EAST FALLOWFIELD TWP, PA — East Fallowfield Township supervisors will consider an ordinance Oct. 27 that would allow the township to require certain properties with failing on-lot sewage systems to connect to nearby public sewer lines, potentially shifting connection and construction costs to affected property owners.
The proposed amendment applies when an occupied building is within 150 feet of the public sewer system, and the property has a failing on-lot sewage system.
Under the draft, the township could mandate a connection when corrective action for the failing system is unavailable or not undertaken, or when the township sewer engineer demonstrates that the system poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare.
Affected property owners would receive 60 days’ notice of their obligation to connect. Connections would be governed by the township’s municipal sewer ordinance, Act 537 Plan and procedures established by applicable outside agencies.
The measure would change the township’s rules for properties close to existing public sewer infrastructure. The ordinance states that owners of properties with occupied buildings within 150 feet of the system may connect voluntarily while giving the township discretion to compel connections under the specified conditions.
The proposal could carry financial consequences for affected property owners because connecting an existing building to public sewer can involve construction, lateral installation, and connection costs.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider adoption at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the East Fallowfield Township Building, 2264 Strasburg Road.
The board will receive public comment before voting on the amendment. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available for public inspection at the township building.
The ordinance also contains standard severability and repealer provisions. If adopted, it would take effect immediately.
The proposal remains pending and has not been adopted.
The township’s public hearing notice is available at https://eastfallowfield.org/index.php/newsflashes/2378-notice-of-public-hearing-for-proposed-ordinance-2.
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