[Adopted 2-4-1992 by Ord. No. 95]
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of the terms used in this article shall be as follows:
AUTHORITY
East Goshen Municipal Authority.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure for five days at 20º C., expressed in terms of weight and concentration [milligrams per liter (mg/l)].
[Added 12-1-1998 by Ord. No. 129]
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the purposes of carrying on a trade, business or profession or for social, amusement, religious, educational, charitable or public uses.
DUE DATE
The 15th day of each calendar quarter, i.e., January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.
[Amended 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the manufacturing, fabricating, processing, cleaning, laundering, assembly, storage and distribution of any product, commodity or article.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or waterborne wastes or form of energy rejected or escaping from any industrial, manufacturing, trade or business process or from the development, recovery or processing of natural resources, as distinct from sanitary sewage.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING UNIT
Any other type of dwelling unit not defined as a single-family detached unit.
SANITARY SEWAGE
The normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from residences, businesses, buildings, institutions and commercial and industrial establishments.
SEWER MANAGER
Any person who may, from time to time, be placed in general charge of the sewer system.
SEWER SYSTEM
All facilities leased by the Township from the Authority and operated by the Township for the collection, transportation, treatment or disposal of sanitary sewage.
SHALL
Mandatory.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT
Any structure intended to be occupied as a whole by one family.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of or is suspended in water, wastewater or other liquids and which is removable by laboratory filtering.
[Added 12-1-1998 by Ord. No. 129]
TOWNSHIP
The Township of East Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A. 
There is hereby imposed upon each property located within the Township and served by the sewer system quarterly sewer rents or charges at the rates and payable as hereinafter provided for the use, whether direct or indirect, of the sewer system.
B. 
There is hereby imposed by the Township upon each owner of each property connecting to the sewer system a lateral inspection charge as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for each connection made, payable to the Township. This charge shall reimburse the Township for the costs of the actual inspection of the sewer lateral as well as the review and processing of the application.
C. 
The East Goshen Municipal Authority may impose a tapping fee pursuant to the applicable state statutes.
D. 
Application for connection shall be made on the form prescribed by the Township. Upon payment of such charges and fees, the owner of each property shall be permitted, at his expense, to connect to the sewer system, pursuant to the terms and conditions established by the Township and/or the Municipal Authority.
E. 
Assistance laws.
[Added 8-19-2003 by Ord. No. 129-J-03]
(1) 
Commencing with the fourth quarter of 2003, any property owner or tenant who is responsible for the payment of the sewer rentals and charges which are imposed in this chapter, and who meets the requirements of one of the following federal and commonwealth public assistance laws, shall be eligible for a deduction of 5% from the face amount of the bill:
(a) 
The Senior Citizens Property Tax or Rent Rebate Act, 72 P.S. § 4751-1 et seq.;
(b) 
The Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Act (PACE), 62 P.S. § 2901 et seq.;
(c) 
The Federal Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 7 U.S.C.A. § § 2011 through 2030;
(d) 
The Women's, Infants' and Children's Nutrition Improvement Act, 62 P.S. § 2951 et seq.;
(e) 
Aid to Families with Dependent Children, 42 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.; and
(f) 
The Public Assistance Law, 62 P.S. § 401 et seq.
(2) 
A discount shall not be taken nor applied to any account which has an outstanding balance. Any property owner or tenant who seeks to apply for such discount shall submit an application to the Township on the forms provided by the Township Secretary.
[Amended 3-3-1998 by Ord. No. 95-A-98; 12-7-1999 by Ord. No. 129-L-99; 4-15-2003 by Ord. No. 129-E-03; 12-2-2003 by Ord. No. 129-P-03; 12-21-2004 by Ord. No. 129-U-04; 12-6-2005 by Ord. No. 129-J-05; 3-23-2010 by Ord. No. 129-H-10; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
Multiple units or establishments. In the case of more than one dwelling unit, commercial or industrial establishment, each thereof having the use of the sewer system through one sewer connection, each unit or establishment shall be charged the applicable rates set forth as though each thereof were in a separate structure and as though each thereof had a direct and separate connection to the sewer system.
B. 
