[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Upper
Moreland Township as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted as Title 5, Ch. 5, of the 1977 Code[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article was adopted 9-12-1972 by
Ord. No. 738 and amended 4-5-1982 by Res. No. R-82-11 and 9-6-1988
by Ord. No. 1165.
The purpose of this article is to establish procedures for the
use and maintenance of holding tanks designed to receive and retain
sewage whether from residential or commercial uses, 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 Township.
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise,
the meanings of terms used in this article shall be as follows:
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 include but are not limited
to the following:
CHEMICAL TOILETA toilet using chemicals that discharge to a holding tank.
RETENTION TANKA holding tank where sewage is conveyed to it by a water-carrying system.
VAULT PIT PRIVYA holding tank designed to receive sewage where water under pressure is not available.
Any property 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 sewage
shall or may be discharged.
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole
or partial, of any property located in the Township.
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation
or other group or entity.
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.
The Township of Upper Moreland, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
The Board of Commissioners may by ordinance amend the following
rules and regulations concerning holding tank sewage disposal as it
may deem necessary from time to time to effect the purposes herein:
A.
Holding tank construction. The following considerations must be incorporated
into the design of the holding tank:
(1)
Capacity.
(a)
The minimum capacity allowed shall be equal to either the daily
flow times the longest interval, in days, between collection, plus
one day's additional capacity, but not less than three days,
or 1,000 gallons, whichever is greater. The anticipated flow shall
be as follows:
(b)
The aforesaid minimum capacities are for sewage only. Any other
type of waste, including chemicals and metals, shall have a minimum
capacity determined by the Sewage Enforcement Officer, based upon
the content of the waste. An analysis of the waste shall be presented
to the Sewage Enforcement Officer by the applicant.
(2)
The property owner shall submit to the Sewage Enforcement Officer
of the Township, for approval of the Township, plans showing the size,
shape, location, type of material used in the fabrication of the holding
tank and details of its construction prior to the issuance of any
building permit for newly constructed buildings and prior to the issuance
of any occupancy permit for existing buildings. No building permit
shall be issued until the Township approves the holding tank application
in each instance and grants a permit for its installation, and no
occupancy permit shall be granted until the holding tank installation
is approved by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer.
(3)
Level indicator. An indicator to show the sewage depth shall be required,
and a warning device, which can be a light, bell, etc., shall be installed.
This device shall operate when the tank reaches 75% of its capacity.
(4)
Withdraw facilities. The necessary withdraw facilities to ensure
that the tank can be completely pumped out shall be required.
(5)
Venting. The tank shall be properly vented to the atmosphere. If
odor problems occur, it will be the responsibility of the property
owner to install the necessary filter system within 30 days after
written notice from the Township.
(6)
Maintenance. It shall be the property owner's responsibility
to maintain all facilities and equipment in proper working order at
all times.
(7)
All holding tanks shall be located so that the sewage pumper shall
have easy access to withdrawal facilities during all seasons of the
year.
(8)
When applying for a holding tank permit, the property owner shall
submit the following material to the Township:
(a)
A performance bond to insure that the necessary steps for the
collection, transportation, and disposal of the disposal of the sewage
contained in the holding tank shall be obtained, based upon the rate
of $1 for each gallon of holding tank capacity.
(b)
A contract with a disposal site which has been approved by the
Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
agreeing to receive sewage from the applicant.
(c)
A list of all wastes, quantitative and qualitative, which will
be discharged into the holding tank.
(d)
A contract with reputable sewage hauler, providing that sewage
hauler will dispose of holding tank waste of the applicant on a regular
basis.
B.
Duties of improved property owners.
(1)
The owner of an improved property that utilizes a holding tank shall:
(a)
Maintain the holding tank in conformance with this or any ordinance
of the Township, the provisions of any department of the Township,
and any administrative agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(b)
The owner shall provide a record log identifying the owner,
property and location of the holding tank, which shall be kept with
the tank in a weather-protected manner. The record log shall be completed
by the hauler to indicate the date of collection, quantity withdrawn
and be verified by the signature of the hauler. The record log shall
contain space for 25 entries. Upon completion of a record log, it
shall be filed with the Township Health Officer and a replacement
log provided.
