[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Concord: Art. I, 12-6-1988 by Ord. No. 166;
Art. II, 6-4-1991 by Ord. No. 178. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 8-5-2004 by Ord. No. 284[1]]
A.Â
ABSORPTION AREA
AUTHORITY
BAFFLE
BUILDING SEWER
BUILDING SEWER CLEANOUT
BUILDING TRAP
CESSPOOL
CLEAN STREAMS LAW
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEM (COLDS)
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEM
CONCORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY - INSTALLED SEWER LINES
DOMESTIC STRENGTH WASTE
EATING OR DRINKING PLACE
FOOD OR BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING AND MERCHANDISING ESTABLISHMENTS
FRESH-AIR VENT
GREASE TRAP
GRINDER PUMP
IMPROVED PROPERTY
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEM
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
INSTITUTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT
LATERAL, AUTHORITY-OWNED
LATERAL, PRIVATELY OWNED
LIQUID WASTE
MALFUNCTION
MUNICIPALITY
OFFICIAL PLAN
OWNER
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
PRIVATE DWELLING OR LIVING UNIT
PUBLIC SEWER
RETAINING TANK
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(4)Â
(5)Â
(6)Â
SANITARY SEWAGE
SEPARATOR
SEPTAGE TRANSPORTER
SEWER MANAGER
SEWER SYSTEM
SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM
STREAM DISCHARGE SYSTEM
TOWNSHIP
TREATMENT TANK
(1)Â
(2)Â
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates
otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this article shall be as follows:
A component of an individual or community sewage disposal system
where liquid from a treatment tank seeps into the soil.
Concord Township Sewer Authority.
The treatment tank appurtenance serving the purpose of slowing the
incoming sewage flow to facilitate solids settling.
The portion of the sewage drainage system of any structure to a point
five feet outside the structure.
A cleanout on the building sewer just inside or outside the building
wall through which the sewer may be cleaned.
A device, fitting or assembly of fittings installed on the building
drain to prevent circulation of air between the drainage system of the building
and the building sewer.
A hole dug or container installed on improved property below the
surface of the ground which is designed to collect and to disperse and dispose
of all liquids collected by the structure's on-site sewage collection
system.
The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, 35 P.S. §§ 691.1
through 691.101.
The Township employee(s) charged with the enforcement of all Township
ordinances, codes and regulations relating to health, safety and the appearance
and maintenance of properties throughout the Township, and the inspection
of properties in the Township for purposes of the issuance of permits, licenses
and certificates of occupancy.
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the purposes
of carrying on a trade, business or profession or for social, amusement, religious,
educational, charitable or public uses.
A system of piping, tanks or other facilities, whether publicly or
privately owned, serving two or more lots and collecting, treating and disposing
of sewage into a soil absorption area or retaining tank.
A sewage facility, whether publicity or privately owned, for the
collection, treatment and/or disposal of sewage from two or more lots or two
or more equivalent dwelling units.
Sewer lines installed by Concord Township Sewer Authority as distinguished
from those sewer lines, mains, laterals, pumps stations, etc., installed by
developers and subsequently accepted for dedication by Concord Township Sewer
Authority.
Sewage of the strength that is normally discharged from a residence,
i.e., toilet wastes and kitchen wastes. All other wastes of any form will
be considered "industrial wastes" and are subject to rules and regulations
covering industrial waste.
Any establishment where food, foodstuff or beverages are served or
provided for human consumption, with or without charge, including among others,
hotels, restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, clubs, boardinghouses, ice cream parlors,
soda water or soft drink fountains, and bars or taverns.
Any establishment where food, food products and beverages are manufactured,
processed, packaged or bottled, or sold for consumption off the premises of
the seller, including among others, bakeries, beverage distributors, bottlers,
candy and confectionery manufacturers, dairies, frozen-food-locker plants,
wholesalers and retailers, and operators of vending machine services.
A direct connection leading from the building trap to the outer air.
A device installed in a sanitary waste pipe for the purpose of collecting
grease and preventing it from continuing to travel in the waste piping system.
Grease traps may be installed internally, in the inside of a building at the
various grease-producing plumbing fixtures and equipment, or they may be installed
externally, outside of the building.
A submersible, electric motor-driven pump capable of macerating all
material found in normal domestic sanitary sewage, including reasonable amounts
of objects such as plastics, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers and the
like, to a fine slurry and pumping this material through a small-diameter
discharge pipe. The grinder pump shall be housed in a vented, watertight enclosure.
Any property located within the Township upon which there is erected
a structure intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use
by human beings or animals and from which structure sanitary sewage and/or
industrial wastes shall be or may be discharged.
A collection of piping, tanks and other facilities privately owned,
for collecting, treating and disposing of sewage from one lot. These facilities
shall include retaining tanks, soil absorption areas, individual spray fields
and individual stream discharge systems and all appurtenances.
An individual sewage system which serves a single dwelling and which
treats and disposes of sewage using a system of piping, treatment tanks and
soil renovation through spray irrigation.
