Draft Act 537 Plan Update without Appendices

125 Pages·2014·9.7 MB·English

TOWNSHIP OF UPPER MAKEFIELD
BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

DRAFT
ACT 537
SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN UPDATE

PREPARED BY:

CKS ENGINEERS, INC.
88 SOUTH MAIN STREET
DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 18901

REF: #6700-78
NOVEMBER 6, 2014
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Portions of this document were extracted from Draft Act 537 Plan Updates prepared
between 2003 and 2010 by Mercuri & Associates, Inc. and Gilmore & Associates, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 1

I - PREVIOUS WASTEWATER PLANNING ..................................................................................... 5

A.1 Previous Planning undertaken under Sewage Facilities Act ............................................ 5
A.2 Other Planning ................................................................................................................... 5
A.3 Anticipated planning required by a Chapter 94 Corrective Action Plan............................ 8
A.4 Development and improvements accomplished through Planning Modules .................... 8

II - PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND DEMOGRAPHIC ANAYLSIS ................................................. 10

A. Regional Setting............................................................................................................... 10
B. Surface Hydrology ........................................................................................................... 10
C. Soils.................................................................................................................................. 12
D. Geology ............................................................................................................................ 20
E. Topography ...................................................................................................................... 24
F. Hydrogeology and Potable Water ................................................................................... 24
G. Wetlands .......................................................................................................................... 31

III - EXISTING SEWAGE FACILITIES ............................................................................................ 33

A.1 Existing Sewer Facilities .................................................................................................. 33
A.2 Problems with Existing Facilities ..................................................................................... 36
A.3 Future Upgrades or Expansions ...................................................................................... 36
A.4 Small Flow Treatment Facilities....................................................................................... 36
A.5 Approved Sewer Facilities ............................................................................................... 36
B.1 Existing On-Lot Sewage Disposal Systems .................................................................... 37
B.2 Sewage Disposal Needs Assessment............................................................................. 38
B.3 Operation and Maintenance Requirements .................................................................... 50
C. Wastewater Sludge and Septage Generation ................................................................. 52

IV - FUTURE GROWTH AND LAND DEVELOPMENT.................................................................. 53

A.1 Land Use and Zoning ...................................................................................................... 53
A.2 Zoning Regulations as Related to Sewage Disposal ...................................................... 53
A.3 Floodplain and Stormwater Land Use Limitations .......................................................... 55
B.1 Future Growth Projections ............................................................................................... 56
B.2 Existing and Future Development ................................................................................... 57
B.3 Protection of Land and Water Resources ....................................................................... 59

V - IDENTIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................... 60

A.1 Regional Wastewater Treatment ..................................................................................... 60
A.2 Extension of Existing Municipal & Non-Municipal Sewage Facilities ............................. 60
A.3 Continued Use of Existing Sewage Facilities .................................................................. 61
A.4 Repair or Replacement at Existing Collection and Conveyance Systems ..................... 61
A.5 Construction of New Community Sewage Systems and/or Treatment Systems .................. 61
A.6 Use of Innovative/Alternative Methods of Collection/Conveyance to
Serve Needs Areas Using Existing Treatment Facilities ................................................ 62
B. Individual On-lot Sewage Disposal Systems................................................................... 62
C. Small Flow Treatment Facilities....................................................................................... 69
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D. Community Land Disposal ............................................................................................... 70
E. Retaining Tanks ............................................................................................................... 71
F. Sewage Management Program ....................................................................................... 72
G. Non-Structural Comprehensive Planning Alternatives .................................................... 74
H. Summary .......................................................................................................................... 76
I. No-Action Alternative ..................................................................................................... 107

VI - EVAULATION OF ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................... 108

