On Lot Sewage Permit
Many Pennsylvanianas, particularly those living in rural areas, depend on onlot systems (also called "septic" systems) to treat the sewage from their home. Properly functioning onlot systems treat, distribute and dispose of sewage through a clean, economic and efficient process.
The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537 of 1966, as amedned) requires local agencies (local municipalities, group of municipalities or County Health Department) to administer a permitting program for the installation of onlot sewage disposal systems. The purpose of this permitting program is to ensure uniform standards of system design and installation and thus prevent outbreaks of environmental and public health problems from substandard or malfunctioning onlot systems.
The onlot permit program is administered by a local agency. This organization may be a municipality, a multi-municipal organization, or a county or joint county Department of Health. An SEO is the local agency employee responsible for reviewing and approving permit applications and being knowledgeable about onlot systems. While the SEO is trained by DEP and certified by the State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers, the SEO is actually an employee of the local agency, not DEP. To find out how to contact the local agency SEO, start with your local municipal office.
To obtain a permit for an onlot sewage system, these steps must be followed in the order listed:
In Longswamp Township, any time modifications are being made to your Sewage Disposal System, an On-Lot Sewage Disposal System Permit (OLSP) is required to be filled out and filed with the Township. Along with the application, an escrow agreement also needs to be submitted. To receive the correct escrow amount, please call LTL and speak with Bradley Pflum, the Longswamp Township SEO.
Longswamp Township On-Lot Sewage Disposal Permit Ordinance 1995-181
The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537 of 1966, as amedned) requires local agencies (local municipalities, group of municipalities or County Health Department) to administer a permitting program for the installation of onlot sewage disposal systems. The purpose of this permitting program is to ensure uniform standards of system design and installation and thus prevent outbreaks of environmental and public health problems from substandard or malfunctioning onlot systems.
The onlot permit program is administered by a local agency. This organization may be a municipality, a multi-municipal organization, or a county or joint county Department of Health. An SEO is the local agency employee responsible for reviewing and approving permit applications and being knowledgeable about onlot systems. While the SEO is trained by DEP and certified by the State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers, the SEO is actually an employee of the local agency, not DEP. To find out how to contact the local agency SEO, start with your local municipal office.
To obtain a permit for an onlot sewage system, these steps must be followed in the order listed:
- The lot owner, or an agent for the owner, applies for a permit through the Township. If the lot is in a subdivision, the lot owner should first ensure that all other state, county and local planning, zoning and land use requirements have been met by checking with municipal officials.
- The SEO measures slope and conducts soil profile examinations and percolation tests to determine if the site is suitable for an onlot system. If suitable, the SEO determines which type of onlot system will work best. (The types of systems are listed later in this document).
- If the site is suitable, the SEO informs the lot owner or agent to proceed with the system design. The system must be designed with certain factors in mind, including site conditions, isolation distances, percolation test results and the number of bedrooms in the home. (The SEO is specifically prohibited from designing the system.)
- Once the lot owner or agent has the design and plot plan, they are submitted as part of the permit application to the SEO. The SEO must approve or deny the permit within seven days of receiving a complete application. If approved, the SEO issues the permit and the applicant may begin installing the system and building the home. If denied, the SEO notifies the applicant and provides the opportunity to an appeal hearing before the local agency.
- The SEO may oversee any step of the installation, but must inspect the completed system before it is covered.
On-Lot Sewage Permits In Longswamp Township
In Longswamp Township, any time modifications are being made to your Sewage Disposal System, an On-Lot Sewage Disposal System Permit (OLSP) is required to be filled out and filed with the Township. Along with the application, an escrow agreement also needs to be submitted. To receive the correct escrow amount, please call LTL and speak with Bradley Pflum, the Longswamp Township SEO.
Longswamp Township On-Lot Sewage Disposal Permit Ordinance 1995-181