§ 129-3Definitions.
§ 129-4Requirements for individual sewage
disposal systems.
§ 129-5General restrictions.
§ 129-6Sewer construction.
§ 129-7Septic tanks.
§ 129-8Subsurface disposal field.
§ 129-9Regulations.
§ 129-10Permits.
§ 129-11Inspections.
§ 129-12Violations and penalties.
§ 129-13Construal of provisions.
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section.
- ENGINEER
- The Township Engineer or the Inspection Officer of the Township
of Daugherty.[Amended 2-14-1968 by Ord. No. 45]
- INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
- A sewage disposal system, other than a public or community system, which receives either human excreta or liquid waste, or both, from one or more premises. Included within the scope of this definition are septic tank soil absorption systems, privies and chemical-type toilets, and such other types as may be prescribed in regulations.
- PERMIT
- A written permit issued by the Township Secretary, pursuant to approval by the Township Engineer, permitting the construction of an individual sewage disposal system under this article.
- PERSON
- Any institution, public or private corporation, individual, partnership or other entity.
- SECRETARY
- The Township Secretary of the Township of Daugherty.
The following standards shall apply for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of individual sewage disposal systems in the Township of Daugherty.
No raw sewage, septic tank effluent or seepage from a soil absorption system shall be discharged to the surface of the ground or ground surface water, nor shall it be discharged into any rock formation, the structure of which is not conducive to purification of water by filtration.
No installations of individual sewage disposal systems shall be made in low areas or areas which may be subject to flooding.
In areas with a high groundwater table or where limestone or any geological formation similarly faulty is covered by less than 50 feet of earth, the final disposal unit shall be a tile field. The bottom of the trenches shall be above the water table and at least four feet above the surface of the faulty rock formation.
No bulldozers, trucks or other heavy machinery shall be driven over the system after installation.
No buried or concealed portion of the building sewer or building drain or branch thereof serving any premises shall be located less than the following minimum distances:
| Table I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sewer and Septic Tank Minimum Distances | ||
| Property line | 10 feet | |
| Occupied buildings | 10 feet | |
| Buried water pipe under pressure | 10 feet | |
| Domestic water supply | 50 feet | |
| Buried water pipe under suction | 50 feet | |
The portions of any buried sewer more than 50 feet from a well or buried suction line shall be of adequate size and constructed of cast iron, vitrified clay, cement-asbestos or bituminized fiber pipe. Any building drain or building sewer constructed of cast iron or cement and asbestos shall be not less than four inches in diameter, and any building sewer constructed of material other than cast iron or cement-asbestos shall be not less than six inches in diameter.
Bell and spigot of vitrified clay pipe shall be prepared to form a concentric opening uniform in width around the pipe, of which the opening shall be filled with an acceptable sewer joint compound. Cement joints shall be painted on the outside and left smooth on the inside by drawing a swab or scraper through the joint. The line shall have a grade of not less than 1/8 inch per foot. The 10 feet of sewer immediately preceding the septic tank shall slope not more than 1/4 inch per foot. No ninety-degree ells shall be permitted, and where the direction of the sewer is changed in excess of 45°, accessible cleanouts shall be provided.
No septic tank shall be located to provide less than the minimum distances as stated in Table I.
The liquid capacity of a septic tank serving a dwelling shall be based on the number of bedrooms contemplated in the dwelling, which is listed in the following Table II.
| Table II | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Capacities for Septic Tanks | |
| (Provides for use of garbage grinders, automatic washers and other household appliances) |
| Number of Bedrooms | Minimum Tank Capacity (gallons) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | 750 | |
| 3 | 900 | |
| 4* | 1,000 |
| NOTE: | ||
|---|---|---|
| * | For each additional bedroom, add 250 gallons. | |
| The liquid capacity of a septic tank shall provide a sewage detention period of not less than 24 hours in the tank. Sewage flow shall be computed according to types of establishment and water use. With sewage flows greater than 1,500 gallons per day, the liquid tank capacity shall equal 1,125 gallons plus 75% of the daily anticipated sewage flow. |
The liquid depth of any septic tank or compartment thereof shall be not less than 30 inches nor greater than six feet.
