[Adopted 11-5-1970 by Ord. No. 104]
(Ch. 18, Part 4A, of the 1995 Code)
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A; 3-23-1995 by Ord. No. 192]
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms and phrases used in this part shall be as follows:
AUTHORITY
Lower Pottsgrove Township Authority, a municipality authority of the commonwealth.
BUILDING SEWER
The extension from the sewage drainage system of any structure to the lateral of a sewer.
CONNECTION UNIT
Each individual building or structure. In the case of twin dwellings, row dwellings, commercial, industrial or multiple-family-unit structures, if individual units thereof are designed or adaptable to separate ownership or residency, each such unit shall be considered a separate connection unit. In the case of multiple-family-unit structures, in some instances and upon the approval of the Authority and its engineer, one connection may be made for that unit; however, the annual sewage rental will be based on the number of family units. A school, factory complex, commercial building or multiple-family-unit structure whose individual units are connected to a common internal sewage system shall be considered as one connection unit but may be billed as multiple units. For the purpose of connection of the sewer, each such school, factory complex, commercial building or multiple-family-unit structure may connect to the sewer with one building sewer if approved by the Township and its Engineer in writing prior to any construction.
COMMONWEALTH
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
IMPROVED PROPERTY
Any property within this 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.
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any improved property located in this Township used or intended for use, wholly or in part, for manufacturing, processing, cleaning, laundering or assembling of any product, commodity or article, or any other improved property located in this Township from which wastes, in addition to or other than sanitary sewage, shall be discharged.
LATERAL
That part of the sewer system extending from a sewer to the curbline, to the property line or, if no such lateral shall be provided, then "lateral" shall mean that portion of or place in a sewer which is provided for connection of any building sewer.
OWNER
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial, of any improved property.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, company, association, society, trust, corporation or other group or entity.
SANITARY SEWAGE
Normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from any improved property.
SEWER
Any pipe or conduit constituting a part of the sewer system used or usable for sewage collection purposes.
SEWER SYSTEM
All facilities, as of any particular time, for collecting, pumping, transporting and disposing of sanitary sewage and/or industrial wastes, for rendering sewage service in and for this Township, and owned by the Authority and leased to this Township for operation and use.
STREET
Any street, highway, road, lane, court, cul-de-sac, public way or public square.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Lower Pottsgrove, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a municipal subdivision of the commonwealth acting by and through its Board of Commissioners or, in appropriate cases, acting by and through its authorized representatives.
A. 
The owner of any improved property abutting on or adjoining any street in which a sewer constituting part of the sewer system is located shall connect such improved property with such sewer in such manner as this Township may require within 60 days after notice to such owner from this Township to make such connection for the purpose of discharge of all sanitary sewage and industrial wastes from such improved property; subject, however, to such limitations and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall be established by this Township from time to time.
B. 
All sanitary sewage and industrial wastes from any improved property after connection of such improved property with a sewer shall be required under Subsection A shall be conducted into a sewer; subject, however, to such limitations and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall be established by this Township from time to time.
C. 
No person shall place, shall deposit or shall permit to be placed or to be deposited upon public or private property within this Township any sanitary sewage or industrial wastes in violation of Subsection A. No person shall discharge or shall permit to be discharged to any natural outlet within this Township any sanitary sewage or industrial wastes in violation of Subsection A except where suitable treatment has been provided which is satisfactory to this Township.
D. 
No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle shall be used or shall be maintained at any time upon any improved property which has been connected to a sewer or which shall be required under Subsection A to be connected to a sewer. Every such privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle in existence shall be abandoned and, at the discretion of this Township, shall be cleansed and shall be filled at the expense of the owner of such improved property under the direction and supervision of this Township, and any such privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle not so abandoned and, if required by this Township, not cleansed and filled shall constitute a nuisance, and such nuisance may be abated, as provided by law, at the expense of the owner of such improved property.
E. 
No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle at any time shall be connected with a sewer.
F. 
The notice by this Township to make a connection to a sewer, referred to in Subsection A, shall consist of a copy of this part including any amendments and/or supplements at the time in effect or a summary of each section thereof and a written or printed document requiring the connection in accordance with the provisions of this part and specifying that such connection shall be made within 60 days from the date such notice is given. Such notice may be given at any time when a sewer is in place which can receive and can convey sanitary sewage and industrial wastes for treatment and disposal from the particular improved property. Such notice shall be served upon the owner either by personal service or by registered mail or by such other method as may be provided, from time to time, by laws of the commonwealth.
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A]
A. 
No person shall uncover, shall connect with, shall make any opening into or shall use, shall alter or shall disturb, in any manner, any sewer or any part of the sewer system without first obtaining a permit, in writing, from this Township.
B. 