A system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single lot
and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or
into waters of this Commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site
for final disposal.
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the manufacturing,
fabricating, processing, cleaning, laundering or assembly of any product,
commodity or article, or from which any process waste, as distinct from domestic
strength sewage, shall be discharged.
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or water borne wastes or form
of energy rejected or escaping from any industrial, manufacturing, trade or
business enterprise or from the development, recovery or processing of natural
resources, as distinct from domestic strength sanitary sewage. Industrial
sewage must be treated by the owner of the premises to domestic waste strength
and composition.
Any room, group of rooms, building(s) or other enclosure which does
not constitute a commercial establishment, a dwelling unit, or an industrial
establishment.
The piping extending from the public sewer to the right-of-way or
easement line adjacent to any property. This lateral is owned and maintained
by the Authority.
That portion of piping extending between the point of connection
at the Authority-owned lateral and the building sewer. This lateral is and
shall be owned and maintained by the property owner.
Sewage pumped from septic tank cesspools, holding tanks, privies
and nontoxic biodegradable industrial waste liquids.
The failure of any part, component or appurtenance of a sewage disposal
system which results in the backup of sewage into a building or the discharge
of untreated or partially treated sewage to the surface of the ground or the
waters of the Commonwealth.
The Township of Concord.
The current comprehensive Act 537[1] sewage facilities plan of Concord Township as adopted by the Board
of Supervisors and as may be amended and revised from time to time.
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial,
of any property located in Concord Township.
The person or persons appointed or designated by the Township for
the purpose of enforcing Township ordinances, codes and regulations as related
to plumbing.
A any structure intended to be occupied as a whole by one family
or an apartment intended to be occupied by one family or any other one-family
living unit.
All facilities owned and operated by the Authority for the collection,
transportation, treatment or disposal of sanitary sewage.
A watertight receptacle, whether temporary or permanent, which receives
and retains sewage and is designed and constructed to facilitate ultimate
disposal of the sewage at another site. The term includes but is not limited
to:[2]
CHEMICAL TOILETA permanent or portable nonflushing toilet using chemical treatment in the retaining tank for odor control.
HOLDING TANKA tank, whether permanent or temporary, to which sewage is conveyed by a water-carrying system.
PRIVYA tank designed to receive sewage where water under pressure is not available.
INCINERATING TOILETA device capable of reducing waste materials to ashes.
COMPOSTING TOILETA device for holding and processing human and organic kitchen waste, employing the process of biological degradation through the action of microorganisms to produce a stable, humus-like material.
RECYCLING TOILETA device in which the flushing medium is restored to a condition suitable for reuse in flushing.
The liquid carrying domestic-strength household and toilet wastes
from residences, business buildings, institutions, and commercial and industrial
establishments.
A device installed in a sanitary waste pipe for the purpose of separating
and collecting oily and/or flammable wastes, sands, heavy solids, glass, rags,
feathers and/or other similar materials, which may have a detrimental effect
on the operation of the sewer system or sewage treatment facility and preventing
them from continuing to travel in the waste piping system.
An individual, company or corporation licensed to and engaged in
the business of removing liquid sewage waste as defined herein and disposing
of said waste in an approved manner.
Any person who may, from time to time, be placed in general charge
of the sewer system.
All facilities owned and operated by the Authority for the collection,
transportation, treatment or disposal of sanitary sewage.
Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, designed, constructed
and operated for the purpose of collecting, treating and disposing of sewage
using a system of piping, treatment tanks and soil renovation utilizing spray
land application.
Any system designed and permitted to collect and treat sewage and
discharge treated effluent to a watercourse, swale or storm sewer.
The Township of Concord, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
A watertight tank designed to retain sewage long enough for satisfactory
bacterial decomposition of the solids to take place; the term includes but
is not restricted to the following:
SEPTIC TANKA treatment tank that provides for anaerobic decomposition of sewage prior to its discharge to an absorption area.
AEROBIC SEWAGE TREATMENT TANKA mechanically aerated treatment tank that provides aerobic biochemical stabilization of sewage prior to its discharge to a stream or absorption area.
Rivers, streams, creeks, improvements, ditches, watercourses, storm
sewers, lakes, dammed water, ponds, springs and other bodies or channels of
conveyance of surface and underground water or any of their parts.
B.Â
Word usage. All other words and terms, when used in this
chapter, shall have the meanings set forth in the Pennsylvania Code, Title
25, Chapter 73, Standards for Sewage Disposal Facilities, of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
This section applies to all facilities for collecting, pumping, transporting,
treating and/or disposing of sanitary sewage and industrial wastes, situated
in or adjacent to the Township of Concord and owned, maintained and operated
by the Township or the Concord Township Sewer Authority.
A.Â
Any and all sanitary sewer systems and appurtenances
in the Township of Concord shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained
in accordance with and pursuant to rules and regulations adopted, from time
to time, by Concord Township, the Concord Township Sewer Authority, the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, and the United States Environmental
Protection Agency.