(c)
Permit the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer or Health Officer
or his designated representative to make periodic inspection of holding
tank facilities. Said inspection shall be made periodically at the
expense of the owner.
(d)
Submit a statement to the Township Health Officer not less than
18 months after issuance of the permit, showing that the performance
bond has been renewed.
(e)
In the event that the Township must enforce the performance
bond for the collection, transportation and disposal of the property
owner's sewage, the property owner must either obtain a new performance
bond in an amount designated by the Township or put into escrow with
the Township an amount sufficient to pay all collection, transportation
and disposal costs before he can utilize his holding facility.
C.
Minimal regulations for holding tanks to be used for retaining of
sewage.
(1)
Tank shall be UL approved for hazardous liquids.
(2)
All welding and burning to be completed before tank is placed in
use.
(3)
Install alarm control system, four-inch bell warning light and automatic
reset bell.
(4)
All work to be done in compliance with National Electric Code, OSHA,
Philadelphia Electric Company and/or any local codes having jurisdiction.
(5)
All conduit to be rigid steel galvanized, not smaller than 3/4 inch.
(6)
All wire to be type "THW" not smaller than No. 12 AWG.
(7)
Contractor to provide an inspector and inspection certificate, by
and from the Middle Department Inspection Agency, covering the entire
electrical installation.
D.
Requirements for holding tank construction approval.
(1)
Underground construction.
(a)
Tank shall be coated on outside with black asphaltum.
(b)
Tank shall be anchored to a reinforced concrete slab cushioned
with sand to a height equal to the middle of the tank.
(c)
Tank shall be strapped to anchors provided for with turnbuckle.
(d)
Tank shall have a minimal opening of 18 inches and shall extend
to surface with bolt-down cover with gasket.
(e)
Tank shall be vented with two-and-one-half-inch vent and end
of vent to terminate above building height.
(f)
Tank drain shall be constructed so to drain all effluent from
tank.
(g)
Tank shall meet isolated distances of Act 537, as illustrated
in Sewage Enforcement Officer Technical Manual, Page VI-5, Figure
15.
(2)
Surface or elevated.
(a)
Tank shall be on cradle of approved concrete cradle or steel
structure.
E.
All plans and drawings must be certified by a registered professional
engineer with seal appearing thereon, and five copies presented to
Upper Moreland Township for review.
No person shall employ a holding tank within the Township of Upper Moreland without first paying a fee as required under Chapter 140, Fees, Rates and Permits, of the Upper Moreland Township Code.
The collection and transportation of all sewage from any improved
property utilizing a holding tank shall be done solely by or under
the direction and control of the Township, 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.
The owner of an improved property that utilizes a holding tank
shall:
A.
Construct and maintain the holding tank in conformance with this
or any ordinance of this Township; the provisions of any applicable
law, including the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, as amended;
and the rules and regulations of the Township and any administrative
agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
Permit only the Township or anyone acting under the direction of
the Township to collect, transport and dispose of the contents therein.
C.
Deposit and maintain with the Township of Upper Moreland a bond to
guarantee proper maintenance of the facility in an amount and with
a surety satisfactory to the Board of Commissioners; in no event,
however, shall the bond be less than the sum required to maintain
the facility for a period of five years or the amount required to
connect to the sanitary sewage line when established, whichever in
the opinion of the Township Engineer is the lesser.
In addition to any other remedies provided in this article, any violation of § 256-6 above shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the Township by either seeking appropriate equitable or legal relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this article
shall, upon conviction thereof by summary proceedings, be sentenced
to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, and costs,
or undergo imprisonment in the Montgomery County Prison for a period
not in excess of 30 days.
[Adopted as Title 5, Ch. 8, of the 1977 Code[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter was adopted 12-30-1977; reenacted
1-13-1992 by Ord. No. 1273 and amended by Ord. No. 962; 11-9-1981
by Ord. No. 1165; and 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1221.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Upper Moreland-Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority.
