[Ord. No. 345,
§ 1, 2-25-1960]
As used in this division, the following terms shall have the
indicated meanings:
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or water-borne 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 domestic sewage.
The normal water carried household and toilet wastes from
residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments.
All facilities for collecting, transporting, treating and
disposing of sewage.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 11, 2-25-1960]
This division and any rules and regulations hereunder shall
be applicable to the properties in the Township as soon as they become
connected with, and have the right to use, the sewer system. The Township
reserves the right to make such changes from time to time, as in its
opinion may be desirable or beneficial and to amend this division,
or to change the rates or charges in such manner and at such times
as, in its opinion, may be advisable.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 2, 2-25-1960; Ord. No. 995, § 2, 6-13-1988; Ord.
No. 1013, § 1, 8-14-1989; Ord. No. 1078, § 1, 7-1-1991; Ord.
No. 1172, § 1, 4-24-1995; Ord. No. 1221, § 1, 3-10-1997; Ord. No. 1266, § 7-13-1998;Ord. No. 1279, § 1, 3-8-1999; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 4-12-1999; Ord. No. 1441, § 1, 6-22-2005]
There is hereby imposed upon all new connections or conversions
of commercial, industrial or residential properties connected to the
township sewer system and being served by the sewer systems of East
Norriton Township, Plymouth Township, Whitpain Township or the Borough
of Conshohocken and tributaries to the wastewater treatment plants
of the East Norriton, Plymouth, Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority and/or
the Conshohocken Sewer Authority as follows:
(1)
A tapping fee for the collection of sewerage upon each owner of property within the township connecting to the Plymouth Township sewer system of three thousand eight hundred ninety seven dollars ($3,897.00) for each equivalent dwelling unit as defined in subsection (3) below, payable at the time of application for connection or at such other time as the property owner and the township may agree, or in the case of projects to serve existing developments, such fee shall be payable at a time to be determined by the township.
(2)
A tapping fee for the treatment of sewerage upon each owner of property within the township connecting to the Plymouth Township sewer system of two thousand three hundred thirty seven dollars ($2,337.00) for each equivalent dwelling unit as defined in subsection (3) below, payable at the time of application for connection or at such other time as the property owner and the township may agree, or in the case of projects to serve existing development, such fee shall be payable at a time to be determined by the township.
(3)
Calculation of tapping fees:
a.
An "EDU" means an equivalent dwelling unit with a sewage flow of
two hundred thirty (230) gallons per day (GPD). All EDUs calculated
shall be rounded to the next higher number.
b.
The number of EDUs allocated to each use of property shall be as
set forth in a resolution adoption from time to time by Plymouth Township
Council.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 3, 2-25-1960; Ord. No. 1013, § 2, 8-14-1989]
There is hereby imposed upon each property within the Township
served by the sewer system and having the use thereof, a quarterly
sewer rent or charge payable as provided in this division, for the
use, whether direct or indirect, of the sewer system, based on the
schedules of classifications and rates or charges as set forth in
this division.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 4, 2-25-1960; Ord. No. 660, §§ 1,
2, 10-9-1972; Ord. No. 700, § 1, 4-22-1974; Ord. No. 747, § 11, 5-10-1976; Ord. No. 796, § 1, 7-10-1978; Ord.
No. 830, § 1, 5-12-1980; Ord. No. 851, § 1, 5-11-1981; Ord.
No. 948, § 1, 5-12-1986; Ord. No. 1040, §§ 1,
2, 5-14-1990; Ord. No. 1236, §§ 1, 2, 8-18-1997; Ord.
No. 1437, §§ 1, 2, 4-11-2005; Ord. No. 1463; §§ 1, 2, 7-10-2006; Ord.
No. 1563, 1-9-2012; Ord. No. 1582, §§ 1,
2, 3-10-2014; Ord. No. 1630, §§ 1, 2, 3-13-2017; Ord. No. 1647 §§ 1,
2, 8-13-2018; 12-7-2020 by Ord. No. 1664; 11-29-2021 by Ord. No. 1674; 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. 1689; 12-11-2023 by Ord. No. 1697[1]]
(a)
Conshohocken Area Sewer District and Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(1)
Rates for Metered Water Users. All persons owning property connecting
to the sewer system and served with metered watered service shall
pay a quarterly rental for sanitary sewage service based on quantity
of water used, as evidenced by metered readings of water meters installed
and maintained by the water supplier for the purpose of measuring
water purchased from said water supplier and such other meters as
maybe installed pursuant to any provisions of this division, and subject
to the minimum charges hereinafter provided, all as follows:
a.
Sewage collection charge (applicable to all quantities of water
consumed):
First 7,000 gallons or less per quarter, minimum: $26.66.
All over 7,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons per quarter:
$1.83.
b.
Sewage treatment charge (applicable to all quantities of water
consumed):
First 7,000 gallons or less per quarter, minimum: $33.57.
All over 7,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons per quarter:
$2.37.
