Geographical Information Syatems and IT
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On-lot Sewerage System Management Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is On-Lot Management? About 1,800 homes in York Township rely on septic systems for the proper treatment and disposal of household wastewater. A septic system usually consists of a buried tank to capture solids and grease and a drain field for disposal of the remaining liquid. Although a septic system is a very simple and inexpensive way to treat wastewater, it must be maintained to be long-lasting and trouble free. York Township Commissioners are planning to enact a program to ensures that all property owners follow a few simple procedures to keep their septic systems properly maintained. On-lot management is a Township wide program that establishes a schedule for the periodic removal of accumulated solids from septic tanks. 2. Why is an Ordinance Needed? Most of us do not really think about septic tanks, which are usually out of sight and out of mind. Sometimes, it is only after problems arise; such as sewage backups, contaminated wells, or problems in selling a home; that we give serious thought to septic systems. The majority of the homes in York Township with septic systems also have on-lot wells for drinking water. Failure to properly maintain a septic system can lead to premature failure of the septic system, contamination of area drinking water wells, and transmission of waterborne diseases. It is the Commissioners' desire to ensure that the Township's groundwater resources are kept clean and safe for drinking water supply. Costs for repair of failing on-lot septic systems or extension of public sewers to rural area are very expensive options that may be avoidable with proper system maintenance. Construction costs for a replacement sand mound system, assuming adequate soils and space is available, can be $5,000 or more. Construction costs for extension of public sewers to rural areas are even higher on a per household basis. The on-lot management ordinance will require that all owners of septic systems maintain their systems. Annual costs for regular system maintenance will generally be less than $100. 3. Why is York Township enacting an On-Lot Management Ordinance Now? In April 1999, the Township updated its Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. This plan is required by the State of Pennsylvania to insure that the Township is providing adequate sewage treatment facilities and protecting the public health by preventing the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires that the Act 537 Plan address both public sewage facilities and private on-lot septic systems. DEP required that York Township's Plan include on-lot septic system management. 4. Do other municipalities in York County have on-lot management programs? Yes, several municipalities in York County have adopted on-lot management and many more are considering programs as they perform sewage facilities planning. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourages each municipality with on-lot septic systems to enact on-lot management. DEP provides annual subsidies to reimburse municipalities for 50% of the administrative cost of the program. 5. What are the homeowners responsibilities under the program? All septic system owners must have their septic tanks pumped out and inspected at least once every three years. The Township will be divided into three geographic sections for the purpose of administering the program. All septic systems owners in a given section will receive notices from the Township at the beginning of the year directing them to have their systems pumped during the calendar year. Homeowners must contract with a pumper of their choice to have the system pumped and inspected during the calendar year the notice is received. The notice will include a form (York Township Septic System Report Form) to be completed by the pumper regarding the condition of the tank and disposal of the septage. It will be the responsibility of the homeowner to provide the completed form to the Township. 6. How much will this program cost? The cost for the periodic pumping and inspection should be similar to what you currently pay to have your system pumped. There are about 20 private firms that are licensed by the York County Solid Waste Authority to provide septic pumping services in the County. You may want to obtain price quotes from several firms before selecting one that is right for you. The Township's cost to administer the program is expected to be small, about $10 per septic system once every three years. The overall cost for pumping and program administration is very small when compared to the cost for public sewer service or septic system repairs. This administration cost be will assessed by the Township to all on-lot septic system users instead of spreading the cost over the entire Township since property owners on the public sanitary sewer system already pay a quarterly sewer fee for the administration, operation and maintenance of the public sewer system. 7. What if I just had my septic system pumped? Property owners having their septic systems pumped out within one year of receiving the initial notice from the Township do not have to have their system re-pumped. However, the homeowner will need to provide to the Township a copy of the York County Solid Waste Authority Pumping Certification as proof of the pumping. 8. What if I want to have my system pumped more frequently than every 3 years? You are free to have your system pumped out more frequently than every three years. However, the ordinance requires that the Township's Septic System Report be fully completed and signed by the pumper each time a septic tank is emptied. A copy of the completed Septic System Report should be submitted to the Township so it has a record of the pumping. 