[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Bethel as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 4-12-1966 by Ord. No. 23]
For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section.
The unit which contains the discharge connection and the
remaining casing above this connection.
Any artificial reservoir for storing water for human consumption.
Any well, spring or cistern, and all appurtenances thereto
for the delivery of water for human consumption described herein.
A written authorization by the Board of Supervisors permitting
the construction or alteration of an individual water supply system
under this article.
Any individual partnership, firm, company, association, institution,
co-operative enterprise, or corporation.[1]
The place or location where the water table intersects the
ground surface and from which water flows more or less continually.
Any excavation or opening into the ground made by digging,
boring, drilling or driving or other methods for the purpose of obtaining
water.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or alter any water
supply for domestic or human consumption within the Township of Bethel
unless the person holds a valid permit issued by the Board of Supervisors
in the name of such person for the specific construction or alteration
proposed.
B.
All applications for permits shall be made to the Board of Supervisors
who shall issue a permit upon compliance with all the provisions of
this article by the applicant.
C.
The Board of Supervisors may refuse to grant a permit for the construction
of a water supply where public or community water systems are available
or where geological conditions subject the water supply to potential
sources of contamination.
D.
Application for permits shall include the following information:
A.
All plans submitted to the Board of Supervisors shall include the
following:
B.
Upon completion of the water supply, the following information shall
be submitted:
(1)
Wells.
(a)
A log of the wall.
(b)
Construction features of the well such as:
[1]
Type and length of casing.
[2]
Type and depth of well grouting.
[3]
Type of well seal.
[4]
Connection to pump and pressure tank.
[5]
Layout of platform construction.
[6]
Gravity drainage provisions for pit installation.
[7]
Casing extension above platform.
[8]
Manhole covering and venting of pit.
[9]
Depth to pumping level.
C.
Upon completion of the water supply, such construction features as
deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors shall be submitted.
A.
Every well shall be located not less than 100 feet from any pit,
privy, septic tank, cesspool, seepage pit, subsurface sewage disposal
field or other sources of contamination except as provided in the
following subsections.
B.
No flow drain, soil pipe, main drain or other pipe, which is directly
connected to a storm or sanitary sewer, or through which water or
sewage from any source may back up, shall be located close than 10
feet from any well.
C.
All pipes and drains, or parts thereof, through which sewage or wastewater
flows to a sewer, or into which sewage or wastewater may back up,
and which are located within 50 feet of any such water supply, shall
be constructed of cast-iron pipe with leaded joints, or its equivalent.
D.
No water pipe shall be located closer than 10 feet, measured horizontally,
to any sewer, soil pipe, or drain, which may at any time contain polluted
water; and such pipes shall separated by undisturbed or compacted
earth; provided that pressure water pipes may be placed in the same
trench with the building drain and building sewer under the following
conditions:
(1)
The bottom of the water pipe shall be above the top of the sewer
line.
(2)
The water pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated above and
to one side of the common trench.
(3)
Such parts of the sewer or drain lying within 10 feet horizontally
of the water pipe are constructed of cast-iron pipe with leaded joints
or its equivalent.
A.
The well shall have a watertight and durable wrought iron, steel,
or other type of approved casing of minimum thickness of 3/16 inches.
The sections shall be joined together by threaded couplings or joints
by welding or any other watertight approved joint or coupling.
B.
The casing shall be carried to a minimum depth of 20 feet and then
extended an additional five feet into bedrock or other impervious
strata. Driven wells shall be provided with a drop pipe or effective
casing.
C.
An annular space shall be provided between the well casing and the
earth formation of a radius at least one inch greater than the casing
radius, excluding coupling for internal pressure grouting; or two
inches greater than the casing radius, excluding coupling for external
grouting. The annular space shall be completely filled with impervious
cement grout or equivalent sealing material, to the top of the water-bearing
formation, bedrock, or other impervious strata, or otherwise to a
depth of at least 20 feet.
D.
If casing of smaller diameter are used in the lower portion of the
well, effective watertight seals shall be provided between the casings
at the point of connection.
E.
A screen shall be installed when necessary in the water-bearing formation
with sufficient length and size openings such as to provide for effective
development of the well to insure maximum quantity of available water
free of particulate matter.
A.
In surface installations, the ground surface at the well shall be
elevated above the adjacent land level and graded to drain away for
at least six feet in all directions from the casing.
B.
A watertight reinforced concrete platform at least four inches thick
and extending for at least two feet in all directions from the center
of the casing shall be poured around the casing to provide an effective
watertight seal with the casing, or shall be made watertight with
an effective permanent seal. The surface of the platform shall slope
to the edges.
C.
The casing shall extend above the slab for at least 12 inches, and
the annular space shall be effectively sealed. A sanitary well seal
shall be provided on the top of the casing.
Where installations are used which have the discharge connections
below the ground surface, either pit installations or pitless installations
as described below shall be used:
A.