B.Â
A certified copy of all such rules and regulations adopted
by the Concord Township Sewer Authority shall be filed with the Township for
informational purposes within 30 days after their adoption by the Authority
and available for review during business hours.
This section applies to all community sewerage systems located in the
Township of Concord, including systems privately owned and publicly owned
and including stream discharge systems and community on-lot systems.
A.Â
Any and all community sewerage systems located in the
Township of Concord, now existing or hereafter established, shall be designed,
installed, operated and maintained in accordance with and pursuant to rules
and regulations adopted from time to time by Concord Township, the Concord
Township Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
B.Â
A certified copy of all such rules and regulations adopted
by the Concord Township Sewer Authority shall be filed with the Township for
informational purposes, within 30 days after their adoption by the Authority
and available for review during business hours.
A.Â
No water shall be provided for internal or external use
to any residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, governmental
or public building or structure of any kind which is constructed or remodeled,
and in which plumbing, water piping or water fixtures are to be installed,
extended or altered in any way, and for which construction a permit is required
to be obtained from Concord Township (or would be required but for an exemption
from a permit requirement for public or governmental agencies) unless the
new, extended or altered plumbing, water piping and other water using fixtures
therein conform to the requirements and standards of this article.
B.Â
All persons shall be encouraged not to permit any water
furnished by Chester Water Authority or other purveyor of water to run to
waste in any gutter or other impervious surface.
C.Â
Each resident or property owner of the Township of Concord not subject to the application of this article is urged to install fixtures which will reduce the quantity of water required to flush toilets and to reduce the flow rates of showers and faucets by employing measures and observing the standards set forth in Subsection D herein.
D.Â
Buildings or structures which are subject to the application
of this article shall be bound by the following specifications:
(1)Â
Water closets operated by flush tanks (water-saving water
closets) having an average consumption over 6.0 Lpf (1.6 gpf), but not exceeding
13.2 Lpf (3.5 gpf) when tested per the test procedures contained in ASME A112.19.6.
(2)Â
Water closets and urinals operated by flushometers:
(a)Â
Low-consumption water closets having an average consumption
of 6.0 Lpf (1.6 gpf) or less when tested per the test procedures contained
in ASME A112.19.6.
(b)Â
Low-consumption urinals having an average consumption
of 3.8 Lpf (1.0 gpf) or less when tested per the test procedures contained
in ASME A112.19.6.
(3)Â
Showerheads. Showerhead discharge rates shall not exceed
2.5 gpm when tested per the test procedures contained in ASME A112.18.1-2000.
(4)Â
Sink faucets.
(a)Â
Kitchen sink faucet discharge rates must comply with
the maximum flow rates as indicated within table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000
when tested per the test procedures set forth in table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000.
(b)Â
Residential lavatory sink faucet discharge rates must
comply with the maximum flow rates as indicated within table 4 of ASME A112.18.12000
when tested per the test procedures set forth in table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000.
(c)Â
Nonresidential lavatory faucets shall be either self-closing
or metering faucets as described below:
[1]Â
Self-closing faucets must comply with the maximum flow
rates as indicated within table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000 when tested per the
test procedures set forth in table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000.
[2]Â
Metering faucets shall be field adjustable and set so
that the discharge quantity complies with the maximum flow rates as indicated
with in table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000 when tested per the test procedures
set forth in table 4 of ASME A112.18.1-2000.
(5)Â
Blowout toilets and urinals. Replacement of blowout toilet
and urinal fixtures with like-type fixtures may be granted by the Township
upon request where adequate justification of special need is provided.
(6)Â
Pressure-reducing valve. Where the service water pressure
to a building is expected to exceed 60 psi, a water-pressure-reducing valve
with strainer shall be installed just downstream of the building's main
valve so as to be accessible. The valve shall provide for pressure adjustment
within the range of 40 to 60 psi. The valve shall conform to the requirements
of product standard ASSE 1003. Exemptions to this subsection are service lines
to sill cocks, outside hydrants and main supply risers to buildings where
pressure from the mains does not exceed 60 psi at the fixture branches or
at individual fixtures.
E.Â
Any person(s) may apply to the Township of Concord for
an exception from the terms of this subsection, which exception may be granted
in the discretion of the Board of Supervisors upon proof that some other device,
system or procedure will save as much or more water as those set forth herein,
or that those set forth herein cannot be complied with without undue hardship.
F.Â
The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, modify,
add to or remove from the standards and restrictions set forth herein.
All owners of land intended to be improved and developed shall, as part
of final approval of the improvement or development, agree to design and install
a capped sewer system for connection to and becoming part of the sewer system
of the Concord Township Sewer Authority if the sewer system has not yet been
completed in the area of the development.
