(A) In general.
(1) Generally. All subdivisions and land developments shall be served with an adequate on-lot or central water supply system that will meet DEP and township requirements.
(2) Required connections to central water systems.
(a) The Board of Supervisors, after requesting any recommendations of the Planning Commission, the Township Engineer and the appropriate water supplier, may require all lots and principal uses within a subdivision or land development to be connected to an existing public or township-approved central water system where the Board of Supervisors determines that such connection would be feasible, cost-effective and reasonable, considering the distances that the lines would need to be extended and the average cost per dwelling or lot.
(b) 1. If an applicant does not wish to extend central water service, then the township may require the applicant to provide a comparison of the estimated total costs of extending the central water service versus the total costs of developing wells. Such cost comparison shall be prepared by a professional and be provided to the water supplier and the Township Engineer for review. This analysis is intended to assist the township in determining whether a water extension would be reasonable.
2. The township shall also have the authority to require a subdivision or land development to include an extension of central water service if such service is needed to resolve a significant public health or safety hazard, or where such extension is required by another ordinance or utility agreement.
(3) Dry water lines.
(a) 1. The Board of Supervisors, after requesting any recommendations of the Planning Commission, the Township Engineer and the appropriate water supplier, may require that a subdivision or land development include the installation of “dry” water lines if the Board of Supervisors determine that such requirement would be reasonable and that such development is likely to be able to be served by an extension of an existing Township-approved central water system within ten years.
2. The township is not responsible to guarantee that such water connection will occur or be possible within the ten-year period.
(b) Such lines shall be required to meet the construction standards of the water supplier to which the lines are intended to be connected.
(c) A developer in such case may only be required to construct:
1. Such mains and laterals that would be needed to be located within the right-of-way of a newly constructed or reconstructed street(s); and
2. Such other mains that would be needed within the boundaries of the subdivision or land development.
(4) Private water system.
(a) The Board of Supervisors, based upon recommendations of the Township Engineer, may require or permit the development of a new private central water system if such system can reasonably be expected to be connected into an extension of an existing central water supplier within ten years.
(b) Such system in that case shall be constructed following official standards of the water supplier to which it is intended to be connected.
(c) In such case, the approved plan should include a specific provision offering dedication of such system to the central water supplier in the future, without any purchase cost by such central water supplier.
(B) Central water supply system.
(1) Water supplier approval. Proposed extensions of central water systems shall meet all applicable procedures, reviews and requirements of any appropriate municipal authority or water company. Such extension shall be approved by such agency prior to final plan approval, although specific detailed service agreements are not required to be signed until prior to recording.
(2) Non-public supplier. Any new central water system that is not owned by a public authority or municipality shall be found to be acceptable in capacity, pressure, design and construction by the Board of Supervisors, based upon review of the Township Engineer. The Board of Supervisors may deny permission for a subdivision or land development to be served by a non-public central water system if such system cannot guarantee sufficient water pressure and capacity and would not include a suitable process for long-term operation and maintenance. The applicant may be required by the Township to establish a test well prior to recording of any lots to show that adequate water will be available and a back-up well.
(C) On-lot water system (wells).
(1) Well locations. When a subdivision or land development is not required to connect to a central water system, acceptable locations for wells shall be shown on plans and each well shall be setback a minimum of 100 feet from any on-lot septic system.
(2) Setback. Wells should be located no closer than 25 feet from any future street right-of-way. Wells should also be located to meet minimum requirements of the Federal Housing Administration, in case a FHA mortgage may be sought.
(D) Fire hydrants. All subdivisions and land developments that will be served by central water service shall provide fire hydrants as needed with appropriate water pressure so that all nonresidential principal buildings and all dwelling units are within 500 feet of an active fire hydrant. Such distances shall be measured along lengths that are accessible to firefighters.
(1) The fire hydrant shall have connections compatible with those used by the township fire companies.
(2) The township may require that the applicant prove that fire flows will be not be less than 500 gallons per minute in single-family detached residential areas and 1,000 gallons per minute in other developed areas, at 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
(Ord. 127, passed 3-18-2010)