[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of West Nantmeal Township as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 1-4-2016 by Ord. No. 122]
A. 
In accordance with the Second Class Township Code,[1] the Clean Streams Law (Act of June 27, 1937, P.L. 1987, No. 394, as amended, 35 P.S. §§ 691.1 to 691.1001), and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. 1535, as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., known as "Act 537"), it is the power and the duty of West Nantmeal Township to provide for adequate sewage treatment and disposal facilities and for the protection of the public health by preventing the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.
B. 
The purpose of this article is to provide for the regulation, inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation of on-lot sewage disposal systems; to further allow intervention in situations which may constitute a public nuisance or hazard to the public health; and to establish penalties and appeal procedures necessary for the proper administration of a sewage management program.
The following words shall have the meanings indicated below, unless the context indicates otherwise. For the purposes of this article, any term which is not defined herein shall have that meaning attributed to it under the Sewage Facilities Act[1] and regulations promulgated thereto.
ABSORPTION AREA
A component of an individual or community sewage system where liquid from a septic tank seeps into the soil; it consists of an aggregate filled area containing piping for the distribution of liquid and the soil or sand/soil combination located beneath the aggregate.
ACT 537
The Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. 1535, as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., known as the "Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act."
AUTHORIZED AGENT
A person with demonstrated knowledge and experience regarding on-lot sewage disposal system design, operation, and maintenance who is authorized to function within specified limits as an agent of the Township to administer or enforce the provisions of this article.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors of West Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEM
A sewage system which serves two or more lots, or two or more equivalent dwelling units, and uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area, retaining tank, or cesspool.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (DEP).
HOLDING TANK
A watertight receptacle which receives and retains sewage and is designed and constructed to facilitate the ultimate disposal of the sewage at another site. A holding tank shall not include a privy, chemical toilet or other facility designed to receive sewage where there is no water under pressure.
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEM
A sewage system which serves a single lot and a single equivalent dwelling unit, and uses a system of piping, tanks, or other facilities for collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area, spray field, retaining tank, or cesspool.
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM (IRSIS)
An individual sewage system which serves a single dwelling and which treats and disposes of sewage through use of a system of piping, treatment tanks, and soil renovation through spray irrigation.
INITIAL TREATMENT UNIT
The on-lot disposal system receiving unit to which sewage is delivered from a sewage generating facility. The term includes, but is not limited to, septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, and cesspools.
LIQUID WASTE
Septage pumped from septic tanks, cesspools, holding tanks, privies, or chemical toilets, which does not include any toxic, industrial, or hazardous wastes.
LIQUID WASTE HAULER
Any person engaged in the business of pumping and transporting liquid waste within Chester County. Each vehicle used for such purpose shall be licensed by the Chester County Health Department.
LOT
A part of a subdivision or a parcel of land used as a building site or intended to be used for building purposes, whether immediate or future, which would not be further subdivided. Whenever a lot is used for a multiple-family dwelling or for commercial or industrial purposes, sewage flow shall be estimated based on an equivalent number of single-family residential lots.
MALFUNCTION
A condition which occurs when an on-lot sewage disposal system discharges sewage onto the surface of the ground, into groundwaters of this commonwealth, into surface waters of this commonwealth, backs up into a building connected to the system or in any manner causes a nuisance or hazard to the public health or pollution of ground or surface water or contamination of public or private drinking water wells. Systems shall be considered to be malfunctioning if any condition noted above occurs for any length of time during any period of the year.
OFFICIAL SEWAGE FACILITIES ACT 537 PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provisions of adequate sewage disposal systems, adopted by the Board and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.[2]
ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any community on-lot sewage system or individual on-lot sewage system as defined herein.
PERSON
Any individual, association, public or private corporation for profit or not for profit, partnership, firm, trust, estate, department, board, bureau or agency of the commonwealth, political subdivision, municipality, district, authority, or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty or imposing a fine or imprisonment, the term "person" shall include the members of an association, partnership or firm and the officers of any local agency or municipal, public or private corporation, for profit or not for profit.