Fixed sewer rates shall be established and set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: In accordance with the provisions of this Subsection B, the fixed rates shall be established and set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
[Amended 12-7-1999 by Ord. No. 129-L-99; 12-2-2003 by Ord. No. 129-P-03; 3-2-2004 by Ord. No. 129-B-04; 12-21-2004 by Ord. No. 129-U-04; 3-23-2010 by Ord. No. 129-H-10; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
Single-family dwelling units.
(1) 
Variable rate.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: In accordance with the provisions of Subsection F of this section, the variable rates shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
(2) 
To determine the average water usage per quarter, the Township shall calculate the average quantity of water used during the fourth quarter of one year and the first quarter of the succeeding year (referred to as the "fourth quarter-first quarter cycle"), as evidenced by meter readings from water meters installed by the company which provides public water or such other meters or measuring devices as may be installed pursuant to the provisions of this article. The average water usage value shall be updated annually for the July billing cycle.
[Amended 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 129-B-2021]
(3) 
Owners of single-family dwelling units that are served by public water and connected to the sewer system shall be charged a variable rate based on the average water usage computed in accordance with Subsection A(2). Single-family dwelling units that are conveyed or constructed during the year shall initially be charged a variable rate based on the average water usage for all single-family dwelling units connected to the sewer system that utilize public water until completion of the next fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the unit was conveyed or constructed.
(4) 
Owners of single-family dwelling units, including units conveyed or built during the year, that are not served by public water but connected to the sewer system shall be charged a variable rate based on the average water usage for all single-family dwelling units connected to the sewer system that utilize public water.
(5) 
Owners of single-family dwelling units that are not served by public water may, at their expense, install a water meter in accordance with § 188-5B. The Township shall calculate a variable rate for these customers based on the quarterly water meter readings commencing with the completion of the first fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the meter was installed. Single-family dwelling units with these meters, including those units conveyed or constructed during the year, shall initially be charged a variable rate based on the average water usage for all single-family dwelling units connected to the sewer system that utilize public water until completion of the next fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the unit was conveyed or constructed. Meters shall be read in accordance with § 188-5C.
B. 
Multifamily dwelling units.
(1) 
Variable rate.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: In accordance with the provisions of Subsection F of this section, the variable rates shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
(2) 
To determine the average water usage per quarter, the Township shall calculate the average quantity of water used by each multifamily dwelling unit, based on either individual water meter readings or averaged in accordance with Subsection B(3) below, during the fourth quarter-first quarter cycle as evidenced by meter readings from water meters installed by the company which provides public water or such other meters or measuring devices as may be installed pursuant to the provisions of this article. The average water usage value shall be updated annually for the July billing cycle.
[Amended 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 129-B-2021]
(3) 
The owner of a multifamily dwelling unit served by public water that does not have an individual water meter for the particular unit shall be charged a variable rate calculated by dividing the average water usage for the fourth quarter-first quarter cycle for all of the multifamily dwelling units in the same development by the total number of multifamily dwelling units in the same development. This variable rate structure will apply to any units conveyed during the year.
(4) 
The owner of a multifamily dwelling unit served by public water that has an individual water meter for the particular unit shall be charged a variable rate calculated in accordance with Subsection B(2). Multifamily dwelling units which are conveyed during the year shall initially be charged a variable rate in accordance with Subsection B(3) until completion of the next fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the unit was conveyed.
(5) 
The owner of a multifamily dwelling unit served by public water that does not have an individual water meter may, at his/her expense, install a water meter in accordance with § 188-5B, if permitted by the development. Initially after the installation of the water meter, the variable rate will be computed in accordance with Subsection B(3). Upon the completion of the first fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the water meter was installed, the variable rate shall be calculated in accordance with Subsection B(2). Meters shall be read in accordance with § 188-5C.
(6) 
The owner of a new multifamily dwelling unit(s) served by public water shall be charged a variable rate that is based on the average water usage for the fourth quarter-first quarter cycle for all of the existing multifamily dwelling units connected to the sewer system on public water until the completion of the first fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the new multifamily dwelling unit(s) were occupied. Thereafter, the variable rate shall be calculated in accordance with Subsection B(2).
C. 
Apartment dwelling units.
