As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ABSORPTION AREA
A component of an individual or community sewage system where
liquid from a septic tank seeps into the soil; it consists of an aggregate-filled
area containing piping for the distribution of liquid in the soil
or sand/soil combination located beneath the aggregate.
AUTHORIZED AGENT
The Township Codes Enforcement Officer, a sewage enforcement
officer, employee of the Township, professional engineer, plumbing
inspector or any other qualified or licensed person who is authorized
to function within specified limits as an agent of West Goshen Township
to administer or enforce the provisions of this article.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township, Chester
County, Pennsylvania.
COMMUNITY ON-LOT DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (COLDS)
Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the
collection of sewage of a liquid nature from two or more lots, and
the treatment and/or disposal of the sewage on one or more of the
lots or at any other location for final disposal in whole or in part
into the soil. This includes land application by spray irrigation.
LOT
A parcel of land, the land area of which is contiguous and undivided by a street and which conforms to the provisions of Chapter
84, Zoning, and Chapter
72, Subdivision of Land, of the code of the Township of West Goshen and any other Township ordinances, codes, regulations, plans and maps; or any other parcel or tract of land whether or not improved.
MALFUNCTION
A condition which occurs when an on-lot sewage disposal system
discharges sewage onto the surface of the ground, into groundwaters
of this commonwealth or into surface waters of this commonwealth,
backs up into a building connected to the system or in any manner
causes a nuisance or hazard to the public health or pollution of ground
or surface water or contamination of public or private drinking water
wells. Systems shall be considered to be malfunctioning if any condition
noted above occurs for any length of time during any period of the
year.
ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEM
A system of piping, treatment tanks or other facilities serving
a single lot and collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into
a subsurface absorption area or spray irrigation system.
OWNER
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 commonwealth, political
subdivision, municipality, district, authority or other legal entity
which is recognized by the law as the subject of rights and duties,
being the title owner of property in West Goshen Township. The term
includes 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.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation or other legal entity.
SEWAGE
Any substance that contains any of the waste products or
excrement or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals
and any noxious or deleterious substances being harmful or inimical
to the public health or to animal or aquatic life or to the use of
water for domestic water supply or for recreation or which constitutes
pollution under the Act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394) known
as the "Clean Streams Law," as amended.
TOWNSHIP
West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
TREATMENT TANK
A watertight receptacle which receives the discharge of sewage
from a house or building sewer line and is designed and constructed
so as to permit settling of settleable solids from the liquid digestion
of the organic matter by detention and discharge of the liquid portion
into a distribution system or pit for underground dispersion or elevated
sand mound, individual spray irrigation. Treatment tanks include septic
tanks, cesspools, aerobic units and the like.
When the Township becomes aware of a violation(s)
of this article, regulations promulgated by the Township hereunder
or County Health Department regulations, it shall report such violation(s)
to the Chester County Health Department and/or PADEP. All facilities
provided for in this article shall be subject to the applicable rules
and regulations of Chester County Health Department and/or PADEP.
Any person who violates any provision of this
article or who fails to comply with any of its provisions or regulations
promulgated hereunder or who fails or refuses to comply with any lawful
notice, order or direction of the Codes Enforcement Officer or authorized
agent issued pursuant to this article shall be guilty of a summary
offense and, upon conviction by a District Justice, shall pay a fine
of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, together with the costs
of prosecution, and upon default in payment of the fine and costs,
shall be subject to imprisonment in the county prison for a term not
exceeding 30 days. Each day during which any violation of this article
continues shall constitute a separate offense punishable by like fine
or imprisonment.
The Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution,
adopt a fee schedule for the administration of this article. Said
schedule shall be kept on file by the Township Secretary and shall
be reviewed and revised as necessary.