[Ord. No. 345, § 1, 2-25-1960]
As used in this division, the following terms shall have the indicated meanings:
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
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.
SANITARY SEWAGE
The normal water carried household and toilet wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments.
SEWER SYSTEM
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:
a. 
Sewage collection charge: $37.43 per quarter.
b. 
Sewage treatment charge: $47.07 per quarter.
The Township reserves the right to require the payment of additional charges for the collection and treatment of sanitary sewage from unmetered commercial, public and industrial users.
(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:
(1) 
Suspended solids three hundred fifty (350) parts per million;
(2) 
BOD three hundred (300) parts per million.
(b) 
The additional charge for sewage having concentration in excess of the foregoing shall be based on the strength factor determined:
023 eqn.tif
*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.