HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouthhampton Township Township Sewage Ordinance
CHAPTER 21
SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
PART 1
SEWER CONNECTIONS
§21-101.Definitions
§21-102.Use of Public Sewer Required
§21-103.Building Sewers and Connections
§21-104.Rules and Regulations Governing Building Sewers and Conn
Sewers
§21-105.Enforcement
§21-106.Declaration of Purpose
PART 2
HOLDING TANKS AND PRIVIES
§21-201.Purpose
§21-202.Definitions
§21-203.Right and Privileges Granted
§21-204.Rules and Regulations
§21-205.Rules and Regulations to be in Conformance With Applicable Law
§21-206.Rates and Charges
§21-207.Conditions for Holding Tank and Privy Use
§21-208.Exclusiveness of Rights and Privileges
§21-209.Duties of Improved Property Owner - Privies
§21-210.Duties of Improved Property Owner - Holding Tanks
§21-211.Violations
§21-212.Abatement of Nuisances
PART 3
ON-LOT SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
A.OLDS Management Program
§21-301.Short Title
§21-302.Introduction
§21-303.Purpose
§21-304.Terms and Definitions
§21-305.Applicability
§21-306.Sewage Permit Requirements
§21-307.Ground Markers
Supp. II; revised 3/19/200721-1
HomeBackNext
§21-308.Replacement Areas
§21-309.Operation
§21-310.Maintenance
§21-311.System Rehabilitation
§21-312.Liens
§21-313.Disposal of Septage
§21-314.Administration
§21-315.Appeals
§21-316.Penalties
B.Pre-emption of 10-Acre Exemption
§21-321.Short Title
§21-322.Statutory Basis
§21-323.Purpose
§21-324.Permit Requirement
§21-325.Enforcement
21-2Supp. II; revised 3/19/2007
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
§21-301Southampton Township§21-304
PART 3
ON-LOT SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
A.OLDS Management Program
§21-301.Short Title.
This Part may be cited as the OLDS (On-Lot Disposal System) Mana
Program for Southampton Township.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £1)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-302.Introduction.
As mandated by the municipal codes, the Clean Streams Law (35 P.
691.1001), and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act of Ja
1535 as amended, 35 P.S. §750.1 ., known as Act 537), municipalities have the
etseq
power and the duty to provide for adequate sewage treatment facilities and for the
protection of the public health by preventing the discharge of untreated or inade-
quately treated sewage. The Official Sewage Facilities Plan for Southampton Township
indicates that it is necessary to formulate and implement a sewa
program to effectively prevent and abate water pollution and hazards to the public
health caused by improper treatment and disposal of sewage.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £2)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-303.Purpose.
The purpose of this Part is to provide for the inspection, maintenance and
rehabilitation of on-lot sewage disposal systems; to further permit the Township to
intervene in situations which are public nuisances or hazards to the public health; and
to establish penalties and appeal procedures necessary for the proper administration
of a sewage management program.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £3)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-304.Terms and Definitions.
1.. In the interpretation of this Part, the singular shall include
General Terms
plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neu
2.. For the purposes of this Part, the terms used shall be constru
Specific Terms
to have the following meanings:
- the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Act of January 24, 19
Act
1535, No. 537, as amended, 35 P.S. §750.1 .
etseq
- a system for the disposal of domestic waste-waters not
Alternative System
operating below ground level but located on or near the site of
buildings being served (e.g., composting toilets, gray water rec
incinerating toilets, spray irrigation and black water recycling
Supp. II; revised 3/19/200721-13
HomeBackNext
§21-304Sewers and Sewage Disposal§21-304
- a licensed sewage enforcement officer, professional
Authorized Agent
engineer or sanitarian, plumbing inspector, soils scientist, or any other qualified or
licensed person who is delegated to function within the specified limits as the
agent of the Board of Supervisors of Southampton Township to car
provisions of this Part.
- the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Southampton, Fran
Board
County, Pennsylvania.
(hereinafter called CEO) - an individual employed
Codes Enforcement Officer
by the Township to administer and enforce this and other ordinances in the
Township.
- any system, whether publicly or privately owned,
Community Sewage System
for the collection of sewage publicly, or industrial wastes of a liquid nature from
two or more lots or uses, or two or more equivalent dwelling uni
treatment and/or disposal of the sewage or industrial waste on one or more of the
lots or at any other site and which shall comply with all applicable regulations of
the DEP.
- the Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealt
DEP
Pennsylvania or any successor agency.
- any person, partnership or corporation which erects or contra
Developer
to erect a building on property owned by it with the intent to s
some other party upon its full or partial completion, or upon th
property on which the building is to be built.
