[Adopted 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-7]
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of the terms used in this article shall be as follows:
AUTHORITY
Wrightsville Borough Municipal Authority, a Pennsylvania municipal authority.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania.
BUILDING CLEANOUT
A cleanout on the building drain just inside or outside the wall of the building through which the building sewer may be cleaned.
BUILDING DRAIN
That part of the lowest piping of a building drainage system which receives the discharge from all drainage pipes within the building and conveys it to the building sewer.
BUILDING SEWER
The extension from the sewage drainage system of any structure to the lateral or service connection of a sewer.
FRESH-AIR VENT
A direct connection leading from the building drain just behind the house trap to the outer air.
HOUSE TRAP
A device, fitting or assembly of fittings installed on the building drain to prevent circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
IMPROVED PROPERTY
Any property located within Hellam Township and within the area served by the authority upon which there is erected a structure or structures intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals and from which structure or structures sewage and/or industrial wastes shall be or may be discharged.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or form of energy rejected or escaping in the course of any industrial, manufacturing, trade or business process or in the course of the development, recovery or processing of natural resources, as distinct from sewage, excluding any ground, surface or stormwater.
LATERAL
That part of the sewer system extending from a sewer to a point behind the curbline or, if there shall be no curbline, to a point behind the curbline projected.
OWNER
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial, of any improved property located within the area served by the authority within Hellam Township.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, company, association, society, trust, corporation or other group or entity, public or private.
PLUMBING
The construction, alteration, or repair of any part of the building sewer or building drain, or appurtenances thereto, which discharge sewage or industrial wastes into the sewer system and are subject to the provisions of this article.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The person or persons appointed by the Borough to enforce the Borough's plumbing regulations.
SERVICE CONNECTION
That portion of, or place in, a sewer, in those cases where no lateral is provided, which is provided for connection of any building sewer.
SEWAGE
Normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from any improved property, excluding any ground, surface or stormwater.
SEWER
Any pipe or conduit constituting a part of the sewer system used or usable for sewage collection purposes.
SEWER SYSTEM
All facilities of the authority, as of any particular time, for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage and industrial wastes.
STREET
And includes any street, road, lane, court, alley and public square.
TOWNSHIP
Hellam Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
A. 
Improved properties to be connected to accessible sewers. The owner of any improved property accessible to and whose principal building is within 150 feet from the sewer system shall connect such improved property with such sewer, in such manner as the Township may require, within 60 days after notice to such owner from the Township to make such connection, for the purpose of discharge of all sewage and, to the extent permitted by the authority, industrial wastes from such improved property, subject to such limitations and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall be established by the authority, from time to time.
B. 
Sewage and certain industrial wastes to be discharged into sewers. All sewage and, to the extent permitted by the authority, industrial wastes from any improved property, after connection of such improved property with a sewer shall be required under Subsection A shall be discharged into a sewer, subject to such limitations and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall be established by the authority, from time to time.
C. 
Unlawful discharge or deposit of sewage and industrial wastes.
(1) 
No person shall place or deposit or permit to be placed or deposited upon public or private property within the area served by the authority within the Township any sewage or industrial wastes in violation of Subsection B.
(2) 
No person shall discharge or permit to be discharged to any natural outlet within the area served by the authority within the Township any sewage or industrial wastes in violation of Subsection B except where suitable treatment has been provided which is satisfactory to the authority.
D. 
Unlawful discharge of stormwater, etc. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff or subsurface drainage into any sewer.
E. 
Certain receptacles not to be used on improved property accessible to sewer: abandonment of such receptacles.
(1) 
No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle shall be used and maintained at any time upon any improved property which has been connected to a sewer or which shall be required under Subsection A to be connected to a sewer, except that with the written approval of the Township, such receptacle may continue to be used and maintained solely for the purpose of receiving the discharge of water other than sewage from a basement floor drain and/or other surface of subsurface drainage facility. Under appropriate circumstances, and with the written approval of the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer, existing septic tanks may continue to be used and maintained for the purpose of receiving the discharge of sewage from existing basement facilities where the sewer provided by the authority does not permit the discharge of sewage from such facility by gravity and so long as such septic tank is operable and has not malfunctioned.
(2) 
Every such privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle in existence shall be abandoned and, at the discretion of the Township, shall be cleansed and filled under the observation of the Township; and any such privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle not so abandoned and, if required by the authority, not so cleansed and filled, shall constitute a nuisance and such nuisance may be abated as provided by law, at the expense of the owner of such improved property.
F. 
Certain receptacles and drainage facilities not to be connected to sewer. No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle at any time shall be connected to a sewer. No surface or subsurface drainage facility shall at any time be connected to a sewer.
G. 
