.
(3)
The owner must install the building sewer. If the Township is
forced to install the building sewer, the customer facility fee shall
be equal to the Township's cost of installing said building sewer,
unless otherwise set by the Township.
C.
Due Date for Tapping, Connection and Customer Facility Fee.
(1)
Any tapping fee, connection fee, and/or customer facility fee
shall be due and payable at the time application is made to the Township
for a permit to connect to the sewage collection system, or upon the
date any other permit application is made to the Township to convert,
enlarge or remodel any dwelling unit or improved property or for any
additional buildings to be constructed on an improved property.
(2)
Should any dwelling unit and/or improved property not connect
to the sewage collection system as required by these rules, or any
other applicable regulations of the Township, then the tapping fee,
connection fee, and/or customer facility fee is due and payable when
said connection is made by the Township. Any other fees and charges
as a result of the Township making this connection are also due and
payable at this time.
(3)
Payment of tapping fees, connection fees and/or the customer
facility fees charged by the Township pursuant to this Part shall
be enforced by the Township in any manner appropriate under law at
the time in effect.
(4)
The Township reserves the right to adopt modifications of or
changes to its tapping fees, connection fees, and customer facility
fees.
1.
There are hereby imposed upon all Township users of the sewer system
the following sewer rentals:
A.
Water-Metered Sewer System Users. Sewer rental charges for all users
who have a metered water supply, except as may be specifically provided
for elsewhere in this Part, shall be at the rates established by resolution
of the Township in effect at the time of billing, which billing rates
may from time to time be changed, amended or adjusted, as established
by the Township.
B.
C.
Metered Water Not Discharged to Sewer System.
(1)
Whenever an industrial user with a metered water supply uses water that is not discharged into the sewer system, the quantity of water so used and not discharged into the sewer system shall be excluded in determining the sewer rental charge of said improved property; provided, however, that the quantity of water so used and not discharged in the sewer system is measured by a privately owned flow-measuring device as specified in § 18-106 of this Part, and provided that such discharge does not violate any other provisions of this Part.
(2)
The sewer rental charge to such improved property shall be computed
by deducting the water not discharged to the sewer system from the
total water meter readings. If, in the opinion of the Township, it
is not practical to install a privately owned flow-measuring device
to continuously determine the quantity of water not discharged into
the sewer system an estimated amount of percentage of water not discharged
into the sewer system may be made by the Township. Any dispute as
to the estimated amount of percentage shall be submitted, in writing,
to the Township within 30 days after notice of the estimate, whose
decision on the matter shall be final and binding for the current
year.
1.
Due Date. All sewer rentals and other sewer charges shall be due
as of the billing date, as may be established by the Township.
2.
Responsibility for Payment. The owner of any improved property shall
be responsible for payment of all sewer rental and other sewer charges.
Multiple owners of any improved property shall be jointly and severally
liable for any such sewer rentals and other sewer charges.
3.
Penalty for Late Payment. The sewer rental, rate, charge or surcharge
shall be payable within 30 days of the mailing of the bill. In the
event of any default in payment after the due date of such bill, a
penalty of 9% of the total of such outstanding sewer rental, rate,
charge or surcharge will be added to all such amounts due, and interest
at the rate of 1 1/2% per month on the total of such outstanding
sewer rental, rate, charge or surcharge will be added to all such
amounts due. A service charge of $20 shall be imposed on any check
or similar sight order of the payment of money not honored by the
drawee. In any enforcement proceeding, the Township shall be entitled
to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees costs, and other necessary
expenses, in addition to any other relief which may be awarded.
4.
Liens for Sewer Rentals and Charges. Sewer rentals or charges imposed
by this Part shall be a lien on the improved property connected to
and served by the sewer system; and any such sewer rentals or charges
which are not paid within 90 days after each due date applicable to
the particular improved property may be filed as a lien against the
improved property so connected to and served by the sewer system,
which lien shall be filed in the office of the Prothonotary of Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, and shall be collected in the manner provided
by law for the filing and collecting of municipal claims.
5.