(2)
Rates for Nonmetered Water Users. All persons owning property
connecting to the sewer system and served with water service, all
of which water is unmetered, shall pay a quarterly rental for sanitary
sewage service as follows:
(3)
Multiple use. In case of a combination of two (2) or more dwellings,
units, households, flats, apartments, stores, shops, offices or business
units, or two (2) or more families using separate cooking and/or bathroom
facilities in one dwelling have the use of the sewer system through
one sewer lateral, each and every such dwelling unit, household, flat,
apartment, store, shop, office or business unit or such family shall
be charged the foregoing minimum sewer rents or charges, the same
as if each such unit or family had a direct and separate connection
to the sewer system. Sewer rents or charges in excess of such minimum
shall, in the case of metered users, be determined by dividing the
total of water consumed, as shown by the meter readings, by the number
of units or families using such single sewer connection and applying
the above rates scheduled to the quantity so determined.
(4)
No rebate will be allowed, due to unoccupancy or vacancy for
a period of less than three (3) months.
(b)
Whitemarsh Area Sewer District.
(1)
All existing and new properties in the Whitemarsh Area Sewer
District shall pay the sewage collection charge and the sewage treatment
charge imposed by Whitemarsh Township Authority.
(2)
Effective the 1st billing of 2012, all existing properties in
the Whitemarsh Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 60% of
the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed by
Whitemarsh Township Authority or the sewage collection charge and
sewer treatment charge imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(3)
Effective the 1st billing of 2013, all existing properties in
the Whitemarsh Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 80% of
the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed by
Whitemarsh Township Authority or the sewage collection charge and
sewage treatment charge imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(4)
Effective the 1st billing of 2014, and at all times thereafter,
all existing properties in the Whitemarsh Area Sewer District shall
pay 100% of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge
imposed by Whitemarsh Township Authority.
(5)
Any and all properties in the Whitemarsh Area Sewer District
that connect after the effective date of this ordinance shall pay
100% of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed
by Whitemarsh Township Authority.
(c)
Whitpain Area Sewer District.
(1)
All existing and new properties in the Whitpain Area Sewer District
shall the pay the sewage collection charge and the sewage treatment
charge imposed by Whitpain Township.
(2)
Effective the 1st billing of 2012, all existing properties in
the Whitpain Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 60% of the
sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed by Whitpain
Township or the sewage collection charge and sewer treatment charge
imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(3)
Effective the 1st billing of 2013, all existing properties in
the Whitpain Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 80% of the
sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed by Whitpain
Township or the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge
imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(4)
Effective the 1st billing of 2014 and at all times thereafter,
all existing properties in the Whitpain Area Sewer District shall
pay 100% of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge
imposed by Whitpain Township.
(5)
Any and all properties in the Whitpain Area Sewer District that
connect after the effective date of this ordinance shall pay 100%
of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed
by Whitpain Township.
(d)
Norristown Area Sewer District.
(1)
All existing and new properties in the Norristown Area Sewer
District shall pay the sewage collection charge and the sewage treatment
charge imposed by the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority.
(2)
Effective the 1st billing of 2012, all existing properties in
the Norristown Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 60% of
the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment imposed by the Norristown
Municipal Waste Authority or the sewage collection charge and sewer
treatment charge imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(3)
Effective the 1st billing of 2013, all existing properties in
the Norristown Area Sewer District shall pay the higher of 80% of
the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed by
the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority or the sewage collection
charge and sewage treatment imposed in the Plymouth Area Sewer District.
(4)
Effective the 1st billing of 2014 and at all times thereafter,
all existing properties in the Norristown Area Sewer District shall
pay 100% of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge
imposed by the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority.
(5)
Any and all properties in the Norristown Area Sewer District,
that connect after the effective date of this ordinance shall pay
100% of the sewage collection charge and sewage treatment charge imposed
by the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that the rates set
forth in Subsection (a) shall be effective commencing the first calendar
quarter of 2024.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 5, 2-25-1960]
(a)
The sewer rentals and charges for collection and treatment of industrial wastes discharged into the sewer system shall be made in accordance with section 23-43. In addition thereto, further charges shall be made for all sewage discharged into the sewer system having suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand in excess of the following concentrations:
(b)
The additional charge for sewage having concentration in excess of
the foregoing shall be based on the strength factor determined:
 | |
|
*Where these figures are less than three hundred (300) parts
per million in BOD or three hundred fifty (350) parts per million
in suspended solids, the value in the parenthesis shall be equal to
"1".
|
(c)
In cases where the suspended solids, in the opinion of the township,
do not represent the true characteristics of the solids loading, the
township reserves the right to use total solids instead of suspended
solids.
(d)
No industrial user shall begin or continue to discharge any industrial
waste into the sewer system until he has first submitted a written
application to the township for permission to do so, accompanied by
a detailed report prepared by a sanitary engineer, registered in the
state and satisfactory to the township, setting forth such information
relating to such industrial waste as the township may require, and
until the township shall have consented to such discharge.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 6, 2-25-1960]
(a)
Methods of measuring volume.