REHABILITATION
Work done to modify, alter, repair, enlarge or replace an existing on-lot sewage disposal system.
RETAINING TANK
A watertight receptacle that receives and retains sewage and is designed and constructed to facilitate the ultimate disposal of the sewage at another site. This term is synonymous with the term "holding tank."
SEPTAGE
The residual scum, sludge, and other materials pumped from, but not limited to, initial treatment units, other treatment tanks, retaining tanks, pump tanks, and the systems they serve.
SEWAGE
Any substance that contains any of the waste products or excrement or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals and any noxious or deleterious substances being harmful or inimical to the public health, or to animal or aquatic life, or to the use of water for domestic water supply or for recreation or which constitutes pollution under the Act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394), known as "The Clean Streams Law," as amended.[3]
SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (SEO)
A person certified by DEP who is employed by the Chester County Health Department. Such person is authorized to conduct investigations and inspections, review permit applications, and do all other activities as may be provided for such person in the Sewage Facilities Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and this or any other ordinance adopted by the Township or Chester County Health Department.
SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
A comprehensive set of legal and administrative requirements encompassing the requirements of this article, the Sewage Facilities Act, the Clean Streams Law, the regulations promulgated thereunder and such other requirements adopted by the Board to effectively enforce and administer this article.
SMALL FLOW SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES (SFSTF)
These facilities serve single-family residences, duplexes and small commercial establishments with domestic-type sewage not exceeding 2,000 gallons per day. These facilities ultimately discharge treated wastewater directly to surface waters.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or other parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines. The enumerating of lots shall include as a lot that portion of the original tract or tracts remaining after other lots have been subdivided therefrom.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of West Nantmeal, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
The requirements of this article shall be effective throughout the municipal limits of West Nantmeal Township and shall apply to all portions of the Township served by on-lot sewage disposal systems. Within such an area or areas, the provisions of this article shall apply to all persons owning any property serviced by an on-lot sewage disposal system and to all persons installing or rehabilitating on-lot sewage disposal systems.
A. 
No building permit shall be issued for a new building which will utilize an on-lot sewage disposal system until Act 537 planning approval has been issued by the Department and the appropriate on-lot sewage disposal system permit has been issued by the Chester County Health Department. Proof of on-lot sewage disposal system permit issuance shall be presented to the Township in the form of a properly executed permit signed by the Chester County Health Department.
B. 
No occupancy permit shall be issued for a new building which will utilize an on-lot sewage disposal system until the sewage disposal system has been installed and the completed installation is approved by the Chester County Health Department. Proof of On-lot sewage disposal system final installation approval shall be presented to the Township in the form of a properly executed permit signed by the Chester County Health Department.
C. 
No building or occupancy permit shall be issued and no work shall begin on any alteration or conversion of any existing structure if said alteration or conversion will result in the increase or potential increase in sewage flows from the structure, until either the structure's owner receives a permit from the Chester County Health Department for alteration or replacement of the existing sewage disposal system or until the structure's owner and the appropriate officials of the Township receive written notification from the Chester County Health Department that such a permit will not be required. The Chester County Health Department shall determine whether the proposed alteration or conversion of the structure will result in increased sewage flows.
D. 
Sewage permits may be issued only by a Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the Chester County Health Department.
A. 
Each person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system shall have the initial treatment unit pumped within two years of the effective date of this article by a Chester County Health Department licensed liquid waste hauler. Thereafter that person shall have the system pumped at least once every three years. If any person can prove that such person's tank had been pumped within two years of the effective date of this article, then that person's initial required pumping may be delayed to conform to the general three-year frequency requirement.
B. 
The required pumping frequency may be increased at the discretion of either the Township, the Chester County Health Department, or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection if the septic tank is undersized, if solids buildup in the tank is above average, if the hydraulic load on the system increases significantly above average, if a garbage grinder is used in the building, if the system malfunctions, or for other good cause shown.