No tank or compartment thereof shall have an inside horizontal dimension less than 36 inches.
Inlet and outlet connections of the tank and of each compartment thereof shall be submerged by means of vented tees or baffles.
The space in the tank between the liquid surface and the top of the tank shall be not less than 20% of the total required liquid capacity; except that, in horizontal cylindrical tanks, this space shall be not less than 15% of the total required liquid capacity.
The inlet baffle or submerged pipe shall extend below liquid level at least six inches. In no case shall this penetration be greater than that allowed for the outlet device. The inlet baffle must extend at least one inch above the crown of the inlet sewer.
The outlet baffles or submerged pipe and the baffles or submerged pipes between compartments shall extend below the liquid surface not less than 12 inches or a distance equal to 40% of the liquid depth. The penetration of the outlet baffles or submerged pipes of a horizontal cylindrical tank shall be 35% of the total liquid depth.
There shall be at least one inch between the underside of the top of the tank and the highest point of the inlet and outlet devices and partitions to provide the required ventilation of the system through the main building stack.
The inlet invert shall be a minimum of three inches above the level of the outlet invert.
The tank shall be watertight, constructed of sound and durable material and not subject to excessive corrosion or decay.
Access to each compartment of the tank for inspection and sludge removal shall be provided by a manhole of at least twenty-inch dimension or removable cover. Where the top of the tank is located more than 18 inches below the finished grade, manholes and inspection holes shall extend to approximately eight inches below the finished grade.
If the septic tank has more than one compartment, the first compartment shall have a liquid capacity equal to at least 1/2 of the total liquid capacity.
The disposal field shall be located in an unobstructed and unshaded area. The distances given below shall be the minimum horizontal separations between the disposal field and the following:
| Table III | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location Subsurface Disposal Field | ||
| Any water supply or buried water suction pipe | 100 feet | |
| Streams | 50 feet | |
| Occupied buildings | 10 feet | |
| Large trees | 10 feet | |
| Property lines or buried pipe distributing water under pressure | 10 feet | |
When coarse soil formations are encountered, the one-hundred-foot distance specified in Subsection A may be increased by the Engineer.
Effluent from the septic tank shall be discharged to the absorption field through a watertight line with a grade of at least 1/4 inch per foot. Serial distribution of effluent may be required where the grade of the ground surface exceeds six inches in any direction within the area utilized for the absorption field.
When a distribution box is used, it shall have a removable cover and ensure equal distribution of effluent to tile field lateral lines. At least two lateral lines shall lead from the box.
Each tile field lateral line shall be connected separately to the distribution box and shall not be subdivided.
The inverts of all outlets shall be at the same elevation, and the inlet invert shall be at least one inch above the outlet inverts.
The outlet inverts shall be at least four inches above the bottom of the distribution box for the purpose of securing equal distribution of the septic tank effluent to each tile lateral.
In the event that septic tank effluent is discharged to the distribution box by pump or syphon, a baffle shall be installed in the distribution box. The baffle shall be secured to the bottom of the box and shall extend vertically to a point at level with the crown of the inlet pipe. The plane surface of the baffle shall be perpendicular to the inlet floor line.
Minimum seepage area of the disposal field shall be determined by a stabilized percolation rate. The soil shall have an acceptable percolation rate, without interference from groundwater or impervious strata below the level of the absorption system. The following conditions shall be met:
The maximum elevation of the groundwater table shall be at least four feet below the surface. Rock formations or other impervious strata shall be at a depth greater than four feet below the bottom of the trench.
The percolation time shall be within the range of those indicated in Tables IV and V.
Percolation tests.
Subdivisions:
An adequate number of tests shall be made (one per acre, or if soil conditions indicate, a greater number will be required) to show clearly the absorptive ability of the soil throughout the tract.
Each test hole shall be located by a key number on a topographic map of the tract.
Soil borings shall be made (one every five acres, or if subsoil conditions indicate, a greater number will be required) to show clearly the type of soil existing beneath the absorption area. Borings should extend to a point at least six feet below the finished grade of proposed absorption trenches.