A.1 Comprehensive Water Quality Management Plans, COWAMP/208 ............................ 108
A.2 Chapter 94 Reporting .................................................................................................... 108
A.3 Plans developed under the Clean Water Act, or the Water Quality Act
of 1987 ........................................................................................................................... 109
A.4 County and Jointure Comprehensive Planning ............................................................. 109
A.5 Anti-degradation requirements contained in Chapters 93, 95, 102, and
the Clean Water Act ....................................................................................................... 110
A.6 State Water Plans .......................................................................................................... 110
A.7 Pennsylvania Prime Agricultural Land Policy ................................................................ 110
A.8 County Stormwater Management Plans ....................................................................... 111
A.9 Wetland Protection ........................................................................................................ 111
A.10 Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory ...................................................................... 111
A.11 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Act ........................................................................ 112
B. Inconsistencies .............................................................................................................. 112
C. Water Quality Standards and Effluent Limitations ........................................................ 112
D. Analysis of Available Funding Methods ........................................................................ 112
E. Implementation Analysis ................................................................................................ 113
F. Administrative Requirements ......................................................................................... 114

VII - INSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION............................................................................................ 115

A.1 Financial and Debt Status ............................................................................................. 115
A.2 Available Staff and Administrative Resources .............................................................. 115
A.3 Existing Legal Authority ................................................................................................. 115
B. Institutional Alternatives to Implement Technical Alternatives ...................................... 116
C. Necessary Administrative and Legal Activities to be Completed and
Adopted to Ensure Implementation of Recommended Alternatives ............................. 116
D. Proposed Institutional Alternative .................................................................................. 116

VIII - IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE AND JUSTIFICATION FOR ALTERNATIVES .................... 117

A.1 Existing and Future Wastewater Disposal Needs ......................................................... 117
A.2 Operation and Maintenance Considerations ................................................................. 117
A.3 Cost Effectiveness ......................................................................................................... 118
A.4 Available Management and Administrative Systems .................................................... 118
A.5 Available Financing Methods ......................................................................................... 118
A.6 Environmental Soundness ............................................................................................. 118
B. Capital Financing Plan ................................................................................................... 118
C. Implementation Schedule .............................................................................................. 118

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FIGURES

Figure 1: Township Map (Study Area) ........................................................................................... 6
Figure 2: Hydrology Map .............................................................................................................. 11
Figure 3: Soils Map ...................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 4: Prime Farmlands Map .................................................................................................. 14
Figure 5: On-Lot Sewage Disposal Suitability - Drainage Class Map ......................................... 15
Figure 6: Geology Map ................................................................................................................. 22
Figure 7: Topography Map ........................................................................................................... 26
Figure 8: On-Lot Sewage Disposal Suitability - Slope Map ........................................................ 27
Figure 9: Public Water Service Area Map.................................................................................... 29
Figure 10: Wetlands & Hydric Soils Map ....................................................................................... 32
Figure 11: Existing Sewer Facilities Service Area Map ................................................................. 34
Figure 12: Sewage Disposal Needs Assessment Areas ............................................................... 40
Figure 13: Taylorsville Area On-Lot Sewage System Survey Property Owner
Authorization Status ...................................................................................................... 41
Figure 14: Dolington Area On-Lot Sewage System Survey Property Owner
Authorization Status ...................................................................................................... 42
Figure 15: Taylorsville Area Updated OLDS Conditions Assessment Map .................................. 45
Figure 16: Dolington Area Updated OLDS Conditions Assessment Map ..................................... 48
Figure 17: Zoning Map ................................................................................................................... 54
Figure 18: Present & Future Major Land Developments Map ....................................................... 58
Figure 19: Dolington Area Alternative #1 (Sheet 1 of 2)................................................................ 79
Figure 20: Dolington Area Alternative #1 (Sheet 2 of 2)................................................................ 80
Figure 21: Dolington Area Alternative #2 (Sheet 1 of 2)................................................................ 83
Figure 22: Dolington Area Alternative #2 (Sheet 2 of 2)................................................................ 84
Figure 23: Dolington Area Alternative #3 (Sheet 1 of 2)................................................................ 87
Figure 24: Dolington Area Alternative #3 (Sheet 2 of 2)................................................................ 88
Figure 25: Dolington Area Alternative #4 (Sheet 1 of 2)................................................................ 93
Figure 26: Dolington Area Alternative #4 (Sheet 2 of 2)................................................................ 94
Figure 27: Dolington Area Alternative #5 (Sheet 1 of 1)................................................................ 97
Figure 28: Dolington Area Alternative #6 (Sheet 1 of 1).............................................................. 101

