[Ord. 572, 5/12/1998; as amended by Ord. 595, 9/9/2003]
1. 
The Borough of West Homestead, by its Borough Council, hereby ordains, enacts and establishes the following schedule of tapping fees and connection and facilities fees regarding the sanitary collection sewer system in the Borough of West Homestead:
A. 
Sanitary Connection Fee: $75 per Connection.
B. 
Sanitary Facilities Fee: $75 per Connection.
C. 
Sanitary Sewer Tapping Fee: $1,900 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit ("EDU"), composed of:
(1) 
Collection Portion: $300.
(2) 
Capacity Portion: $1,600.
(3) 
Special Purpose Portion: $0.
(4) 
Reimbursement Portion: $200 (only if and where applicable)
2. 
For the purposes of calculating the sanitary sewer tapping fee, as set forth above, an EDU shall be equal to 150 gallons per day of water consumption. A non-residential applicant's estimate of water consumption is subject to approval by the Borough Engineer. Fees shall be payable at the time of application for sewer service. Allocations of sewage capacity must be used within two years of approval or the allocation and the fees paid will be forfeited and the applicant shall have to re-apply and pay a new fee based upon the fee schedule then and there in effect.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 1; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 1; and by Ord. 608, 2/8/2005, § A]
The terms used in this Part shall have the meanings set forth as follows:
APPLICANT
A person applying for a certificate of compliance or temporary certificate of compliance.
BOROUGH SECRETARY
The person officially appointed by the governing body to administer and enforce all laws and ordinances of the Borough and be responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the Borough.
BUILDING SEWER
A sewer which conveys sewage but does not convey stormwater.
BUILDING TRAP
(House trap) a device, fitting, or assembly of fittings installed in the building drain to prevent the entrance of sewer gas into the drainage system of the building from the building sewer or main sewer; to provide a circulation of fresh air for the drainage system through the fresh air inlet of the house or building trap and the soil and vent stacks.
CASH SECURITY
Cash, certified check, or treasurer's check.
COUNCIL
The governing body of the Borough of West Homestead.
DATE OF SALE
The date of sale is the date of closing.
DYE TEST
Any commonly accepted method of testing whereby dye is introduced into the storm, surface or subsurface water collection system and downspouts of structures or improvements to real property to determine if surface stormwater is entering into the sanitary sewer system.
EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE
An official statement from the Borough stating that it has on file a written statement from a licensed plumber or approved home inspector that there are no illegal storm or surface water connections into the sanitary sewer connections which would violate municipal or county ordinances, the state statutes or Borough, county or state plumbing regulations.
FRESH AIR VENT
The fresh air inlet opening to the exterior atmosphere connected to the sanitary building sewer on the outside of the building, on the building side of the building trap.
GROUND SURFACE
The surface of the ground, which may be earth, vegetated or bare, or pavement in driveway, patio, entry way or some other surface at ground level.
HOME INSPECTOR
A person registered with the Borough who performs stormwater dye tests.
ILLEGAL STORM OR SURFACE WATER CONNECTIONS
The discharge of basement seepage or ground water, or the connection of downspouts, roof drainage, or surface or areaway drainage into the sanitary sewer system.
IMPROVED AND SEWERED REAL PROPERTY
Real property on which any building, driveway, or parking pad, other surface or subsurface structure or improvement has been constructed, installed or erected, where the real property or any improvement on the real property is connected to the sanitary sewer system.
MUNICIPAL ENGINEER
The person officially appointed by the governing body to enforce this Part or any other entity so designated by the Borough Council.
MUNICIPAL LIEN LETTER
A written letter from the Borough concerning municipal liens and claims.
PERSON
Any natural person, association, partnership, corporation, syndicate, institution, agency, authority, or other entity recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
The sanitary sewer lines and related facilities maintained and operated by the Borough of West Homestead.
SELL OR TRANSFER
The sale, transfer, or assignment of any interest in real property; provided, however, that a refinancing of real property, without a conveyance, is not a sale or transfer under this Ordinance.
SUMP PUMP
An electrical device that is used to pump stormwater and/or groundwater to either the Borough sewer system or to an on-lot sump.
