[Adopted 4-18-2006 by Ord. No. 194-04-2006]
This article shall be known as the "North Codorus Township On-Lot Management Ordinance."
A. 
Introduction.
(1) 
Municipalities have an obligation to provide for adequate sewage treatment facilities and protection of the public health by preventing the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage as mandated by municipal codes, the Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. § 691.1001) and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.).
(2) 
The North Codorus Township Act 537 Official Wastewater Facilities Plan has evaluated the need to provide adequate sewage facilities and has found the formation of an on-lot management program to be an effective method of preventing and abating water pollution and hazards to the public health.
B. 
Purposes. The purposes of this article are:
(1) 
To bring and keep the municipality within the requirements of the Clean Streams Law (Act of 1937, P.L. 1987, No. 394) and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act of 1966 P.L. 1535, No. 537, as amended, known as Act 537).
(2) 
To provide for inspection, pumping, maintenance, and rehabilitation of private and public on-lot sewage disposal systems in designated On-Lot Management Districts of the Township, as defined in § 146-27 of this article.
(3) 
To establish penalties and appeal procedures necessary for the proper administration of such a management program.
C. 
Applicability. From the effective date of this article, its provisions shall apply in those portions of North Codorus Township identified in the Act 537 Plan and the maps attached hereto, which are collectively marked Exhibit A and incorporated by reference.[1] The provisions of §§ 146-28 and 146-29 of this article shall apply to all persons and any and all other entities owning any property serviced by an on-lot disposal system within those areas, which areas shall be collectively known as On-Lot Management Districts, as defined in § 146-27. All other sections of this article shall apply to all property, and owners of property, which is serviced by an on-lot disposal system anywhere within the Township, as those terms are defined in § 146-27.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said maps are on file in the Township offices.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT 537
The Act of January 24, 1966, PL 1535 as amended, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., known as the "Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act."
AUTHORIZED AGENT
A certified sewage enforcement officer, code enforcement officer, professional engineer, plumbing inspector, municipal secretary, or any other qualified or licensed person who is delegated by the Township to carry out the provisions of this article within specified limits.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors of North Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (CEO)
An authorized agent of the Township to administer and enforce other articles in the Township.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEM
Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots, and the treatment and/or disposal of the sewage on one or more lots or at any other site.
DEP or DEPARTMENT
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEM
A system of piping, tanks, or other facilities serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into any waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
MALFUNCTION
The condition occurring when an on-lot system causes pollution to groundwater or surface waters, contamination of private or public drinking water supplies, nuisance problems or is a hazard to public health. Any septic or holding tank observed to be leaking, or any instance where sewage is backing up into a building connected to the system, is considered a malfunction. Systems shall be considered to be malfunctioning if any of the conditions noted above occur for any length of time during any period of the year.
OFFICIAL ACT 537 SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN OR PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage disposal systems, adopted by the Township and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as described in and required by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. Hereinafter called the "Plan," it shall mean the North Codorus Township Act 537 Plan, as amended.
ON-LOT DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any system for disposal of sewage involving pretreatment and subsequent disposal of the clarified sewage into the soil for final treatment and disposal, including both individual sewage systems and community sewage systems.
ON-LOT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
A comprehensive set of legal and administrative requirements encompassing the requirements of this article and other administrative requirements adopted by the Township to effectively enforce and administer this article.
ON-LOT MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Those areas identified in the maps attached as Exhibit "A" and identified in the Township's Act 537 plan; this term shall include any additional areas of the Township identified and so designated by the Board in the future.
OWNER or OWNERS
The owner or owners of property, which shall include individuals, partnerships, corporations, or any other ownership entity. For purposes of this article, the singular shall include the plural, and one gender shall include all genders.
PUMPING CERTIFICATION
A properly executed York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority Sludge/Septage Manifest.
QUALIFIED PUMPER/HAULER
Person or organization licensed by the York County Solid Waste Authority to conduct septage pumping and hauling within York County.
REHABILITATION
Work done to modify, alter, repair, enlarge, or replace an existing on-lot disposal system.
SEPTIC SYSTEM REPORT
A Township form to be completed by the qualified pumper/hauler and forwarded to the Township after each inspection and/or pumping.
SEPTAGE
Any substance pumped out of a septic tank.
SEO or SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
An agent of the Township, DEP certified, whose responsibility is to issue and review permit applications and conduct such investigations and inspections as are necessary to implement Act 537 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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. 94), known as "The Clean Streams Law," as amended.
