This chapter shall be known as and may be cited
as the "Lower Saucon Township Ground Source Heat Pump Ordinance."
Certain watersheds in Lower Saucon Township
provide a source of drinking water for the Borough of Hellertown,
the Village of Springtown and for certain private water supply wells
in the carbonate geology aquifers. The artificial introduction into
the ground of circulating liquids creates a potential source of groundwater
contamination or new sinkhole formation, especially if said liquid
is circulated under pressure. Lower Saucon Township finds that the
installation and use of ground source heat pumps (hereafter GSHP)
in the Township are often designed and constructed with piping and/or
other facilities that do constitute artificial means by which circulating
liquids are introduced into the ground under pressure and, therefore,
that such systems are a matter of legitimate concern with respect
to issues of public health, safety and welfare and, therefore, the
regulation of the installation, use and inspection of same is warranted.
The following words or phrases, when used in
this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section,
except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
DRILLING
All acts necessary for the construction of wells such as
drilling, boring, coring, washing, digging, driving or jetting.
PERSON
A corporation, partnership, municipal authority or association,
as well as a natural person.
No permit shall be issued by the Township to
any applicant for a GSHP unless and until said applicant has demonstrated
that the following requirements will be met:
A. All ground source heat pump systems shall be closed-loop
systems. Open-loop GSHP systems shall not be permitted.
(1) GSHP systems to be designed and constructed in the
Township's Watershed Protection or Carbonate Geology Districts shall
be horizontal closed-loop systems. Outside the Watershed Protection
or Carbonate Geology Districts, either vertical or horizontal closed-loop
GSHP systems may be used.
(2) GSHP systems shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
(hereafter IGSHPA) Installation Standards, as same may be amended
and updated from time to time, and currently found at Section 6.3,
References, of the GSHP Manual of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection.
B. The perimeter of the GSHP subsurface loops, vertical
or horizontal, shall meet the following minimum isolation requirements:
(1) 100 feet from any existing or proposed drinking water
wells;
(2) 25 feet from any existing or proposed individual or
community on-lot sewage disposal system including any primary or alternate
drainfield sites;
(3) 25 feet from property lines, rights-of-way; and
(4) 25 feet from existing or proposed structures.
C. With respect to the subsurface loop of the GSHP systems:
(1) The subsurface loop piping for same must be made of
polyethylene or a substitute similar material approved by the Township.
All joints shall be sealed by heat fusion or IGSHPA certified process;
(2) GSHP systems shall be equipped with an automatic shutdown
device to prevent circulating fluids or oil leaks from migrating;
(3) Visual and audible alarms shall be installed in the
building or structure in the event of a system malfunction or leakage;
(4) Warning labels shall be prominently posted near the
interior mechanical system; and
(5) For closed-loop GSHP systems, only water or a mixture
of water and food-grade propylene glycol may be used as the circulating
fluid, unless a similarly inert fluid is approved for use by the Township.
D. A written plan shall provide for the operation and
periodic inspections of the GSHP system proposed by the system designer
and approved by the property owner which, among other matters, provides
that:
(1) Any GSHP system leaks or releases will be reported
by the owner to the Township Police Department within two hours of
the discovery of same, and the owner shall covenant and agree to take
all necessary appropriate action to minimize any fluid release to
the ground and to promptly repair any system leaks; and
(2) A system closure plan for use in the event of the
discontinuance of the use of the GSHP system.
E. The installation specifications and drawings for the
GSHP system have been submitted to and reviewed by the Township Engineer.
Fees required pursuant to this chapter shall
be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Township Council of
Lower Saucon Township, which fees shall relate to permit fees, application
costs, etc.