Part 4
Small Flow Sewage Treatment Facilities
§18-401 Short Title
This Part shall be known as the “Wolf Township Small Flow Sewage Treatment Facilities Ordinance.”
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-402 Definitions
Board of Supervisors - the Board of Supervisors of Wolf Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
DEP - the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Effluent - liquid sewage discharged as waste.
Landowner - the legal or beneficial owner or owners of land including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any conditions), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or any other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
Official Sewage Facilities Plan - the comprehensive plan for the provision for adequate sewage disposal systems adopted by the Board of Supervisors and approved by DEP pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act.
Regulations - the current regulations of DEP as set forth in Pa.Code, Title 25, and all future regulations of DEP pertaining to small flow sewage facilities, as amended from time to time.
Small flow sewage treatment facility - any individual or community sewage system designed to adequately treat sewage flows not greater than 2,000 gallons per day for final disposal using stream discharge or discharge to the surface of the ground as more fully set forth in 25 Pa.Code, §71.1.
System - the small flow sewage treatment facility to be designed, installed, operated and/or maintained by a landowner upon any property in the Township.
Township official - a sewage enforcement officer, code enforcement officer, certified sewage treatment plant operator, township employee, professional engineer, solicitor, plumbing inspector, or any other qualified or licensed person who is authorized to function as an agent of the Township.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-403 Design Standards
The system shall be designed in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection. In addition to those requirements, the design shall include the following:
A. Convenient access shall be provided for the inspection and periodic maintenance of all treatment systems.
B. A readily accessible effluent sampling point shall be provided at the discharge end of the system.
C. An alarm system shall be provided for all pumps, aeration devices, or other possible malfunctioning devices which make up the system. Alarms shall include both visible and audible devices located so as to be readily noticeable by occupants on the property. In addition, an appropriate high level alarm in the dosing tank and an alarm for the aeration motor, if applicable, shall be provided.
D. Reasonable vehicular access shall be provided to the system for periodic removal of sludge.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-404 Preconstruction Approval and Permits
The landowner must submit a sewage planning module to the Board of Supervisors and DEP. After the planning module is approved, the landowner must obtain required DEP permits. No building or system construction may occur until a preconstruction meeting has been held with Township officials, the system contractor, the landowner and the factory representative.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-405 Preoperational Inspection and Certification
After installation of the system, but prior to covering with soil, the registered professional engineer for the landowner, Township officials and factory representative shall conduct an inspection and certify in writing that the construction and installation of the system is in conformance with the permit issued by DEP. Notice of the system inspection shall also be given to DEP at least 72 hours prior to inspection. A copy of the written certification signed by all parties will be sent to DEP and the Township official within 10 days of completion of inspection. A service contract consistent with the requirements of the National Sanitation Foundation must be signed and a copy sent to DEP and the Township official when aerobic treatment units are used. Copies of the operation and maintenance manuals shall also be provided to necessary Township officials.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-406 Plans
Landowner shall provide the Township and Wolf Township Sewage Enforcement Officer a complete set of “as built” plans for the system as finally approved by DEP.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I; as amended by Ord. 2014-01, 6/16/2014, §2)
§18-407 Maintenance Responsibility
The landowner is specifically required to meet all the operational, maintenance and reporting requirements of DEP and the Township or Township official. These include, but are not limited to, all requirements on the DEP permit. The landowner shall also submit not less than quarterly on or before the fifteenth day of January, April, July and October, a certification, that to the best of their ability, they have inspected the system at least monthly and are not aware of any malfunctions.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-408 Maintenance on System
In the event Township or DEP inspections indicate the need for maintenance on any component or the system as a whole to bring the system into compliance with the DEP permit or regulations, the landowner shall complete such maintenance and obtain certification from landowner’s engineer or Township official that the work has been completed in accordance with appropriate standards. A landowner must perform any necessary maintenance and the certification must be provided within 72 hours of the time the problem was brought to the landowner’s attention.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-409 Sampling
1. A Township official may inspect the system at any time, but shall sample the system at least three times per calendar year. At least two of the samplings will be conducted between April 1 and September 30 of each year. At least one inspection will be conducted during the remaining portion of the year.
2. The inspection will include the following:
A. Testing for adequate chlorine residual at levels required by the DEP permit. Landowners are required to test chlorine residual on a monthly basis and keep a written record of the date and the results of the test. The landowner must assure that the chlorine residual levels are in compliance with all relevant DEP standards.
B. The inspector may collect a sample for fecal coliform analysis at any time. An EPA approved laboratory must perform a bacteriological analysis.