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TABLES

Table 1: Pending and DEP Approved Planning Modules as of January 2014 .............................. 9
Table 2: Taylorsville Area Needs Assessment – Well Sampling and .......................................... 44
OLDS Survey Summary
Table 3: Dolington Area Needs Assessment – Well Sampling and .............................................. 47
OLDS Survey Summary
Table 4: Development in Stormwater Management Districts ........................................................ 55
Table 5: Upper Makefield Township Population Projections......................................................... 56
Table 6: Upper Makefield Township Housing Unit Projections ..................................................... 56
Table 7: Proposed and Under-Construction Projects.................................................................... 57
Table 8: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #1 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost ................. 81
Table 9: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #2 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost ................ 85
Table 10: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #3 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost ................ 89
Table 11: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #4 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost ................ 95
Table 12: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #5 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost ................ 98
Table 13: Dolington Area Sewer-Alternative #6 – Preliminary Estimated Project Cost .............. 102
Table 14: Dolington Area Public/Community Sewer System Service Alternatives....................... 105
Cost Breakdown Summary
Table 15: Dolington Area Comparison of Least Costly Long-Term Sewage Disposal ................. 106
Alternatives

APPENDICES

Appendix A: 2013 Wasteload Management (Chapter 94) Reports – Heritage Hills Wastewater
Treatment Plant & Dutchess Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant
Appendix B: On-Lot Sewage System Survey of the Taylorsville Area
Appendix C: On-Lot Sewage System Survey of the Dolington Area
Appendix D: OLDS Ordinance (Upper Makefield Township Code Chapter 18)
Appendix E: Stormwater Management Districts
Appendix F: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Preliminary Treatment
Requirements (“PTR”) for Stream Discharge Effluent Disposal Alternatives
Appendix G: On-Lot Treatment System Manufacturer Confirmation of Compliance with
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Preliminary Treatment
Requirements
Appendix H: Proof of Public Notice
Appendix I: Plan Update Review Correspondence
Appendix J: Municipal Adopting Resolution
Appendix K: Act 537 Plan Content and Environmental Assessment Checklist

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update has been prepared to address the present and future
sewage disposal needs of Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The existing
Upper Makefield Township Act 537 Plan has not been revised since its completion in 1979. This
Plan Update has been prepared in accordance with 25 PA Code, Chapter 71, “Administration of
Sewage Facilities Planning Program.”

This Plan Update addresses sewage disposal needs for the entire Township, which includes
private on-lot sewage disposal systems, private small flow treatment facilities, and Township-
owned public sewerage facilities. In conjunction with the preparation of this Plan Update, various
Federal, State, and Local planning documents and reports related to wastewater planning issues
affecting Upper Makefield Township were reviewed, and an extensive evaluation of surface
hydrology, soils, geology, topography, water quality, environmental impacts, on-lot sewage
disposal, existing sewage facilities, future growth, zoning, land planning, and land conservation
was performed. Meetings and file reviews were conducted with Bucks County Health Department
(“BCHD”) representatives to identify any “Needs Areas” in the Township with histories of
malfunctioning on-lot sewage disposal systems. The Township commissioned the performance of
detailed On-Lot Sewage Disposal System Surveys by an independent consultant to thoroughly
evaluate present conditions within the Needs Areas that were identified by the Health
Department. Additionally, during the course of the Plan Update preparation, the Township had
numerous discussions and attended several meetings with Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection (“PA DEP”) representatives to obtain initial input/feedback concerning
the potential short-term and long-term sewage disposal alternatives that have been developed for
the identified Needs Areas.

