As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ALTERNATE SYSTEM
Any system that is listed in the PADEP document Alternate Systems
Guidance, effective date September 20, 2003 (minor revisions were made on
February 6, 2004).
AUTHORIZED AGENT
A sewage enforcement officer, employee of Franconia Township, professional
engineer, plumbing inspector, or other qualified or licensed person who is
authorized to function within specified limits as an agent of Franconia Township
to administer or enforce the provisions of this chapter.
BOARD
The Board of Supervisors, Franconia Township, Montgomery County,
Pennsylvania.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEM
Any sewage system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection
of sewage from two or more lots, or two or more equivalent dwelling units
and the treatment and/or disposal of the sewage on one or more lots or at
any other site.
COUNTY
The Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD).
DEPARTMENT
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
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 this commonwealth.
LOT
A part of a subdivision or a parcel of land used as a building site
or intended to be used for building purposes, whether immediate or future,
which would not be further subdivided. Whenever a lot is used for a multiple-family
dwelling or for commercial or industrial purposes, the lot shall be deemed
to have been subdivided into an equivalent number of single-family residential
lots as determined by estimated sewage flows.
MALFUNCTION
A condition which occurs when an on-lot sewage disposal system discharges
sewage onto the surface of the ground, into groundwaters of this commonwealth,
into surface waters of this commonwealth, backs up into a building connected
to the system or in any manner causes a nuisance or hazard to the public health
or pollution of ground or surface water or contamination of public or private
drinking water wells. Systems shall be considered to be malfunctioning if
any condition noted above occurs for any length of time during any period
of the year.
OFFICIAL SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage disposal
systems, adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Franconia Township and approved
by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the
Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any system for disposal of domestic sewage involving pretreatment
and subsequent disposal of the clarified sewage into a subsurface soil absorption
area or retaining tank; this term includes both individual sewage systems
and community sewage systems.
PERSON
Any individual, association, public or private corporation for profit
or not for profit, partnership, firm, trust, estate, department, board, bureau
or agency of the commonwealth, political subdivision, municipality, district,
authority, or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law
as the subject of rights and duties. Whenever used in any clause prescribing
and imposing a penalty or imposing a fine or imprisonment, the term "person"
shall include the members of an association, partnership or firm and the officers
of any local agency or municipal, public or private corporation for profit
or not for profit.
REHABILITATION
Work done to modify, alter, repair, enlarge or replace an existing
on-lot sewage disposal system.
SEPTAGE
Domestic septage is either liquid or solid material removed from
a septic tank, dosing tank, cesspool, portable toilet, or similar storage
or treatment works that receive only domestic sewage.
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. 394), known as "The Clean Streams Law," as amended.
SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (SEO)
A person certified by PADEP who is employed either directly or indirectly
by Franconia Township or Montgomery County Health Department. Such person
is authorized to conduct investigations and inspections, review permit applications,
issue or deny permits and do all other activities as may be provided for such
person in the Sewage Facilities Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and this or any other ordinance adopted by Franconia Township or
Montgomery County Health Department. Only the SEO employed by the Montgomery
County Health Department is authorized to administrate the sewage facilities
permitting program under Chapter 72 of the PADEP regulations.
SEWAGE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Any area or areas of Franconia Township designated in the Official
Sewage Facilities Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors as an area for
which a sewage management program is to be implemented.
SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
A program authorized by the official action of a municipality for
the administration, management and regulation of the disposal of sewage. This
comprehensive set of legal and administrative requirements encompassing the
requirements of this chapter, the Sewage Facilities Act, the Clean Streams
Law, the regulations promulgated thereunder and such other requirements adopted
by the Board of Supervisors to effectively enforce and administer this chapter.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or other parcel of land
into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including
changes in existing lot lines. The enumerating of lots shall include as a
lot that portion of the original tract or tracts remaining after other lots
have been subdivided therefrom.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Franconia, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.