Notice to connect; service. The notice by the Township to make a connection to a sewer, referred to in Subsection A shall consist of a written or printed document requiring the connection and referring to this article and may be given at any time after a sewer is in place which can receive and convey sewage and, to the extent permitted by the authority, industrial wastes, for treatment and disposal from the particular improved property. Such notice shall be served upon the owner by the Board of Township Supervisors, or by the authority as its agent, either by personal service or by certified or registered mail or by such other method as at the time may be provided by law.
A. 
Permit to connect to sewer required. No person shall uncover, connect with, make any opening into or use, alter or disturb in any manner any sewer or any part of the sewer system without:
B. 
Application by owner. Application for a permit required under Subsection A shall be made by the owner of the improved property served or to be served.
C. 
Certain conditions to be met prior to making of connection to sewer. No person shall make or cause to be made a connection of any improved property with a sewer until such person shall have fulfilled each of the following conditions:
(1) 
Such person shall have notified the authority of the desire and intention to connect such improved property to a sewer.
(2) 
Such person shall have applied for and obtained a permit as required by Subsection A and shall have paid all required permit and/or inspection fees.
(3) 
Such person shall have given the authority at least 24 hours' notice of the time when such connection will be made so that the authority may observe and inspect the work of connection and necessary testing.
(4) 
Such person shall have furnished satisfactory evidence to the authority that any tapping fee or connection charge imposed by the applicable resolution of the authority against the owner of each improved property who connects such improved property to a sewer has been paid, and that all required permit and/or inspection fees to cover the cost of inspection of each improved property so connected have been paid.
D. 
Each improved property to be connected separately; exceptions. Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection D, each improved property shall be connected separately and independently with a sewer through a building sewer. Grouping of more than one improved property on one building sewer shall not be permitted, except under special circumstances and for good sanitary reasons or other good cause shown, but then only after special permission of the authority, in writing, shall have been secured.
E. 
Certain costs payable by property owner; liability thereof. All costs and expenses of construction of a building sewer and all costs and expenses of connection of a building sewer to a sewer, including testing, shall be borne by the owner of the improved property to be connected; and such owner shall indemnify and save harmless the Township and the authority from all loss or damage that may be occasioned, directly or indirectly, as a result of construction of a building sewer or of connection of a building sewer to a sewer.
F. 
Point of connection; manner of connection.
(1) 
A building sewer shall be connected to a sewer at the place designated by the authority and where the lateral or service connection is provided.
(2) 
The invert of a building sewer at the point of connection shall be at the same or a higher elevation than the invert of the sewer. A smooth, neat joint shall be made with the use of a flexible coupling and the connection of the building sewer to the lateral or service connection shall be made secure and watertight.
G. 
Authority for Township to make connection and collect costs and expenses. If the owner of any improved property accessible to and whose principal building is within 150 feet from the sewer system, after 60 days' notice from the Township, in accordance with § 380-20A, shall fail to connect such improved property, as required, the Township or the authority, as its agent, may make such connection and the Township may collect from such owner the costs and expenses thereof by the filing of a municipal claim or lien, an action in assumpsit or such other legal proceeding as may be permitted by law.
A. 
Conditions for use of existing structure sewer. Where an improved property, at the time connection to a sewer is required, shall be served by its own sewage disposal system or device, the existing structure sewer line may be broken at the structure line of such improved property and attachment may be made, with proper fittings, to continue such structure sewer line as a building sewer.
B. 
Building sewer to be inspected before covering. No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the authority. If any part of a building sewer is covered before so being inspected and approved, it shall be uncovered for inspection at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property to be connected to the sewer.
C. 
Responsibility for maintenance of building sewers. Every building sewer of any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition at the cost and expense of the owner of such improved property.
D. 
Guarding of excavations; restoration of streets, sidewalks and other public property disturbed. Every excavation for a building sewer shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from damage and injury. Streets, sidewalks and other public property disturbed in the course of installation of a building sewer shall be restored, at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property being connected, in a manner satisfactory to the authority.
E. 
Effect of failure to remedy unsatisfactory conditions. If any person shall fail or refuse, upon receipt of a notice from the authority, in writing, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building sewer, within 45 days of receipt of such notice, the authority may refuse to permit such person to discharge sewage and industrial wastes into the sewer system until such unsatisfactory condition shall have been remedied to the satisfaction of the authority.
F. 
Installation of building sewers. The installation of a building sewer shall be the responsibility of the owner and shall be installed at the cost and expense of the owner. Building sewers shall be installed in accordance with the rules and regulations regarding the installation of building sewers, which are attached to or appended to the applicable authority resolution, which rules and regulations are incorporated as a part of this article and made a part hereof.
G. 
