Definitions. In addition, the following words and terms, when used
in this Part, shall have the following meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
APPLICANT
A landowner, as herein defined, or agent of the landowner,
who has filed an application for a community on-lot disposal system
management permit.
BCDH
Acronym for the Bucks County Department of Health, the local
agency in the County of Bucks responsible for enforcing the rules
and regulations of the PA DER regarding sewage facilities, specifically
Act 537 and Chapters 71, 72 and 73 promulgated thereunder.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The zoning officer of Newtown Township is appointed by the
Township Supervisors and empowered by the Second Class Township Code
(53 P.S. §§ 66951 - 66964) for the purpose of enforcing
the health laws of the Township and the provisions of this Part.
COMMUNITY ON-LOT DISPOSAL SYSTEM (OLDS)
A system of piping, tanks and/or other components serving
more than one residence or establishment by collecting, treating and
disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into any
waters of this Commonwealth.
COMMUNITY OLDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
A method of managing community on-lot sewage disposal systems
(OLDS) which has as its general goals the installation of sound OLDS
and the assurance that new existing OLDS are properly operated and
maintained.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
or land development.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
A nonprofit or for-profit corporation controlled by a board
of directors which administers by-laws and rules and regulations governing
all lots and/or common area in the residential development.
MANAGEMENT AGENCY
An entity, either private or public, formed for the purpose
of managing water and/or wastewater facilities. Types of management
agencies include: municipal authorities, municipal governing bodies,
private corporations, private engineering or technical service firms,
etc.
MUNICIPALITY
A city, incorporated town, township or borough.
OFFICIAL ACT 537 PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage
systems adopted by a municipality or municipalities possessing authority
over the provision of such systems and submitted to and approved by
the Department as provided by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act
537 and Chapter 71, Rules and Regulations, promulgated thereunder.
PA DER
Acronym for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Resources which is a cabinet level agency with broad authorities granted
by legislation to protect Pennsylvania's many environmental resources.
The DER is responsible for overseeing the plans, designs and construction
of wastewater treatment facilities throughout the State, particularly
those which are part of the Federal Construction Grants Program or
Sewage Facilities Act 537 planning process.
PROOF OF PUMP-OUT
Method by which a property owner verifies that his/her on-lot
sewage system has been cleaned to remove residuals. This is most easily
verified by presenting a dated receipt of payment from a septic tank
contractor.
PROPERTY OWNER
The legal, beneficial, equitable owner or owners of land,
including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether
or not such option or contract is subject to any conditions), a lessee
(if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the
landowner), or any other person having a proprietary interest in land.
PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
A for-profit or nonprofit corporation controlled by a board
of directors which administers by-laws and rules and regulations governing
all lots and/or common area (open space) in a nonresidential development
such as an industrial park.
PUBLIC ASSURANCE PROGRAM
That part of a community OLDS management program which, through
an on-lot system inspection process, seeks to ensure that community
sewage systems are operated and maintained properly.
SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE
Pennsylvania Statue 53 (P.S. 53 § 65101) outlining
laws relating to townships of the second class. The act, as amended,
become effective July 1, 1947.
SEWAGE
Any substance that contains any of the waste products or
excrement or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals;
any substance harmful to the public health, to animal or aquatic life,
or to the use of water for domestic water supply or for recreation;
or any substance which constitutes pollution under the Clean Streams
Law (35 P.S. § 691.1-601.1001).
SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (SEO)
The official of the local agency (a municipality, any combination
of municipalities, a county department of health, or a joint county
department of health) who issues and reviews permit applications and
concludes such investigations and inspections as are necessary to
implement Act 537, Chapter 71 (relating to administration of sewage
facilities program), and Chapter 73, Standards for Sewage Disposal
Facilities.
WATERCOURSE
A permanent or intermittent stream, river, brook, creek,
run, channel, swale, pond, lake or other body of water, whether natural
or man-made, for gathering or carrying surface water.
WATERS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH
Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches,
watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, damned water, ponds, springs and
all other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water or any of their parts - whether natural or artificial - within
or on the boundaries of this Commonwealth.