Percolation test procedure.
Test holes with horizontal dimensions of from four inches to 12 inches and vertical sides shall be bored to the depth of the bottom of the proposed absorption device.
The bottom and sides of the holes shall be carefully roughened to provide a natural surface into which water may percolate.
All loose material shall be removed from the holes.
Approximately two inches of coarse sand or fine gravel shall be placed in the hole to protect the bottom from scouring and sediment.
The hole shall be filled with clear water to a minimum depth of 12 inches over the gravel.
This water level shall be maintained for a minimum of 12 hours.
| NOTE: In order that reliable test data (tests must yield comparable results in the same soil under different seasonal conditions) be obtained, proper soil swelling must be achieved. The recommended extended soaking period will provide the necessary time required for the mechanics of this swelling (intrusion of water into each individual soil particle) to occur, ensuring accurate determinations in soils of any classification. |
The percolation rate measurements shall be made 24 hours after water is first introduced into the hole by adjusting water level to six inches over the gravel and, from a fixed reference point, determining the water level drop at thirty-minute intervals over a four-hour period. (Where the soil permits a six-inch water level drop in less than 30 minutes, the time interval between observations shall be taken at 10 minutes and the test performed over a period of one hour.)
In all cases, the stabilized percolation rate shall be calculated from the water level drop corresponding to the final test interval.
In the event that the person applying for a permit shall perform and accomplish all of the procedures set forth herein for percolation tests without the assistance and direction of a registered civil engineer, and such tests are approved by the Engineer, then such person applying for a permit hereunder shall pay to the Township of Daugherty a sum in the amount as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for the inspection of such tests by the Engineer.
| Table IV Absorption Area Requirements for Private Residences (Provides for garbage grinder and automatic-sequence washing machines) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percolation Rate (time required for water to fall one inch, in minutes) | Required Absorption Area (in square feet per bedroom standard trench) | |
| 1 or less | 70 | |
| 2 | 85 | |
| 3 | 100 | |
| 4 | 115 | |
| 5 | 125 | |
| 10 | 165 | |
| 15 | 190 | |
| 30 | 250 | |
| 45 | 300 | |
| 60 | 330 | |
| (1) | In every case, sufficient area shall be provided for at least two bedrooms. | |
| (2) | Absorption area for standard trenches is computed as trench-bottom area. | |
| (3) | Soils are unsuitable for any subsurface leaching system if the percolation rate is 60 minutes or more. |
| Table V | ||
|---|---|---|
| Absorption Area Requirements for Other Establishments | ||
| Percolation-Rate (time in minutes for water to fall one inch) | Maximum Rate of Sewage Application for Standard Trenches (gallons per square foot per day) | |
| 1 or less | 5.0 | |
| 2 | 3.5 | |
| 3 | 2.9 | |
| 4 | 2.5 | |
| 5 | 2.2 | |
| 10 | 1.6 | |
| 15 | 1.3 | |
| 30 | 0.9 | |
| 45 | 0.8 | |
| 60 | 0.6 | |
| (1) | These figures do not include effluents from septic tanks that receive wastes from garbage grinders and automatic washing machines. | |
| (2) | Absorption area for standard trench is computed as trench-bottom area. |
Construction of disposal trenches.
Trenches in a disposal field shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards:
Minimum number of lines per field: two.
Maximum length of individual lines: 100 feet.
Minimum bottom width of trench: 12 inches.
Maximum bottom width of trench: 36 inches.
Minimum depth of tile lines (bottom): 18 inches.
Maximum depth of tile lines (bottom): 36 inches.
Uniform grade of tile trench: two inches to four inches per 100 feet.
Uniform grade of tile lines: two to four inches per 100 feet.
Minimum aggregate under tile: six inches.
Minimum aggregate material over tile: two inches.
Spacing of trenches, see Table VI.
| Table VI | ||
|---|---|---|
| Distances Between Trenches | ||
| Trench Width (inches) | Minimum Distance Between Center Line of Trenches (feet) | |
| 12 to 18 | 6.0 | |
| 18 to 24 | 6.5 | |
| 24 to 30 | 7.0 | |
| 30 to 36 | 7.5 | |
Pipe used for the line between the septic tank and distribution box and between the distribution box and tile laterals to the point when the laterals are separated shall have watertight joints. Pipes used under driveways or other areas subject to heavy loads shall be bell and spigot cast iron with leaded caulked joints or equal.