Application for a permit under Subsection A shall be made by the owner of the improved property served or to be served or by the duly authorized agent of such owner.
C. 
No person shall make or shall cause to be made a connection of any improved property with a sewer until such person shall have fulfilled each of the following conditions:
(1) 
Such person shall have notified the Secretary of the Township of the desire and intention to connect such improved property to a sewer.
(2) 
Such person shall have applied for and shall have obtained a permit as required by Subsection A.
(3) 
Such person shall have given the Secretary of this Township at least 24 hours' notice of the time when such connection be made so that this Township may supervise and inspect the work of connection and necessary testing.
(4) 
Such person shall have furnished satisfactory evidence to the Secretary of this Township that any tapping (or connection) fee charged and imposed by the Authority against the owner of each improved property who connects such improved property to a sewer has been paid.
(5) 
All applications for permits shall be made to the Secretary of this Township, or his duly authorized representative, during normal business hours at the Township Office, Sanatoga Fire Hall, (second floor), Sanatoga, Pennsylvania.
(6) 
Materials for a building sewer, jointing materials and methods of installation shall be in accordance with requirements of § 185-4 and shall be subject to approval of this Township.
(7) 
The permit required in § 185-3A of this part shall be displayed prominently upon the improved property to be connected to a sewer at all times during construction of the building sewer and connection of the building sewer to a sewer.
D. 
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each improved property shall be connected separately and independently with a sewer through a building sewer. Grouping of more than one improved property on one building sewer shall not be permitted except under special circumstances and for good sanitary reasons or other good cause shown but then only after special permission of this Township, in writing, shall have been secured and only subject to such rules, regulations and conditions as may be prescribed by this Township.
E. 
All costs and expenses of construction of a building sewer and all costs and expenses of connection of a building sewer to a sewer shall be borne by the owner of the improved property to be connected, and such owner shall indemnify and shall save harmless this Township and the Authority from all loss or damage that may be occasioned, directly or indirectly, as a result of construction of a building sewer or of connection of a building sewer to a sewer.
F. 
A building sewer shall be connected to a sewer at the place designated by this Township or by the Authority and where, if applicable, the lateral is provided. The invert of a building sewer at the point of connection shall be the same or a higher elevation than the invert of the sewer. A smooth, neat joint shall be made and the connection of a building sewer to the lateral shall be made secure and watertight.
G. 
If the owner of any improved property abutting on or adjoining any street in which a sewer constituting part of the sewer system is located, after 60 days' notice from this Township requiring the connection of such improved property with a sewer in accordance with § 185-2A, shall fail to connect such improved property as required, this Township may make such connection and may collect from such owner the costs and expenses thereof by a municipal claim, an action in assumpsit or such other legal proceeding as may be permitted by law.
[Amended 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A; 3-23-1995 by Ord. No. 192]
A. 
Where an improved property at the time connection to a sewer is required shall be served by its own sewage disposal system or sewage disposal device, the existing house sewer line shall be broken on the structure side of such sewage disposal system or sewage disposal device and attachment shall be made, with proper fittings, to continue such house sewer line as a building sewer.
B. 
No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by this Township. If any part of a building sewer is covered before so being inspected and approved, it shall be uncovered for inspection at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property to be connected to a sewer.
C. 
Every building sewer of any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition by the owner of such improved property.
D. 
Every excavation for a building sewer shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from damage and injury. Any street, sidewalk and other public property disturbed in the course of installation of a building sewer shall be restored, at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property being connected, in a manner satisfactory to this Township.
E. 
If any person shall fail or shall refuse, upon receipt of a notice of this Township or the Authority, in writing, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building sewer within 60 days of receipt of such notice, this Township may refuse to permit such person to discharge sanitary sewage and industrial wastes into the sewer system until such unsatisfactory condition shall have been remedied to the satisfaction of this Township.
F. 
The building sewer shall be no less than four inches in diameter.
G. 
Pipe used in a building sewer shall be one of the following types:
(1) 
Cast iron soil pipe; medium weight, gasketed joints.
(2) 
PVC sewer pipe; SDR 26, gasketed joints.
H. 
Uniform bearing shall be provided along the entire length of a building sewer, and all joints of a building sewer shall be watertight and rustproof.
I. 
A building sewer to serve one improved property may occupy the same trench as a building sewer to serve the next adjoining improved property; provided, however, that the common trench is on or immediately adjacent to the common property line and such joint occupancy is by mutual agreement of the owners concerned.
J. 
Cast iron soil pipe of a building sewer laid in a trench must be supported properly at each joint. When vitrified clay sewer pipe is used in a building sewer, the entire length of such pipe, as well as the joint, must have uniform bearing. All sewer pipe in a building sewer must be laid only in virgin soil and may not be laid in fill. If fill material is necessary, fill should be crushed stone or sand.