Any liquid, gaseous or waterborne waste from industrial processes
or commercial establishments as distinct from sanitary sewage.
Any structure erected and intended for continuous or periodic
habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals and from which
structure sanitary sewage and industrial wastes, or either thereof,
is or may be discharged.
Includes a partnership, association or corporation.
The normal household and toilet wastes carried by water from
residences, business buildings, institutions, industries and commercial
establishments.
The sanitary sewer collection system and appurtenances, including
interceptors and treatment plant, to be constructed by the Authority
according to the Report and Plans and Specifications of George B.
Mebus, Inc., Consulting Engineers, in the Township Sewer Districts
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, now or hereafter described, and any improvements,
additions or extensions that hereafter may be made thereto by the
Authority or the Township or to any part or parts of any or all thereof.
Upper Moreland Township.
A.
Where properties abutting upon the sewer system are assessable for
a proportionate share of the cost thereof, all persons owning any
occupied building now erected upon premises abutting on the sewer
system shall, at their own expense, make the connection within two
months after notice to do so from the Authority.
B.
All persons owning any premises abutting on the sewer system upon
which an occupied building is hereafter erected shall, at the time
of the erection of such building and at their own expense, make the
connection with the sewer system.
C.
All persons owning any occupied building upon premises which hereafter
shall abut on the sewer system shall, at their own expense, make the
connection with the sewer system within two months after notice to
do so from the Authority.
D.
All persons owning premises situated within 200 feet of the sewer
line or sewer system shall, at the expense of owner, make a connection
with the sewer system within two months after notice to do so from
the Authority.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning any occupied building
on premises abutting on the sewer system to erect, construct or use
or maintain or cause to be erected, constructed, used or maintained,
any privy, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or other receptacle on
such premises for receiving sewage.
Any person who erects, constructs or maintains a privy, cesspool,
sinkhole or septic tank or other receptacle for receiving sewage on
any property abutting on the sewer system, in violation of this article,
shall be deemed and shall be declared to be erecting, constructing
and maintaining a nuisance, which nuisance the Township is hereby
authorized and directed to abate in the manner provided by law.
No connection shall be made to the sewer system except in compliance
with the appropriate ordinances of the Township and with such rules
and regulations of the Authority as may be approved from time to time
by ordinance of the Township. The following rules and regulations
are approved for adoption by the Authority and shall have the force
and effect as though promulgated by the Township:
A.
Application for service line.
(1)
Any person owning an occupied building upon premises abutting on
the sewer system desiring the introduction of a service line from
the sewer system to his premises must first make written application
on the forms furnished by the Authority. The application must be signed
by such person or his duly authorized representative.
(2)
No person owning any premises connected with the sewer system or
tenant of such premises shall permit another person or premises to
use or connect with his service line except upon written permit from
the Authority.
B.
Permit for connection. Before making any connection to the sewer
system, a permit must be obtained from the Authority. A permit authorizing
such connection may be granted after proper application therefor has
been made to the Authority and upon payment of the connection charge.
C.
Service connections. No sewer connection or disconnection shall be
made, nor any lateral installed, except in the manner and of a type
approved by the Authority or its duly authorized representative, who
shall have supervision and control over the same. The lateral line
shall be constructed at the applicant's expense. After all pipe
is laid and before the ditch is closed, all work must be inspected
and approved by the representative of the Authority.
D.
Sewage discharge.
(1)
No roof, storm, cellar seepage, surface waters or groundwaters; oils,
tar, grease, gasoline, combustible gases or liquids; garbage or insoluble
solids or any substance which would impair or interfere with the sewer
system or any part thereof in any manner, or with the function of
the processes of sewage treatment, shall be discharged into the sewer
system.
(2)
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the sewer
system any ashes, cinders, sand, glass, straw, mud, hay, shavings,
metal, scraps, rags, feathers, plastics, wood, or any other solid
or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in
the sewer system or the processes of sewage treatment.
(3)
All hotels, restaurants, boardinghouses and public eating places,
before draining into the sewer system, shall install grease traps
on the house drains of such character as may be specified by the Authority.
