Cambria Township Ordinance #2016-2

Overview

The Township of Cambria has enacted Ordinance #2016-2 to regulate sanitary sewer connections and eliminate stormwater infiltration. This ordinance is designed to comply with requirements set by the Borough of Ebensburg, which operates the sanitary sewer system serving portions of Cambria Township.

Key Regulations

The ordinance establishes strict rules regarding property sales, sewer connections, and municipal fees:

• Prohibition of Illegal Connections: It is unlawful to construct, install, or maintain any illegal storm or surface water connection (e. g. , downspouts, sump pumps) to the sanitary sewer system. This applies to all properties, regardless of when the connection was originally made.
• Pre-Sale Compliance: Before selling or transferring real estate in the affected area, the owner must obtain a Certificate of Sewage Compliance or a Temporary Certificate of Sewage Compliance.
• Municipal Lien Letters: The Township will not issue Municipal Lien Letters or Property Tax Verification Letters unless the property owner has first obtained a Certificate of Sewage Compliance.
• Governing Rules: All persons connected to the sewer system must follow the Rules and Regulations of the Ebensburg Municipal Authority.

Pre-Sale Compliance Process

To sell a property, the applicant must follow these steps:

1. Application: Apply for a Certificate of Sewage Compliance at least seven (7) days before the sale.
2. Testing: Hire a qualified contractor to perform an air pressure test on the sewer lateral. The Authority must be notified at least 72 hours in advance to witness the test.
3. Remediation: If illegal connections or malfunctions are found, they must be repaired or the entire lateral replaced from the foundation wall to the connection stub. The system must then be retested and inspected by the Borough.
4. Issuance: The Authority issues the certificate upon payment of fees and successful testing.

Definitions

• Authority: The Ebensburg Municipal Authority.
• Borough: The Borough of Ebensburg.
• Certificate of Sewage Compliance: An official statement confirming no illegal connections exist and the system passed an air pressure test. Valid for five (5) years.
• Temporary Certificate of Sewage Compliance: A temporary certification issued pursuant to Section IV of the ordinance.
• Sale: Includes any transfer of ownership, inheritance, corporate transfers, and foreclosures (with specific exemptions for refinancing and certain trust/spousal transfers).

Penalties

Violations of this ordinance are punishable by:

• A fine of up to $600. 00.
• Imprisonment for up to 30 days.
• Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

Effective Date and Repealer

• Effective Date: January 1, 2017.
• Repealer: This ordinance repeals Ordinance #218 of November 24, 2014. It does not repeal the rest of Cambria Township’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18.

Signatures

The ordinance was enacted and ordained on October 19, 2016, by the Township of Cambria Board of Supervisors:

• Tim Bracken, Chairman
• James Melnyk, Vice-Chairman
• Robert Shook, Supervisor