Township of Allen, PA D Sanitary Sewer Service.

§ 18-122 Construction of Sewers and Connections.

1. No person shall uncover, use, connect to, or otherwise alter or disturb, in any manner, any sewer or portion of the sanitary sewer system without first obtaining a written permit from the Township (see attached Exhibit A to this Part):[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.

2. Application for the permit required in Subsection 1 shall be made by the owner of the improved property served or to be served by the sanitary sewer system or by the authorized agent of said owner.

3. No person shall make or cause to be made a connection of any improved property with the sanitary sewer system until such person has fulfilled the following conditions:

A. Such person shall have notified the Secretary or other designated representative of the Township of the desire and intention to connect such improved property to the sanitary sewer system.

B. Such person shall have applied for and received a permit as required by Subsection 1, including payment of any all applicable fees.

C. Such person shall give the Secretary or other designated representative of the Township at least 24 hours' notice of the time when such connection will be made, in order that the Township may inspect said connection and perform any necessary or required testing.

D. Such person shall have furnished, if applicable, satisfactory evidence to the Secretary or other designated representative of the Township that any required tapping fee, connection fee, or other required fee or charge that may be imposed by the Township has been paid in full.

4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each improved property shall be connected separately and independently with the sanitary sewer system through a customer facility. Grouping of more than one improved property on one customer facility shall not be permitted, except under special circumstances and for good sanitary reasons or other good cause shown, but, in any event, only after the permission of the Township shall have been obtained, in writing, and subject to such rules, regulations and conditions as may be prescribed by the Township.

5. Each sewer lateral serving a nonresidential property shall be provided with an inspection and sampling manhole accessible by the Township. This manhole shall be provided as a part of the customer facility. The manhole design and location shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Township. The nonresidential customer shall allow unlimited access by the Township to the manhole for the purposes of:

A. Checking flow rates.

B. Obtaining wastewater samples for the purpose of testing the wastewater.

C. Installing a plug in the lateral to prevent flows from entering into the public sewer collection system.

6. All costs and expenses of construction of a customer facility and all costs and expenses of connecting said customer facility to the sanitary sewer system, including the costs and expenses of acquiring and installing a grinder pump or similar apparatus approved by the Township, shall be borne by the owner of the improved property to be connected, and such owner shall indemnify and save harmless the Township from all loss or damage that may be occasioned, either directly or indirectly, as a result of construction of a customer facility or of connection of a customer facility to the sanitary sewer system.

7. A customer facility shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system at the place designated by the Township and where, if applicable, the lateral is located. The owner of each improved property shall provide the Township with any information requested pertaining to the existing or proposed location of a customer facility. The invert of a customer facility at the point of connection shall be at the same or higher elevation as the invert of the sewer. A smooth, neat joint shall be made, and the connection of a customer facility to the lateral or the designated point of connection shall be made secure and watertight.

8. If the owner of any improved property located within the Township who is required to connect to the sanitary sewer system by the provisions of this Part fails to make such a connection after the expiration of 60 days from receiving notice from the Township to do so, the Township, or its authorized agents, may enter upon such improved property and construct said connection and may collect from such owner the costs and expenses thereof in the manner permitted by law. Allen Township may, in its sole discretion, extend the time period for connection upon a showing of reasonable cause. The Board of Supervisors shall send an itemized bill of the cost of construction to the owner of the improved property to which connection has been made. Said bill shall be payable to the Township within 15 days of receipt or such other time period as may be approved by the Board of Supervisors, in its sole discretion. If the owner fails to pay said bill within the applicable time period, the Board of Supervisors shall file a municipal lien for the cost of the construction within six months of the date of completion of the connection.

§ 18-123 Construction of Building Sewer and Connection to Sewage Collection System.

1. Construction Requirements. All building sewers and laterals shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of these rules or other applicable ordinances and regulations of the Township.

2. Lateral. If the lateral is in place and available for use, the owner of the improved property shall construct or have constructed the building sewer and connect it to the lateral. The Township shall be notified prior to such connection to provide for inspection of the building sewer and the connection. All costs associated with the construction of the building sewer and the connection shall be the responsibility of the owner of the improved property. Said owner is also responsible for all other fees of the Township relative to these rules.

3. Lateral Not Available. If the lateral is not in place, the Township may construct the lateral or require that the owner of the improved property construct the lateral along with the building sewer. If the Township constructs the lateral, said owner will be responsible for all fees provided for said lateral in addition to all fees as provided by these rules. The provisions for notification and inspection and payment of all costs and fees associated with the construction undertaken by said owner shall be as set forth in this Part.

