[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Cinnaminson 7-15-1992
by Ord. No. 1992-12 (Sec. 1.120 of the 1995 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Amended 2-18-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4]
A.
The Township of Cinnaminson ("Township") finds that the
reduction of the amount of extraneous flow to its sanitary sewer system is
an important public concern and is necessary in order to comply with the New
Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NJPDES") permit issued to
the Township of Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority ("Sewerage Authority"). A portion
of this extraneous flow enters the sanitary system via sump pumps, roof drains
and other drainage devices connected directly to the Sewerage Authority's
sanitary sewer system.
B.
The Township also finds that control and prohibition
of sump pump discharges onto sidewalks, streets and roads of the Township
is important to the protection of public health and safety. Extraneous and
uncontrolled discharges from sump pumps have resulted in water ponding on
the surfaces of sidewalks, streets and roads of the Township, which, during
certain times of the year, freezes causing a substantial hazard to both vehicles
and pedestrians. In addition, extraneous flow from sump pump discharge has
the potential to enter the Township's stormwater collection system, through
a number of possible entry points, including manholes and catch basins, which
if the sump pump discharge has become contaminated with oil, grease or other
pollutants, creates the potential for violation of the Township's NJPDES permit
parameters. For all these reasons, the Township finds and declares it to be
in the best interest of the citizens of the Township that uncontrolled sump
pump discharge to sidewalks, streets and roads within the Township be prohibited.
Accordingly, any sump pump discharge to sidewalks, streets and roads within
the Township is prohibited and is subject to prosecution in accordance with
this chapter.
C.
For the purpose of this chapter, a "direct connection"
is one that is intentionally installed in a manner which allows extraneous
flow to enter the sanitary sewer system by piping connected to the sanitary
sewer lines from any building or lot. No industrial waste shall be deposited
or permitted to enter the sanitary sewer system except upon application to
and approval by the Sewerage Authority.
The title of this chapter shall be "Sump Pumps, Roof Drains or Any Other
Drainage Devices."
[Amended 2-18-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4]
A.
Transfer of ownership.
(1)
The Township shall require a regulatory compliance certificate
from the office of the Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority on any sale or transfer
of property to ensure that extraneous flow is not entering the Sewerage Authority's
sanitary sewer system, or being discharged to Township sidewalks, streets
or roads. Said regulatory compliance certificate, upon issuance, must be presented
to the purchaser or transferee of the property in question.
(2)
An inspection of said properties will be conducted by
a representative of the Sewerage Authority before the regulatory compliance
certificate is issued. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner
to schedule an inspection with the office of the Sewerage Authority.
(3)
Should this inspection result in the discovery of sump
pumps, roof drains and/or any other drainage devices connected directly to
the Sewerage Authority's sanitary sewer system, or being discharged onto Township
sidewalks, streets or roads, the regulatory compliance certificate will not
be issued.
(4)
An approval shall only be issued if these connections
are permanently removed from the Sewerage Authority's sanitary system in a
manner approved by the Sewerage Authority, and such removal requires a plumbing
permit and inspection by the Plumbing Subcode Official, or at the owner's
expense plumb the discharge such that any and all flow originating from the
sump pump is either:
(5)
If conditions preclude the immediate disconnection of
the disallowed flow, an approved cash guaranty, escrow, bond or letter of
credit, in the amount of $1,000, shall be posted with the Authority to guarantee
the completion of said work. Upon the posting of the guaranty, the Sewerage
Authority shall issue the regulatory compliance certificate. Any cash guaranty,
with accrued interest, will be released to the property owner upon inspection
and approval by the Sewerage Authority or if an approved or acceptable bond
or letter of credit is posted, the same shall be released. If the disconnection
is not accomplished within a six-month period, then the owner shall forfeit
the bond and the Authority will complete the work.
B.
All properties regardless of transfer status.
(1)
The owner of any property or building with a sump pump
shall, at the owner's sole cost and expense, plumb the discharge such that
any and all flow originating from that sump pump is either retained on the
property where the sump pump is located or discharged directly to the Township's
existing stormwater collection system. For purposes of this chapter, if the
owner elects to retain the sump pump discharge on the property where the sump
pump is located, the owner must do so in a way that does not cause or create
any ponding of water on, or flooding of, any neighboring property, even if
that neighboring property is owned by the same person subject to the requirements
of this chapter. In addition, for purposes of this chapter if the owner elects
to connect the sump pump directly to the Township's existing stormwater collection
system, the owner must obtain from the Township's Building Department a permit
to make such interconnection, which permit or approval may be withheld by
the Township at its sole discretion in the event the Township's Building Department
finds that such an interconnection causes or creates a public health or safety
hazard or a potential that the direct discharge will result in the violation
of the Township's NJPDES permit.
(2)
For properties with sump pumps installed and operating prior to the effective date of this chapter, the owner of the property subject to the requirements of this chapter, shall comply with Subsection B(1) within six months of the effective date. The Township may mandate a property owner comply with this chapter prior to the six-month deadline, if it determines that the flow from that property is jeopardizing the public safety and welfare.
(3)
The Township shall inspect properties with sump pumps
after the six-month period has expired to determined whether this article
has been complied with. If access is not voluntarily obtained from the property
owner or tenant therein, application may be made to the Superior Court for
permission to gain necessary access to make the inspection to determine whether
sump pump flow is discharged onto Township sidewalks, streets and/or roads.
C.
Initial inspection. The Sewerage Authority shall, prior
to December 31, 1993, provide a representative to make a survey of every property
to determine whether the property has any sump pump, downspout or other drainage
device located thereon. The survey shall consist of examinations of the exterior
of the building and, if necessary, the interior to ascertain the presence
of sump pumps or other drains into the sewerage system. If access is not voluntary
obtained from the property owner or tenant therein, application shall be made
to the Superior Court for permission to gain the necessary access to make
the appropriate survey to determine whether subsoil drains or roof drains
are connected to the system in violation of the New Jersey State Plumbing
Code 13.1.5.a, 13.1.5.b or 13.1.5.c or 13.5.
[Amended 2-18-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4]
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject
to a fine not exceeding $1,250, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days;
or community service for a period not exceeding 90 days; in the discretion
of the court. A separate offense shall be committed for each day during which
a violation occurs or continues.
