[Amended 2-17-1977 by Ord. No. 322]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
(P.L. 92-500).
BOD (BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND)
The quantity of oxygen, expressed in milligrams per liter
(mg/l), utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under
standard laboratory procedure for five days at 20° C. The standard
laboratory procedure shall be that found in the latest edition of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
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.
COMPATIBLE POLLUTANT
Biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH and fecal
coliform bacteria, plus additional pollutants identified in the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit if the publicly owned
treatment works was designed to treat such pollutants and in fact
does remove such pollutants to a substantial degree. Examples of such
additional pollutants may include chemical oxygen demand; total organic
carbon; phosphorus and phosphorus compounds, nitrogen and nitrogen
compounds; and fats, oils and greases of animal or vegetable origin,
except as prohibited under this article.
FECAL COLIFORM
Those bacteria that originate in warm-blooded animals and
form colonies on enriched lactose medium when incubated at 44.5°
Centigrade.
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
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.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or waterborne wastes
or form of energy rejected or escaping from any industrial, manufacturing,
trade or business process or from the development, recovery or processing
of natural resources, as distinct from sanitary sewage.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTING INDUSTRY
Any industry having any one of the following attributes:
A.
A flow of sanitary sewage 50,000 gallons or
more per average workday.
B.
A flow discharge greater than 5% of the flow
carried by the municipal system receiving the waste.
C.
In its waste, a toxic pollutant in toxic amounts
as defined in standards issued under § 307(a) of the Act.
D.
Significant impact, either singly or in combination
with other contributing industries, on the treatment works or the
quality of its effluent.
pH
The logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen-ion concentration
expressed in moles per liter and indicates the degree of acidity or
alkalinity of a substance.
PRIVATE DWELLING OR LIVING UNIT
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.
PROPERTY AREA
The plan area of a property measured in acres (ac.).
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
PROPERTY FRONTAGE
That portion of a property that abuts a public or private
street right-of-way, measured in feet. In the case of a corner property
fronting at the intersection of two or more public or private street
rights-of-way, the measurement shall be made along the property's
longest frontage only, plus 1/2 the corner arc distance, if applicable.
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515; amended 5-22-1986 by Ord. No.
533]
SANITARY SEWER PROJECT
A construction project duly authorized, advertised, bid and
awarded by the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors for the installation
of a sanitary sewage collection system and necessary appurtenances,
including but not limited to site preparation, gravity collection
mains and laterals, force mains, manholes, pump stations and site
restoration.
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
SANITARY SYSTEM
The normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from
residences, business buildings, institutions and commercial and industrial
establishments.
SEWER MANAGER
Any person who may, from time to time, be placed in general
charge of the sewer system.
SEWER SYSTEM
All facilities operated by the Township for the collection
and disposal of sanitary sewage and acceptable industrial wastes in
and for Sewer Districts No. 1 and 1B in the Township.
[Amended 5-11-1978 by Ord. No. 345]
SLUG
Any discharge of water, sewage or waste exceeding a concentration
or flow greater than three times that of the average twenty-four-hour
discharge from a user, which is discharged continuously for a period
longer than 15 minutes.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension
in water, sewage or other liquid and which are removable by laboratory
filtration.
TOTAL AREA
Total acreage of the properties to be served by the sewer
project.
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
TOTAL FRONTAGE
Total frontage of the properties to be served by the sewer
project (feet).
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
TOTAL PROJECT COST
Any and all costs associated with a sanitary sewer project,
including but not limited to engineering costs, legal fees, permit
fees and installation costs as delineated in the "sanitary sewer project"
definition.
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Whitemarsh, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
WATER CONSUMPTION
The quantity of water used by an establishment, as evidenced
by readings of such company's water meter.
[Added 10-19-1978 by Ord. No. 350]
[Amended 11-6-1975 by Ord. No. 304; 4-14-1983 by Ord. No.
465; 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
A. A connection fee of $500 per ownership unit, rental
unit or equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) is hereby imposed upon each
property owner within the Township connecting to the sewer system.
[Amended 12-10-1987 by Ord. No. 552]
B. Assessment for sewer or drain construction upon each
owner of property within the Township shall be assessed upon the property
accommodated or benefited, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
Supervisors assessing property owners in equal shares or in accordance
with the following formula:
[Amended 7-26-1990 by Ord. No. 602; 7-25-2002 by Ord. No.