4. Unlawful Connections. If any owner or tenant of an improved property should make any connection to the building sewer or the sewage collection system without a permit from the Township, or allow any pollutant to be discharged into a building sewer or the sewage collection system except as provided by these rules and the requirements of the applicable sewage treatment plant operator, or violate any of the provisions with respect to these rules, and shall, after 10 days of receipt of written notice from the Township, fail or neglect to abate such condition, the Township may, at its option, enter upon the improved property and abate the condition, charging the cost thereof to the owner of the improved property, or the Township may, by appropriate legal action, proceed to compel said owner of said improved property to abate such condition. In addition to any other remedies available, the Township, upon failure or neglect of said owner to comply with any provision of these rules, may enter the improved property and, at the owner's cost, disconnect the said improved property from the sewage collection system and may require the payment of a fee for reconnection and all costs and expenses as a condition for reconnection. The Township may file a municipal lien against the improved property for any and all costs incurred by the Township in abating such condition, together with such additional charges as may be permitted by applicable law.

5. Where an improved property is served by its own sewage disposal system or device at the time connection to the sewer system is required under the provisions of this Part, the existing house sewer line may be partially utilized. The line shall be broken on the structure side of such sewage disposal system or device and attachment made, with proper fittings, to continue such house sewer line as a building sewer in the manner approved by the Township.

6. No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the Township. If any part of a building sewer or lateral is covered before being inspected and approved as required, it shall be uncovered for inspection at the sole cost and expense of the owner of the improved property.

7. Every building sewer of any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe condition by the owner of said improved property.

8. Every excavation for a building sewer or lateral shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from bodily harm and injury. Any public street, sidewalk or other property disturbed in the course of the installation of a building sewer or lateral shall be restored, at the sole expense of the owner of the improved property being connected, in a manner satisfactory to the Township.

9. If any person shall fail or refuse, upon receipt of written notice from the Township, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building sewer within 60 days of receipt of such notice, the Township may refuse to permit such person to discharge sanitary sewage and industrial waste into the sewer system until such unsatisfactory condition has been remedied to the satisfaction of the Township.

10. Building sewers and laterals shall be subject at all times to the inspection and approval of the Township Inspector.

11. Gravity building sewers and laterals shall be installed in accordance with all these regulations, including:

A. Size. Building sewers shall in no case be less than four inches in diameter. Where a flow rate of greater than anticipated from a single domestic establishment is to be permitted to be received from a single building sewer, then the building sewer shall be at least six inches in diameter. An approved adapter connecting the building sewer to the lateral must be used. The lateral may end in a bell or may end in a spigot, and the plumber shall provide the appropriate manufactured adapter connection in either case so as to form a watertight, permanent connection. Manufacturer's compatible O-ring "donut" connectors are not acceptable for this connection.

B. Material. Pipe used for building sewers shall conform to one of the following:

(1) PVC Plastic Pipe: Schedule 40, solid-wall PVC pipe or heavier with an integral bell, gasketed joint or with solvent-welded joints. Fittings schedule and joints shall conform to the same requirements as the pipe. Any solution cements used shall conform to the ASTM standards for the material being used. PVC pipe and fittings meeting the requirements of ASTM Code Section D3034, SDR35 (extra-strength) are also acceptable for building sewer material.

(2) Adapters: Proper manufactured adapters shall be used when joining dissimilar materials or sizes.

C. Building sewers shall be laid on a grade of not less than 1/4 inch per foot. Additionally, building sewers in general shall be at least 36 inches below grade from the ground level to the top of pipe. If the building sewer must be more shallow than that because of particular grading problems and slope problems, the plumber shall provide insulation over the bedding material to the satisfaction of the Township representative.

D. The building sewer's alignment must be as direct as possible. The following fittings shall be used where a changed in direction of the building sewer is required:

(1) Changes in direction are to be made with Ys and 1/8-bends with a cleanout upgradient from the Y on the projection of the downgradient leg of the Y.

E. Ditches shall be promptly backfilled after inspection and approval by the Township representative. Care shall be taken to prevent damage to the pipe in backfilling and to secure a well-compacted, firm trench.

F. The building sewers shall be vented, trapped, and provided with cleanouts in accordance with the following specifications and the attached Exhibit B to this Part:[1]

(1) Vents. A vent shall be placed along the building sewer, on the house side of the trap, no more than 10 feet from the building or structure. The vent riser shall be a minimum of four inches in diameter and shall be ended with a returned bend and protected with an insect screening or perforated cap.