C. 
Any person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system or small flow sewage treatment facility shall:
(1) 
Have the system on their property inspected during the pumping activities in accordance with the septic system inspection checklist as prepared by the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association.
(2) 
Provide the Township with a receipt documenting the date that the system was inspected and a copy of the inspection checklist. Such receipt and checklist must be submitted to the Township within 30 days of the inspection.
D. 
Any person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system that contains additional pretreatment shall:
(1) 
Follow the operation and maintenance recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. In no case may the service or pumping intervals for pretreatment treatment tanks exceed those required for septic tanks. A copy of the manufacturer's recommendations and a copy of the service agreement shall be submitted to the Township within six months of the effective date of this article.
(2) 
Provide to the Township with a receipt documenting the service activities at the intervals specified by the manufacturer's recommendations. Such receipt must be submitted to the Township within 30 days of the cleaning or inspection.
E. 
Any person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system that is found to be in unsatisfactory condition shall:
(1) 
Have the on-lot sewage disposal system repaired within 60 days from the date the unsatisfactory condition was identified, weather permitting.
(2) 
Provide the Township with a receipt documenting the date on which the system was repaired along with a copy of the Chester County Health Department permit authorizing the repair. Such receipt and permit must be submitted to the Township within 30 days of the completion of the repair.
F. 
Any person owning a building served by a small flow sewage treatment facility shall:
(1) 
Follow all requirements stated in the permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, including maintenance of all pretreatment equipment and water quality sampling and monitoring.
(2) 
Remain in compliance with the permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, including all requirements through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations.
G. 
Any person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system which utilizes any components or technologies deemed by DEP or the Township to require more detailed operation and maintenance requirements than provided for in this article, including but not limited to individual residential spray irrigation systems (IRSIS), alternate systems, or experimental systems shall be further subject to the maintenance responsibilities recommended by DEP for said system. These responsibilities shall be memorialized in individual operation and maintenance agreements for each such use, to which both the Township and the property owner shall be party. The Township may impose additional requirements as deemed necessary, including but not limited to collection of an annual administrative fee and posting an escrow account with the Township to guarantee the proper maintenance of the on-lot sewage disposal system.
A. 
Only normal domestic wastes shall be discharged into any on-lot sewage disposal system. The following shall not be discharged into the system:
(1) 
Industrial waste.
(2) 
Automobile oil and other nondomestic oil.
(3) 
Toxic or hazardous substances or chemicals, including but not limited to pesticides, disinfectants (excluding household cleaners), acids, paints, paint thinners, herbicides, gasoline and other solvents.
(4) 
Clean surface water or groundwater, including water from roof or cellar drains, springs, basement sump pumps and french drains.
(5) 
Wastewater resulting from hair treatment at a multichaired beauty shop.
(6) 
Any nonbiodegradable materials.
B. 
The Township may require other operation or maintenance procedures to ensure proper on-lot sewage disposal system performance by adopting a resolution.
A. 
The Township may retain qualified individuals or firms to assist the Township in administering and enforcing the terms of this article. Those individuals shall include an authorized agent and may include an administrator and such other persons as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
B. 
The Board may establish a Fee Schedule by resolution and authorize the collection of fees to cover the costs to the Township of administering this article.
Appeals from final decisions of the Township or any of its authorized agents under this article shall be made to the Board of Supervisors in writing within 30 days from the date of written notification of the decision in question. Appeals shall be heard and determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Local Agency Law.[1] The Board may impose the reasonable costs of the appeal upon the appellant.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 551 et seq.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be subject to the payment of a fine of no more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution, including reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Township. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment in the county prison for a term of not more than 90 days. The summary proceedings to enforce the provisions of this article are separate from any penalties imposed for a violation of any regulations of the Chester County Health Department or DEP.