K. 
Fittings in a building sewer shall conform to the type of pipe used in construction.
L. 
Changes in direction in a building sewer must be made by use of "Y" branches or of one-eighth or one-sixteenth bends. Caulking of lead or poured joints to angles of less than a one-sixteenth-bend equivalent only shall be permitted.
M. 
Fittings or connections in a building sewer which have an enlargement, chamber or recess with a ledge, shoulder or reduction of pipe area that shall offer any obstruction to flow shall not be allowed.
N. 
Joints in cast iron soil pipe in a building sewer shall be gasketed.
O. 
Joints between cast iron soil pipe and vitrified clay sewer pipe in a building sewer shall be with an approved adapter. Such adapters shall be equipped with "O" ring compression joints.
P. 
A building sewer shall be provided with a horizontal trap, known as an interceptor trap, of not less than four inches inside diameter of cast iron pipe. Such trap shall be provided with a vent and cleanout openings, each to be at a level at least equal to the finished grade level and to be provided with vent cowls. Lines from such trap to such finished grade level shall be of the same size and cast iron.
Q. 
The interceptor trap required under this section shall be located at a point to be determined and approved by the Township Inspector in accordance with rules and regulations applicable thereto as adopted by the Township. Such trap and its vent shall be on the property side of the curb.
R. 
The slope or grade of a building sewer, when the inside diameter is four inches or more, shall be no less than 1/4 inch per foot of length and shall be downward in the direction of flow.
S. 
This Township shall observe all testing of a building sewer. All equipment and material required for testing shall be furnished by the owner of the improved property to be connected to a sewer. In the event a building sewer is not approved by this Township, a further test or tests shall be made following completion of necessary corrections. A fee to cover all necessary expenses will be charged to the owner by the Township for observation of each test subsequent to the initial test.
T. 
No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected, tested as provided in this section and approved. If any part of a building sewer is covered before so being inspected, tested and accepted, it shall be uncovered for inspection and testing at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property to be connected to a sewer.
U. 
Every building sewer shall be tested by filling the same with water completely, so that every section shall be tested with not less than a ten-foot head of water. Water shall be kept in the building sewer for 15 minutes before inspection starts, and no leakage shall be observable at the time of inspection. Upon approval of the test of a building sewer by this Township, a certificate of approval will be issued to the owner of the improved property to be connected to a sewer.
V. 
Whenever this Township has reason to believe any building sewer has become defective, such building sewer shall be subject to test and inspection. Defects found upon such test and inspection, if any, shall be corrected as required by this Township in writing, at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property served through such building sewer.
W. 
Every building sewer of any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition by the owner of such improved property.
X. 
Every excavation for a building sewer shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from damage and injury. Streets, sidewalks and other public property disturbed in the course of installation of a building sewer shall be restored at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property being connected in a manner satisfactory to this Township.
Y. 
This Township reserves the right to adopt, from time to time, additional rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary and proper relating to connections with a sewer and with the sewer system, which additional rules and regulations, to the extent appropriate, shall be and shall be construed to be part of this part.
[Amended 3-23-1995 by Ord. No. 192]
Any person who shall violate this part shall be, upon conviction thereof, sentenced to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation shall continue shall be deemed and shall be taken to be a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
[Added 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A; amended 12-28-1972 by Ord. No. 122; 3-23-1995 by Ord. No. 192]
A. 
Any person desiring to do plumbing work upon any improved property which is connected or which is to be connected to a sewer shall obtain from this Township a permit authorizing such person to engage in such plumbing work. Such permits shall be issued on a calendar-year basis. A fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners shall be charged for the issuance of each permit. Such permits shall be issued to such persons who are in possession of a master plumber's license, said license being issued by any municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such permits shall be revocable by this Township for negligent or willful failure to comply with these rules and regulations. Such permits shall be reissued from calendar year to calendar year by appropriate endorsement of this Township or by issuance of a new permit, at the discretion of this Township, upon payment of the required fee. Owners, their agents, employees or independent contractors may do ditch preparation work independently of the plumbing work involved upon receipt of a permit from the Township and subject to compliance with these regulations and inspection requirements.
B. 
Any person not possessing a permit as required under Subsection A shall not perform any plumbing work upon any improved property which is connected to a sewer or which is to be connected to a sewer.
C. 
Any improved property upon which plumbing work is performed by a person not possessing a permit as required under Subsection A will not be approved for connection to a sewer.
D. 
Bond required.