(2) Trap. A standard building trap shall be provided immediately after the vent. The trap size shall be the full size of the building sewer.

(3) Cleanouts. Cleanouts shall be provided at the building trap in accordance with Exhibit A,[2] and a cleanout shall be placed immediately downstream from the building trap and at the connection to the lateral. The cleanout shall consist of a line-size Y branch with a riser of not less than four inches extending to the surface where it is to be provided with a ferrule and plug for cleaning purposes. In addition, cleanouts will be required every 100 feet along the building sewer, or at any bends in the building sewer, whichever is less.

[2] Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.

(4) Building sewers in excess of 400 feet shall have manholes installed at a minimum of 400 feet.

[1] Editor's Note: Exhibit B is on file in the Township offices.

G. Bedding of Building Sewer.

(1) The building sewer pipe shall be bedded in first-class bedding material consisting of limestone, crushed aggregate meeting the PennDOT grading and utility specifications for 2B Type C coarse aggregate, except in areas of high water table, as identified by the plumber, in which case the building sewer shall be bedding in good quality, suitable earth backfill, free of stones, rocks, organic material, frozen material, topsoil, or other suitable bedding material.

(2) This bedding shall consist of at least four inches of bedding material below the building sewer and at least six inches of bedding material on each side of the pipe and one foot on top of the building sewer.

H. Backfill Above Bedding Materials of Building Sewers. All backfill material above the bedding material shall be free of tree stumps, roots, large stones, or rocks over six inches in dimension, and any other material which may be injurious to the building sewer, unless otherwise specified.

I. Testing. Either of the following tests may be selected by the plumber:

(1) Air Test. The system shall be tested to ensure it will hold a uniform gauge pressure of four pounds per square inch (PSI) without introduction of additional air for a period of at least five minutes.

(2) Water Test. The system shall be filled with water under a head of not less than 10 feet. The water level at the top of the test head shall not drop for at least 15 minutes.

(3) Tests. The plumber shall provide the appropriate test tees, if necessary, and temporary plugs and all equipment necessary to conduct the test in the presence of the Township Inspector or Engineer. The plumber shall also conduct the test under the observation and inspection of the Township Inspector or Engineer.

J. Inspections. The following inspections are required on the installation of all building sewers:

(1) Pipe installed and bedded but not covered.

(2) Air or water test after the stone covering is applied but before backfilling.

(3) Where it is necessary to connect to the sanitary sewer main, inspection of the lateral connection to the main.

K. Lateral construction and construction of connections to sewer mains shall be subject to all the same specifications as required for building sewers except for the following additional requirements:

(1) Materials. The following materials are approved for use in sewer laterals:

(a) Ductile iron as authorized for the building sewer, but of a minimum inside diameter of six inches. Such ductile iron shall be heavy-duty.

(b) PVC pipe and fittings meeting the ASTM criteria of D3034, SDR35 (extra-strength), compression gasket, bell-and-spigot-type pipe of a minimum diameter of six inches.

(2) Connection to the Sewer Main.

(a) The use of saddle connections is only permitted where there is no existing lateral installed. All hardware must be stainless steel.

(b) Materials used shall be compatible with existing pipe and subject to prior approval of the Township Inspector.

(3) Backfilling of Laterals and Connections to Sewer Mains. Backfill of laterals and connection to sewer mains shall be placed in eight-inch to ten-inch lifts, tamped in place, and PennDOT 2A Type C or similar crushed stone coarse aggregate shall be used.

(4) The final surface replacement of materials over the lateral or connection to the sewer main shall be provided in accordance with conditions of the surface prior to excavation or with the requirements of the excavation or road encroachment permit, whichever is applicable.

(5) If a road encroachment is being made as part of the construction of the lateral or connection to the sewer main, then inspections are required during surface restoration. A permit for the opening of the road must be obtained from the Township.

L. Each lateral constructed for a nonresidential customer shall include a standard four-foot-diameter sanitary sewer manhole at the end of the lateral, and as part of the lateral, for the purpose of sampling wastewater, monitoring flows if necessary, and/or plugging the private sewer if necessary.

(1) This requirement, however, shall be automatically waived for nonresidential customers generating less than 400 gallons per day, average daily flow, of domestic waste and no process flows, or commercial kitchen waste and/or other nonresidential flows.

(2) The manhole is to be installed by the developer/property owner but owned and maintained by the Township.

