Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of Article III, the building sewer shall be connected to an on-site sewage disposal system complying with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act No. 208 of 1974 and Chapters 71 and 73 of the Department of Environmental Protection Rules and Regulations, as amended.
A.
Permit for construction.
(1)
A permit must be obtained from the Township for an
on-site sewage disposal system as follows:
(a)
For the installation of any treatment tank,
subsurface absorption area, holding tank or privy, at a location which
is beyond access to a sanitary collector at a facility.
(b)
Before any work on the system is started or
before beginning the construction, installation or occupancy of any
building.
(c)
Before any repair, replacement or enlargement
of a treatment tank, subsurface absorption area or holding tank, an
extensive evaluation should be performed by the Falls Township Environmental
Officer and the appropriate official from the Bucks County Department
of Health as to the extent of the repair and replacement.
(2)
The application for such permit shall be made on forms
furnished by the Township, which the applicant shall supplement by
any plans, specifications and other information deemed necessary by
the Sewage Enforcement Officer.
B.
Application, permit and inspection fees shall be paid
to the Township. The rates shall be as follows:
(1)
An application fee of $100 shall be paid to the Township
for new on-site disposal system and/or a system that is replaced in
portion or totally at the time of filing the application. In addition,
10% of the estimated construction cost shall be deposited in an escrow
account with the Township for the necessary inspection and review.
The inspection charge and review fee shall be based at the rate of
$75 for each hour that a Township employee is engaged at the site,
plus the actual cost for a Township consultant on site and the actual
cost of any material tests. Upon completion of the work, any money
not expended from the escrow account shall be refunded to the applicant.
Any money due the Township shall be paid by the applicant to the Township
before final certification.
(2)
An application fee of $500 shall be paid to the Township
for a holding tank user at the time of filing the application. In
addition, an amount equal to 10% of the estimated cost of the construction
work for the necessary inspection and review shall be deposited in
an escrow account with the Township. The applicant shall submit a
certification from a qualified professional upon completion of construction
and an annual certification each year thereafter certifying to the
construction having been completed and the system operating in a satisfactory
manner. The initial review fee and an annual review fee shall be based
at the rate of $75 for each hour or portion thereof that a Township
employee is engaged in reviewing the certification, plus the actual
cost for a Township consultant on site if necessary and the actual
cost of any material tests if necessary. Upon completion of the work,
any money not expended from the escrow account shall be refunded to
the applicant. Any money due the Township will be paid by the applicant
to the Township before final certification.
(3)
An application fee of $100 shall be paid to the Township
for the review of each planning module and Act 537 Plan supplement
at the time of filing the application. In addition, an amount equal
to 10% of the estimated cost of the construction work for the necessary
inspection and review shall be deposited in an escrow account with
the Township. A review fee shall be based at the rate of $75 for each
hour or portion thereof that a Township employee is engaged at the
site, plus the actual cost of any material tests. Upon completion
of the work, any money not expended from the escrow account shall
be refunded to the applicant. Any money due the Township will be paid
by the applicant to the Township before final certification.
The Sewage Enforcement Officer shall be allowed
to inspect the work at any stage of construction. The person holding
the permit shall notify the Falls Township Environmental Officer when
the work is ready for inspection and before any work is covered. An
inspection of the disposal system shall be made within 72 hours, except
Sundays and holidays, from receipt of the notice to inspect.
A permit may be revoked at any time when the
permittee has violated any of the provisions of Chapters 71 and 73
of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection,
as amended.
If construction of the system has not commenced
within two years after issuance of the permit for such system, said
permit shall expire. A new permit shall be obtained prior to the commencement
of said construction or installation.
At such time as a public sanitary sewer becomes available to a property served by an on-site disposal system, as provided in Article III, a direct connection shall be made to the public sanitary sewer in compliance with Part 2 of this chapter, and any septic tank, cesspool or similar sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material when required or directed.
The owner shall operate and maintain the on-site
disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense
to the Township.
In any area of the Township which is not served
by sanitary sewers, the lot area requirements shall be not less than
those prescribed below. Where the district requirements are more restrictive,
the district requirements shall apply.
A.
In any sections of the Township which are served neither
with sanitary sewers nor with public water supply, lots shall have
a minimum area of one acre per dwelling unit and a minimum width at
the building line of 150 feet.
B.
In all sections of the Township which are served with
public water supply, but not with sanitary sewers, lots devoted to
a single-family or two-family dwelling use shall have a minimum area
of 18,000 square feet and a minimum width at the building line of
85 feet.
C.
All apartment houses and multiple dwellings shall
be served by both public water supply and sanitary sewers.