[Added by Ord. 702, 10/10/2017]
SURFACE STORMWATER
Surface water and ground water including but not limited to roof and driveway drainage, basement seepage, and surface and areaway drainage.
TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE
A temporary statement from the Borough used pursuant to the terms of § 18-114 of this Part.
VENT STACK
The portion of the building trap assembly rising from the trap to the ground surface.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003; as added by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 2; and as amended by Ord. 608, 2/8/2005, § B]
1. 
After the effective date of this Part, it shall be unlawful for any rain leader, roof drain, downspout, gutter, parking lot drain, driveway drain, interior or exterior sump, French drain, spring or other collector or source of surface stormwater including, but not limited to, the fresh air vent of the improved and sewered property's sanitary sewer, to connect to the sanitary sewer system.
2. 
It shall be unlawful for any fresh air vent to be located less than one inch above the surrounding ground surface. Where the building sewer exits the building beneath a paved or other surface where the fresh air vent would pose an obstruction or hazard, a tee may be placed in the vent stack to permit installation of the fresh air vent at a location that is not an obstruction or hazard, and the opening at the ground surface shall be replaced with a removable plug to allow inspection and maintenance of the sanitary building sewer. The intent of this section is to comply with the standards of § 1302 of the Allegheny County Plumbing Code, and any future amendments thereto which provides that "stormwater shall not be drained into sewers intended for sewage only." The fresh air vent may be required to be higher than one inch above the ground surface to comply with the Allegheny County Plumbing Code.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003; as added by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 3]
After the date of this Part, it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or transfer improved and sewered real property located within the Borough of West Homestead without having obtained and delivered to the buyer or transferee, at or prior to closing or transfer, a certificate of compliance or temporary certificate of compliance for the property being sold or transferred.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003; as added by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 4; and as amended by Ord. 693, 7/14/2015; and by Ord. 702, 10/10/2017]
Any person (hereinafter "applicant") selling real property within the Borough of West Homestead, (hereinafter "Borough") shall make application for evidence of compliance on a form furnished by the Borough at least 14 days before the date of sale. The applicant shall then have a plumber or approved home inspector who is registered and licensed with the Allegheny County Health Department or a home inspector acceptable to the Borough perform a dye test on the real property to be sold. He shall also perform a test on any sump pump that is on said real property. The plumber or home inspector shall complete the appropriate portions of the form confirming that the property has been dye tested and certifying the results of said test. He shall also certify that any sump pump on said real property is in proper working order and is pumping all water it receives to either a Borough sewer or to an on-lot sump. In the event that there are no illegal stormwater or surface water connections, the Municipal Engineer or his designee shall issue evidence of compliance. If the dye test or sump pump test reveals the existence of an illegal stormwater or surface water connection or the delivery of sump pump water to an illegal destination, no evidence of compliance shall be issued until the illegal connections are removed, or the sump pump issue is corrected and certification of such removal or correction by a registered licensed plumber is received. Valid evidence of compliance shall expire three years following the date of acceptance by the Municipal Engineer.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 2; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 5]
1. 
If the application for certificate of compliance, properly completed and filed with designated filing fee indicates that there are no connections of surface stormwater to the sanitary sewer system, then the borough shall issue the certificate of compliance within 10 days of application therefor.
2. 
It the dye test reveals the existence of one or more surface stormwater connection to the sanitary sewer system, the Borough shall not issue the certificate of compliance until the connections have been removed and a plumber licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department or other person approved the Borough of West Homestead to do so has certified that there is no connection of surface stormwater to the sanitary sewer system from the property to be sold or transferred.
3. 
All references to "sump pumps" in § 18-114 of this Subpart are incorporated into §§ 18-115 and 18-116 as though fully set forth therein and shall fully apply to temporary evidence of compliance.
[Added by Ord. 702, 10/10/2017]
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 3; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 6]
1. 
When a surface stormwater connection to the sanitary sewer system is discovered and the necessary work to remove the connection would require a length of time such as to create a hardship for the seller or applicant, the seller or applicant may apply to the Borough for a temporary certificate of compliance. The seller or applicant must submit the following with the properly completed application:
A. 