The most significant findings/conclusions that were reached in conjunction with the preparation of
this Plan Update are summarized below:

A. Short-Term and Long-Term Sewage Disposal Needs Assessment

• The majority of properties within the Township are served by On-Lot Sewage
Disposal Systems (“OLDS”). With the exception of isolated instances, based upon
the evaluation performed in conjunction with this Plan Update, the continued use of
OLDS will address the long-term sewage disposal needs of the majority of
properties within the Township.

• In conjunction with the continuing use of OLDS within the Township, it is essential
that the Township continue to implement its Sewage Management Program, which
includes enforcement of its OLDS Ordinance. The OLDS Ordinance (Upper
Makefield Township Code, Chapter 18) includes the following requirements that
apply to all areas of the Township:

a) Required pumping of OLDS at a minimum of every three years.

b) Pumper/Inspector report to be completed and given to property owner after
each inspection; form to be forwarded to Township when repairs are
required, or a malfunction is observed.

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c) Educate property owners about OLDS and proper operation and
maintenance procedures through website, newsletter, and pamphlets
available at the Township.

The Sewage Management Program is administered and enforced by the Township
Code Enforcement Office. No additional Township personnel will be required,
even with the proposed OLDS Ordinance amendments described in this Plan
Update.

• The existing sewage facilities consisting of private and/or community treatment
plants or public sewage treatment facilities that currently serve specific properties
or areas within the Township were evaluated and determined to be adequate to
satisfy current/future sewage disposal needs of the properties and/or areas served.
Current operation and maintenance requirements for these facilities should be
continued.

• At the outset of the Act 537 Plan Update process, the Township had contacted the
BCHD requesting that the Health Department identify any “Needs Areas” within the
Township that were experiencing problems with the functioning of existing OLDS.
The BCHD had initially identified two specific areas in the Township with histories
of OLDS functioning problems, namely the Taylorsville and Dolington Areas.

In response to the input received from the BCHD, the Township reviewed all
Health Department records concerning OLDS within the Taylorsville and Dolington
Areas to determine the severity of the OLDS functioning problems in each area.
During mid – late 2012, the Township performed an exhaustive review of BCHD
records for the Taylorsville and Dolington Areas, found the available information to
be incomplete and/or inconsistent and, therefore, determined that the BCHD
records would not conclusively document the severity of OLDS functioning
problems within each area.

Based on the results of the BCHD records research, and in an effort to more
accurately establish the current OLDS functioning conditions, the Township
commissioned an intensive OLDS Survey of all properties located within the
Taylorsville and Dolington Areas, where authorization was obtained from the
affected property owners.

The conclusions reached in conjunction with the OLDS Survey that was performed
within the Taylorsville Area were that the majority of existing OLDS appear to be
functioning properly with no indications of widespread problems. The OLDS
functioning problems noted during the survey were limited to three properties, and
it was determined that there were viable OLDS solutions that would be available to
address the specific problems noted at each of the three properties.

The conclusions reached in conjunction with the OLDS Survey that was performed
within the Dolington Area were not as favorable with regard to the continuing use
of potential OLDS alternatives for addressing the long-term sewage disposal needs
of the area as compared to the Taylorsville Area. A relatively higher number of
properties within the Dolington Area were noted as having periodic problems with
the functioning of their primary OLDS thereby relying on supplemental holding
tanks to address seasonal conditions. Additionally, a number of properties are
served by OLDS that were constructed in the 1950s – 1960s that would not meet
current PA DEP design and siting guidelines due to inadequate setbacks/isolation
distances, limiting zone restrictions, etc., which would also affect the viability of
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potential OLDS solutions in the event future problems develop. Nevertheless,
based upon the results of the OLDS Survey, the functioning of existing OLDS
within the Dolington Area is being properly managed at this time by the affected
property owners in that no widespread indications of OLDS malfunctioning
conditions were noted, and the associated groundwater quality evaluation revealed
no contamination concerns related to potential OLDS malfunctions.