Field tile used in the disposal field shall be four-inch agricultural drain tile 12 inches in length and shall be laid with one-fourth-inch open joints. Alternate materials may be used if equivalent performance is indicated.
Aggregate materials shall be crushed stone, gravel or similar insoluble, durable and acceptable material 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in size. The filter materials shall completely encase the tile.
The top of the aggregate material shall be covered with untreated building paper to prevent settling of backfill material into the filter material.
The trench above the aggregate material shall be filled over and hand tamped with four inches to six inches of earth.
The Engineer shall, from time to time, prepare such rules and regulations pertinent hereto and not inconsistent with the terms hereof as shall be reasonable and desirable for the implementation and administration of this article, which rules and regulations, when approved by the Board of Supervisors of the Township, shall be of full force and effect.
The provisions of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act,
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend individual sewage disposal systems within the Township of Daugherty unless he holds a valid permit therefor issued by the Secretary in the name of such person for the specific construction, alteration or extension proposed. Such permit shall be in addition to any other building permit required and must be obtained prior to construction, alteration and extension of the residence or facility to be served by the system to be constructed, altered or extended.
All applications for permits, together with a permit fee as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors payable to the Township to cover the cost thereof, shall be made to the Secretary, who shall thereafter issue a permit upon certification by the Engineer that the applicant has complied with all provisions of this article and any regulations adopted hereunder. Should said application be denied by the Engineer for failure to properly comply with this article and any such regulations, the Secretary shall give prompt written notice thereof to the applicant. Such permit when issued shall be displayed in a conspicuous place so that the permit is visible from the street or highway upon which the premises fronts.
No permit shall be granted for the construction of an individual sewage disposal system where public or community sewerage systems are reasonably available to the property to be served.
Applications for permits shall be in writing, shall be signed by the applicant and shall include the following:
Name and address of the applicant and of the owner of the property involved, if other than the applicant.
Lot number and name of plan, if any, of property on which construction, alteration or extension is proposed. Location of lot must be reasonably designated in absence of lot number and plan name.
Complete plan of the proposed disposal facility, with substantiating data, if necessary, attesting to its compliance with the minimum standards of this article.
Such further information as may be required by the Engineer to substantiate that the proposed construction, alteration or extension complies with this article and any regulations adopted hereunder.
A complete plan for the purpose of obtaining a permit as herein provided for shall include:
The number, location and size of all sewage disposal facilities to be constructed, altered or extended.
The location of water supplies, water supply piping, existing sewage disposal facilities, buildings or dwellings, and adjacent lot lines.
Plans of the proposed sewage disposal facilities to be constructed, altered or extended.
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 Board of Supervisors of the Township within 30 days after receipt of such request. Following such hearing and within 10 days thereafter, the Board of Supervisors shall sustain, modify or reverse the action appealed from and give prompt written notice thereof to the appellant.
The Engineer is hereby authorized and directed to make such inspections as are necessary to determine satisfactory compliance with this article and regulations promulgated hereunder.
It shall be the duty of the owner or occupant of a property to give the Engineer and any other Township official authorized by the Board of Supervisors of the Township 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 and regulations promulgated hereunder.
Any person who violates any provision of this article or any provision of any regulation duly adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township pursuant to authority granted by this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $5,000, plus costs, or to imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both. For this purpose, each day's failure to comply with the terms hereof shall constitute a separate violation.
In any case where a provision of this article is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety or health ordinance or code of the Township of Daugherty existing on the effective date of this article, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail. In any case where a provision of this article is found to be in conflict with a provision of any other ordinance or code of the Township of Daugherty existing on the effective date of this article which establishes a lower standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people, the provisions of this article shall be deemed to prevail, and such other ordinances or codes are hereby declared to be repealed to the extent that they may be found in conflict with this article.