TOWNSHIP
North Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
In all On-Lot Management Districts, all on-lot disposal systems shall be subject to the following:
A. 
An initial inspection and subsequent periodic inspections shall be conducted when an on-lot system is pumped. Inspections shall be conducted by a qualified pumper/hauler for the purpose of determining a system's functional status. The individual property owner is responsible to contact and make arrangements directly with the pumper/hauler.
B. 
A written report of the inspection shall be prepared by the pumper/hauler and furnished to the owner of each property inspected. The owner shall provide a copy of the said report to the Township within 30 days of the inspection.
C. 
Written reports shall be recorded on the North Codorus Township septic system report form. The pumper/hauler shall fully complete the form to address all requested information.
D. 
An authorized agent of the Township shall inspect systems known, or alleged, to be malfunctioning. Should the inspection reveal that the system is indeed malfunctioning, the Township's authorized agent shall take action to require the correction of the malfunction.
(1) 
An authorized agent of the Township may inspect any on-lot sewage disposal system at any time given reasonable notice.
(2) 
An authorized agent of the Township shall have the right to enter upon land for the purpose of inspections as described above.
(3) 
Inspections by an authorized agent of the Township may include a physical tour of the property, the taking of samples from surface water, wells or other ground water sources, the sampling of contents of the sewage disposal system itself, and/or the introduction of a traceable substance into the interior plumbing of the structure served to ascertain the path and ultimate destination of wastewater generated in the structure.
In all On-Lot Management Districts, all on-lot disposal systems shall be subject to the following:
A. 
The Township shall notify all owners of property served by an on-lot disposal system that their system must be pumped by the end of the calendar year in which the letter is received. The Township shall follow a schedule whereby the property owners within two of the eight identified On-Lot Management Districts are notified annually of the pumping requirement, such that all owners are notified once every four years. The property owner must have his on-lot disposal system pumped within the time specified in the Township's letter, unless he can provide the Township with a Pumping Certification indicating that the system was pumped within one year prior to the date of the Township's letter. In such a circumstance, the owner shall remain on the same notification schedule as he was.
B. 
A copy of the fully completed septic system report as required by § 146-28 shall be furnished to the Township within 30 days of the date of the pumping. The property owner shall mail or hand-deliver the septic system report to the Township Administration Building at 1986 Stoverstown Road, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania 17362.
C. 
Commencing from the date of pumping as prescribed in Subsection A above, removal of septage or other solids from treatment tanks shall be performed at least once every four years thereafter. The property owner shall furnish a copy of the septic system report to the Township within 30 days of the date of the pumping. Septic system reports may be mailed or hand-delivered as described in Subsection A above.
D. 
Tanks shall be deemed to be pumped when all organic solids are removed and the total average liquid depth remaining in the tank is less than one inch.
E. 
The Township may require additional maintenance activity as needed, including, but not limited to: cleaning and unclogging of piping; service and repair of mechanical equipment; leveling of distribution boxes, ranks and lines; removal of obstructing roots or trees; and/or the diversion of surface water away from the absorption area.
F. 
The required frequency of pumping may be increased at the discretion of the Township, if:
(1) 
A system is found to be malfunctioning;
(2) 
A system is found to be undersized;
(3) 
The treatment tanks are filled with solids in excess of 1/3 of the liquid depth of the tank or with scum in excess of 1/3 of the liquid depth of the tank;
(4) 
The hydraulic load on the system increases significantly above average;
(5) 
A garbage grinder is used in the building; or
(6) 
Other good cause can be shown.
G. 
Any person owning a building served by an on-lot disposal system containing an aerobic treatment tank shall follow the operation and maintenance recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. In no case may the service or pumping interval for aerobic treatment tanks exceed that required for septic tanks.
H. 
Any person owning a structure served by a cesspool shall have that system pumped according to the schedule prescribed for septic tanks.
I. 
Holding tanks shall be pumped out at intervals that prevent the overflow, leakage, backup, and other malfunctions characteristic of an overloaded system.
J. 
Each time a septic tank or other subsurface waste disposal system tank is pumped, the contracted pumper shall provide to the owner of the system a fully completed and signed septic system report.
K. 
The owner of a property upon which an on-lot system is constructed shall maintain the area around such system so as to provide convenient access for inspection, maintenance, and pumping, and shall divert surface water and downspouts away from the. absorption area and on-lot system components.
L. 
Tanks shall only be pumped from or through the manhole/access port, i.e., the largest tank opening. Tanks shall not be pumped from or through the observation port.
M. 