A.Â
Capped sewers shall be required to be installed in accordance
with all Authority regulations. The sewers shall be installed in their entirety,
including capped laterals for each lot extended to the right-of-way or easement
line. When capped sewers are provided, on-site sewage facilities shall also
be provided. Capped sewers shall be accepted for dedication at such time as
the Authority deems practical. Until such time, capped sewers shall remain
privately owned by the developer or homeowners' association pursuant
to the rules and regulations of the Concord Township Sewer Authority.
B.Â
The capped sewer system shall be in accordance with the
applicable Township and Sewer Authority specifications and standards. Routing
and limits of the sewer to be installed shall be as approved by the Authority.
Laterals will be a minimum of four inches in diameter and will be installed
to the right-of-way line. All laterals will have a cleanout installed at the
end. A manufactured cap of the type intended for use with the type of pipe
being installed will be used to seal the end of the lateral. The developer
will submit to the Authority a sketch of each lateral showing the location
and depth of the end of each lateral.
C.Â
A certified copy of all specifications and standards
for capped sewers adopted by the Concord Township Sewer Authority shall be
filed with the Township for informational purposes and shall be available
for review during business hours.
A.Â
Connection requirements.
(1)Â
The owner of any property whose principal building(s)
is/are within 150 feet of the Concord Township Sewer Authority - installed
sewer lines shall connect with and use the sewer system in such manner as
the Authority may require within 60 days after notice to such owner from the
Township, to make such connection, for the purpose of discharge of all normal
domestic-strength sanitary waste from such property, subject to such limitations
and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall he established
by this Township or the Authority from time to time,
(a)Â
Any residential property owner who is directed to connect
to the Township sewer system may, within 30 days of receipt of the notice
to connect, apply in writing to the Board of Supervisors of Concord Township
for permission to delay the required connection.
(b)Â
The Board of Supervisors of Concord Township will, upon
receipt of a timely written request for a delay in connecting to the Concord
Township Sewer Authority sewer system, promptly schedule a public hearing
to consider the residential property owner's request.
(c)Â
The Board of Supervisors of Concord Township may, by majority vote at the conclusion of the public hearing, grant a residential property owner's request to delay, for a specified period not to exceed two years, the mandatory connection to the Township sewer system referred to in subsection A(1) above until the happening of one of the following:
[1]Â
Sale or voluntary or involuntary transfer of the property
or any portion of the property;
[2]Â
Failure or malfunction of the property's on-site
sewage system, or
[3]Â
The expiration of the extension period granted to the
property owner by the Board of Supervisors by majority vote at the public
hearing on the extension request.
(d)Â
In considering the request for an extension filed by
a residential property owner, the Board of Supervisors shall take into consideration:
(e)Â
The Board of Township Supervisors may, after a hearing,
if the owner of the improved property establishes substantial hardship precluding
immediate connection to the sewer system and establishes that the current
on-site sewage disposal system is functioning properly, extend the period
within which the connection to the sewer system must be made for up to 24
months. Any such extension granted by the Board of Supervisors shall be applicable
only to the original applicant and shall be rendered void upon the sale or
transfer of the property or any portion thereof.
(2)Â
No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar
receptacle shall be used or maintained at any time upon any improved property
which has been connected to the sewer system or which is required under this
section to be connected to the sewer system. Every such privy vault, cesspool,
sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle in existence shall be abandoned
and shall be cleansed and filled, and any such privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole,
septic tank or similar receptacle not so abandoned and cleansed and filled
shall constitute a nuisance, and such nuisance may be abated by the Township
as provided by law, at the expense of the owner of such improved property,
such expense to include the Township's attorney fees.
(3)Â
All such holding vessels or receptacles shall be decommissioned
at or before the time that the connection is made to the sewer system and
shall be accomplished as follows:
(a)Â
All existing residue shall be pumped out by a licensed
septage transporter and be removed for off-site disposal. Under no circumstances
may the residue be introduced into the new sewer line.
(b)Â
The vessel or receptacle's bottom shall be broken
after all residue has been removed and its lid collapsed into the vessel or
receptacle. The volume must then be filed with A-1 type stone mix.
(c)Â
All conduits leading from the vessel or receptacle shall
be disconnected and all openings shall be similarly filled.
(d)Â
All existing fields shall then be abandoned, but no structures
of any kind, including sheds, garages or other accessory uses, may be erected
over the filled vessels or abandoned fields.
(4)Â
No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar
receptacle may at any time be connected with the sewer system.
(5)Â
The notice to an owner by the Township to make a connection
to the sewer system shall consist of a written or printed document or letter
addressed to the record owner of the improved property requiring connection
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and specifying that such
connection shall be made within 60 days from the date such notice is given.
Such notice may be issued at any time after a sewer is in place which can
receive and convey normal domestic strength waste for treatment and disposal
from the particular property. Such notice shall be served upon the owner either
by personal service or by registered mail or by such method as at the time
may be provided by state law.