A bona fide executed contract with a plumber registered and licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department requiring the plumber to complete the remedial work necessary to the removal of the connections of Department requiring the plumber to complete the remedial work necessary to the removal of the connections of surface stormwater to the sanitary sewer system and granting the Borough of West Homestead the right and power to enforce the contract.
B. 
Cash security in an amount equal to 110% of the contract described in Subsection 1A above.
C. 
The agreement of the purchaser or transferee to be responsible for all cost overruns related to the remedial work, together with a license from the purchaser or transferee to the Borough of West Homestead its agents, contractors, and employees, to enter upon the property to complete the remedial work in case of default by the contractor or the applicant.
D. 
The filing fee established by the Borough Council of the Borough of West Homestead from time to time by resolution.
2. 
When dye testing cannot be performed because of weather conditions, the seller or applicant may apply to the Borough for a Temporary Certificate of Compliance. The seller or applicant must submit the following with the properly completed Application.
A. 
Cash security in the amount of $200.
B. 
The written, signed agreement of the purchaser or transferee to correct, at the purchaser's or transferee's sole expense, any surface stormwater connections to the sanitary sewer system disclosed by the subsequent dye test, together with a license form the purchaser or transferee to the Borough of West Homestead, its agents, contractors, and employees, to enter upon the property to conduct the dye testing should the applicant fail to do so. Nothing in this Subsection 2 shall prohibit any purchaser or transferee from requiring the applicant to reimburse the purchaser or transferee for any costs incurred in connection with such remedial work; provided, however, that-primary responsibility for the remedial work and all costs thereof shall run with the land, and no such agreement shall affect the Borough's enforcement powers or excuse the current owner of the property from performance.
C. 
The filing fee established by the Borough of the Borough of West Homestead from time to time by resolution.
3. 
The Borough may reject the application for temporary certificate of compliance whenever, in its judgment, the conditions defined by this section do not exist or the submission required by this section have not been made.
4. 
The temporary certificate of compliance shall be effective for 60 days, and the expiration date of the temporary certificate of compliance shall be noted on the certificate, if, upon the expiration of the temporary certificate of compliance, the seller or applicant has not applied for and received a certificate of compliance, as provided for in § 18-114 and § 18-115 of this Part, the cash security shall be forfeited, and the Borough of West Homestead may use the funds to complete the remedial work or the dye testing.
5. 
The application for temporary certificate of compliance form shall be available upon request from the Borough.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 4; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 7]
A request to the Borough of West Homestead for a municipal lien letter or tax verification letter must be accompanied by a valid certificate of compliance or temporary certificate of compliance and by the appropriate fee, which shall be established by the Borough Council of the Borough of West Homestead from time to time by resolution. The Borough of West Homestead shall issue the municipal lien letter or tax verification letter within seven days of receipt of the appropriately documented request and the applicable fee.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003; as added by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 8; and as amended by Ord. 644, 5/12/2009, § 1]
A certificate of compliance issued under this Part shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 5; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 9]
The Borough is hereby empowered to make reasonable rules and regulations for the operation and enforcement of this Part including, but not limited to: establishing the form of applications, acknowledgments and certifications; and limiting the time of year in which temporary certificate of compliance is available for reasons of weather.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003, § 7; as amended by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 10]
Nothing in this Part shall limit in any fashion whatsoever the Borough's right to enforce its ordinances or the laws of the commonwealth. Nothing in this Part shall be a defense to any citation issued by any municipal corporation or the commonwealth pursuant to any other law or ordinance.
[Ord. 594, 9/9/2003; as added by Ord. 604, 9/14/2004, § 11; as amended by Ord. 623, 2/14/2006]
1. 
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions of this Part, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute a separate offense.
2. 
Any plumber or inspector who falsifies information to be submitted to the Borough shall be banned from performing work in the Borough of West Homestead for a period of five years from the date of the falsification, and upon conviction before any magisterial district judge, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,500 and agrees to forfeit his Allegheny County plumbing license for a period of five years from the date of the conviction.