759]
[Amended 10-19-1978 by Ord. No. 350; 10-28-2010 by Ord. No.
900]
There is hereby imposed upon each dwelling unit
or nonresidential establishment in the Township located in either
of Sewer Districts No. 1, 1A, 1B or 2 and served by public sewers
a sewer rental at the rate and upon the conditions established from
time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors of Whitemarsh
Township Authority pursuant to the Municipality Authorities Act.
[Amended 2-17-1977 by Ord. No. 322]
A. The Township reserves the right to refuse connection
to the sewer system or to compel discontinuance of use of a sewer
or to compel pretreatment of industrial waste by an industrial establishment
in order to prevent discharge to the sewer deemed to be harmful to
the sewage collection system or sewage treatment plant or to have
a deleterious effect on the sewage treatment or sludge handling processes.
B. Where required to satisfy the pretreatment requirements established under the Act, the industry shall provide, at the industry's expense, such pretreatment as may be necessary to reduce BOD to 200 ppm and suspended solids to 200 ppm; modify the objectionable characteristics or constituents to come within the maximum limits provided for in §
95-16; and control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes over a twenty-four-hour day and a seven-day week. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed pretreatment facilities are to be submitted for the approval of the Township, and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until approval is obtained in writing.
[Amended 2-17-1977 by Ord. No. 322]
Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall
discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described
wastes or waters to any public sewer:
A. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than
150° F.
B. Any water or waste containing more than 100 milligrams
per liter by weight of fats, oils or greases of animal origin.
C. Any liquids, solids or gases which by reason of their
nature or quality may cause fire or explosion or have a substantial
likelihood of being injurious to any person or to any property, including
the sewage treatment facility and the sewer system or to the operation
of these works.
D. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance which,
either singly or by interaction with other wastes, is capable of creating
a public nuisance or hazard to life or preventing entry into the sewer
system, including the sewage treatment facilities, for their maintenance
and repair.
E. Any garbage or waste that has not been screened, comminuted
or shredded.
F. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal,
glass, bones, feathers, tires, plastic, wood, paunch manure, butchers'
offal or any other solids or viscous substances capable of causing
obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper
operation of the sewer system or the sewage treatment facilities.
G. Any sewage, water or waste having a pH lower than
6.0 or higher than 9.0, having any corrosive property capable of causing
damage or hazards to structures, equipment or personnel of the sewer
system, including the sewage treatment facilities.
H. Any sewage, water or waste containing any toxic substances
in quantities sufficient to interfere with the biochemical processes
of the sewage treatment facilities or that will pass through the sewage
treatment facilities and exceed the requirements or limitations of
any governmental agency having jurisdiction, either for the receiving
stream or body of water, or otherwise.
I. Any radioactive isotopes.
J. Any of the following materials which inhibit biological
treatment processes, in quantities greater than the stated concentrations
as measured at the point of discharge into the sewer system:
[Amended 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 632]
|
Pollutant
|
Concentration
(mg/l)
|
|
Copper
|
0.3
|
|
Zinc
|
0.3
|
|
Chromium (hexavalent)
|
2.0
|
|
Chromium (trivalent)
|
2.0
|
|
Total chromium
|
5.0
|
|
Nickel
|
1.0
|
|
Lead
|
0.1
|
|
Boron
|
1.0
|
|
Cadmium
|
0.01
|
|
Silver
|
0.03
|
|
Vanadium
|
10.0
|
|
Arsenic
|
1.0
|
|
Cyanides
|
None
|
|
Sulfide
|
50.0
|
|
Sulfate
|
750.0
|
|
Ammonia nitrogen
|
40.0
|
|
Sodium chloride
|
750.0
|
|
Chloroform
|
10.0
|
|
Free oil (petroleum origin)
|
50.0
|
|
Chlorinated organic compounds
|
5.0
|
K. Any other toxic substance that will pass through the
sewer system into the sewage treatment facility and exceed state or
federal requirements at any time applicable either for the receiving
stream or body of water or otherwise.
L. Any sewage, water or waste having total suspended
solids and biochemical oxygen demand in excess of the following concentrations:
[Added 9-22-1994 by Ord. No. 663]
(1) Suspended solids: 200 parts per million.
(2) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD): 200 parts per million.
If use or classification of any property should
change within any quarter, the difference in sewer rental, prorated
on a monthly basis to the nearest calendar month, will be charged
or credited, as the case may be, on the bill for the succeeding quarter.
