[Adopted 4-2-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-09]
The purpose of this article is to help protect public health
and safety, water quality and the general welfare by requiring the
proper operation and maintenance of individual subsurface sewage disposal
systems (ISSDSs) in Woolwich Township. Further, it is intended to
comply with N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.25(e).
ISSDSs that are not properly maintained can contaminate both
groundwater and surface water, creating health risks to humans and
impairing natural ecosystems. Regularly pumping out the accumulated
solids and liquids from an ISSDS before they interfere with proper
function is the single most-effective means to maintain an ISSDS in
good working order and to extend its effective life. Therefore, regular
pumpouts are a key means to protect the surrounding environment as
well as public health and welfare from the effects of a failed system.
This article is applicable to all ISSDSs, both existing and
newly installed, within the Township of Woolwich.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The office, agency, or other entity responsible for the implementation
of this article, namely the Township Health Official or Zoning Officer.
A system for the disposal of less than or equal to 2,000
gallons per day of sanitary sewage into the ground. Such systems are
generally designed and constructed to treat sanitary sewage in a manner
that will retain most of the settleable solids in a tank and discharge
the liquid effluent to a disposal field. Existing systems with other
designs (some no longer permitted to be used), such as cesspools or
those that dispose of effluent through seepage pits, are also included.
This term refers to both systems that serve an individual residence
as well as on-site subsurface sewage disposal systems serving a property
other than a single-family home (such as commercial buildings, food
establishments, commercial/residential mixed uses, and systems serving
multiple units) with an engineering flow of less than or equal to
2,000 gallons per day, including but not limited to those systems
identified in N.J.A.C. 7:9A-1.8(a)2.
An individual granted a license by the Public Health Licensing
and Examination Board of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services.
An industry professional that meets a set of established
criteria and is deemed qualified to construct, install or alter individual
subsurface sewage disposal systems by the acting authority or its
designee.
An engineer licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Professional
Engineers and Land Surveyors to practice the profession of engineering.
Pumping out by a qualified service provider, as determined
by the acting authority, the accumulated solids and liquids retained
in an ISSDS, as well as servicing as necessary to restore an ISSDS
to good working order.
An industry professional that has completed the on-site wastewater
treatment system professionals voluntary registration form and filed
it with the Department's Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control.
Any person or other entity that has legal title to property.
Either of the following that is served by an ISSDS:
A single lot as defined by municipal lot and block; or
The combined area contained within the legal boundaries of two
or more contiguous lots where, for any part of each of those lots,
there is a shared pecuniary, possessory or other substantial common
interest by one or more persons (such as common ownership and/or operation
or a common plan of development or sale).
An individual granted a license by the Public Health Licensing
and Examination Board of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services.
Any wastes, including wastes from humans, households, commercial
establishments, and/or equivalent water-carried wastes of human origin
from industries, that are discharged to an ISSDS.
The Woolwich Township Board of Health, or its designee, shall maintain a database identifying each ISSDS in active use within Woolwich Township. The database shall include for each ISSDS the parcel block and lot and address of the property where the ISSDS is located, the name and address of the property owner, a description of system size, type and location on the property, and the pumpout status according to the required pumpout schedule set forth in § 148-13. Owners of properties served by ISSDSs are required to cooperate in the initial development and continuing update of the database, which may be developed in phases, as set forth below and in § 148-13. Property owners with an ISSDS are required to submit a registration form with the required information to the Township and to obtain a permit, with an associated fee of $3, for the ISSDS. The purpose is to complete the initial database prior to the deadline for submitting the six-year WMP update required at N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.23(a). A phased system may consist of initially populating the database with those systems already known pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:9a-3.5, which requires a permit to construct, install, or alter an individual or nonindividual subsurface sewage disposal system. For the remaining existing systems, there shall be a presumption that a property is served by an ISSDS unless demonstration is made by the property owner that a sewer hookup exists.
A.Â
The owner of a property served by an ISSDS must cause the ISSDS to
be pumped out by an ISSDS service provider in accordance with the
applicable schedule. Documentation of compliance shall be submitted
within 60 days to Health Official or designee in the form of a receipt
from the ISSDS service provider for the service indicating the property
location, service type(s) provided and date of service.
(2)Â
In lieu of a pumpout, the property owner may submit a septic system
inspection report to the Health Official or designee, on a form provided
by the acting authority, indicating that the system is not in need
of pumping and is in good working order. In this case, the pumpout
schedule will be shifted forward by one year. Said form shall be prepared,
completed and certified by one of the following:
B.Â
Modifications to term of scheduled maintenance. The acting authority
may, on its own motion, upon notice and opportunity to the property
owner for a hearing, or upon application for a modified schedule by
a property owner, alter the time period for scheduled maintenance.
The acting authority may consider the factors, including but not limited
to those listed below, in determining that a different pumping schedule
applies:
(1)Â
Size of the ISSDS relative to the wastewater generated by the structure(s)
served (i.e., small number of users relative to system design may
warrant a longer period, while a large number of users relative to
system design may warrant a shorter period).
(2)Â
ISSDSs that are cesspools.
(3)Â
Unusual type and/or intensity of sewage generation, such as dining
establishments, pet grooming, hair salons, etc.
C.Â
Notification of requirement for scheduled maintenance.
(1)Â
An initial notice of requirement for initial pumpout and the pumpout schedule applicable thereafter shall be mailed by the acting authority to owners of properties served by ISSDSs. Except as provided in Subsection C(2), the initial scheduled pumpout is required to be conducted within 90 days of the date set forth in the initial notification.
(2)Â
Property owners shall be exempt from the initial pumpout requirement,
provided documentation is submitted to the Health Official or designee
that confirms a pumpout was completed no more than 18 months prior
to receiving the initial notification. In this case, the initial required
maintenance will commence three years from the date of the documented
pumpout.
(3)Â
Sixty days prior to the next scheduled maintenance, the acting authority
shall send a "notice for service due" letter to the affected property
owners.
Adherence to the provisions of this article is necessary to
help protect public health and safety, water quality and the general
welfare. Failure to adhere to the provisions set forth in this article
shall constitute a violation of this article for which a fine shall
be levied, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:69A-29, in an amount between $25
and $750, based upon severity of violation.