(1) 
Any person desiring to do plumbing work upon any improved property which is connected or which is to be connected to any sewer shall, in addition to obtaining the permit as aforementioned, post a performance bond with approved corporate surety or cash or negotiable securities to insure that any damage caused by said connection to all adjoining, bounding, intersecting and connecting streets or highways, curbs and sidewalks are repaired and restored to the condition in which said adjoining, bounding, intersecting and connecting streets or highways, curbs and sidewalks were prior to the construction done on the premises. In addition thereto, the plumber or person doing said work shall guarantee that all damage done to adjoining properties or the property owned upon which the plumbing work is authorized is fully restored to the condition in which it was prior to the commencement of said construction.
(2) 
The performance bond or cash or negotiable securities shall be filed with the Township of Lower Pottsgrove immediately upon the payment of the permit fee and shall remain in the possession of the Township of Lower Pottsgrove for a period of 90 days after the construction has been completed and, in the event that there are no claims or work to be completed or repairs made at the expiration of said ninety-day period, said bond, upon written request, shall be returned to the individual posting the same.
[Added 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A]
A. 
If any person shall fail or refuse, upon receipt of a notice of this Township in writing, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building sewer within 60 days of receipt of such notice, this Township may refuse to permit such person to discharge sanitary sewage and industrial wastes into the sewer system until such unsatisfactory condition shall have been remedied to the satisfaction of this Township.
B. 
This Township reserves the right to refuse to any person the privilege of connection of any improved property to a sewer or to compel discontinuance of use of a sewer by any person or to compel the pretreatment of industrial wastes in order to prevent discharge into the sewer system of wastes which may be deemed by this Township to be harmful to the sewer system or to have a deleterious effect on sewage treatment processes.
C. 
This Township reserves the right to adopt, from time to time, additional rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary and proper relating to connections with sewers and the sewer system, which additional rules and regulations, to the extent appropriate, shall be and shall be construed as part of these rules and regulations.
[Added 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A]
A. 
In cases where a builder or developer desires to install sewer mains, service laterals and house connections to every housing unit within a housing development prior to their individual sale, he may do so upon meeting all conditions as set forth in this section and in other sections of this part. Plot plans for such a development must be submitted to the Township for approval prior to any construction. Sewer plans conforming to all original specifications established by the Township as to type of pipe, location of mains, size of pipe, grades, methods of laying pipe and the type and construction of all necessary appurtenances will be prepared by the Township Engineer and approval obtained from the necessary state agencies.
B. 
The engineering fees and charges for permits will be paid by the builder or developer. In no case will lesser standards than exist in the presently constructed sewer system and as outlined in this part be permitted for any future extensions. Upon approval of such plans by the Township, the extensions may be constructed by and at the expense of the builder or developer, but only under the inspection of an inspector designated by the Township and/or its Engineer. The cost of such inspection, including salaries and expenses, shall be borne by the builder or developer making the extensions.
[Added 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A]
This Township shall have the right of access at reasonable times to any part of any improved property served by the sewer system as shall be required for purposes of inspection, measurement, sampling and testing and for performance of other functions relating to service rendered by this Township through the sewer system.
[Added 4-5-1971 by Ord. No. 104-A]
A. 
Additional rules and regulations. This Township reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations or to adopt additional rules and regulations from time to time as it shall deem necessary and proper in connection with the use and operation of the sewer system or as may be required to meet necessary costs and expenses or in order to comply with the covenants of the Township with the holders from time to time of its sewer revenue bonds.
B. 
Variance from rules. No officer or employee of the Township is authorized to vary these rules without action by the Board of the Township.
C. 
Control of service. The Township shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure of service when occasioned by an emergency, required repairs or failure from any cause beyond its control. The Township reserves the right to restrict the use of sewer service whenever the public welfare may require it.
D. 
Notice of change of ownership. Each property owner must give the Township or its authorized representative written notice of any change of ownership of any improved property.
It is declared that enactment of this part is necessary for the protection, benefit and preservation of the health, safety and welfare of inhabitants of this Township.
[Added 7-9-1973 by Ord. No. 128 (Ch. 18, Part 4B, of the 1995 Code)]
[Amended 3-23-1995 by Ord. No. 192]
A. 
The general contractor of all newly developed construction within 150 feet of the sewer system which is completed after the date of this article shall, prior to occupancy or sale of said construction, connect to the Lower Pottsgrove sewer system.
B. 
The contractor shall be responsible for paying all costs incident to the connection of the newly constructed building, including the hookup fee, connection and restoration of streets, sidewalks or curbing. Said restoration shall be in accordance with the Lower Pottsgrove Township specifications and shall meet the approval of the Township Engineer or his designated agent prior to sale or occupancy. This provision shall apply to all new construction or construction which is presently underway as of the date of this article.
C. 
The developer/contractor shall be responsible for a tap-in fee and/or hookup fee for newly constructed buildings and for restoration of streets, sidewalks and curbing to Township specifications.
D. 
Any person who shall violate this article shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day on which a violation shall continue shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
E. 
It is 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 Township.