1. The developer shall install the most effective type of sanitary disposal consistent with the Township’s Official Plan for sewage facilities prepared in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) being 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., the Township Sewage Facilities Plan, and Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Regulations, for the subdivision or development.
2. On-Lot Sewage Disposal Systems: On-lot sewage disposal facilities must comply with the provisions of Chapters 71 and 73, Administration of Sewage Facilities Program, Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act being 35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq., (Act of January 24, 1996), P.L. 1535, No. 537 as amended (35 P.S. §§ 750.1 et seq.) The proposed facilities must be deemed satisfactory by the Bucks County Department of Health and a permit for on-lot disposal must be issued. A Bucks County Department of Health “Letter of Suitability” for onsite disposal must be received by the Township prior to approval of approval of final plan.
A. The applicant shall provide the type of sanitary sewage disposal facility consistent with existing physical, geographical and geological conditions, and the Township Sewage Facilities Plan. All lots shall be provided with an onsite sanitary sewage disposal system of the type and design which shall, as a minimum requirement, meet the design standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and/or the Bucks County Department of Health which systems shall be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and/or the Bucks County Department of Health.
B. If the subdivision or land development contains an existing onsite sewage disposal system, the developer shall submit acknowledgment from the Bucks County Department of Health, a licensed Sewage Enforcement Officer, or licensed Professional Engineer indicating that the system has been inspected and appears to be functioning properly and is not malfunctioning.
C. Reserve Area. To ensure that a suitable location is available for a new sewage disposal area if the original sewage disposal area should malfunction, a lot submitted for subdivision or land development approval shall include both a primary and reserve sewage disposal area location. Both locations shall be determined by the Bucks County Health Department to meet PA Department of Environmental Protection regulations for a septic system location prior to approval of the final subdivision or land development plan. The requirement for a reserve sewage disposal area shall not apply to the following:
(1) The simple merger of two or more existing lots, or an adjustment to lot lines of an existing lot.
(2) A vacant lot that includes a permanent deed restriction or conservation easement prohibiting any construction of buildings on the lot.
(3) Lots within a subdivision or land development that will abut a complete capped sewage system constructed by the developer, the design of which has been approved by the Township.
(4) A spray irrigation system.
The reserve septic system location shall be kept clear of buildings, structures, and parking and shall be shown on any subsequent application for new or expanded buildings or parking. The reserve septic location is not to be planted in trees and the soil shall remain in place with minimal disturbance. The Township may require that the location be recorded on the deed.
D. On-lot sewage disposal systems shall not be located within floodplain, wetlands, or wetland and/or riparian buffer.
3. Central Sewage Service. A use shall not be considered to be served by “central sewage service” unless:
A. All applicable requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, Township Sewage Facilities Plan and State regulations are met.
B. The applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township that there will be an appropriate management system in place to guarantee and properly fund the long-term operation and maintenance of the system by a qualified professional operator.
C. The applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Township, based upon review of the Township Engineer, that the system will include adequate treatment capacity and conveyance capacity to serve the development.
4. Sanitary sewer systems shall be located and/or designed to prevent flood damage and to eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system, or discharges from the system into flood waters.
5. The developer shall be responsible for the completion of the appropriate planning module for land development components as required by the Department of Environmental Protection, including Alternatives Analysis and Feasibility Studies.
6. All final plans shall contain a notice regarding sewage disposal systems (refer sample in Appendix “B”).
A. On-Lot Sewage Disposal. All subdivision and land development plans shall contain a plan note specifying that approval of the plan does not guarantee permit issuance for sewage disposal.
B. Public or Centralized Sewers. All subdivision and land development plans shall contain a plan note specifying that connection to public sewer is required.
7. Design standards and specifications for public and centralized sanitary sewer systems shall conform to requirements of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
(Ord. 163, passed 2-28-2012, § 521)