On-lot Sewage Disposal Systems
What is On-Lot Management?
Why is an Ordinance Needed?
Why is North Codorus Township enacting an On-Lot Management Ordinance Now?
Do other municipalities in York County have on-lot management programs?
What are the homeowners responsibilities under the program?
How much will this program cost?
What if I just had my septic system pumped?
What if I want to have my system pumped more frequently than every 4 years?
What will the Township do with the information provided on the report form?
What if a problem is found by the pumper during the inspection?
What will happen if I do not comply with the ordinance?
Where else can I get information about on-lot septic systems?
What else should I be doing to maintain my septic system?
Who should I contact to service my septic tank?
What is On-Lot Management?
Most homes in North Codorus 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. The Board of Supervisors [B.O.S.] of North Codorus Township has enacted a program to ensure that all property owners follow a few simple procedures to keep their septic systems properly maintained. On-lot management is a program, in [8] Districts, that establishes a schedule for the periodic removal of accumulated solids from septic tanks.
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. Most of the homes in North Codorus 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 B.O.S. 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 areas 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 eventually require that all owners of septic systems maintain their systems.
Why is North Codorus Township enacting an On-Lot Management Ordinance Now?
The Township prepared its first Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. In doing so there were areas that had high levels of nitrates/nitrogen in the source water that are being designated as the first [8] districts to be maintained. 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 the North Codorus Township Plan include on-lot septic system management in those [8] districts.
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.
What are the homeowners responsibilities under the program?
All septic systems owners must have their septic tanks pumped out and inspected at least once every [4] years. All septic system 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. A form, provided by the hauler, is 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.
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 may establish a fee schedule and collect fees to cover the cost of administering the on-lot management program. The Township may set or amend fees by resolution. 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 administrative cost be will assessed by the Township to the 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.
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.
What if I want to have my system pumped more frequently than every 4 years?
You are free to have your system pumped out more frequently than every [4] 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.
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
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:
- Confirm the system has been pumped out and inspected
- Confirm the system is operating properly
- Provide adequate information to the Township to plan for potential public sewer extensions to areas of need.
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.
What will happen if I do not comply with the ordinance?
The Township's B.O.S. hopes 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.
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 York County Solid Waste Authority at
www.ycswa.com choose household waste; the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection at www.dep.state.pa.us choose subjects, wastewater, on-lot sewage; and the
Pennsylvania Septage Management Association at www.psma.net
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 increase 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.
Who should I contact to service my septic tank?
To ensure that your septage is properly managed, be sure you hire a licensed hauler. Contact York County Solid Waste Authority at (717) 845-1066 for information about licensed haulers or check your phone directory's yellow pages for a septage hauler near you. Be sure to ask if they are licensed to operate in York County. You must receive a manifest after your hauler is done pumping your septage to turn into the Township.
