§ 110-1. Definitions.
§ 110-2. Applicability of provisions.
§ 110-3. Violations and penalties. [Amended 4-4-1994 by Ord. No. 94-08]
§ 110-4. Keeping out flies.
§ 110-5. Privies discharging on ground.
§ 110-6. Cleaning of privies.
§ 110-7. Containers for transportation of excrement.
§ 110-8. Deposit of human excrement.
§ 110-9. Toilet accommodations in public places.
§ 110-10. Sewer system accessible.
§ 110-11. Deposit or transportation of wastes.
§ 110-12. Accumulations of manure.
§ 110-13. Animal carcasses.
§ 110-14. Mosquito-breeding conditions.
§ 110-15. Wash water.
§ 110-16. Wells.
§ 110-17. Cesspools and septic tanks.
§ 110-18. Privies.
§ 110-1. Definitions.
- As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
WATERS OF LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP -- Includes all streams and springs and all bodies of surface water and of underground water, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the township.
§ 110-2. Applicability of provisions.
- The provisions of this Sanitation and Health Code shall apply in the township and shall apply equally to individuals, partnerships, firms and corporations.
§ 110-3. Violations and penalties. [Amended 4-4-1994 by Ord. No. 94-08]
- A. Any violation of the provisions of this Sanitation and Health Code, upon summary conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $100 plus the costs of prosecution. Failure to make the necessary changes or improvements upon the order of the Township Health Officer shall, following the first conviction, be considered a new and separate violation of this section of the code, and rearrest may be made. In the event of violation, if the parties so violating the code, upon notice duly received, refused to remedy the situation which constitutes the violation, they may also be sentenced to pay the costs of having the violation remedied by employees of the township.
- B. Any person, firm, corporation or partnership who or which shall install a septic system without having first secured a permit therefor shall, upon summary conviction before a District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment thereof, to a period not exceeding 30 days in the county jail, or both. Any person, firm, corporation or partnership who or which unlawfully closes and covers a septic system without prior inspection and approval by the Health Officer of the township shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $100 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment thereof, to a period not exceeding 30 days in the county jail, or both, plus the costs of reopening the septic system for inspection. Any person, firm, corporation or partnership who or which uses an illegally installed or closed septic system, whether as property owner or tenant, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of $100 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment thereof, to a period not exceeding 30 days in the county jail, or both.
§ 110-4. Keeping out flies.
- No privy or other receptacle for human excrement shall be constructed, maintained or used so that flies have or may have access to the excrementitious matter contained therein.
§ 110-5. Privies discharging on ground.
- No privy, urinal or other receptacle for human excrement shall be constructed, maintained or used which directly or indirectly drains or discharges over or upon the surface of the ground or into any waters of the township.
§ 110-6. Cleaning of privies.
- All privies, urinals or other receptacles for human excrement shall be cleansed at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent the contents from overflowing.
§ 110-7. Containers for transportation of excrement.
- The transportation of human excrement shall be effected in watertight containers with tight-fitting covers. Containers shall be thoroughly cleansed after each use.
§ 110-8. Deposit of human excrement.
- No human excrement or material containing human excrement shall be placed on the surface of the ground, buried or otherwise disposed of in such a manner that it is likely directly or indirectly to gain access to any waters of the township. This chapter is not intended to prohibit the use of human excrement for fertilizer where such use is not likely to contaminate waters as aforesaid and where such use is not permitted to become a menace to pubic health; provided, however, that fertilizer containing human excrement shall not be used in connection with the production of crops intended for human consumption in a raw state without cooking.
§ 110-9. Toilet accommodations in public places.
- Sufficient and suitable free privy or toilet accommodations, well-lighted and ventilated and separated for each sex, shall be provided at all public buildings, public markets, public playgrounds, public bathing beaches, camp meeting grounds and county fairs.
§ 110-10. Sewer system accessible.
- No privy or similar receptacle for human excrement shall be constructed, maintained or used on premises where a sewer, which is part of a sewer system from which sewage is discharged into the waters of the commonwealth under a permit from the Commonwealth Department of Health, is accessible.
§ 110-11. Deposit or transportation of wastes.
- No garbage, offal, pomace, dead animals, decaying matter or organic waste substance of any kind shall be thrown or deposited in any ravine, ditch or gutter on any street or highway or into any waters of the township or be permitted to remain exposed upon the surface of the ground. The transportation of garbage and slaughterhouse offal shall be effected in watertight vehicles or containers, properly covered to avoid spillage, and shall be cleansed at sufficient intervals to prevent obnoxious odors.
§ 110-12. Accumulations of manure.
- Manure shall not be allowed to accumulate in any place where it can prejudicially affect any source of drinking water or where, as a source of fly breeding, it may become a menace to public health.
§ 110-13. Animal carcasses.
- A. The carcass of any dead animal not killed for food shall be removed and disposed of by burial or incineration or other sanitary method within 24 hours after death. If the carcass is buried, it shall be placed so that every part shall be covered by at least two feet of earth and at a location not less than 100 feet from any waters of the township and not subject to overflow by said waters.
- B. In all cases of death from communicable disease, the carcass shall be thoroughly enveloped in unslaked lime.
§ 110-14. Mosquito-breeding conditions.
- No persons shall maintain or permit to be maintained any pond, privy vault, cesspool, well, cistern, rain barrel or other receptacle containing water in such a condition that mosquitoes breeding therein may become a menace to the public health.
§ 110-15. Wash water.
- No person shall dispose of wash water on any public street, gutter, stream or adjoining property.
§ 110-16. Wells.
- No owner or occupant of any premises shall maintain any well, spring, cistern or other source of water supply for drinking or household purposes to which the public has or may have access and which is polluted or which is so situated or constructed that it may become polluted in any manner that may render such water supply injurious to health.
§ 110-17. Cesspools and septic tanks.
- It is illegal to install cesspools or to direct septic tank effluent into wells, limestone sink holes, abandoned mines, caves, underground streams or surface streams or onto the surface of the ground.
§ 110-18. Privies.
- A. Earth pit privies. An earth pit privy for temporary use must have approval of the Health Officer and must be covered by at least three inches of lime and three feet of earth when abandoned. [Amended 4-4-1994 by Ord. No. 94-08]
- B. Concrete vault privies.
- Plans for permanent installations of concrete vault privies where running water does not exist must be filed in triplicate with and approved by the Health Officer. An inspection fee must be paid at the time of application. [Amended 4-4-1994 by Ord. No. 94-08]
- Concrete vault privy specifications. Concrete vault privies must be at least four feet deep; the concrete vault must be at least four feet wide at the ground level and at least two feet side at the bottom. The concrete vault must be of four-inch-thick concrete, which material must be impervious and free from cracks. The vaults must be covered at the top with tightly fitted hinged access doors which may be constructed of wood material or other material.