Additional classifications and additional sewer rentals may be established
by the Township from time to time.
[Amended 4-28-1977 by Ord. No. 323; 3-19-1998 by Ord. No.
705; 4-8-2010 by Ord. No. 894]
A. The above
connection fee shall be payable upon application for permit to make
such connection.
B. Sewer rentals
or charges for single-family and multifamily private dwellings shall
be due and payable in advance. Bills shall be rendered by the Whitemarsh
Township Authority, semiannually, on or about the first day of April
for the following six months and on or about the first day of October
for the following six months.
C. Sewer rentals
or charges for nonresidential establishments shall be due and payable
in advance. Bills shall be rendered by the Whitemarsh Township Authority,
semiannually, on or about the first day of April for the following
six months and on or about the first day of October for the following
six months.
[Amended 3-18-1982 by Ord. No. 425; 2-14-1985 by Ord. No.
507]
A. Penalties and interest.
[Amended 3-19-1998 by Ord. No. 705]
(1) For single-family and multifamily private dwellings,
any property owner making payment after the first day of June following
the preceding April billing shall pay, in addition to the net amount
of said bill, a penalty of 10% computed on the net amount due, plus
interest, imposed and calculated at a rate of 12% per annum computed
from the first day of June to the date of payment.
(2) For nonresidential establishments, any property owner
making payment after the first day of December following the preceding
October billing or the first day of June following the preceding April
billing shall pay, in addition to the net amount of said bill, a penalty
of 10% computed on the net amount due, plus interest, imposed and
calculated at a rate of 12% per annum, computed from the first day
of December for October billings and the first day of June for April
billings to the date of payment.
B. Any property owner who fails to pay its sewer bill
is subject to shutoff of its water service pursuant to an agreement
between Whitemarsh Township and the public utility providing the water
service as approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
In the event of a shutoff, the delinquent property owner shall also
be charged all costs and expenses incurred by the Township to effectuate
the shutoff.
C. All persons owning property connected to the water
system must give the Township their correct address. Failure to receive
bills will not be considered an excuse for nonpayment nor permit an
extension of the period during which bills are payable at face. All
sewer rentals, together with all penalties thereon, including interest
and shutoff costs/expenses, not paid on or before the end of one year
from the due date shall be a lien on the property served and shall
be filed against the property in the office of the Prothonotary of
Montgomery County and shall be collected in the manner provided by
law for the filing and collection of such liens.
D. After the amount of connection charges and/or assessments charged upon the several properties has been established, the property owners shall be billed. The amounts of all connection charges and/or assessments shall be payable to the Township Treasurer for the use of the sewer district or districts of the Township, as the case may be, in which they are assessed. If any such assessment is not paid within 60 days after the mailing of a bill therefor, there shall be a lien on the property served, for the amount of the assessment plus interest and penalties in accordance with Subsection
A of this section and shall be filed against the property in the office of the Prothonotary of Montgomery County and shall be collected in the manner provided by law for the filing and collection of such liens or in any other manner permitted by law.
[Added 4-25-1985 by Ord. No. 515]
E. Method of recovery: connection charges, assessment
charges and/or sewer rents. All connection charges, assessments and/or
sewer rents payable under this article shall be recoverable by the
Township Manager, Township Finance Director or Township Solicitor
as other debts due the Township are now by law recoverable. Where
legal action is brought for the recovery of any connection charge,
assessment and/or sewer rent, the property owner thereafter shall,
in addition, be responsible and liable for collection costs, including
but not limited to attorney's fees, filing fees and any other expenses
incurred.
[Added 8-15-1991 by Ord. No. 626]
The funds received by the Township from the
collection of the connection charges and from sewer rentals and all
penalties thereon, as herein provided for, and any fines collected
by the Township in connection with the sewer system shall be segregated
and kept separate and apart from all other funds of the Township and
shall be used only for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the
Township in the operation, maintenance, repair, alteration, inspection,
depreciation or other expenses in relation to such sewer system and
for such payments as the Township may be required to make under any
lease or agreement it may enter into, for and of or in connection
with said sewer system, with the Authority, in accordance with the
provisions of the Act of May 2, 1945, P.L. 382, as amended.
The Township reserves the right to, and may
from time to time, adopt, revise, amend and readopt such rules and
regulations as it deems necessary and proper for the use and operation
of the sewer system, and all such rules and regulations shall be and
become a part of this article.