All individual and community sewage systems shall meet the requirements set forth in this section.
(A) Individual sewage systems.
(1) Individual residential spray irrigation system. The owner of a property that utilizes an IRSIS shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statutes of the commonwealth. The owner of the system shall have at all times while the system is in use a service contract with a qualified vendor/operator;
(b) Execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter. The effluent shall be tested no less than once a year with a copy of the report submitted to the township;
(c) Design requirements:
1. No component of an IRSIS (including the wetted perimeter of the spray field) shall encroach within the required minimum front, side or rear yard setback designated by the township zoning ordinance;
2. Spray irrigation of the treated effluent shall be only permitted from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. except under the following conditions. From November 15 through March 15, spray irrigation shall be only permitted during daylight hours. Spray irrigation is specifically not permitted for 24 hours after a heavy rain or when the ground is frozen;
3. Buffering:
a. Whenever the wetted perimeter of the spray irrigation field is located within 100 feet, but not less than 50 feet, of a property boundary, buffering shall include a minimum of one evergreen tree per 30 feet and one canopy tree per 40 feet arranged along and within 25 feet of the property boundary;
b. Whenever the wetted perimeter of the spray irrigation field is located within 50 feet of a property boundary, buffering shall include a minimum of one evergreen tree per 20 feet and one canopy tree per 40 feet arranged along and within 25 feet of the property boundary. A fence at least four feet in height of material approved by the township (such as split-rail fencing with wire backing) shall also be installed along the property line. The fence shall extend along either side of the spray field at least 25 feet wider than the maximum width of the spray field;
c. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
d. Where full grown trees exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
4. A minimum of five days of storage capacity of effluent shall be built into the system. If 90% or more of the storage capacity of the system has been filled, the system must be immediately pumped and the effluent hauled away for disposal at an appropriate and approved facility;
5. The spray nozzles shall be no more than 60 inches above the ground and designed to have a low trajectory; and
6. The system shall have a wind interlock control that shuts off the spraying if the wind speed is greater than 15 mph.
(d) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for a IRSIS may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing the IRSIS.
(2) Sand mounds. The owner of a property that utilizes a sand mound system shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) When required by the BCDH or DEP, execute an O&M agreement with the township and/or submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter;
(c) Design requirements:
1. No portion of a sand mound system shall encroach within ten feet of a property boundary or the ultimate right-of-way of any road;
2. Buffering:
a. Any part of a sand mound system located within 25 feet of a property boundary or the ultimate right-of-way of any road shall be buffered with a minimum of one shrub per six feet arranged along the outside edge of that part of the system;
b. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
c. Where full grown shrubs exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(d) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for a sand mound system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing that system.
(3) Drip - A/B - micromound. The owner of a property that utilizes a drip irrigation, A/B or micromound system shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) Execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter;
(c) Design requirements:
1. No portion of a drip irrigation, A/B or micromound system shall encroach within 12 feet of a property boundary or the ultimate right-of-way of any road; and
2. Buffering:
a. Any part of a drip irrigation, A/B or micromound system located within 50 feet of a property boundary or the ultimate right-of-way of any road shall be buffered with a minimum of one shrub per six feet arranged along the outside edge of that part of the system;
b. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
c. Where full grown shrubs exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(d) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for a drip irrigation, A/B or micromound system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing that system.
(4) Alternate and other systems. The owner of a property that utilizes an alternate system other than those listed elsewhere in this section, or any other individual sewage system that is not listed within this section shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) Execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter;
(c) Design requirements:
1. No component of an alternate system shall encroach within the required minimum front, side or rear yard setback designated by the township zoning ordinance; and
2. Buffering:
a. Whenever an alternative system is located within 100 feet of a property boundary, buffering shall include a minimum of one evergreen tree per 20 feet and one canopy tree per 40 feet arranged along and within 25 feet of the property boundary;
b. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
c. Where full grown trees exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(d) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for an alternative system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing the system.
(5) Experimental systems. The owner of a property that utilizes an experimental system shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) Execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter; and
(c) Design requirements:
1. No component of an experimental system shall encroach within the required minimum front, side or rear yard setback designated by the township zoning ordinance or within 50 feet of a property boundary or any road right-of-way, whichever setback distance is greater; and
2. Buffering:
a. All experimental systems shall be buffered by a minimum of one evergreen tree per 20 feet, one canopy tree per 40 feet and one shrub per six feet arranged along all sides of the system and within 25 feet of the system;
b. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
c. Where full grown trees exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(d) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for an experimental system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing the system.
(6) Stream discharge system. The owner of a property that utilizes an individual stream discharge system shall comply with the following:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) Execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter;
(c) Any property utilizing a stream discharge system shall connect to abutting or adjoining public sewer lines as soon as public sewage services become available, and upon such connection the system must be disconnected and disposed of in accordance with the applicable BCDH and DEP rules and regulations;
(d) No component of a stream discharge system shall encroach within the required minimum front, side or rear yard setback designated by the township zoning ordinance; and
(e) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for a stream discharge system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the parcel containing the facility.