(1) 
Variable rate.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: In accordance with the provisions of Subsection F of this section, the variable rates shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
(2) 
To determine the average water usage per quarter, the Township shall calculate the average quantity of water used for all of the dwelling units in the apartment development during the fourth quarter-first quarter cycle as evidenced by meter readings from water meters installed by the company which provides public water or such other meters or measuring devices as may be installed pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(3) 
The owner of new apartment dwelling units served by public water shall be charged a variable rate that is based on the average water usage for the fourth quarter-first quarter cycle for all of the existing apartment dwelling units connected to the sewer system on public water until the completion of the first fourth quarter-first quarter cycle after the apartment dwelling unit(s) were occupied. Thereafter, the variable rate shall be calculated in accordance with Subsection C(2).
D. 
Commercial and industrial establishments connected to the sewer system.
(1) 
Variable rate.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: In accordance with the provisions of Subsection F of this section, the variable rates shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
(2) 
The quarterly variable usage rate for commercial and industrial establishments shall be based on the actual quantity of water used for the quarter being billed as evidenced by meter readings of water meters installed by the company which provides public water or such other meters or measuring devices as may be installed pursuant to any provisions of this article and shall be subject to the minimum charges hereinafter provided.
E. 
Commercial and industrial establishments connected to East Whiteland sewer system.
(1) 
Variable rate.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: In accordance with the provisions of Subsection F of this section, the variable rates shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, the specific rates are no longer included in this section. Information on the current rates is available in the Township offices.
F. 
Amendments. The variable rate for single-family dwelling units, multifamily dwelling units, apartment dwelling units and all commercial and industrial establishments shall be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
G. 
Water usage adjustments. The Township Manager, in his sole discretion, shall determine the average water usage to be used in calculating the variable rate when the preponderance of evidence indicates that the usage data from the water company is in error or incomplete or if the preponderance of evidence indicates that all or part of the amount of water usage depicted by the water meter did not enter the sewer system.
[Amended 5-4-2010 by Ord. No. 129-D-10; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
Methods of measuring volume:
(1) 
Whenever a person purchasing all water used from the water supplier discharges sanitary sewage and/or industrial waste into the sewer system, the volume of water used, as determined from meter readings made by, or made available to, the Township, shall be used in computing the sewer rentals.
(2) 
In cases where persons have sources of water supply in addition to or other than from the water supplier and discharge sanitary sewage and/or industrial waste into the sewer system, such persons shall install a meter on each additional supply, at their expense, in order to determine the actual flows. The total amount of water used as shown by these meter readings will be used in computing the sewer rentals.
(a) 
Exception 1: The person occupying a single-family dwelling unit shall be billed for sewer service based on the average of the usage for the single-family dwelling units.
(b) 
Exception 2: The person occupying a multifamily dwelling unit that does not have individual meters for each dwelling shall be billed based on the average for the units in that multifamily complex (i.e., total usage for the quarter for the multifamily complex divided by the number of units in the multifamily complex equals the average for each unit).
(3) 
In cases where persons use water from the water supplier and/or from any other source such that all or any part of the water so used is not discharged into the sewer system, the quantity of water used to determine the sewer rental shall be computed by one of the following methods:
(a) 
Method No. 1: by placing a meter or measuring device on the sewer connection. The readings from this meter or measuring device shall be used in computing the sewer rental.
(b) 
Method No. 2: by placing a meter on the line supplying the fixture(s) or device(s) not discharging into the sewer system. The reading from this meter(s) will then be deducted from the total water meter readings and the remainder will be used in computing the sewer rentals.
(c) 
Method No. 3: When, in the opinion of the Sewer Manager, it is not desirable or not practical to install meters or devices to continuously determine the quantity of water not discharged to the sewer system, the Sewer Manager will determine, in such manner and by such method as he may prescribe, the percentage of metered water discharged into the sewer system. This percentage shall be multiplied by the water meter reading in order to compute the sewer rental.
B. 
