As used in this Part 3, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated.
ACT 537
The Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. 1535, as amended, 35 P.S.
§ 750.1 et seq., known as the "Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities
Act"
ABANDONMENT
A vacated in-ground holding tank, distribution tank, chamber,
etc., that is no longer required for service.
APPARENT MALFUNCTION
Wet, murky conditions (not resulting from surface water runoff
or ponding) in areas designated as the adsorption area. These conditions
are typically accompanied by high grass and increased growth and strong
sewage odors and significant algae growth in the warmer months. In
the winter, these areas do not freeze and the area is typically spongy
and soft, nor does snow accumulate in these areas. Information from
homeowners such as frequent septic tank pumping or inability to pump
a septic tank due to backflow from the absorption area also indicates
an apparent malfunction.
AUTHORIZED AGENT
A Township official, County Health Department designated
Sewage Enforcement Officer, professional engineer, Township Manager
or any other qualified or licensed person(s) who is (are) delegated
by the Township to function within specified limits as the agent(s)
of the Township to carry out the provisions of this Part 3.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania.
BUILDING ADDITIONS
Any structure added to the initial structure of which the
original on-lot system was designed and installed.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEM
Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the
collection of sewage from two or more lots and the treatment and/or
disposal of the sewage on one or more lots or at any other site.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania (PaDEP).
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT (EDU)
In the case of a residential use in the amount of sewage
deemed to be generated by one single-family dwelling unit and in the
case of nonresidential uses, a flow of gallons of sewage per day as
set by the Municipal Utility Authority.
FEES
Fee schedule will be determined by the Board of Supervisors
and the Montgomery County Commissioners.
GRAY WATER
Domestically generated liquid wastes, including kitchen and
laundry wastes and water softener backwash.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The department overseeing the review, permitting and/or inspections
of new, reuse/change in structure and repairs of on-lot disposal systems
within the County of Montgomery.
HOLDING TANK
A watertight receptacle which receives and retains sewage
and is designed and constructed to facilitate ultimate disposal of
the sewage at another site. Holding tanks shall be watertight type
in which sewage is removed to it by a licensed hauler.
INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM
A system of piping, tanks or other facilities collecting
and/or disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into
any waters of this commonwealth.
MAINTENANCE
The pumping of a septic tank, cesspool or dry well; the cleaning,
pumping and/or leveling of a distribution box; the removal of trees
or growth affecting the operation of an on-site disposal system; the
diversion of surface water away from an on-lot system; and the reduction
of flow from the structure being served (i.e., the installation of
water conservation devices).
MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR
A contractor familiar with the procedures of the Montgomery
County Health Department (MCHD) with the ability to perform all required
maintenance, inspection, repairs and replacement of on-lot systems
(OLS) with ACT 537 and related regulations.
MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
The agreement between the Township and the property owner
to perform scheduled maintenance by a contractor licensed by the DEP
to pump and haul septic wastes.
NEW SYSTEM
The installation of an on-site disposal system on a property
where a system has not previously existed or the installation of a
larger on-site system in conjunction with the expanded use of an existing
structure. It does not include replacement systems installed on properties
with existing on-lot systems where rehabilitation and repair efforts
are required to correct an existing malfunction.
OFFICIAL SEWAGE FACILITIES ACT 537 PLAN
The comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage
disposal systems, adopted by the Township and approved by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), as amended.
ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any system for disposal of sewage involving pretreatment
and subsequent disposal of the clarified sewage into the soil for
final treatment and disposal, including both individual sewage systems
and community sewage systems.
PERSON
Any individual, association, public or private corporation
for profit or not for profit, partnership, firm, trust, estate, department,
board, bureau or agency of the commonwealth, political subdivision,
municipality, district, authority or any other legal entity whatsoever
which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. Whenever
used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty or imposing
a fine or imprisonment, the term "person" shall include the members
of an association, partnership or firm and the officers of any local
agency or municipal, public or private corporation for profit or not
for profit.
POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION
Property owner points to one area where the absorption area
is supposedly located, but problems are evident in other areas of
the property; evidence of previous repair or extension of a system
or piles of recently placed soil and/or dirt in the vicinity of where
the absorption area is located; installation of a garden, shrubs or
trees in the vicinity of where the absorption area is located; or
inability to distinguish gray water discharge from the absorption
area malfunction. A system subject to improperly routed runoff or
drainage, which may be affecting performance, is also considered a
possible malfunction.
REHABILITATION or REPAIR
Work done to modify, alter or repair an existing on-lot sewage
disposal system or individual components thereof. Enlargement of the
total absorption area, as long as flows from the structure being served
are unchanged or reduced, is also included.
REPLACEMENT AREA
A portion of a lot or a developed property, sized to allow
the installation of a sewage disposal area, which is reserved to allow
that new installation in the event of the malfunction of the originally
installed on-lot system.
REPLACEMENT SYSTEM
An on-lot sewage system which replaces a previously installed
on-lot system which cannot be repaired or rehabilitated to a condition
acceptable to the Township's authorized agent or MCHD.
REUSE PERMIT
An application to the MCHD for building alterations (change
in use) and/or additions to the initial building structure discharging
to an on-lot system.
SEWAGE
The normal waterborne household and toilet wastes from residences,
business buildings, institutions, industrial and commercial establishments.
SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (SEO)
The official of the local agency, MCHD, who reviews and issues
permit applications and conducts such investigations and inspections
as are necessary to implement Act 537 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. Each municipality is required to obtain SEO
services in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redividing of a lot, tract or other parcel
of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions
of land, including changes in existing lot lines. The enumerating
of lots shall include as a lot that portion of the original tract
or tracts remaining after other lots have been subdivided therefrom.
TOWNSHIP
Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.