Additional rules and regulations authorized. The Township and the authority reserve the right to amend the rules and regulations regarding the installation of building sewers from time to time, and to adopt, from time to time, additional rules and regulations as they shall deem necessary and proper relating to connections with a sewer and the sewer system, and all of which rules, regulations, conditions and obligations shall become and shall be construed as part of this article.
A. 
Licensing of plumbers. From and after the passage of this article, no person shall engage in the work of plumbing until he or she shall have been issued a license to engage in said work by the Borough. Property owners shall be permitted to dig their own ditches, lay pipe, and make connections and engage in plumbing on their own property, subject to inspection and approval by the Plumbing Inspector. "Their own plumbing" shall be construed to include making repairs, installations, and maintenance of facilities connected with a sewer and water lines serving their respective properties. Persons doing the work on their own properties shall not be subject to license fees or examinations established by the Borough.
B. 
Plumbing inspector. It shall be the duty of the Plumbing Inspector to inspect all plumbing, and to enforce the provisions of this article. The Plumbing Inspector shall have the authority to obtain such information and to make such investigation as may be necessary to determine whether the provisions of this article have been compiled with. For this purpose, he is empowered to enter upon and inspect private property at reasonable hours and after reasonable notice to the owners and/or occupants thereof.
C. 
Requirements for plumbing. From and after the passage of this article, all plumbing shall be conducted and constructed under and in accordance with the terms of this article; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be taken or construed to require any alterations or changes in any existing plumbing within the walls of any building other than the work specified in Subsection E. Unless certified in writing by the Plumbing Inspector to be a nuisance or dangerous, all plumbing within any existing dwelling shall be deemed to be adequate which provides at least:
(1) 
A properly installed building sewer;
(2) 
A "Y" branch building cleanout on the building drain; and
(3) 
Either a horizontal intercepting trap on the building drain with a fresh-air vent; or
(4) 
Proper and adequate traps on all fixtures within the building.
D. 
Applications for plumbing permits. No plumbing shall be undertaken unless the licensed plumber proposing to undertake the same shall have filed with the Borough an application for a plumbing permit and a plumbing permit shall have been issued. In filing such application, the plumber shall supply all information as may be required thereon regarding the number of fixtures within the building, and the location and construction of the building drain and building sewer.
E. 
Specifications for plumbing. The following specifications apply to plumbing:
(1) 
Drains to be adequate. It shall be the duty of every person owning or constructing any drain, soil pipe, passage or connection between a sewer and any ground, building or establishment, served thereby, as well as every person owning or in control or possession of any such ground, building or establishment, to cause and require such drain, soil pipe, passage or connection to be adequate for its purpose and such that all material entering the same shall at all times pass freely through the same.
(2) 
Building sewer.
(a) 
General. A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided to connect the building drain of every house or building with the lateral; provided, however, that where a separate building is located upon the same lot with and to the rear of another building, the building sewer serving the front building may be extended to the rear building; but such extension shall not run through the cellar of the front building. Separate building sewers for adjoining buildings may be laid in the same trench.
(b) 
Materials. Building sewers may be constructed of any of the following materials, and no other.
[1] 
Extra-heavy or service-weight cast iron bell and spigot pipe, with calked joints firmly packed with oakum or hemp and filled with molten lead not less than 3/4 inch deep and extending not less than 1/8 inch below rim or hub.
[2] 
Plastic sewer and drain pipe, with fittings and specials which shall meet or exceed all of the requirements of U.S. Commercial Standards C5270-65 (ABS) and C5272-65 (PVC). The manufacturer of each and every brand of plastic material proposed for use under the conditions of this article shall place on file, with the Plumbing Inspector, a notarized certificate stating that the proposed material has been tested in accordance with the foregoing standards and that said material meets or exceeds the requirements of the applicable standard.
(c) 
Size and grade. Building sewers shall not be less than three inches in diameter, and shall be laid to uniform slope of not less than 1/4 inch per foot for pipes less than four inches in diameter, and not less than 1/8 inch per foot for pipes four inches in diameter or larger.
(d) 
Installation.
[1] 
Building sewers must be as direct as possible. Changes in direction must be made with the following fittings: Ys, combination Y and eighth bends, or half Ys, or one-eighth bends. Offsets shall be avoided wherever possible, and where approved by the Plumbing Inspector, they shall be made with forty-five-degree bends or similar fittings.
[2] 
Building sewers shall not be laid closer than four feet to any building, except upon specific approval of the Plumbing Inspector, in which event they shall be constructed only of cast iron pipe.
[3] 
Cleanouts composed of a Y-fitting and 1/8 bend shall be provided at intervals of not more than 70 feet, and shall be brought to grade and capped.
[4] 
Changes in size where the building drain enters the building sewer, or at the lateral, shall only be made by use of fittings.