The owner of a property upon which an on-lot system is constructed shall, at all times, operate and maintain the on-lot system in such condition as will permit it to function in the manner in which it was designed and will prevent the unlawful discharge of sewage.
A. 
Only sewage and normal domestic wastes shall be discharged into any on-lot sewage system. The following shall not be discharged into the system:
(1) 
Industrial wastes.
(2) 
Automobile oil and other nondomestic oil.
(3) 
Fats and grease.
(4) 
Toxic or hazardous substances or chemicals, including, but not limited to, pesticides, herbicides, acids, paints (including latex or water-based paints), paint thinners, gasoline, and other solvents.
(5) 
Clean surface water or groundwater, including spring water, water from roof or cellar drains, water from basement sump pumps, and water from French drains.
B. 
All water used within a residence, including kitchen and laundry wastes and water softener backwash, and all sewage, shall be discharged into an on-lot system treatment tank.
A. 
Any on-lot sewage disposal system or component thereof found to be malfunctioning shall be repaired, modified or replaced pursuant to direction of the Township or its authorized agent and to correct the conditions causing the malfunction. Rehabilitation shall be performed in accordance with "Chapter 73, Standards for Sewage Disposal Facilities" of Title 25, Rules and Regulations, Department of Environmental Protection. The Township Sewage Enforcement Officer shall inspect the rehabilitated on-lot sewage disposal system and certify its compliance with local and state standards.
B. 
A permit exemption declaration must be filed with the Township's SEO a minimum of 48 hours prior to any soil fracturing or use of the terralift procedure to an on-lot disposal system.
When an imminent health hazard exists due to failure of a property owner to maintain, repair, or replace an on-lot sewage disposal system as provided under the terms of this article, the Township shall have the authority to perform, or contract to have performed, the work required to abate the health hazard, pollution, or nuisance. The owner shall be charged for the work performed, and, if necessary, a lien shall be entered therefor in accordance with law. The Township reserves the right to pursue all other lawful remedies.
A. 
All septage originating within the Township shall be disposed of at sites or facilities approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the acceptance of septage.
B. 
Only pumpers/haulers licensed to operate within York County shall be utilized.
A. 
The Township shall fully utilize those powers it possesses through enabling statutes, ordinances, its Code, and regulations, to effect the purposes of this article.
B. 
The Township shall employ qualified individuals to carry out the provisions of this article. Those employees may include a Sewage Enforcement Officer, a Codes Enforcement Officer, a secretary, an administrator, or other persons as required. The Township may also contract with other private qualified persons or firms as necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
C. 
All permits, records, reports, files and other written material relating to the installation, operation, maintenance, and malfunction of on-lot sewage disposal systems in the Township shall be and become the property of the Township. Existing and future records shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Township office. All records pertaining to sewage permits, building permits, occupancy permits, and all other aspects of the Township's sewage management program shall be made available upon request. A fee for copying may be charged.
D. 
The Township may establish all administrative procedures necessary to properly carry out the provisions of this article.
E. 
The Township may establish a fee schedule and collect fees to cover the cost of administering the on-lot maintenance program. The Township may set or amend fees by resolution.
A. 
Appeals from decisions made under this article shall be made to the Board of Supervisors in writing within 30 days after the date of the decision in question.
B. 
The appellant shall be entitled to a hearing before the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting, if the appeal is received at least 14 days prior to that meeting. If the appeal is received within 14 days of the next regularly scheduled meeting, the appeal shall be heard at the subsequent meeting. The Township shall thereafter affirm, modify, or reverse the aforesaid decision. The hearing may be postponed or continued for good cause shown by the appellant or the Township. Evidence may be introduced at the hearing.
C. 
The Township's decision shall be rendered in writing within 60 days after the conclusion of the hearing or hearings. If a decision is not rendered within 60 days, the relief sought by the appellant shall be deemed granted.
A. 
Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof by a summary proceeding action brought before a District Justice in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $1,000, plus all court costs, or imprisonment as authorized by law for summary offenses. Each day of a violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense.
B. 
In addition to the penalties set forth in Subsection A, the Township and its authorized agents shall have the right and power to utilize all other remedies available to them at law or equity to enforce the provisions of this article.
C. 
The discharge by the Township of its obligations as set forth in this article shall create no liability upon the Township, its officials, employees or agents.
D. 
All reports, inspections, appraisals, certification or records required or produced by the Township, its officials, employees or agents, as required by this article, shall be for the use and benefit of the Township only and shall not be accepted, utilized or relied upon by any other person or party by way of certification or otherwise.