The purpose of this article is to establish procedures for the installation, use and maintenance of sewage grinder pumps and any associated force mains or low-pressure laterals. It is hereby declared that the enactment of this article is necessary for the protection, benefit and preservation of the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the Borough.
The connection of existing properties or proposed land development to an existing or proposed sewerage system through the use of sewage grinder pumps, their associated low-pressure laterals, and/or force mains shall only occur after an Official Plan revision to the Municipality's Act 537 Plan, approved by both the Borough and Department, designates that the proposed properties be served by such a connection.
A. 
Each property owner served by a grinder pump shall have full responsibility for providing, installing, using, operating, maintaining, servicing, repairing and replacing his/her grinder pump and/or its low-pressure force main or lateral, unless otherwise set forth herein.
B. 
Each property owner served by a grinder pump shall have full responsibility for using the pump consistent with the manufacturer's instructions and shall avoid introducing into the sewerage system materials that may damage the impellers on the pump, including, but not limited to, plastic items or bulky paper, even though they may be designated as biodegradable in septic tanks.
C. 
The property owner shall be responsible for entering into a service contract with a private contractor for twenty-four-hour emergency repair or replacement service for the grinder pump and low-pressure sewer system at the property owner's sole expense. In the event that the private contractor does not respond in a reasonable time period, the authorized agent shall have the right to make any necessary repairs at the property owner's sole expense.
D. 
Each nonresidential property owner served by a grinder pump shall either provide other means of wastewater disposal or close the structure and cease operations during any period when the grinder pump and low-pressure system serving that structure is inoperable.
E. 
Where the low-pressure force main or lateral is shared between property owners, they shall submit to the authorized agent a declaration of easements, covenants and restrictions in recordable form setting forth the agreement of each benefited property owner with respect to the installation, use, operation, maintenance, service, repair, and replacement of the low-pressure sewer system, which agreement shall bind all future property owners. Following the approval of the low-pressure system by all applicable agencies, the authorized agent will not issue a permit for its installation until evidence is presented that the agreement has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
F. 
Property owners are required to disclose to prospective buyers the existence and condition of the grinder pump, in accordance with § 319-37 hereinafter.
From and after the enactment of this article, it shall be the responsibility of any property owner whose property is served in whole or in part by a grinder pump who shall convey his, her, or its property to another, to disclose to the new owner, prior to the sale of the property, that the property is served by such grinder pump equipment and that the said grinder pump is in good operating condition. Any property owners who violate this article by failing to disclose this information and/or fail to certify to the authorized agent that proper notification has occurred shall be subject to a penalty of up to $1,000 for each such violation.