(6)Â
If the owner of any property whose principal building
is within 150 feet of the sewer system, after 60 days notice in accordance
with this section, shallt fail to connect such property and/or fail to pay
the required fees and/or fail to use the sewer system as required, the Township
may cause such property to be entered upon and connected to the sewer system
as provided by law. The Township shall collect from such owner the actual
costs and expenses incurred in such work.
(7)Â
Where connection to the sewer system is made by the Township
after notice to the owner, the Township shall immediately upon completion
of the work send an itemized bill for the cost of the construction of such
connection to the owner of the improved property to which such connection
has been made. Such bill shall be payable within 30 days of receipt. In case
of neglect or refusal by the owner of such improved property to pay such bill
within such time, or to enter into a written installment agreement with the
Township to pay such bill in 12 monthly or four quarterly installment payments,
the Township shall, within six months of the completion of the sewer connection,
file a municipal lien against the property for all costs associated with the
sewer connection, the same to be subject in all respects to the general law
provided for the filing and recovery of municipal liens.
B.Â
Any and all connections of improved property to the sewer
system pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be in accordance
with and pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted from time to time by
the Authority.
C.Â
A certified copy of all such rules and regulations adopted
by the Authority shall be filed with the Township, for informational purposes,
within 30 days after adoption by the Authority, and available for review during
business hours.
A.Â
General.
(1)Â
The owner of any improved property that wants to utilize
a grinder pump to discharge sanitary sewage to the sewer system as a replacement
of an existing grinder pump facility or as an initial installation must receive
permission from the Concord Township Sewer Authority prior to installing the
grinder pump.
(2)Â
Installation shall be performed only by qualified personnel
who shall be named in the Concord Township Sewer Authority application for
the connection permit.
(3)Â
The owner of the improved property that wants to utilize
a grinder pump shall obtain a plumbing permit from Concord Township and shall
provide evidence that the following information has been supplied to the Sewer
Authority for review and approval:
(a)Â
The manufacturer's detail sheet for the proposed
grinder pump;
(b)Â
A pump curve for the proposed grinder pump;
(c)Â
A copy of the manufacturer's installation instructions;
and
(d)Â
A plan of the proposed connection, which depicts all
information that would be required for the Sewer Authority to determine if
the grinder pump would function as it is intended, including but not limited
to the location of the building or structure that is being connected, the
elevation of the existing building sewer and the lateral and the proposed
routing of the discharge piping.
(4)Â
The design, installation, repair and maintenance of the
grinder pump shall be in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the
Concord Township Sewer Authority.
B.Â
Maintenance of grinder pump. The property owner shall
be responsible for maintenance and repair of the grinder pump system from
the pump to the cleanout at the Authority-owned lateral.
A.Â
Application to existing and future owners.
(1)Â
The provisions of this section are intended to apply
to all existing and future users of the sewer system. Existing users shall
have 90 days from the adoption of this article to construct such facilities
and take such measures as may be necessary to bring their establishments in
conformance with this article.
(2)Â
Future users of the sewer system shall be in compliance
with this article at the time connection is allowed to the system.
B.Â
Separators and grease traps not required. Neither separators
nor grease traps are required for residences. If, however, groups of residences
utilize a common kitchen facility or dining facility, then the provisions
of this section shall be applied.
C.Â
Information. All users currently connected to the sewer
system and all future users who apply for connection to the sewer system in
the future are required to provide information and documentation to the Authority
sufficient so that the Authority may determine whether a separator or grease
trap is required.
D.Â
Prohibited wastes. The following wastes are prohibited
from being deposited into any sewer system:
(1)Â
Solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction
to the flow in a sewer or other interference with the operation of the wastewater
treatment facilities such as, but not limited to, grease, garbage with particles
greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension, animal guts or tissues, paunch, manure,
bones, hair, hides, spent lime, stone or marble dust, metal, glass, straw,
shavings, grass clippings, rags, spent grains, spent hops, waste paper, wood,
plastics, solvents, gasoline, antifreeze, oil-based paints, tar, asphalt,
residues, residues from refining or processing of fuel, lubricating oil, mud,
glass grindings, polishing wastes, fur, ashes, incinerator residue, dredged
spoil, solid waste, construction materials, rock, sand, cellar dirt, feathers,
wood, tar, cinders, medical waste or any other harmful chemicals.
(2)Â
No residential, commercial or industrial property which
is connected to the sewer system may discharge any surface water from sump
pumps, gutters, drains, downspouts, air-conditioning condensate lines, or
any other similar source into the sewer system. All privately owned laterals
must be maintained so as to minimize the infiltration of groundwater into
the sewer system.
E.Â
Grease trap.
(1)Â
Grease traps shall be provided pursuant to the Authority's
specification rules and regulations when, in the opinion of the Authority,
they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing floatable
grease in such amounts as to cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other
interference with the operation of any public or private wastewater treatment
facilities. In general, grease traps shall be required at all eating and drinking
places and food or beverage manufacturing, processing and merchandising establishments.