Payment of Sewer Rentals and Charges on Vacant or Unoccupied Improved
Property. Sewer rental and charges shall accrue and be payable for
all periods during which an improved property has its building sewer
connected to the sewer system, irrespective of occupancy; provided,
however, that after the improved property has remained vacant and
unoccupied for one full quarterly billing period, the Township may
relieve the owner of the improved property from further sewer rentals
and charges during continuance of vacancy or nonuse if all water connections
and sources from which water is used on the improved property shall
be shut off and sealed or otherwise secured against use during such
period to the satisfaction of the Township.
6.
Reoccupied Improved Property. When a vacated improved property is
reoccupied, the owner shall give written notice to the Township of
reoccupancy and the date water to the improved property was turned
on.
7.
Failure to Pay Sewer Rentals and Charges. Upon the failure of any
person to pay in full any sewer rental, rate, charge or surcharge
within 90 days after the due date for such bill, the Township shall
have the right to terminate water and/or sewer service to the improved
property. After payment of all delinquent bills against such improved
property, service may be restored upon payment of all expenses which
have been incurred by the Township in terminating and restoring such
service.
1.
Nonmetered Water Service; Industrial Waste. A flow meter or other
measuring device shall be installed for the purpose of measuring wastewater
discharged to the sewer system from any improved property receiving
nonmetered water service from a public water supplier or any improved
property which discharges unmetered water from a private source to
the sewer system.
2.
Optional Flow Meter. Any owner of an improved property which discharges wastewater to the Township sewer system may notify the Township, in writing, of his, her, or its desire to have a wastewater flow-measuring device installed and to have the sewer rental charge and surcharges, if applicable, calculated as set forth in § 18-106, Subsection 1B, of this Part based upon the flow passing through such wastewater flow meter or other measuring device rather than the water consumed upon the improved property. The Township shall have the right to reject any request or application by any owner for use of a wastewater flow meter if the Township determines that the wastewater from the improved property is either insufficient for accurate measurement by a wastewater flow meter or of a type inappropriate for measurement by a wastewater flow meter. If, at any time after installation, Township determines that a wastewater flow meter cannot accurately measure the wastewater discharge, the Township shall have the right to require removal of such wastewater flow meter.
3.
Required Private Water Meter. If the Township rejects any request or application by any owner for use of a wastewater flow meter as outlined in Subsection 2 above, the owner of the improved property shall be required to furnish and install a private water meter, which shall be the property of the owner. If the owner of an improved property fails to install a private water meter, the Township shall have the right to enter upon the premises of the improved property and install a water meter, the cost of said water meter and installation thereof being paid for by the owner of the improved property.
4.
Installation and Maintenance. Prior to the installation of any flow meter or other measuring device described in Subsection 1, 2 or 3 above, the owner of said improved property shall submit complete plans, drawings and specifications for each proposed flow meter or other measuring device to the Township for its review and approval. Any costs associated with the preparation of the plans, drawings and specifications and the installation of said flow meter or other measuring devices shall be paid for by the owner of the improved property. All flow meters or other measuring devices shall be maintained, repaired, or replaced at the sole cost of the owner. Upon receipt of a written request from the Township, the owner of said flow meter or other measuring device shall have it inspected, tested and repaired as required and the results of said inspection, testing and repair submitted to the Township in writing. The cost of such inspection, testing and repair shall be paid by the owner of the meter. The Township also reserves the right to observe and record information from said flow meter or other measuring device at all reasonable times. Should the owner of an improved property not maintain, repair, replace or test said meter or other measuring device, the Township may undertake same and bill the owner accordingly.
1.
The Township shall impose upon a user any surcharge required by the
applicable sewage treatment plant operator.
1.
In addition to the sewer rental charges and the tapping, connection,
and customer facility fees, the Township reserves the right to provide
for the recovery of costs from industrial users for the implementation
of the industrial pretreatment requirements established by this Part
or the ordinances or rules of the sewage treatment plant operator.
The Township may, by resolution, adopt charges and fees to include
the following:
A.
Fees for reimbursement of costs of setting up and operating the industrial
pretreatment requirements;
B.
Fees for monitoring, inspections, and surveillance procedures;
C.
Fees for reviewing accidental discharge procedures (SPCC plans) and
construction;
D.
Fees for wastewater discharge permit applications;
E.
Fees for consistent removal (by the sewage treatment plant) of pollutants
otherwise subject to categorical standards; and
F.
Other fees as the Township may deem necessary to carry out the requirements
contained herein.
