[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
After the effective date of this Part, it shall be unlawful
for any person to sell or transfer real estate within the Township
of Lower Southampton on which a building or improvement exists without
first delivering to the Township a certificate of lateral compliance
as defined below.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
An official statement from the proper officer of the Township
stating that there are no known illegal stormwater or surface water
discharges into the sanitary sewer connections on the specific property
which is being sold.
A contractor that is certified by National Association of
Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), Pipeline Assessment Certification
Program (PACP), Lateral Assessment Certification Program (LACP), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors Association of Pennsylvania (PHHC) or Manhole Assessment
Certification Program (MACP); or has comparable experience as determined
by the Authority Engineer.
The discharge of groundwater or surface water or the connection
of downspouts, roof drainage, surface areaway drainage, or foundation
or basement drainage (including sump pumps) into the sanitary sewer
system.
The segment of the sanitary sewer system that connects a
residence or other building to the Township's sanitary sewer collection
system. This includes from the private structure up to the Township's
sewer main within a roadway or easement.
Any person, syndicate, associate, partnership, firm, corporation,
institution, agency, authority, or other entity recognized by law
as the subject of rights and duties.
Township of Lower Southampton.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
Prior to the sale or resale of any single-family dwellings located
in the Township, each private lateral serving the property shall be
inspected in accordance with this Part to demonstrate the private
lateral servicing the property is sound and free from inflow and infiltration
and that no illegal stormwater or surface water discharges exist or
may exist during rain events as provided herein.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
Within one year of the adoption of this Part, all multifamily,
commercial and institutional properties shall be inspected in accordance
with this Part to demonstrate the private lateral servicing the property
is sound and free from inflow and infiltration and that no illegal
stormwater or surface water discharges exist or may exist during rain
events as provided herein. Thereafter, retesting and certification
of the lateral(s) shall occur at five-year intervals or upon sale
and/or transfer of property, whichever is earlier.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
A.
The property owner shall make application on a form furnished by
the Township. For the sale of residential properties, application
shall be made at least 30 days before the date of sale. The property
owner shall then have certified contractor televise the lateral. The
certified contractor shall notify the Township at least 48 hours before
the scheduled televising, so that the Township may witness and review
the results of the televising. The certified contractor shall complete
the appropriate portions of the form and certify that 1) the private
lateral has been televised; 2) the private lateral is free from inflow
and infiltration; and 3) no illegal stormwater or surface water connections
exist. A digital copy of the video shall be delivered to the Township.
If there are no illegal stormwater or surface water connections or
inflow and infiltration, and the lateral is sound, the designated
agent of the Township shall issue a certificate of lateral compliance.
B.
If an illegal stormwater or surface water discharge exists or inflow
and infiltration is present, or the private lateral is otherwise malfunctioning,
no certificate of lateral compliance will be issued until the lateral
is repaired, the system retelevised and certification of such removal/repair
by a certified contractor is received and approved by the Township
Engineer and/or Zoning Officer. A fee as outlined in the adopted fee
schedule would be assessed to cover costs.
C.
In addition to the above, the Township shall have the right to rely
on the results of any of its own internal televising of the sewer
main completed by the Township or the certified contractor when determining
compliance with the requirements of this section.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
A.
As part of the inspection and certification process, the certified
contractor shall confirm that:
(1)
All cleanouts and vents are fitted with caps that are manufactured
to fit the type and size pipe affixed to the lateral and that will
provide a tight seal against inflow of stormwater.
(2)
All cleanouts and vent caps shall be set at a minimum of four
inches above grade, but not less than a height sufficient to preclude
the flow of stormwater into the vent.
(3)
All area drains, foundation drains, roof leaders, sump pumps
or other direct connections to the sanitary system do not exist.
(4)
Appropriate permits shall be obtained from the Township or other
entity having jurisdiction if any repairs and replacements are necessary
to correct any defects found during the inspection and testing. All
repairs and replacement shall comply and conform to all applicable
local, state and federal regulations.
B.
Only certified contractors that are registered with and approved
by the Township may provide private lateral inspection services.
C.
Laterals shall be inspected utilizing closed-circuit video. This
technique consists of video inspection using a lighted camera designed
for inspection and evaluation of sanitary sewers. The closed-circuit
video equipment used to inspect private laterals shall meet or exceed
the minimum technical equipment specifications as determined by the
Township Engineer and/or Zoning Officer. Video disc image samples
shall be provided to the Township for evaluation by the Township Engineer
or authorized representative.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
Properties meeting any of the following criteria shall be exempt
from the foregoing inspection requirements:
A.
Properties serviced by private laterals installed or properties where
testing and/or repairs have been performed to Township's standards
within two years of the application for a certificate of occupancy
from the Township with documentation of installation date in a form
acceptable to the Zoning Officer.
B.
Properties sold or resold within 90 days after the date of the approval
of this Part.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
The provisions of this Part are severable, and if any section,
sentence, clause or phrase shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be illegal, invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining portions
of this Part shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
[Ord. No. 598, 4/13/2022]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement
of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than
$1,000 plus costs. Each day that a violation of this Part continues
or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated
shall constitute a separate offense.