Where well pits are used, such pits shall be maintained free of water
at all times. The floor of the pit shall be watertight reinforced
concrete platform of at least four inches thick poured around the
casing and provided within an effective watertight seal. The floor
of the pit shall extend at least two feet from the center of the casing
in all directions. The casing shall extend above the floor for at
least 12 inches.
B.
The surface of the floor shall be pitched toward a drain which has
a minimum diameter of four inches and discharged by gravity to the
surface of the ground, or to a basement which is effectively protected
against flooding. Drain openings shall be effectively screened to
prevent the entrance of insects and rodents. The drain shall not be
directly connected to any sewer.
C.
The pit shall have a watertight reinforced concrete wall four inches
thick or equivalent to four-inch watertight walls which provide for
an effective watertight seal.
D.
The top of the pit shall be a watertight reinforced monolithic concrete
slab at least four inches thick which shall be sealed with the walls
such as to effectively prevent the entrance of water. The top of the
pit shall not be more than six inches below the surface.
E.
A durable watertight manhole shall be installed in the top of the
pit centered over the casing and effectively sealed with the top to
prevent the entrance of water. This manhole shall be at least 24 inches
in diameter. It shall extend at least three inches above the surrounding
ground surface and be covered by an impervious durable cover of concrete,
steel or equivalent material which overlaps the manhole vertically
by at least two inches. The manhole cover shall be effectively secured
to the manhole by bolting, locking or equivalent means, and shall
be kept so secured.
A.
Where pitless installations are used, they shall be of a design which
provides an effective seal against the entrance of ground or surface
water into the well, access casing, and into the piping leading to
the pump. All buried suction lines shall be effectively encased.
B.
The access casing shall be effectively protected against corrosion
and shall extend at least 12 inches above the natural ground surface.
The ground level at this point shall be elevated above the adjacent
land level and graded to drain away in all directions. The top of
the access casing shall be effectively sealed against the entrance
of water, insects, and rodents.
C.
Where venting is required, a pipe with the opening facing downward
shall be used. In no case shall such openings be less than 12 inches
from the ground surface or floor of the pit, and shall be effectively
screened to protect against the entrance of insects and rodents.
A.
The source of water supply shall be from a water-bearing formation
drawn not less than 20 feet from the natural ground.
B.
A watertight casing of concrete or other impervious material shall
be provided to a depth of at least 10 feet below the ground surface.
C.
An annular space between the well casing and the natural formation
shall be completely filled with impervious cement, grout or equal
sealing material to a depth of at least 10 feet.
E.
The area around the well shall be graded away in all directions for
a distance of at least three feet from the outside edge of the casing.
A watertight reinforced concrete platform at least four inches thick
and extending at least two feet beyond the outside edge of the casing
shall be placed on top of the casing so as to provide effective protection
against surface water pollution. The surface of the platform shall
slope to the edges.
F.
A pipe sleeve sized so as to permit the passage of the pump cylinder
or drop pipes, shall extend at least 12 inches above the top of the
slab and provide an effective watertight seal with the slab and the
pump.
A.
The spring shall not be located within 300 feet of any existing or
potential source of contamination.
B.
Springs shall be completely enclosed by walls and a cover of reinforced concrete or equally durable watertight material. Where manholes are used, such manholes shall meet the requirements of § 469-7E.
C.
A diversion drainage ditch shall be located on the uphill side of
the spring to divert any surface water and to prevent it from entering
and contaminating the spring.
A.
Cisterns and water storage tanks shall be located in an area not
subject to inundation by floodwaters; sewers, building drains, soil
or water pipes shall not be located above cisterns or water storage
tanks or in such a location or position that as a result of structural
failure or leakage of the sewer drain or pipe their contents can come
in contact with a cistern or water storage tank.
B.
Cisterns or water storage tanks located in the ground shall be located
at a higher elevation and not less than 50 feet from any potential
or existing source of pollution, except that sewers of cast iron or
equal may be located at a minimum distance of 25 feet.
C.
Provisions shall be made for the effective diversion or removal of
the first washings of rainwater entering the cistern.
D.
Cisterns and water storage tanks shall be constructed of watertight,
durable, structurally sound material, with a smooth interior surface.
E.
Sufficient access to permit cleaning shall be provided on all cisterns and water storage tanks. Where manholes are used, such manholes shall meet the requirements of § 469-7E.
F.
Where pumps are installed on top of cisterns or storage tanks, a
pipe sleeve sized so as to permit the passage of the pump cylinder
or drop pipes, shall extend at least 12 inches above the top of the
slab and provide an effective watertight seal with the slab and the
pump or the drop pipe.
G.
All openings shall be protected to prevent the entrance of insects
and rodents and other pollutants.
H.
Outlet, drain and overflow pipes where provided shall not be connected
directly to any sewer, soil pipe, house drain or other waste pipe.