(3) If the property owner is proposing to install a private flow meter for billing purposes as discussed in this Part.

12. Nongravity Connections.

A. Building sewers and/or laterals that are to be constructed as pumped systems shall be individually designed by a professional retained by the owner. Five copies of that design shall be submitted to the Township for review and approval prior to approval of a permit application for connection to the sewer collection system. Such a building sewer or lateral shall be subject also to Allen Township Ordinance 2002-01.

B. These pump systems remain private, and all costs for maintenance, repair, replacement, etc., shall be borne by the individual property owner. The property owner is required to enter into a maintenance agreement with the Township which outlines these private responsibilities.

C. The discharge manhole(s) shall be corrosion-resistant (i.e., epoxy-coated or constructed of a fiberglass material) and be properly vented.

13. Registration Required for Installers. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of constructing a building sewer that is, shall, or may be physically connected to the sewage collection system or to construct any other sewer plumbing within an improved property within the jurisdiction of the Township without first being registered by the Township to engage in said business.

A. Registration Fee. The Township reserves the right to establish and charge a registration fee for such person engaged in the business of construction of a building sewer or any other sewer plumbing within an improved property within the jurisdiction of the Township.

B. Annual Registration Requirement. Any such registration validly obtained, and not otherwise revoked for cause as specified elsewhere in this Part, shall expire at the end of one calendar year. Such registration maybe renewed by appropriate endorsements or reissued, provided that the person holding a valid registration makes application for such renewal by not later than November 30, and provided, further, that the registration holder has demonstrated by past performance that he is qualified and capable of performing work covered in accordance with good plumbing practice and the provisions of this Part or any other applicable regulations of the Township (registration form at Exhibit C[3]).

[3] Editor's Note: Exhibit C is on file in the Township offices.

C. Revoking of Registration. Any registration provided for in this Part may at any time be revoked for incompetency, fraudulent use thereof, giving false witness, or any violation of this Part, or any other applicable regulations of the Township relative to constructing a building sewer or sewer plumbing, after a full and fair hearing by the Township Board of Supervisors. After revocation for cause, no registration shall be issued to such person until at least six months shall have elapsed.

D. Nontransferability of Registration. A registration issued under the provisions of this Part shall not be transferable to any successor business.

E. Bond/Insurance Requirement. No registration as described in this section shall be issued until the person applying therefor shall be given a bond in the sum of $1,000 and produce to the Township evidence that he is completely covered by insurance in connection with his construction work for property damage and public liability and workers' compensation. The public liability coverage shall not be less than $50,000 for injury to any one person and $100,000 total for any accident, and the coverage for property damage shall not be less than $25,000 to indemnify and save harmless the Township from any and all claims and suits for damages to persons or property arising from the negligence of any person, firm, or corporation registered under the provisions of this section or by agents, employees, or workmen of such registrants. Such registrants, with good and sufficient surety to the satisfaction of the Township, will pay the full costs of restoration and repair for any and all damage which may happen or be caused to any tree, street, pavement, sidewalk, or sewer belonging to said Township, or to any telegraph, telephone, or electric light pole or wire of any public service company, whether said damages or injury shall be inflicted by said registree or by agents, employees, or workmen of the registree, and conditioned also that said party shall save and indemnify and keep harmless said Township against all liability, judgment, damages, costs, and expenses which may, in any case, secure against said Township in consequence of the granting of such registration, and will fully and completely restore to its original condition, to the satisfaction of the Township, all streets, pavements, and sanitary sewers which may be opened or disturbed by said party, and will in all things strictly comply with the conditions and provisions of this Part and with the conditions of any permit issued pursuant thereto.

14. Exception to Registration Requirement. Nothing herein shall prevent a property owner form personally constructing the building sewer (in compliance with these regulations) on and for their property without using a contractor.

§ 18-124 Permit Requirements of Owners/Developers; Reserved Capacity.

1. Any person required to connect to or desiring to connect to the sewer system shall apply to the Township for a permit to connect to the sewer system. No applicant shall have the guarantee of reserve capacity until he receives an approved permit. Issuance of the permit shall reserve capacity as indicated in the permit application, subject to connection to the Township sewer system within 180 days from the date of permit issuance, or 45 days if it is a mandatory connection. Failure to connect within the time period shall result in the revocation of the permit without notice.

2. The applicant must obtain, at his sole cost and expense, all approvals and permits necessary from the applicable sewage treatment plant operator and local, state or federal agencies.

§ 18-125 Sewer Plan Requirements and Approvals.

