Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Township of East Fallowfield, PA
Chester County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-1; as amended by Ord. 2008-04, 4/29/2008, § 1]
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this Chapter 18B shall be as follows:
BUILDING SEWER
The same as service line or house connection. The extension from the building side of an existing on site drainage system, of any structure, to the lateral of the sewer system. Also, in new construction or renovation, the line from the building to the sewer system lateral.
BUILDING TRAP OR TRAP
A device, fitting, or assembly of fittings installed on the building sewer line to prevent circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CCA
The City of Coatesville Authority or its successor.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the purposes of carrying on a trade, business, or profession or for social, amusement, religious, educational, charitable, or public uses. Exclusive of a home occupation as defined by the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] provided nonindustrial wastes are discharged.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
EDU (EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT)
The unit of measure based on the estimated average daily flow of sewage, measured in gallons per day, from a typical living unit. Also, the unit used to assess tapping fees. At the time of adoption of this Chapter 18B an EDU was equal to 262.50 gallons of sewage per day. (Note: Flow should comply with that of Act 537 plan.)
ENGINEER
A professional currently registered and certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a professional engineer. Unless specifically identified or inferred otherwise. Engineer shall mean the Township/Authority Engineer.
FIRST CLASS BEDDING
A cradle of AASHTO #57 stone with a minimum depth of six inches below pipe and six inches above pipe as shown on the Township's Typical Trench Detail. Form a cradle in the bedding material by means of a template conforming to the curvature of the outside surface of the bottom of the pipe, or another approved method, to provide uniform contact under, around, and above the pipe. See drawing in Appendix 18-B-1.
FRESH AIR VENT
A direct connection leading from the building trap to the outer air.
GREASE TRAP
A device(s) (tank, compartment, or chamber) used to capture animal fat when melted or soft, any oily substance present in raw wool, or any oil or viscous lubricant or similar materials which prevents same from entering the sanitary sewer conveyance and/or collection system. Also, referred to as an interceptor.
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the manufacturing, fabricating, processing, cleaning, laundering, or assembly of any product, commodity, or article.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Any solid, liquid, gaseous substance, water borne wastes, or a form of energy rejected or escaping, other than human fecal wastes and wastes directly associated therewith, from any industrial, manufacturing, trade, or business process or from the development, recovery, or processing of natural resources, as distinct from sanitary sewage. Industrial sewage is to be treated by the owner, on site, to domestic waste strength and composition.
LATERAL
That part of the sewer system extending from the sewer main to the curb line, or if there is no curb line, to the property line or the limits of the easement. If no such lateral is provided, then lateral shall mean that place in the sewer system main provided for connection of the building sewer.
LIVING UNIT
Any structure, or portion thereof, utilized for separate purposes, having a separate or common kitchen and/or separate or common sanitary facilities including, but not limited to, a living apartment, dwelling, or any other one-family living unit.
MULTIPLE UNIT BUILDING
Any house, apartment building, or any other structure having more than one living unit.
OWNER
Any person vested with legal, equitable, sole, or partial ownership of any property served directly, or indirectly, by the sewer system.
PAWC
The Pennsylvania American Water Company or its successor.
PENNDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR/INSPECTOR
The person, persons, or agents of said persons appointed by the Township/Authority to enforce the terms of this Chapter 18B.
PROPERTY
Any property located within the Township upon which there is erected a structure intended for continuous or periodic habitation for a living unit, occupancy, or use by human beings or animals and from which structure sanitary sewage and/or industrial wastes shall be or may be discharged. As sewer service will not be provided to empty lots, "property" is assumed to be "improved property."
PROPERTY ACCESSIBLE TO THE SEWER SYSTEM
Any property which adjoins, abuts on, or is adjacent to the sewer system. See definition of "property," above.
QUARTER
A time period for billing sewer charges consisting of a three-month period.
SANITARY SEWAGE
The normal water conveying household and toilet wastes from residences, institutions, commercial, and industrial establishments.