(2)Â
All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved
by the Authority and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible
for cleaning and inspection. All systems shall be designed, constructed and
operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(3)Â
Grease traps shall be equipped with devices to control
the rate of water flow so that the manufacturer's rating is not exceeded.
The minimum capacity of a grease trap shall be such that the grease retention
capacity measured in pounds of grease shall be at least two times the total
flow-through rating measured in gallons per minute.
(4)Â
All grease traps shall be from a manufacturer with a
minimum of five years of experience in the manufacturing of grease traps and/or
shall conform to the Plumbing and Drainage Institute (PDI) standard G101.
F.Â
Separators.
(1)Â
Separators shall be provided when, in the opinion of
the Authority, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes
containing oil, sand, any flammable wastes, or any other harmful ingredients
in such amounts as to cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interference
with the operation of the wastewater treatment facilities.
(2)Â
At separators shall be of a type and capacity approved
by the Authority and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible
for cleaning and inspection. All systems shall be designed, constructed and
operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(3)Â
Separators required. At repair garages, gasoline stations
with grease racks, grease pits, or work racks, and at factories where oily
and flammable liquid wastes are produced, separators shall be installed into
which all oil-bearing, grease-bearing, or flammable wastes shall be discharged
before emptying in the building drainage system or other point of disposal.
(4)Â
Separation of liquids. A mixture of treated or untreated
light and heavy liquids having various specific gravities shall be separated
in an approved receptacle.
(5)Â
Design of oil and liquid separators. Separators shall
be designed as provided below:
(a)Â
Overall requirements. Oil separators shall have a depth
of not less than two feet below the invert of the discharge drain. The outlet
opening of the separator shall have not less than an eighteen-inch water seal.
(b)Â
Garages and service stations. Where automobiles are serviced,
greased, repaired, washed or where gasoline is dispensed, separators shall
have a minimum capacity of six cubic feet for the first 100 square feet of
area to be drained into the separator. Parking garages in which servicing,
repairing, or washing is not done, and in which gasoline is not dispensed,
shall not require a separator. Areas of commercial garages which are used
for storage of automobiles only are not required to be drained through a separator.
(6)Â
Sand separators. Separators for sand, grit, and similar
heavy solids shall be so designed and located as to be readily accessible
for cleaning and shall have a water seal of not less than six inches. Sand
and grit separators shall be required at all locations where cars or trucks
are washed and shall have a minimum capacity of 500 gallons at such locations.
(7)Â
Laundries. Commercial laundries shall be equipped with
separators having a wire basket or similar device, removable for cleaning,
that will prevent passage into the drainage system of solids 1/2 inch or larger
in size, string, rags, buttons, or other materials detrimental to the public
sewage system.
(8)Â
Bottling establishments. Bottling plants shall discharge
their process wastes into a separator which will provide for the separation
of sugar, broken glass or other solids, before discharging waste into the
drainage system.
(9)Â
Slaughterhouses. Slaughtering room and dressing room
drains shall be equipped with approved separators. The separator shall prevent
the discharge into the drainage system of feathers, entrails, and any other
materials that could potentially cause clogging.
(10)Â
Venting of separators. Separators shall be so designed
that they will not become air bound if tight covers are used. Each interceptor
or separator shall be vented when subject to loss of trap seal.
G.Â
Costs.
(1)Â
The owner of each improved property shall be responsible
for all costs associated with the installation, operation, maintenance and
replacement of separators and/or grease traps. These costs shall include the
cost of properly disposing of the accumulated material.
(2)Â
If a separator or grease trap at an improved property
was not installed or malfunctions due to lack of maintenance, lack of cleaning
or for any other reason and such lack of installation or failure shall cause
blockages, sewage back-ups, sewage overflows or in any other manner damages
or interferes with the operation of the sewer system, then the owner of the
improved property shall be responsible to pay for all costs required to repair
and clean the Authority's sewer system. Such costs shall include, but
shall not be limited to cleaning costs, pumping costs, engineering costs,
legal fees and administrative costs.
H.Â
Inspection.
(1)Â
The Authority shall have the right to inspect the grease
traps and/or separators to ensure that the systems are in working order and
that the systems are being properly maintained and cleaned. The Authority
shall have the right to inspect the cleaning records at the time the inspection
occurs.
I.Â
Maintenance and records. The owner of an improved property
which utilizes a grease trap and/or separator shall at all times keep the
system in good working condition. The traps or separators shall be cleaned
periodically to keep them in good working order. All traps and separators
shall be cleaned at least once every three months. The records shall include
the date of disposal, the means of disposal, the name and signature of the
person responsible for supervising the cleaning of the separators and grease
traps and the proper disposal of the accumulated material. Annually the owner
shall transmit a copy of the cleaning records to the Authority. Records of
each cleaning shall be maintained by the establishment for a period of three
years.
J.Â
Disposal of accumulated material. All materials which
are accumulated by the separators and/or grease traps shall be properly disposed
of by the owner. Under no circumstances shall accumulated material be allowed
to enter into the sewer system. Any removal and hauling of the collected materials
not performed by owner's (owners') personnel must be performed by
currently licensed waste disposal firms.