- for the purpose of determining the number of
Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU)
lots in a subdivision or land development, that part of a multiple family dwelling,
commercial, industrial, or institutional establishment with sewage flows equal to
400 gallons per day.
- any property within the Township upon which there is
Improved Property
erected a structure intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or
use by human beings or animals and from which structure sewage shall or may be
discharged.
- any system of piping, tanks, or other facilities
Individual Sewage System
serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into
the soil or any waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by
conveyance to another site for final disposal.
- a land development as defined in the Pennsylvania
Land Development
Municipalities Planning Code, Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No
53 P.S. §10101 .
etseq
- a designated parcel, tract, or area of land established by a
Lot
otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built
- the condition that occurs when an on-lot sewage disposal syst
Malfunction
causes pollution to the ground or surface waters, contamination
drinking water supplies, nuisance problems or hazard to public health. Indications
of malfunctioning systems include, but are not limited to, foul odors, lush grass
growing over the system, backup of wastewater in the attached buildings, soggy
21-14Supp. II; revised 3/19/2007
HomeBackNext
§21-304Southampton Township§21-304
ground over the system, surfacing sewage effluent flowing over the ground and
occurring at any time of the year.
- the management program shall encompass the entire
Management Program
area of Letterkenny Township serviced by sewage facilities or any other alternative
system which discharges into the soils of the Township. All syst
operated under the jurisdiction of the Southampton Township Board of Supervisors
regulating the subsurface disposal and/or alternate systems, and other applicable
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- a comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage
Official Plan
disposal systems adopted by the Township and approved by the DEP
dance with the Act and with applicable DEP regulations.
- any sewage system disposing of sewage in
On-Lot Sewage Disposal System
whole or in part into the soil or any waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal, an
upon the lot which it serves.
- any person, corporation, partnership, etc., holding deed/title to lands
Owner
within Southampton Township.
- any individual, association, partnership, public or private corporation
Person
whether for profit or not-for-profit, trust, estate, or other legally recognized entity.
Whenever the term "person" is used in connection with any clause providing for
the imposition of a fine or penalty or the ordering of action to comply with the
terms of this Part, the term "person" shall include the members
partnership or firm and the officers of any public or private corporation, whether
for profit or not-for-profit.
- a revision to, or exception to the
Planning Module for Land Development
revision of, the Township Official Plan submitted in connection with the request for
approval of a subdivision or land development in accordance with DEP regulations.
- any person, company, partnership or corporation which
Pumper/Hauler
engages in cleaning community or individual sewage systems and transports the
septage cleaned from these systems.
- form which shall be used by all licensed pumper/hau-
Pumpers Report/Receipt
lers to report each pumping of on-lot sewage disposal systems in the Township.
- work done to modify, alter, repair, enlarge or replace an
Rehabilitation
existing on-lot sewage disposal system.
- an area designated as the future location of an individual
Replacement Area
on-lot sewage system that shall be installed should the initial individual on-lot
system installed or to be installed fail or otherwise become inoperable and which
shall meet all the regulations of the DEP and all applicable Township ordinances
for an individual on-lot sewage system, and shall be protected from encroachment
by an easement recorded on the final plan as filed with the Fran
Recorder of Deeds.
- the residual scum and sludge pumped from septic systems.
Septage
Supp. II; revised 3/19/200721-15
HomeBackNext
§21-304Sewers and Sewage Disposal§21-306
- any substance that contains any of the waste products or excr
Sewage
or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or any noxious or deleterious
substance 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 recreati
(hereinafter called SEO) - a person appointed by
Sewage Enforcement Officer
the Board to administer the provisions of this Part and authoriz
accordance with Chapter 71, ÑAdministration of Sewage Facilities
25, ÑRules and Regulations,Ò to perform percolation tests, site and soil evaluation,
and issue sewage permits for on-lot disposal systems.
- any method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment,
Sewage Facilities
and disposal which will prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated
sewage into the waters of this Commonwealth or otherwise provide
and sanitary treatment of sewage.
- the ownership of a lot by one or more
Single and Separate Ownership
persons, which ownership is separate and distinct from that of any abutting or
adjoining lot.
- a subdivision as defined by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Subdivision
Planning Code, Act of July 31,1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as amende
.
etseq
- Southampton Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Township
All other definitions of words and terms used in this Part shall
meaning as set forth in Chapter 73, ÑStandards for Sewage Disposal Facilities,Ò of Title
25, ÑRules and Regulations; Department of Environmental Protecti
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £4)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-305.Applicability.