Measuring devices. All meters or measuring devices not provided by the water supplier, but otherwise used or required under the provisions of this article, shall be furnished and installed by the property owner and shall be approved, tested or inspected by the Township whenever deemed necessary. The owner of the property upon which such measuring device is installed shall be responsible for its maintenance and safekeeping, and all repairs thereto shall be made at the property owner's expense. A permit is required prior to the installation of a meter or measuring device which is not supplied by the water company. The Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution, impose a fee for the issuance of the permit and the costs to inspect the meter or measuring device.
C. 
Meter reading. The Township shall be responsible for the reading of all meters or measuring devices, unless such readings are otherwise made available to the Township by the water supplier, and such meters or devices shall be made available to Township employees for meter reading at any reasonable time. The Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution, impose a fee for the cost to read the meter or measuring device.
[Amended 11-16-2004 by Ord. No. 129-S-04; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
Industrial waste or other waste not defined as sanitary sewage shall not be discharged into the sewer system.
B. 
Exclusion of industrial waste:
(1) 
Permissible discharges. All wastewater discharged into the sewer system shall be of a domestic strength and composition. A permit is required for the discharge of any waste not defined as sanitary sewage. Any wastewater which is not of domestic origin shall be pretreated to domestic strength and composition or a level acceptable to the Authority. Discharges of nondomestic strength origin will be permissible by permit only.
(2) 
The Township reserves the right to refuse connection to the sewer system, to disconnect a sewer or to compel pretreatment of industrial waste in order to prevent discharge to the sewer of industrial waste deemed to be harmful to the sewage collection system or sewage plant or to have a deleterious effect on the sewage treatment or sludge-handling processes of the receiving stream or which would cause a violation of any existing sewage treatment agreement or permit of the Township.
C. 
Industrial waste rates. In the event that the Township consents to accept industrial waste into the sewer system, having total suspended solids (tss) in excess of 300 parts per million (ppm) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in excess of 250 ppm, the total charge shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:
Total charge
=
Q + [(0.001 x Q) x (BOD in ppm - 250)] + [(0.001 x Q) x (tss in ppm - 300)]
Where:
Q
=
variable rate charge
BOD
=
biochemical oxygen demand
tss
=
total suspended solids
ppm
=
parts per million
D. 
Surcharge for extra strength. The total charge for sewage having concentrations in excess of the levels set forth in Subsection C above shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:
Total charge = Q + 0.001 Q (BOD in ppm - 250) + 0.001 Q (SS in ppm - 300)
Where:
Q
=
variable rate charge (§ 188-6C)
SS
=
suspended solids
ppm
=
parts per million
No person shall discharge into the sewer system any exhaust steam or any oils, tar, grease, gas, benzene or other combustible gases or liquids, any garbage (unless treated in an approved manner), offal, insoluble solids or other dangerous or harmful substances which would adversely affect the functioning of the sewer system or the processes of sewage treatment or the receiving stream.
A. 
No person shall discharge into the sewer system any groundwater and/or surface water by means of a sump pump and/or floor drain. The Township shall have the right to inspect any or all connections at any time.
B. 
Each property owner shall maintain its connection/lateral so as to prevent and prohibit the introduction of groundwater and/or surface water in the sewer system.
The Sewer Manager, in his sole discretion, shall determine the classification of all uses. If use or classification of any property should change within any quarter, the difference in sewer rental, prorated on a monthly basis to the nearest calendar month, will be charged or credited, as the case may be, on the bill for the succeeding quarter. Additional classifications and additional sewer rentals may be established by the Township from time to time.
[Amended 2-17-2009 by Ord. No. 129-C-09; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
The connection fee imposed and collected by the Township and the tapping fee imposed by the Authority and collected by the Township as its agent shall be payable by the title owner of the real property for which such fee is imposed upon application for permit to make the connection.
B. 
Sewer rentals or charges shall be paid quarterly by the title owner of the real property to which such rentals or charges have been imposed, and shall be mailed by the Township to that address, unless and until a different address is specified, in writing, by the owner of such property, delivered to the Township by certified first-class United States mail, return receipt requested. Failure of the property owner to receive a bill as a result of an outdated or incorrect address, failure by a tenant to forward the bill to the owner or any other reason shall not excuse the timely payment of sewer rentals and charges or extend the time for payment thereof. It shall be incumbent upon all property owners to provide the Township with the correct billing address or any changes thereto. Quarterly billings for sewer rentals shall be made by bills dated on the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year (known as the "due date") for the quarterly calendar period immediately succeeding the date of the bill. The bills for sewer rentals under § 188-3 for the first quarter during which a property is connected will be prorated on the basis of the quarterly rate. All bills shall be due and payable on their respective due dates.