In accordance with and pursuant to the requirements of the Pennsylvania
Sewage Facilities Act, as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., the
Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act, as amended, 35 P.S. § 6018.101
et seq.,. and Title 25, Chapter 73, of the Pennsylvania Code, "Standards for
On-Lot Sewage Treatment Facilities, and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection, the Township of Concord has determined that registration
and regular maintenance of individual on-site sewage disposal systems will
help prevent malfunctions, extend the life of such system(s), reduce the necessity
for installation of community sewer systems thus saving expense to the homeowner
and the Township, and protect the waters of the Commonwealth.
A.Â
All owners of individual on-site sewage disposal systems
with a stream discharge, now in existence or hereafter installed, shall, within
60 days of the effective date of this article, register with Concord Township
and secure a permit. No such permit shall be issued except upon receipt by
the Township from the owner of evidence that the owner possesses a valid permit
from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for a stream
discharge and copies of all sewage tests conducted of the system during the
preceding year.
B.Â
All owners of existing individual on-site sewage disposal
systems with no stream discharge shall register with Concord Township within
six months of the effective date of this article on forms to be provided by
the Township, registering as a minimum the precise location on the lot of
all elements of the sewer system and the name and address of the last septage
transporter used by the owner to pump the sewer system.
C.Â
All owners of individual on-site sewage disposal systems
with no stream discharge installed after the effective date of this article
shall obtain a valid permit from the Township prior to and as a requirement
for the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
D.Â
All owners of single-family residences utilizing an individual
on-lot sewage disposal system shall have the septic tank(s) pumped at least
once every two years. This service must be performed only by a septage transporter
licensed by Concord Township.
E.Â
All owners of multifamily residences utilizing an on-lot
sewage disposal system shall have the septic tank pumped at least once every
year. This service must be performed only by a septage transporter licensed
by Concord Township.
F.Â
All other property owners utilizing an on-lot sewage
disposal system shall have the septic tank(s) pumped at least once a year
or on a schedule approved in writing by the Concord Township Sewage Enforcement
Officer. The service must be performed only by a septage transporter licensed
by Concord Township.
G.Â
Where an on-lot sewage disposal system, in the opinion
of the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer, exhibits signs of malfunction,
the owner shall cause the septic tank(s) to be immediately pumped by a licensed
septage transporter. The property owner shall contact the Concord Township
Sewage Enforcement Officer to coordinate the repair, if possible, of the malfunction
or the replacement of the system with a new, on-lot sewage disposal system
if repair is not feasible. Failure of a property owner to promptly have a
septic tank(s) pumped after notice by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer
shall constitute a violation of this article.
All septage transporters serving customers within the boundaries of
Concord Township shall be registered and licensed by the Township of Concord.
A.Â
Registration shall consist of annually completing and
submitting an application form to the Township together with the required
insurance documentation and a check payable to Concord Township in the amount
set forth in the Township fee schedule.
B.Â
Any septage transporter who fails to file the quarterly
reports required by this article shall have 10 days after notice by the Township
to cure the failure to file a timely report. If the failure is not cured within
the ten-day period, the septage transporter's license shall be immediately
revoked.
C.Â
All vehicles used for pumping of liquid waste shall be
equipped so as to insure that each tank or receptacle pumped shall be thoroughly
cleaned to remove all solids and scum.
D.Â
No septage transporter registered as such in Concord
Township shall alter, repair, replace or enlarge any part of any on-lot sewage
disposal system without a permit issued by the Concord Township Sewage Enforcement
Officer.
E.Â
All septic tanks must be pumped out by a licensed septage
transporter through the main tank access. No person shall pump the contents
of any tank out through the inspection port nor shall they alter or enlarge
the inspection port to create a larger diameter opening.
All septage transporters shall maintain written records of all properties
serviced in Concord Township.
A.Â
The required records shall include the property owner(s)
name and address, the site address, the date of service and the amount of
gallons pumped.
All permits required by this article shall only be issued upon application
made in writing to the Township or Sewer Authority, as applicable; in such
form as may be prescribed by the Township for a permit and upon payment of
a permit fee in an amount established by the Township or the Authority, as
applicable, from time to time.
The owner of an improved property that is approved to and does utilize
a retaining tank shall:
A.Â
Maintain the retaining tank in conformance with all Township
ordinances, the provisions of any applicable laws and the rules and regulations
of the Authority and any administrative agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
and
B.Â
Permit only licensed septage transporters to collect,
transport and dispose of the contents of any retaining tank.
A.Â
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article
or who permits the violation of any provision of this article shall be subject
to a fine of $1,000 for each violation.
B.Â
Each violation for each separate day after notice from
the Township and each violation of any provision of this article shall constitute
a separate and distinct violation, subjecting the owner(s) of the property
to fines of $1,000 for each day the violation(s) continues.