Such drains shall discharge at a point free from flooding through
an atmospheric break such as to effectively prevent backflow.
A.
All water to be transported for human consumption must come from
a source approved by the Board of Supervisors and/or the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Department of Health.
B.
All vehicles used for the transportation of water for human consumption
shall be constructed and operated so as to protect the water from
contamination. All surfaces with which said water comes into contact
shall be smooth, impervious, noncorrodible, nontoxic material; shall
be so constructed as to be easily cleaned; and shall be kept in good
repair. All piping used to conduct said water shall conform to the
standards set forth by the National Sanitation Foundation titled "Plastic
Materials, Pipe, Fittings and Appurtenances for Potable Water Supplies."
Following completion of construction of an individual water
supply and installation of the pumping equipment or alterations, repair
or maintenance work, the well shall be pumped continuously until the
water discharged is clear. The well, pump, piping system and other
fixtures shall be subjugated to a method of disinfection as approved
by the Board of Supervisors.
A.
The Board of Supervisors or its agent is hereby authorized and directed
to make such inspections as are necessary to determine satisfactory
compliance with this article.
B.
The Board of Supervisors or its agent shall inspect the water supply
in the course of its installation, construction, or reconstruction,
and may issue orders necessary to make the work conform to the approved
plans and specifications.
C.
It shall be the duty of the owner or occupant of a property to give
the Board of Supervisors free access to the property for the purpose
of making such inspections as are necessary to determine compliance
with the requirements of this article.
D.
No water supply system installed, constructed, or reconstructed shall
be put into use prior to the Board of Supervisors receiving a bacteriological
analysis of the water by a laboratory approved by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Department of Health indicating whether it is safe
for human consumption.
E.
Should the bacteriological analysis prove the water supply not safe
for human consumption, an automatic disinfection device of a type
approved by the Board of Supervisors shall be required.
F.
No water supply system installed, constructed, or reconstructed shall
be put into use until such time as the Board of Supervisors or its
agent has inspected the system and issued a certificate that it conforms
to the approved plans and specifications. The original of said certificate
shall be issued to the applicant and a copy thereof filed with the
other records of the Board of Supervisors pertaining to the facility.
Any person who violates any provision of this article or any
regulation adopted by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to authority
granted by this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine
of not less than $50 nor more than $300, or, upon default of payment,
committed to the Township lockup for a period not exceeding five days
or to the county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each failure
to comply shall constitute a separate offense.
A.
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 Bethel Township existing on the effective date
of this article, the provision which, in the judgment of the Board
of Supervisors, establishes the higher standard for the promotion
and protection of the health and safety of the people will prevail.
In any case where a provision of any other ordinance or code of Bethel
Township 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 ordinance or codes are hereby declared
to be repealed to the extent that they may be found in conflict with
this article.
B.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase
of this article should be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever,
such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this article,
which shall remain in full force and effect; and, to this end, the
provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable.
[Adopted 3-10-1992 by Ord. No. 117]
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 Bethel 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 § 469-18 of this article. The provisions of this article shall apply to any such building or structure for which such a building permit is issued, or would otherwise be required to be issued but for such an exemption, on or after.
A.
Water closets and associated flushing mechanisms. The water consumption
of water closets shall not exceed an average of 1.6 gallons per flush
cycle over a range of test pressures from 20 to 80 psi. The fixture
shall perform in accordance with the test requirements of the ANSI
A112.19.2M and ANSI A112.19.6M.
B.
Urinals and associated flushing mechanisms. Urinal water consumption
shall not exceed an average of 1.5 gallons per flush cycle over a
range of test pressures from 20 to 80 psi. The fixtures shall perform
in accordance with the test requirements of ANSI A112.19.2M and ANSI
A112.19.6M.
C.
Showerheads. Showerhead discharge rates shall not exceed 3.0 gallons
of water per minute over a range of test pressures from 20 to 80 psi.
The fixture shall perform in accordance with the test requirements
of ANSI A112.18.M.
D.
Faucets. Sink and lavatory faucet discharge rates shall not exceed
3.0 gallons of water per minute over a range of test pressures from
20 to 80 psi. The fixture shall perform in accordance with the test
requirements of ANSI A112.18.1M.
A.
The performance standards of § 469-18 shall not apply to fixtures and fittings such as emergency showers, aspirator faucets, and blowout fixtures that, in order to perform a specialized function, cannot meet the specified standards.
B.
Exemptions. Any person(s) may apply to the Township of Bethel for
an exemption to the terms of this article, which may be granted by
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.
The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, modify, add
to, or remove from the standards and restrictions herein, by amendment.
The Plumbing Inspector shall enforce all regulations provided
herein.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article
shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding
commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay
the maximum amount authorized by the provisions of 53 P.S. § 66601(c.1),
plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred
by the Township in the enforcement of this article.