SEWER CLEAN-OUT
A clean-out on the service line located just inside or outside the building wall through which the sewer may be cleaned.
SEWER SYSTEM
All facilities operated by PAWC for the collection, transportation, treatment, or disposal of sanitary sewage.
TAPPING FEE
The fee paid by each EDU, or portion thereof, to tap into the Township/Authority sewer system. The fee is calculated as per the Municipality Authorities Act 203 of 1990, as amended, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.
TOWNSHIP/AUTHORITY
East Fallowfield Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, or any municipal authority or entity created by East Fallowfield Township for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter 18B.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-2; as amended by Ord. 2011-02, 6/28/2011, § 1]
1. 
The owner of any property accessible to and whose occupied building(s) is within 150 feet of the sewer system, shall connect the property therewith, in the manner the Township/Authority sets forth in this Chapter 18B, as amended, within 60 days after notice to such owner from the Township/Authority.
2. 
The notice by the Township/Authority to make a connection to the sewer, shall be consistent with the provisions of this Chapter 18B and shall consist of a written or printed document requiring the connection. The notice will specify that the connection shall be made within 60 days from the date such notice is given. Such notice may be given at any time after the sewer is in place and is operational. Such notice shall be served upon the owner by personal service, registered mail, or by such methods as may be required by law.
3. 
Exception. Any existing residential living unit, as of the date of enactment of this Chapter 18B, which such living unit cannot make a connection without the assistance of a sewage pump, is exempt from the mandatory section of this Chapter 18B. However, this applies only to residential living units with functioning "on site" systems that have not been the subject of any Chester County Health Department or DEP violations or complaints. Any violations or complaints received from the foregoing agencies will automatically require the owner to purchase, install a pump, and make the connection to the sewer system. Living units with holding tanks are not exempt and will be required to make the connection. The installation and the pump purchased require approval and inspection by the Township/Authority Engineer. This exception shall not apply, and a connection must be made upon a change of ownership of the living unit.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-3]
1. 
Use of the new connection to the sanitary sewer system will not be permitted until the installation has been inspected, tested, and approved in accordance with procedures herein set forth.
2. 
No use of the sanitary sewer system will be permitted until the collection system, pumping facilities, and treatment plant have been made ready to accept sewage for disposal.
3. 
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the building sewer and lateral between the sewer main and the building served by the building sewer shall be the responsibility of the property owner. However, if the Township/Authority originally installed the lateral, and the repair, replacement, or maintenance of the lateral, or that portion of the lateral constructed by the Township/Authority, is necessitated by a defect in the lateral or any portion of the lateral, which said defect was not caused by the property owner, the Township/Authority shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of the lateral or that portion of the lateral, if said defect in the lateral or that portion of the lateral so affected was caused by improper construction and/or installation by the Township/Authority, or in the event the defect in the pipe is the result of a manufacturing defect.
4. 
No sump pumps for the discharge of groundwater or stormwater of any kind shall be permitted to be connected and/or discharged into the sanitary sewer system.
5. 
The East Fallowfield Township/Authority sewer system will, at this time, be connected to the PAWC infrastructure. Thus, PAWC will be the ultimate facility to receive and treat the sewage. The rules and regulations of PAWC, as amended, are hereby adopted as the East Fallowfield Township/Authority Rules and Regulations, with additions as referenced in this Chapter 18B.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-4]
1. 
Disposal of Certain Materials.
A. 
From and after the passage of this Chapter 18B, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to use any sanitary and/or storm sewer within the Township for the disposition of any residue, whether liquid or solids, removed from any cesspool, septic tank, leeching well, or any other container or reservoir used for the on-site disposal of sewage, located within or outside the boundaries of the Township.
B. 