(7) Ground in the vicinity of any individual OLDS. The ground in the vicinity of any individual OLDS shall be graded, contoured and maintained so as to divert stormwater, including, but not limited to, runoff from gutters and downspouts, driveways, swales and sump pump discharges, from the components and the absorption area of the OLDS, in compliance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73. The entire OLDS, and the absorption area in particular, shall be protected from vehicular traffic, and no domesticated animals of any type or equipment heavier than a common riding mower/garden tractor shall be allowed upon the absorption area of any individual OLDS. No trees or shrubs may be planted in the absorption area.
(8) Absorption area. The absorption area may not be excavated except as a part of a repair, replacement or restoration project that has received the necessary permits from the township and the BCDH.
(9) Individual OLDS design setbacks. All individual OLDS must meet the following setback isolation distances, and no part of any adjacent lot, parcel or property may be utilized to meet this setback criteria:
Table 2: OLDS Isolation Distances
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Table 2: OLDS Isolation Distances
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Buildings, impervious areas | 10 | 30 | 150 |
Detention basins, other SWM facilities | 25 | 25 | 50 |
Easements, rights-of-way | 25 | 25 | 100 |
Lakes, ponds, watercourses, wetlands, floodplains, floodplain soils | 75 | 100 | 100 |
Other disposal systems | 10 | 10 | 50 |
Pools | 20 | 50 | 100 |
Wells | 50 | 100 | 100 |
(B) Community sewage systems.
(1) All community sewage systems shall comply with the following, along with any specific requirements listed in divisions (B)(1)(a) through (B)(1)(h) below:
(a) Construct and maintain the system in conformance with this subchapter and any other ordinance of the township, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the rules and regulations of the BCDH and the DEP and all applicable regulations and statues of the commonwealth;
(b) When required, establish a construction escrow, execute an O&M agreement with the township and submit a maintenance escrow, all in conformance with this subchapter;
(c) Any community system designed to service four or more EDUs from single-family or two-family residential dwellings or ten of more EDUs from any other use or entity shall be located entirely upon a separate lot;
(d) No component of the sewage system (including the wetted perimeter of a spray field) shall encroach within the required minimum front, side or rear yard setback designated by the township zoning ordinance or within 50 feet of any road right-of-way or a property boundary, whichever setback distance is greater;
(e) No portion of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., setback requirements for the appropriate system may be located on any road right-of-way or any lot or property other than the lot containing that system;
(f) Buffering: all community sewage systems shall be buffered as follows:
1. A minimum of one evergreen tree per 20 feet, one canopy tree per 40 feet and one shrub per six feet arranged along and within 25 feet of the property boundary and covering the entire perimeter of the property;
2. A fence at least six feet in height of material approved by the township installed along the entire length of the property line between the sewage system and the above-listed buffer plants;
3. Buffer plant materials shall conform to the requirements of the township’s zoning ordinance; and
4. Where full grown trees and/or shrubs exist on the site which duplicate the requirements for buffering, the buffering requirements of this subchapter may be waived by the Township Board of Supervisors.
(g) The ground in the vicinity of any community sewage systems shall be graded, contoured and maintained so as to divert stormwater, including, but not limited to, runoff from gutters and downspouts, driveways, swales, and sump pump discharges, from the components and the absorption area of the system, in compliance with 25 Pa. Code Chapter 73. The entire system, and the absorption area in particular, shall be protected from vehicular traffic, and no domesticated animals of any type or equipment heavier than a common riding mower/garden tractor shall be allowed upon the absorption area of any community sewage system. No trees or shrubs may be planted in the absorption area; and
(h) The absorption area may not be excavated except as a part of a repair, replacement or restoration project that has received the necessary permits from the township and the BCDH.
(2) Spray systems. Unless a larger setback is required under another statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, the wetted perimeter of all spray systems shall be set back at least 150 feet from all property boundaries, roads, easements, buildings, pools and other sewage systems and at least 200 feet from all watercourses, ponds, lakes, wetlands, floodplains, floodplain soils, stormwater management facilities and potable water wells.
(3) Alternate systems. Unless a larger setback is required under another statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, all alternate systems shall be set back at least 50 feet from all property boundaries, roads, easements, buildings, pools and other sewage systems; at least 75 feet from all watercourses, ponds, lakes, wetlands, floodplains, floodplain soils and stormwater management facilities; and 150 feet from all potable water wells.
(4) Experimental systems. Unless a larger setback is required under another statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, all experimental systems shall be set back at least 150 feet from all property boundaries, roads, easements, buildings, pools and other sewage systems and at least 200 feet from all watercourses, ponds, lakes, wetlands, floodplains, floodplain soils, stormwater management facilities and potable water wells.
(5) Stream discharge. Any property(ies) utilizing a stream discharge system shall connect to public sewer lines when required to do so by applicable township ordinances and/or state statutes. Upon connection to the public sewer system, the stream discharge system must be disconnected and disposed of in accordance with the applicable BCDH and DEP rules and regulations.
(Ord. 207, passed 12-14-2011)