E.
Inspections. The Authority or its representatives shall have the
right of access at all reasonable times to all parts of every residential,
industrial or commercial premises connected to the sewer system and
to examine and inspect all plumbing fixtures and the connections made
thereof to the sewer system for any improper connection, installation,
maintenance or use of the sewer system. The Authority may make reasonable
charges for such inspections to users of the sewer system.
F.
Release of liability.
(1)
Neither the Township nor the Authority shall be liable for any damage
or expense resulting from leaks, stoppages or defective plumbing or
from any other cause, occurring to any premises or within any house
or building; and it is hereby expressly stipulated by all persons
making connection with the sewer system that no claims shall be made
against either the Township or the Authority on account of the breaking
or stoppage of, or any damage to, any lateral or house sewer line
or connection when the cause thereof is found to be in such lateral
or house sewer line or connection.
(2)
The Township and the Authority shall not be liable for a deficiency
or failure when occasioned by an emergency or required repairs or
failure for any cause beyond control.
G.
Vacated premises. When premises are vacated, the owner or tenant
shall give notice thereof to the Authority, and the owner or tenant
will be responsible for the sewage charges until such notice is given.
H.
Changing rules and regulations. The Authority reserves the right
to change or amend, from time to time, these rules and regulations
in accordance with law and subject to the approval of the Township
through its Board of Township Commissioners.
The provisions of this article and the rules and regulations set forth in § 256-13 hereof are declared to be for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township, and any person who shall violate any of such provisions, rules or regulations shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 to Upper Moreland Township, the same to be collected by a summary proceeding before any magisterial district judge in said Township or recovered as debts of like amount are now by law coverable and, in default of payment of such fine, shall be liable to imprisonment of not more than 30 days in the Montgomery County Prison, and whenever such person shall have been notified by Upper Moreland Township through its duly constituted representatives or by service of summons or prosecutions or in any other way that such violation has been committed, each day that such person shall continue in such violation shall constitute a separate offense, punishable by like fine or penalty.
[Added 11-10-2008 by Ord. No. 1562]
A.
The following pollutant limits are established to protect against
pass-through and interference. No person shall discharge wastewater
containing in excess of the following:
|
Arsenic
|
0.84 mg/l
| |
|
Aluminum
|
2,300 mg/l
| |
|
Beryllium
|
0.84 mg/l
| |
|
Cadmium
|
0.12 mg/l
| |
|
Chromium (total)
|
5.00 mg/l
| |
|
Chromium (Hexavalent)
|
0.63 mg/l
| |
|
Copper
|
0.48 mg/l
| |
|
Cyanide (free)
|
3.07 mg/l
| |
|
Cyanide (total)
|
3.07 mg/l
| |
|
Lead
|
0.12 mg/l
| |
|
Mercury
|
0.01 mg/l
| |
|
Nickel
|
5.00 mg/l
| |
|
Phenols
|
794.36 mg/l
| |
|
Selenium
|
1.94 mg/l
| |
|
Silver
|
2.36 mg/l
| |
|
Zinc
|
4.87 mg/l
| |
|
Color L.T.
|
500 C.U.
|
B.
The above limits apply at the point where the wastewater is discharged
to the POTW. All concentrations for metallic substances are for "total"
metal unless indicated otherwise. All test procedures shall conform
to an approved analysis method as indicated in 40 CFR Part 136.
C.
The Authority reserves the right to apply local limits listed above
to any user's wastewater discharge which is not composed of strictly
domestic sewage.
D.
The local limits listed above are the highest allowable concentration
in any type of sample, either a grab or composite, collected over
any time interval.
E.
The Authority reserves the right to establish alternate local limits
in individual wastewater discharge permits but only in accordance
with regulatory requirements. At no time will the summation of the
industrial user' discharges for a specific pollutant be greater than
the allowable wastewater treatment facility headworks loading, as
determined in the Authority's most recent USEPA approved local
limits evaluation. The local limits, if more stringent than the National
Categorical Standards, shall immediately supersede the National Categorical
Standards.