C.Â
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any
provision of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in enforcement
proceedings commenced by Concord Township, pay the fines prescribed by this
article, plus all court costs, including all reasonable attorney fees, incurred
by Concord Township or the Sewer Authority.
D.Â
Enforcement of this article shall be the responsibility
of the Code Enforcement Officer, Sewage Enforcement Officer, Public Works
Director, Fire Marshal, or the designated Township agent as appropriate.
E.Â
Enforcement of this article may also be accomplished
by an action in equity brought in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County.
The defendant(s) in such an action shall be liable for all court costs, including
all reasonable attorney fees incurred by Concord Township or the Sewer Authority.
In addition to any other remedies provided in this article, any violation
of this article shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the Township
or the Authority by either seeking appropriate equitable or legal relief from
a court of competent jurisdiction. The Township or the Authority shall be
entitled to an award of all counsel fees incurred in such civil action to
abate the nuisance.
If any sentence, clause, section or part of this article is for any
reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality,
illegality, or invalidity shall not affect or impair any remaining provisions,
sentences, clauses, sections, or parts of this article. It is hereby declared
as the intent of the Board of Supervisors that such remainder shall be and
shall remain in full force and effect.
All Township ordinances, including the prior Ordinance No. 166 of 1988,[1] as amended, and parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions
hereof, are hereby repealed and rescinded.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said ordinance adopted former Ch. 136, Art. I.
This article shall take effect five days after the date of its enactment
by the Board of Supervisors of Concord Township.
[Adopted 6-4-1991 by Ord. No. 178]
The purpose of this article is to establish procedures for the use and
maintenance of retaining tanks designed to receive and retain sewage, whether
from residential or commercial uses, when and where permitted by the Official
Sewerage Plan of the township, and it is hereby declared that the enactment
of this article is necessary for the protection, benefit and preservation
of the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of this municipality.
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise, the
meaning of terms used in this article shall be as follows:
The Sewer Authority of the Township of Concord.
Any real property within the township upon which there is erected
or is planned to be erected a structure intended for continuous or periodic
habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals and from which structure
sewage shall or may be discharged.
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial,
of any real property located in the township.
Concord Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation or
other group or entity.
A watertight receptacle which receives and retains sewage and is
designed and constructed to facilitate ultimate disposal of the sewage at
another site. The term includes but is not limited to the following:
CHEMICAL TOILET- A permanent or portable nonflushing toilet using chemical treatment in the retaining tank for odor control.
HOLDING TANKA tank, whether permanent or temporary, to which sewage is conveyed by a water-carrying system.
PRIVYA tank designed to receive sewage where water under pressure is not available.
INCINERATING TOILETA device capable of reducing waste materials to ashes.
COMPOSTING TOILETA device for holding and processing human and organic kitchen waste, employing the process of biological degradation through the action of microorganisms to produce a stable, humus-like material.
RECYCLING TOILETA device in which the flushing medium is restored to a condition suitable for reuse in flushing.
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 substance 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 Pennsylvania Clean
Streams Law (35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.).
The Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to undertake within
the township the control and methods of retaining tank sewage disposal and
the collection and transportation thereof.
A.Â
The Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt
such rules and regulations concerning sewage which it may deem necessary from
time to time to effect the purposes herein.
B.Â
All such rules and regulations adopted by the Authority
shall be in conformity with the provisions herein, all other ordinances of
the township and all applicable laws and applicable rules and regulations
of administrative agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Authority shall have the right and power to fix, alter, charge and
collect rates, assessments and other charges in the area served by its facilities
at reasonable and uniform rates, as authorized by applicable law.
The collection and transportation of all sewage from any improved property
utilizing a retaining tank shall be done solely by or under the direction
and control of the Authority, and the disposal thereof shall be made only
at such site or sites as may be approved by the Department of Environmental
Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Authority.
The owner of an improved property that utilizes a retaining tank shall:
A.Â
Maintain the retaining tank in conformance with this
article or any ordinance of this township, the provisions of any applicable
law and the rules and regulations of the Authority and any administrative
agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.Â
Permit only the Authority or its agents to collect, transport
and dispose of the contents therein.
[Amended 12-3-1996 by Ord. No. 206]
A.Â
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article
or who permits the violation of any provision of this article shall pay a
fine of $600.
B.Â
Each violation for each separate day and each violation
of any provision of this article shall constitute a separate and distinct
violation.
C.Â
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any
provision of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil
enforcement proceeding commenced by Concord Township, pay the fine prescribed
by this article, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney fees,
incurred by Concord Township.
D.Â
Enforcement of this article shall be the responsibility of the Township Manager, or Sewage Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector or Fire Marshal, as appropriate, who shall follow the enforcement procedure set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, Violations and penalties.
[Amended 1-5-1998 by Ord. No. 221]
In addition to any other remedies provided in this article, any violation of § 136-18 above shall constitute a nuisance and shall be abated by the municipality or the Authority by either seeking appropriate equitable or legal relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.