C. The Township and/or Township official must retain copies of all written inspection reports and lab results received in a permanent file. The records shall be available for inspection by DEP upon request.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-410 Repairs and Replacement of System
In the event inspections or other review indicates the need for repair or replacement of the system in order to bring the system into compliance with the DEP permit or regulations, the landowner shall complete such repairs or replace ment and obtain certification from landowner’s engineer or the Township official that the work has been completed in accordance with appropriate standards. Except in the most extraordinary circumstances, the repairs must be completed and the certification provided within 30 days of the time the problem was brought to the landowner’s attention.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-411 Authority to Repair
In the event the landowner fails or refuses to achieve timely compliance with the provisions for a system repair, replacement and/or maintenance as described in §§18-408 and/or 18-410, above, the Township or Township official shall have the right to enter upon the premises and to perform any repairs, replacement and/or maintenance with respect to the system. All such work will be done at the sole cost and expense of the landowner. If feasible, The Township or Township official will make reasonable efforts to stop the flow in the system within 30 days after needed repairs may not have been done or within 72 hours in the event of a maintenance issue.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-412 Effluent Removal
During the period of time when the system is inoperable or incapable of treating the discharged effluent to meet or exceed those standards of DEP, landowners shall make the necessary arrangements to remove said effluent and arrange for the appropriate disposition of the same at a DEP permitted sewage disposal facility. In the event the landowner shall fail to make the necessary arrangements for the removal of said effluent within the time specified by the Township or Township official, such time not to exceed 48 hours, the Township of Township official shall have the right, upon the expiration of that 48 hours to enter upon the premises and cause such effluent to be removed. Where the landowner causes the effluent to be removed, he shall, upon request, provide an agreement with the hauler providing for the removal and submission of all pumping receipts. The landowner shall continue hauling effluent until such time as the system has been properly certified as being operable by the Township official or DEP.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-413 Inspection Fee
On or before January 30, of each year, the landowner shall deposit with the Wolf Township Sewage Enforcement Officer, or such other designee appointed by Wolf Township at the time of the issuance of the permit at issue, the sum of $300. The sum represents the present inspection fee of $150 for the three inspections and sampling of the system and a laboratory testing escrow of $150. The landowner will be responsible for the actual laboratory testing costs plus a 10% administrative fee for which Wolf Township Sewage Enforcement Officer will make appropriate adjustments and send invoices on an annual basis. The fees and escrow amounts may be modified by the Board of Supervisors at their annual reorganization or other meeting.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I; as amended by Ord. 2014-01, 6/16/2014, §2)
§18-414 Recovery of Costs Incurred by Township
Landowner shall pay for any and all costs incurred by the Township or Township official for inspections in excess of the three mandatory annual inspections, sampling, repairs, replacement and/or maintenance of the system. The landowner shall also pay for any and all costs incurred in the removal of effluent in accordance with the terms of this Part or any other steps taken to protect the environment with said costs to be paid within 10 days of demand. In the event the landowner, or his or her heirs, successors or assigns, shall fail to pay for such costs or expenses, the Township or Township official shall institute suit against landowner in a civil action or cause lien to be recorded on the property in accordance with the municipal lien law for all costs and/or expenses incurred in the enforcement of this Part, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-415 Escrow
In order to secure the costs which may be incurred by the Township or Township official and which are recoverable as provided herein, the landowner, contemporaneously with permit approvals, or anytime upon demand, shall deposit a sum of not less than $2,000 with the Township. The deposit shall be held by the Township in an interest-bearing account with the interest to be accumulated at the discretion of the Township. Said sums may be used by the Township or Township official for system repair, replacement or maintenance in the sole discretion of the Township or Township official. Should the escrow fall below the sum of $2,000. Landowner shall be notified and, within 10 days, restore the amount to $2,000. In the event the escrow account exceeds $2,500, the excess deposit can be utilized to offset the annual inspection, sampling and testing cost. Should DEP approval require the landowner to establish a higher escrow, that amount shall prevail and be deposited with the Township.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-416 Penalties
Pursuant to 53 P.S. §65741, any person who shall violate any provision of this Part, shall, upon conviction thereof, before a district judge, be subject to a penalty or fine of not less than $100 per violation, but no more than $1,000 per violation, together with the cost of prosecution for each such violation, and may upon default of the payment of fines and costs be sentenced to suffer imprisonment in accordance with law. Each day a violation exists may be considered a separate violation. Said fines and penalties may be collected by suit or summary proceeding brought in the name of the Township or Township official. The Township or Township official may utilize any other criminal, civil or equitable remedy.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-417 Remedies
Landowners, for themselves, their heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns, shall at all times hold the Township or Township official harmless from any claims, suits, legal expenses or judgments which may be bought against the Township or against any Township official and/or against landowner or any of the successors in title for any adverse condition, causally and directly or indirectly related to the operation of the system by landowner. The landowner shall have a duty to defend Township and Township official, including the agents and employees against any claim or suit made by any person which alleges that adverse conditions have been caused by the operation or lack of maintenance of the system. In the event the landowner fails to undertake such defense to any claim, and the Township or Township official is required to enter upon its own defense, landowner shall reimburse Township or Township official for any expenses that may occur, including legal fees, engineering fees or other expert witness fees and/or pay any judgment rendered against the Township as the result of said suit. In the event the landowner, or its heirs, successors or assigns, shall fail to pay the cost, legal fees, other expenses or damages as herein provided and the Township or Township official is required to pay the same, said party shall have the right to recover said funds it has expended either by a civil action against the landowner, or his heirs, successors or assigns, or by causing a lien to be recorded on the property in an amount equal to the sums required to be expended.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-418 Conveyance or Transfer
If title to a property upon which a system is located is transferred in any manner, the new landowner shall provide the Township with an escrow account as required herein, within 30 days of the conveyance or transfer. The existing financial security of the prior landowner will not be released until the new transferee provides the escrow.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-419 Effect on Other Parts
Nothing in this Part shall be construed to waive effect or alter any requirements of the zoning, land development and subdivision or any other ordinance or resolution of the Township. Nothing contained herein empowers any Township official to waive any requirements of such ordinances and it is expressly understood and agreed that the installation of the system upon the property does not in any way constitute approval for land development of the property.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)
§18-420 Agreement Required
The landowner requesting the installation and operation of the small flow sewage treatment system must enter into an installation and maintenance agreement with the Township. This agreement will be in the form required by the Township and list each party responsible for construction, operation, maintenance and other necessary undertakings to maintain the system. The landowner shall provide a copy of said agreement to any Township official upon request.
(Ord. 2008-04, 12/8/2008, Art. I)