Cleaning Solvents, Grease, and Grease Traps. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to dispose any cleaning solvent from any dry-cleaning establishment, or any residue from any grease trap, or any similar solid or liquid other than human sewage, into any municipal sanitary sewer line. Provided, however, that if such other waste, materials or refuse can be separated from such sewage or drainage by the use and installation of a grease trap, then such grease trap may be installed. Provided, that such installation shall be first approved in writing by the Township/Authority and installed under its supervision, and the refuse or contents of such grease trap shall not be disposed of, drained, or poured into the municipal sanitary or stormwater sewer lines, mains or systems. All such installations shall and must be in accordance with the provisions of § 18B-204, Subsection 2.
C. 
Any industrial or commercial entity discharging into the sewer system shall comply with the provisions of Part 4 of this Chapter 18B and the rules and regulations of PAWC.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-5]
Any person who erects, constructs, uses or maintains a privy, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank, or on lot individual sewage system on any property accessible to the sewer system, or otherwise erects, constructs, uses, or maintains any pipe, conduit, drain, or other facility for the discharge of sanitary sewage or industrial wastes in violation of this Chapter 18B, shall be deemed and shall be declared to erecting, constructing, and maintaining a nuisance, which nuisance the Township/Authority is hereby authorized and directed to abate in the manner provided by law.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-6]
No connection shall be made to the sewer system, except in compliance with the ordinances and resolutions, as well as such rules and regulations as may from time to time be enacted, adopted, approved, or promulgated by the Township/Authority, and until all connection and tapping fees are paid.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-7]
After the expiration of the particular periods specified in § 18B-102 of this Chapter 18B if any owner of an occupied building on property, accessible to the sewer system, shall have failed to connect such property with the sewer system as required by said § 18B-102, the Township shall cause to be served on the owner of such property so failing to connect to said sewer system, and also upon the occupants of the building in question, a copy of this Chapter 18B and a written notice requiring such connection to be made, and such notice shall further state the requirements shall be complied with within 30 days from the date thereof.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-8]
1. 
The Township/Authority Inspector shall have access to all parts of a premises during the construction of the sewer system, sewer laterals, and building sewers to ensure there are no illegal connections.
2. 
The Township/Authority Inspector shall have access to all parts of a premises to inspect for illegal connections to the public sewer systems upon obtaining evidence of an illegal connection through the use of meters, videos, or any other means available.
3. 
The property owner, of a premises where an illegal connection is found, shall give permission to the Township/Authority to enter into the premises to verify said illegal connection, and shall assume all associated costs incurred by the Township/Authority.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-9]
The Township reserves the right to and may, from time to time, adopt, revise, amend, and re-adopt 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 Chapter 18B.
[Ord. 2003-0-2, --/--/2003, § 101-10; as amended by Ord. 2010-01, 3/23/2010]
The provisions of this Chapter 18B are declared to be for the prevention, abatement, and regulation of water pollution; preservation and enhancement of public and private water supplies; and health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Township. Any person violating any provisions of this Chapter 18B, upon conviction before any magisterial district judge in the manner provided by the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to a fine of not more than $1,000 and costs or, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. In cases where the violation is with respect to an occupied building or property accessible to the sewer system, which said property or building is or would be subject to a tapping fee, an annual sewer rental, or charge of more than one equivalent dwelling unit, the fine for violation of any provision of this Chapter 18B shall not be more than $1,000 for each such unit or fraction thereof and costs or, in default of payment there of, by imprisonment for a term as provided by law for summary offenses. Each thirty-day period during which such violation of such provisions shall continue shall be deemed to be a separate offense. Each occupied building, or each living unit in a multiple unit building, whether or not the owners thereof shall be permitted to connect two or more buildings or units by a single common connection to a lateral of the sewer system or shall be required to make separate connection for each occupied building or unit, shall constitute a separate and distinct unit under the provision of this Chapter 18B, and the persons owning occupied buildings, consisting of multiple units contained in the same structure, who violate any of the provisions of this Chapter 18B shall be subject to the above fines for each and every one of such occupied buildings or units which are in violation of the provisions of this Chapter 18B.