In addition to any other remedies provided in this article, any violation of this article shall constitute a nuisance and shall be subject to abatement by the Board by appropriate equitable or legal relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Adopted 3-11-2019 by Ord. No. 1-2019]
The West Nantmeal Township Southern Sewer Service Area shall include all lots created by the subdivision of the property which are located in the Township and which shall be connected to the Authority's sewer system.
The Board of Supervisors hereby adopts the Authority's rules and regulations, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "rules and regulations"). It is the intention of the Board of Supervisors to enforce and/or to facilitate the enforcement of the rules and regulations, including such amendments which shall be made by the Authority from time to time. A copy of the rules and regulations, as amended, shall be kept on file at the Township Building.
Each owner of any occupied building situate within the West Nantmeal Southern Sewer Service Area abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there has been constructed a sanitary sewer shall, at his own expense, install suitable sanitary facilities therein and connect such facilities directly with such sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations within 60 days after the date of official notice to do so, given in the manner provided by law. In the event any such owner shall refuse or neglect to so connect within said sixty-day period, he shall be deemed to be in violation of this article, and the proper officers of the Township, or their agents, may enter upon such property and construct such connection. In such case, the Township officers shall forthwith, upon completion of the work, send an itemized bill of the cost of the construction of such connection to such owner, which bill shall be payable forthwith. In case of neglect or refusal by such owner to pay said bill within 30 days thereafter, it shall be the duty of the Township officers to file a municipal lien for the cost of connection. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, no owner of an occupied building shall be required to connect such building to a sanitary sewer if the Board of the Authority determines that connecting such building would result in an overloading of sewage treatment facilities.
A. 
No person shall uncover, connect with, make any opening into or use, alter or disturb in any manner any sewer or the sewer system without first making application for and obtaining a permit, in writing, from the Authority. No use and occupancy permits shall be issued until the proper permits are obtained and the building is connected to the Authority's sewer system consistent with the rules and regulations.
B. 
Application to the Authority for a permit required under this article shall be made by the owner of the property to be served, in such form as may be prescribed by the Authority. The application shall be accompanied by the required connection charge and tapping fee, if any, imposed by the Authority.
C. 
All privately owned laterals and/or grinder pumps shall comply with all regulations governing such equipment and facilities as set forth in the rules and regulations.
D. 
No person shall make or cause to be made the connection of any property with a lateral sewer until such person shall have fulfilled each of the following conditions:
(1) 
Such person shall have notified the Authority of the desire and intention to connect to a lateral sewer.
(2) 
Such person shall apply for and obtain a permit as required by this article and satisfy all requirements as set forth in the rules and regulations.
(3) 
Such person shall have given the Authority at least 72 hours' notice of the time when such service line is to be connected, and such connection made so that the Authority may inspect the service line, the work of connection, and perform necessary testing to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.
The Township Engineer, the Authority Engineer and other duly authorized representatives or employees of the Township or the Authority bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted, at all reasonable times, to enter upon any property or building located within the West Nantmeal Township Southern Sewer Service Area which is connected or required to be connected to the Authority's Sewer System for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations.
No person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently damage, destroy, deface, block or otherwise tamper with any sewer or any other structure or equipment which is part of the sewer system, or discharge any substance into the sewer system contrary to or in violation of the rules and regulations.
Stormwater, surface or subsurface drainage from stormwater inlets, roof drains and sump pump discharges shall not be connected to, or discharge into, any sanitary sewers or any portion of the sewer system.
A. 
Any person who violates or permits the violation of any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be subject to the payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment in the county prison for a term of not more than 90 days. Each section of this article violated shall constitute a separate offense, and each day or portion thereof in which a violation of this article is found to exist shall constitute a separate offense, each of which violations shall be punishable by a separate fine imposed by the Magisterial District Judge of not more than $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution, or, upon default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment in the county prison for a term of not more than 90 days.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
In addition to the above remedies, the Township may institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate the violation(s). All costs incurred by the Township shall be reimbursed by the property owner and, until they are repaid, shall be a lien against the premises.