[5] 
Ditches shall be promptly backfilled after inspection by the Plumbing Inspector. Care shall be taken to prevent damage to the pipe in backfilling, and to secure a well-compacted and firm ditch.
(3) 
Building drains.
(a) 
Materials. Building drains may be constructed of either of the following materials and no other:
[1] 
Extra-heavy or service-weight cast-iron pipe.
[2] 
Plastic sewer and drain pipe, with fittings and specials which shall meet or exceed all of the requirements of U.S. Commercial Standards and C5272-65 (PVC). The manufacturer of each and every brand of plastic material proposed for use under the conditions of this article shall place on file with the Plumbing Inspector a notarized certificate stating that the proposed material has been tested in accordance with the foregoing standards and that said material meets or exceeds the requirements of the applicable standard.
(b) 
Building cleanout. A Y-branch cleanout shall be provided on the building drain just inside or outside the wall. The cleanout shall be fitted with a gas- and water-tight cap.
(c) 
House trap. The building drain may be provided with a horizontal intercepting trap, not less than four inches in diameter, placed inside or outside the cellar wall, or as close thereto as construction circumstances will permit, all as may be approved by the Plumbing Inspector. The trap shall be provided with a hand hole for convenience in cleaning, the cover of which shall be properly fitted and made gas-tight and airtight. In the event a house trap is not installed, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to provide proper and adequate traps on all fixtures within the building.
(d) 
Fresh-air vent. If a house trap is installed, the building drain shall be provided with a fresh-air vent just inside the house trap. It shall lead to the outer air, and finish with an open grill or gooseneck. The fresh-air vent shall be no less than three inches for four-inch drains or less; for five- and six-inch drains, it must not be less than four inches in diameter; for seven-, and eight-inch drains, it must not be less than six inches in diameter; and for larger drains, it must not be less than eight inches in diameter.
(e) 
Grade and installation. They shall be laid at a uniform slope of not less than 1/4 inch per foot. Changes of direction shall be made only with fittings as specified in this article for drains located both above and below ground. Where building drains pass through a new foundation wall, a relieving arch shall be built over them, with a two two-inch space on either side of pipe.
(4) 
Other work subject to these specifications.
(a) 
Cellar floor drains. Cellar floor drains may not discharge into the sewer system.
(b) 
Grease interceptors. A grease interceptor shall be installed in the waste line leading from sinks, drains, or other fixtures in the following establishments, when in the judgment the Plumbing Inspector a hazard exists: restaurants; hotel kitchens; bars; factory, school, social or other cafeterias or restaurants; clubs or other establishments where grease can be introduced into the drainage system in quantities that can effect line stoppage or hinder sewage disposal.
(c) 
Public garages and service stations. Every public garage, service station or other structure for the housing, sale, servicing or repair of motor vehicles shall be provided with a proper means for draining the floors and repair pits. No drain in the floor or repair pit shall connect to the sewer system.
(d) 
Garbage grinders or disposal units may be installed in private residences only, and shall be subject to the approval of the Plumbing Inspector as to the ability of such grinder to properly grind food waste disposed of therein.
(e) 
Direct cross connections prohibited. No direct cross-connection shall be made between the water supply and plumbing connected to the sewer in such manner as to permit back-siphonage of sewage in the water supply system.
(f) 
Sump pumps. A sump pump may be connected to the building drain only under the following conditions:
[1] 
Only domestic sewage waste originating within the household shall be discharged from the sump.
[2] 
The sump shall be constructed with watertight sides and bottom, and shall admit no ground or surface waters. No pipe shall discharge into the sump which serves to drain groundwater under cellar floor slabs or from around foundations.
[3] 
Where any sump pump is connected to the sewer, it shall be so noted upon the plumbing permit, and the Plumbing Inspector shall at all times have the right to inspect the sump; and in the event that waters other than domestic sewage waste are determined to be entering the sump, the Plumbing Inspector shall have the right to order the disconnection of said sump from the sewer, and such order shall be immediately carried out.
(g) 
Addition of plumbing fixtures. It shall be the duty of every person to whom a plumbing permit shall hereafter be issued to promptly notify the Plumbing Inspector of any additional fixtures which may be installed within the property to which the plumbing permit refers, where such fixtures are not included in the fixture count shown upon the permit.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-6;2-6-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-1]
A. 
Hellam Township police officers, the appropriate enforcement officers of Hellam Township, or other appropriate officer or officers of Hellam Township shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
Penalty for violation. Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus all costs of prosecution, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, and in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.
C. 
Enforcement and recovery of fines and costs. Fines and costs imposed under provisions of this article shall be enforceable and recoverable in the manner at the time provided by applicable law.
It is declared that the enactment of this article is necessary for the protection, benefit and preservation of the health, safety and welfare of inhabitants of Hellam Township.