From the effective date of this Part, its provisions shall apply to all persons owning
any property in the Township serviced by an on-lot sewage disposal system and to all
persons installing or rehabilitating on-lot sewage disposal systems.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £5)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-306.Sewage Permit Requirements.
1.No person shall install, construct or request bid proposals fo
alter an individual sewage system or community sewage system or
request bid proposals for construction or install or occupy any building or structure for
which an individual sewage system or community sewage system is to be installed
without first obtaining a permit indicating that the site and the plans and specifications
of such system are in compliance with the provisions of the Penn
Facilities Act (hereinafter called "Act 537" or "Act") and the standards adopted pursuant
to that Act.
2.No system or structure designed to provide individual or community sewage
disposal shall be covered from view until approval to cover the same has been given
by the municipal SEO. If 72 hours have elapsed, excepting Sundays and Holidays,
since the SEO issuing the permit received notification of completion of construction,
21-16Supp. I; added 5/13/2003
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
§21-308Southampton Township§21-310
desires to construct such improvements shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
SEO that an alternate replacement area which complies with all applicable
regulations of the DEP, this Part and all other applicable Towns
exists upon the lot. If such an alternate replacement area shall be identified, the
alternate replacement area may be considered to be the replacement area
required by this Part and shall be designated as the replacement area. The newly
designated replacement area shall thereafter be considered the replacement area
for the purposes of this Part.
4..
Relief from Replacement Area Requirement
A.If any lot held in single and separate ownership as of the eff
this Part does not contain land suitable for a replacement area, the applicant
submitting a land development plan or a planning module for land development
or desiring to install an individual on-lot sewage system may request that the Board
grant an exception to the requirement of providing a replacement area. The
applicant for such an exception shall present credible evidence to the Board
demonstrating (a) that the lot was held in single and separate o
effective date of this Part; (b) the size of the lot; (c) inability of the applicant to
acquire adjacent land or the unsuitability of adjacent land which might be able to
be acquired; and (d) the testing conducted to determine that the lot is not suitable
to provide a replacement area.
B.At all times the burden to present credible evidence and the burden of
persuasion shall be upon the applicant for an exception from the terms of this Part.
In no case shall any lot be exempted from the requirements of §21-304 of this Part.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £8)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-309.Operation.
1.Only normal domestic wastes shall be discharged into any on-lo
disposal system. The following shall not be discharged into the
A.Industrial waste.
B.Automobile oil and other non-domestic oil.
C.Toxic or hazardous substances or chemicals, including but not limited to,
pesticides, disinfectants, acids, paints, paint thinners, herbicides, gasoline and
other solvents.
D.Clean surface or ground water, including water from roof or cellar drains,
springs, basement sump pumps and French drains.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £9)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-310.Maintenance.
1.Any person owning a building served by an on-lot sewage disposal system shall
have the septic tank pumped by a pumper/hauler within 3 years following the effective
date of this Part. Thereafter that person shall have the tank pumped at least once every
3 years. Receipts from the pumper/hauler shall be submitted to t
required in subsection .6
Supp. I; added 5/13/200321-19
HomeBackNext
§21-310Sewers and Sewage Disposal§21-310
2.Any person providing a receipt or other written evidence showing that their tank
has been pumped within 3 years of the first year anniversary of the effective date of this
Part, then the Township may delay that person's initial required pumping to conform
to the general 3-year frequency requirement.
3.[Reserved]. []
Ord. 2009-03
4.The required pumping frequency may be increased at the discretion of the
authorized agent if the septic tank is undersized, if solids buildup in the tank is above
average, if the hydraulic load on the system increases significantly above average, if a
garbage grinder is used in the building, if the system malfunctions or for other good
cause shown.
5.Each time a septic tank or other subsurface waste disposal system tank is
pumped out, the Township, its authorized agent, or a private septage pumper/hauler,
whichever provides the service, shall provide to the owner of th
disposal system a signed pumpers report/receipt containing at a
following information:
A.Date of pumping.
B.Name and address of system owner.
C.Address of tank's location, if different from owner's.
D.Description and diagram of the location of the tank, including
of any markers, risers, and access hatches and size of the tank.
E.The date existing system was installed.
F.Last date of pump out.
G.List of other maintenance performed.
H.Any indications of system malfunction observed.
I.Amount of septage or other solid or semi-solid material remove
J.List of recommendations.
K.Destination of the septage (name of the treatment facility).