(1)
Whenever a person purchasing all water used from the water supplier
discharges sanitary sewage into the sewer system, the volume of water
consumed, as determined from meter readings of the water supplier
shall be used in computing the sewer rental.
(2)
In cases where dwellings and establishments have sources of
water supply in addition to, or other than, that of the water supplier,
those dwellings and establishments shall provide a meter on such additional
or other source of supply. The total amount of water consumed, as
shown by these meter readings, will be used in computing the sewer
rental.
(3)
In cases where establishments use water from the water supplier
and/or from an independent supply for industrial or recreational purposes,
such that the water so used is not discharged into the sewer system,
the quantity of water used to determine the sewer rental shall be
computed by one of the following methods:
a.
By placing a meter or measuring device on the sewer connection.
The readings from this meter or measuring device shall be used in
computing the sewer rental.
b.
By placing a meter or measuring device on the effluent not discharging
into the sewer system. The readings from this meter or measuring device
will then be deducted from the total water meter readings and the
remainder will be used in computing the sewer rental.
(b)
Procedure when meters impractical. When, in the opinion of the township,
it is not practical to install meters or measuring devices to determine
the sewer rental under either paragraphs (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this
section, the township may determine, in such manner and by such method
as it may prescribe, the total amount of sanitary sewage discharged
into the sewer system and the quantity so determined to be discharged
shall be used to determine the sewer rental. Any dispute as to the
estimated quantity shall be submitted to the township council, after
notice of the estimate to the property owner. The decision of the
township council on the matter shall be final for the current year.
(c)
Measuring devices. All meters or other measuring devices not provided
by the water supplier, but required to be used under the provisions
of this division, shall be furnished and installed by the property
owner and shall be under the control of the township council and may
be tested, inspected or required by the township employees whenever
the township council deems necessary. The owner of the property upon
which such measuring device is installed shall be responsible for
its maintenance and safekeeping and all repairs thereto shall be made
at the property owner's expense, whether such repairs, if made by
the township, shall be due and payable at the same time and collected
in the same manner as are the bills for sewer services. Such bills
from and after their due date shall constitute a lien upon the property
upon which such measuring device is installed.
(d)
Meter reading. The township shall have the right to read all meters
or measuring devices and they shall be available to township employees
for meter reading at any reasonable time.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 7, 2-25-1960]
(a)
The connection charge set out in this division shall be payable upon
application for permit to make such connection. Sewer rentals or charges
shall be paid quarterly and quarterly billings for sewer rentals and
charges shall be made by bills dated on the first day of January,
April, July and October of each year, beginning on such quarterly
date immediately following the quarterly calendar period or portion
thereof immediately preceding the date of the bill.
(b)
Payments mailed, as evidenced by the United States Post Office mark,
on or previous to the end of the period during which the bills are
payable at face will be deemed to be a payment within such period.
(c)
All persons connected to the sewer 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.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 8, 2-25-1960; Ord. No. 590, § 1, 5-11-1970; Ord.
No. 1108, § 1, 9-14-1992]
(a)
Amount of penalty for unpaid bills; authority to cut off sewer service.
Quarterly charges for sewer service shall be subject to a ten (10)
percent penalty if not paid within thirty (30) days after the date
of the bill. If such bill is not paid within ninety (90) days of the
date of the billing, it shall be subject to an additional two (2)
percent penalty (for a total of twelve (12) percent penalty) for such
quarter and thereafter such penalty shall be assessed at the rate
of three (3) percent per quarter until paid. The township shall have
the right to cut off sewer service from the property where payment
has not been made and not to restore the same until all unpaid bills
against the property and the costs of cutting off and restoring service
shall have been paid.
(b)
Delinquent sewer rentals. All sewer rentals, together with all penalties
thereon, not paid on or before the end of six (6) months from the
date of each bill shall be deemed to be delinquent. All delinquent
sewer rentals and all penalties thereon shall be a lien on the property
served and shall be entered as a lien against such property in the
office of the prothonotary of the county and shall be collected in
the manner provided by law for the filing and collection of such liens.
(c)
Shutting off water if sewer charges are not paid. The township shall
have the authority to shut off the water service to such property
where the sewer rentals, together with all penalties thereon, are
not paid as provided herein pursuant to the provisions of the Act
of April 14, 1949, P.L. 482, section 4; the Act of September 7, 1955,
P.L. 576, section 2; and the Act of June 3, 1971, No. 6, section 1
[section 509(a)(142)] of the Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania and to enter into written agreements with appropriate
water utilities servicing such properties. The costs incurred by the
township including attorney fees, court costs, utility charges and
loss of water revenues shall be paid by the property owner.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 9, 2-25-1960]
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 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 of such sewer system, including periodic payments
due under an agreement with the East Norriton-Plymouth Joint Sewer
Authority for the treatment and disposal of sewage, and for such payments
as the township may be required to make under any lease it may enter
into for and of, or in connection with, such sewer system with the
Plymouth Township Municipal Authority, in accordance with the provisions
of the Act of May 2, 1945, P.L. 382, as amended.
[Ord. No. 345,
§ 10, 2-25-1960]
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 division.