[Amended 3-3-1998 by Ord. No. 95-A-98; 8-19-2003 by Ord. No. 129-J-03; 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. 129-A-11; 4-22-2014 by Ord. No. 129-B-2014]
A. 
All sewer bills shall be payable on the due date. When the 45th day from the due date falls on either a weekend or a holiday on which the Township building is closed, payments that are received before the close of business on the next business day immediately following the 45th day shall be deemed to have been paid on time and no penalty shall be applied. If the sewer bill is not paid within 45 days of the due date, a penalty of 5% shall be added to the total amount of the bill. In addition, interest shall be applied to arrears at the rate of 5/6 of 1% per month, or fraction thereof, 45 days after the due date and every month thereafter.
[Amended 11-15-2016 by Ord. No. 129-E-2016]
B. 
The process for the collection of delinquent sewer rentals shall be as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
C. 
All sewer rentals not paid within six months following the month in which bills were mailed shall be deemed to be delinquent. In addition, any costs and/or attorney's fees incurred by East Goshen Township for the collection of delinquent sewer rentals shall be added to the unpaid sewer rent along with penalties and interest as set forth above, and the aggregate of the same shall be entered as a lien on the property served. The costs of filing and removing the liens shall be established by the Board of Supervisors by resolution.
D. 
All persons connected to the sewer system shall provide the Township their correct address. Failure to receive bills will not be considered an excuse for nonpayment nor permit an extension of the period during which bills are payable at face.
The funds received by the Township from the collection of the connection fees imposed by the Township from tapping fees imposed by the Authority and to be collected by the Township as its agent, from sewer rentals and charges and all penalties thereon, as herein provided for, any fines collected by the Township in connection with the sewer system and any other funds received in connection with the sewer system shall be segregated, earmarked and deposited in a separate fund, to be designated the "sewer revenue account," and shall be used only for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Township in the operation, maintenance and repair of the sewer system and for such payments as the Township may be required to make under any lease or agreement it may enter into for and of or in connection with said sewer system with the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945, Act of May 2, 1945, P.L. 382, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 301 et seq.
The Sewer Manager is hereby charged with the duties of collecting all sewer charges and collection charges imposed by the Authority. He is authorized to adopt such regulations with respect to the subjects covered in this article as he may in his discretion seem fit and proper. He shall also keep full, accurate and complete records of all sewer rentals or charges, bills, receipts, payments and transmittals of money to the Township.
The Authority may, in its sole discretion, contract with the owner of a specific property to provide a specific amount of sewage capacity. In the event that the sewage flow from this specific property exceeds the flow specified, it shall be deemed a violation and said property owner shall be penalized pursuant to § 188-16. Each day that the flow exceeds the permitted flow shall constitute a separate violation.
The rates and any rules and regulations hereunder shall become effective on the date of their enactment and adoption respectively and shall be applicable to all properties as soon as they respectively become connected with and have the right to use the sewer system, but in no event before the calendar quarter commencing April 1, 1992. The Township reserves the right to make such changes from time to time as in its opinion may be desirable or beneficial, and to amend this article or to change the rates or charges in such a manner and at such times as in its opinion may be advisable.
[Amended 5-7-1996 by Ord. No. 112; 3-4-1997 by Ord. No. 117]
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 District Justice 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 less than $100 and 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 30 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 District Justice of not less than $100 and 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 30 days. All fines and penalties collected for the violation of this article shall be paid to the Township Treasurer.
In the event that any person illegally discharges its wastes into the sewer system which causes damage to the system, the sewage treatment plant, the receiving stream, the Township or to any employee thereof, that person shall be liable for the damage thereof, including but not limited to all costs incurred for restoration, replacement, fines, etc., and the person shall be billed therefor. Legal action may be taken to enforce collection and/or the Township may terminate that person's connection to the sewer system.