The implementation of this section will aid the Borough by limiting
and reducing the inflow of additional water into the sanitary sewer
systems. By prohibiting the discharge of water from any roof, surface
ground, sump pump, swimming pool, other natural precipitation, and
other sources of inflow into the Borough's sanitary sewer system,
the Borough is seeking to reduce costs as well as protect against
other damaging affects. The Borough's sanitary sewer system will
and has on occasions in the past been overloaded and flooded thereby
creating the potential to cause significant damage or threat to individual's
property as well as the system. Further, all water that enters the
system must be treated at the sewage treatment plant. Therefore, by
reducing and eliminating this inflow of "clean water" into the sanitary
sewer system and the subsequent unnecessary treatment, the expenses
to the Borough and the citizens will be reduced and will assist in
protecting the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the
Borough.
The Building Inspector, Borough Engineer, Borough Fire Code
official and/or a Borough sub-code inspector, as long as they display
the proper credentials and identification, shall be permitted to request
entrance to any property for the purpose of inspecting, observing,
testing and sampling to confirm that there is no sump pump or other
prohibited discharge into the sanitary sewer system in accordance
with this Chapter.
Any owner, tenant, landlord, or other person with a property
interest who shall refuse entrance to the Building Inspector, Borough
Engineer, Borough Fire Code official or Borough subcode inspector,
shall immediately become subject to the monthly Surcharge noted in
Section 75:15.4 of this ordinance. Said property shall remain subject
to the monthly Surcharge until such time as an inspection is permitted
to ensure compliance by the Borough of all terms of this Chapter.
Any property owner who shall be assessed a Surcharge pursuant
to this ordinance shall have a right to appeal to the Municipal Court
for the purposes of proving compliance with this ordinance.
The Borough shall assist and provide guidance to any property
owner, tenant, landlord, or other person with a property interest
in remedying the situation as it involves a matter of public concern
to the resident's health, safety and welfare of the community
in remedying the illicit connection. Except as specifically set forth
in this ordinance, all costs associated to comply with this ordinance
shall be borne by the property owner, tenant, landlord, or other person
with a property interest.
Any person, business, or other entity, who shall by inspection
or voluntary reporting is determined to be in violation of any section
of this ordinance, shall be permitted to file for a waiver of the
Surcharge requirement of Section 75:15.4, if they can prove that they
have exhausted all possible remedial measures. Remedial measures include
but are not limited to, the installation of a dry-well, the connection
to a storm sewer, and/or use of one's own property for discharge
of the water so long as such discharge does not adversely affect any
neighboring property owner. Upon certification of the Building Inspector
and/or Borough Engineer, the person, business, or other entity shall
be granted such waiver, but only for such time as to when a remedy
becomes available. If such remedy is made available by the Borough,
the Borough shall notify the person, business, or other entity, that
they shall comply with this ordinance within one hundred twenty (120)
days of receiving said notice. Failure to comply will result in the
imposition of a Surcharge as per Section 75:15.4.