9. What if I believe that pumping every three years is too frequent for my system? The on-lot management ordinance provides for pumping intervals greater than every three years when the septic system owner can demonstrate to the Township that the system can operate properly without the need for pump-out for a period longer than three years. In no case shall the period extend beyond six years. Such a request for extension of the pumping frequency can only be made after the initial pumping and inspection. Requests must be made in writing to the Township with all supporting documentation attached. The Township will determine if an exemption can be granted to the three year pumping frequency based on such factors as tank size, number and type of connected plumbing fixtures, connected household size, historical pumping frequency, and other factors the Township may consider pertinent. 10. What will the Township do with the information provided on the report form? The pumper completing the septic tank system inspection must record his findings on the York Township Septic System Report form. The pumper shall fully complete the form to address all requested information. The property owner is then responsible for providing a copy of the completed inspection report to the Township within thirty days of the inspection. The Township will then enter the information contained on the inspection form into its on-lot management database. This information will be used to:
11. What if a problem is found by the pumper during the inspection? If the report form indicates a problem with the system, the Township will forward the form to the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) to investigate. The SEO will contact the homeowner to arrange for a time to investigate the problem. The Township SEO is a fully trained professional who will work with the property owner to resolve the problem. Sometimes the solutions involve simple, inexpensive steps that do not require modification to the septic system. However, in other cases the solution may require system modification or replacement. The Township SEO will consider all feasible alternatives before issuing a repair notice. 12. What will happen if I do not comply with the ordinance? The Township Commissioners hope all Township citizens will fully comply with the provisions of the ordinance. The ordinance has been developed to protect public health, the water resources of the Township, and the citizens' investment in their on-lot systems. All on-lot system owners must comply with the ordinance in order for these goals to be reached. Any person that fails to comply with any provision of the ordinance shall, upon conviction by the District Justice, be subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 plus costs or imprisonment. This penalty provision is similar to the penalty provisions of other Township ordinances. 13. What is the Township doing to inform on-lot septic system owners of the ordinance? The Township has taken several steps to inform the public of the on-lot management program. During the development of the Act 537 Plan, the Township held several public meetings to discuss the plan contents. An article was placed in the Township's Fall 1998 newsletter discussing the sewage facility planning process and the draft plan was advertised for public comments during a 30-day period in March 1999 prior to the Township Commissioners adoption of the plan. After the Act 537 Plan adoption, the Township notified approximately 1,800 households with on-lot septic systems of the requirement to develop an on-lot management ordinance. A public meeting was held in November 1999 at Ore Valley Elementary School to discuss the program and solicit volunteers to serve on a steering committee. At that time, approximately 40 people volunteered to serve on the committee to develop the ordinance. Monthly public committee meetings were held at the Township starting in January 2000. An article was placed in the Fall 2000 Township newsletter informing the public of the proposed ordinance and letters were sent to all known on-lot system owners in October 2000 inviting them to attend one of two public meetings to be held at the York County Vo-tech auditorium on October 19, 2000 and October 30, 2000. The Township also placed a copy of the draft ordinance on its web site for public review and has developed this list of frequently asked questions that is also posted on the web site. 14. Where else can I get information about on-lot septic systems? There are several web sites that deal directly with sewage, septic systems, and on-lot management. These include the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, choose septic news; the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, choose subjects, wastewater, on-lot sewage; and the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association. 15. What else should I be doing to maintain my septic system? The most important action to properly maintain a septic system is to have the system pumped out on a regular basis. However, what is put into the system can also impact its operation. Only sewage and normal domestic wastes should be discharged into the system. Industrial wastes, automobile oil and other domestic oil, excessive fats and grease, toxic and hazardous substances must not be placed down the drain. You should also consider either composting or disposing of food preparation wastes in the trash instead of relying on a garbage disposal unit, which greatly increases the loading to a septic system. Clean surface or ground water, including spring water, water from roof or cellar drains, and water from basement sump pumps must also be kept out of the system. The distribution field should be maintained with a grass cover and heavy equipment or automobiles should never be driven over the distribution field. |