1. Township Sewered Area. The area to be sewered must be located within the Township service area or be within the planned sewer area as set forth in the Township's Act 537 Official Sewer Facilities Plan.

2. Design and Specifications.

A. The Allen Township Sanitary Sewer Specifications and Standard Details shall be accepted standards and specifications (Exhibit B).[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Exhibit B is on file in the Township offices.

B. Any person proposing to construct public sewer facilities may request the Township to design and construct the facilities, or may design and construct the facilities if such facilities conform to the requirements of these rules, applicable Township ordinances and state or federal laws.

C. For all commercial, industrial, multi-dwelling building and/or individual or multi-dwelling housing development, the applicant must submit two sets of sewer plans and profile drawings to the Township Engineer at least 21 days prior to the Township meeting at which review of the application is sought. Sewer plans must be approved by the Township prior to the commencement of any construction.

D. The plans must show, at a minimum, the following:

(1) The number of units proposed to be served;

(2) All inside plumbing;

(3) The sewage plan and profile;

(4) The type(s) and diameter of sewer pipe(s) to be used;

(5) The type and capacity of sewer pumps, if any;

(6) The point(s) of connection to the Township sewer system;

(7) A sketch plan and key maps of the area to be served; and

(8) For industrial discharges, the information set forth in this Part or the ordinances and rules of the applicable sewage treatment plant operator.

E. The Township shall require the extension of the proposed publicly owned collection system to the uphill limit of the applicant's property and/or frontage with the extension of a sanitary sewer easement to that uphill property boundary, unless the Township determines that a future extension of this line is not planned or anticipated. The terminal manhole at this point shall be provided with a "stub" of five feet minimum length, extending beyond the manhole, to allow for possible future extensions.

§ 18-126 Professional Fee Escrow.

1. If the application is for a commercial, industrial, multi-dwelling buildings and/or multifamily housing development, or if substantial engineering problems exist, the developer/applicant shall pay to the Township a professional fee escrow in the sum of $2,500 on deposit and execute a professional fee escrow agreement approved by the Township's Solicitor.

2. The deposit shall be used by the Township to defray its engineering and legal expenses in processing the application and reviewing the proposed sewer facilities plan. Any additional expenses beyond the initial deposit are the liability of the developer and shall be promptly paid to the Township upon receipt of the amount due. Any unused portion of the deposit shall be refunded to the applicant.

§ 18-127 Construction of Sewer Facilities.

1. Costs of Improvements. Following completion of the plan review and approval by the Engineer, the developer shall execute a sanitary sewer improvements and maintenance agreement in a form approved by the Township Solicitor and provide security for the cost of construction of the proposed public sewer facilities in an amount equal to 110% of the costs of construction as approved by the Township Engineer. At the option of the developer/applicant, the required security may be added to and included in the security required by the Township as part of the Township's approval of the subdivision plan.

§ 18-128 Construction and Inspection of Improvements.

1. If the developer elects to have the Township construct the public sewer system and the Township agrees, it shall pay all costs of the Township in making and inspecting the improvements.

2. If the developer constructs the public sewer facilities himself, he shall reimburse the Township for all costs associated with construction inspections by the Township's Engineer.

3. All construction is subject to inspection by the Township Engineer, and no sewer main or lateral will be accepted that has not been so inspected and approved. All fees incurred by reason of inspection by the Township shall be borne by the developer as a necessary cost of construction.

4. Prior to the construction of each building sewer, the developer shall apply for a permit for each connection. The developer shall pay the tapping fee, inspection fee, and other capital fees set forth in these rules for each unit as a condition of the issuance of the permit.

§ 18-129 Dedication and Maintenance of Improvements.

1. Following completion of the public sewer facilities, the Township Engineer shall inspect the facilities and, if they meet the appropriate design and construction standards, shall approve them for dedication to the Township.

2. The developer shall provide to the Township two hard copies and one electronic set of as-built plans, prepared and sealed by a registered engineer, showing the size, location and depth of all sewer facility improvements, at no cost to the Township. Lateral ends shall be dimensioned from property corners.

A. The electronic set shall be in CAD or GIS format, compatible with the Township standard format at the time of as-built plan submission.

3. The developer shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the dedicated portion of the system for a period of 18 months following dedication to the Township. The developer shall execute a formal deed of dedication for the public sewer facilities, as well as any required easements, to the Township and shall maintain a bond or other security for the eighteen-month maintenance period in the amount of 15% of the construction costs for the improvements.