6.Upon completion of each required pumping, the Township, its authorized
agent, or a private septage waste hauler, shall fill out and submit a pumper re-
port/receipt, copies of which shall be provided by the Township to all licensed
pumpers/haulers. The Township's authorized agent, or a private septage pumper/haul-
er shall provide one copy of the pumpers report/receipt to the o
the Township. Copies must be received at the Township's business
days of the date of pumping. The pumpers report/receipt will include verification that
the baffles in the septic tank have been inspected and found to
order.
7.Any person owning a building served by an alternative system or on-lot sewage
disposal system that contains an aerobic treatment tank shall follow the operation and
maintenance recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. A copy of the
manufacturer's recommendations and a copy of the service agreeme
submitted to the Township within 6 months of the effective date of this Part. Thereafter,
service receipts shall be submitted to the Township at the inter
manufacturer's recommendations. In no case may the service or pumping intervals
21-20Supp. III; revised 2/9/2010
HomeBackNext
§21-310Southampton Township§21-311
exceed those for those required for septic tanks.
8.Any person owning a building served by a cesspool or dry well
system pumped according to the schedule prescribed for septic ta
.1.
9.The Township may require additional maintenance activity as needed
including, but not necessarily limited to, cleaning and unclogging of piping, servicing
and the repair of mechanical equipment, leveling of distribution boxes, tanks and lines,
removal of obstructing roots or trees, the diversion of surface
disposal area, etc. Repair permits issued by the certified SEO must be secured for these
activities.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £10; as amended by , 11/10/2009)
Ord. 2003-02Ord. 2009-03
§21-311.System Rehabilitation.
1.No person shall operate and maintain an on-lot sewage disposal system in such
a manner that it malfunctions. All liquid wastes, including kitchen and laundry wastes
and water softener backwash, shall be discharged to a treatment tank. No sewage
system shall discharge untreated or partially treated sewage to the surface of the
ground or into the waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania un
discharge has been obtained from the DEP.
2.The Township shall issue a written notice of violation to any person who is the
owner of a property in the Township which is found to be served by a malfunctioning
on-lot sewage disposal system or which is discharging raw or partially treated sewage
without a permit.
3.Within 7 days of notification by the Township that a malfuncti
identified, the owner shall make application to the Township's certified SEO for a
permit to repair or replace the malfunctioning system. Within 30 days of initial
notification by the Township, construction of the permitted repair or replacement shall
commence. Within 60 days of the original notification by the Township, the construc-
tion shall be completed unless seasonal or unique conditions man
in which case the Township shall set an extended completion date
4.The Township's certified SEO shall have the authority to require the repair of
Supp. III; revised 2/9/201021-21
HomeBackNext
§21-311Sewers and Sewage Disposal§21-313
any malfunction by the following methods: cleaning, repair or replacement of
components of the existing system, adding capacity or otherwise altering or replacing
the system's treatment tank, expanding the existing disposal area, replacing the
existing disposal area, replacing a gravity distribution system with a pressurized system,
replacing the system with a holding tank, other alternatives as appropriate for the
specific site.
5.In lieu of, or in combination with, the remedies described in subsection .4, the
SEO may require the installation of water conservation equipment and the institution
of water conservation practices in structures served. Water using devices and
appliances in the structure may be required to be retrofitted with water saving
appurtenances or they may be required to be replaced by water co
and appliances. Wastewater generation in the structure may also be reduced by
requiring changes in water usage patterns in the structure served. The use of laundry
facilities may be limited to one load per day or discontinued altogether, etc.
6.In the event that the rehabilitation measures in subsections .1 through .5 are not
feasible or do not prove effective, the Township may require the
permit to construct a holding tank in accordance with Township o
receipt of said permit the owner shall complete construction of the system within 30
days.
7.Should none of the remedies described above prove totally effe
eliminating the malfunction of an existing on-lot sewage disposal system, the owner
is not absolved of responsibility for that malfunction. The Township may require
whatever action is necessary to lessen or mitigate the malfunction to the extent that
it feels necessary.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £11)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-312.Liens.
The Township, upon written notice from the SEO that 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 Part, shall have the authority to
perform, or contract to have performed, the work required by the
shall be charged for the work performed and, if necessary, a lie
therefore in accordance with law.
(, Ï/Ï/2003, £12)
Ord. 2003-02
§21-313.Disposal of Septage.
1.All septage pumper/haulers operating within the Township shall
with the Township and shall comply with all reporting requirements established by the
Township.
2.All septage originating within the municipal sewage management district shall
be disposed of at sites or facilities approved by the DEP. Approved sites or facilities
shall include the following: septage treatment facilities, wastewater treatment plants,
composting sites, and approved farm lands.
3.Septage pumper/haulers operating within the Township shall operate in a
21-22Supp. I; added 5/13/2003
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext
HomeBackNext