• The following alternatives were developed to address the short-term and long-term
sewage disposal requirements for the two (2) Needs Areas that were
identified/evaluated in conjunction with this Plan Update:

1. Taylorsville Area – The short-term sewage disposal needs of this area will
be addressed during the Five-Year Planning Period by improving the
performance of existing OLDS through water conservation, increased
system oversight/maintenance, educating property owners on OLDS
use/maintenance and amendment of the Township’s OLDS Ordinance to
incorporate additional maintenance provisions specific to the Area.
Immediate sewage disposal needs will also be addressed by repair and/or
replacement of the limited number of OLDS (noted during the OLDS
Survey) with operational problems, utilizing potential OLDS solutions with
input/assistance from the BCHD. If this short-term approach is found to be
effective after five years of implementation, it will be considered to also
satisfy the long-term sewage disposal needs of the area for the Ten-Year
Planning Period.

2. Dolington Area – The short-term sewage disposal needs of this area for the
Five-Year Planning Period can be effectively addressed through water
conservation, increased system oversight/maintenance, educating property
owners on OLDS use/maintenance and amendment of the Township’s
OLDS Ordinance to incorporate additional maintenance provisions specific
to the Dolington Area. The Township will also provide input to the property
owners where the recent OLDS Survey identified operational problems,
with regard to potential OLDS solutions with input/assistance from the
BCHD.

Upon considering such factors as public and private implementation costs,
ongoing operation and maintenance costs/ responsibilities, anticipated
reliability/performance, and consistency with prior Township
planning/policies, it was determined that Alternative #6; STEP System/
Centralized Treatment System with Stream Discharge Effluent Disposal
(Refer to Figure 28) would be the preferred option to address the long-term
sewage disposal needs of the Dolington Area.

During the short-term (5 Year) planning period of this Plan Update, the
Township is committed to continuing to work to refine the preferred long-
term sewage disposal alternative in an effort to reduce currently projected
costs that would be imposed on the affected property owners.
Subsequently, during the initial stage of the long-term (10 Year) planning
period of the Plan Update, the Township will re-assess the currently
identified long-term sewage disposal alternatives, identify any new
alternatives that may be available based upon changes in current
conditions and/or technology that may potentially occur over the short-term
planning period, and initiate the administrative, legal, engineering, and
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procedural efforts associated with the implementation of the selected long-
term sewage disposal alternative for the Dolington Area.

B. Municipal Commitments

Upper Makefield Township has the necessary staff and administrative resources required
to continue the existing Sewage Management Program throughout the Township
(including the proposed additional requirements for Taylorsville and Dolington Areas) as
well as implement the long-term sewage disposal alternatives proposed in conjunction
with this Plan Update. Administrative management of Upper Makefield’s water and sewer
systems and Sewage Management Program is addressed by the Township’s Code
Enforcement Department. The costs of administration are budgeted annually by the
Township at which time future needs are anticipated.
Implementation of the short-term and long-term sewage disposal alternatives discussed
herein will be through the existing Township administrative structure and no new
departments or authorities will be required.

C. Implementation Schedule

1. Taylorsville Area Implementation Schedule:

Activities associated with the implementation of the selected alternative to address
the short-term sewage disposal needs for this area during the Five-Year Planning
Period are scheduled to commence immediately after approval of this Plan Update
by PADEP. If this short-term approach is found to be effective after five years of
implementation, it will continue and will be considered to also satisfy the long-term
sewage disposal needs of the area for the Ten-Year Planning Period.

2. Dolington Area Implementation Schedule:

Activities associated with the implementation of the selected alternative to address
the short-term sewage disposal needs for this area during the Five-Year Planning
Period is scheduled to commence immediately after approval of this Plan Update
by PADEP.

During the short-term (5 Year) planning period of this Plan Update, the Township is
committed to continuing to work to refine the preferred long-term sewage disposal
alternative in an effort to reduce currently projected costs that would be imposed
on the affected property owners. Subsequently, during the initial stage of the long-
term (10 Year) planning period of the Plan Update, the Township will re-assess the
currently identified long-term sewage disposal alternatives, identify any new
alternatives that may be available based upon changes in current conditions and/or
technology that may potentially occur over the short-term planning period, and
initiate the administrative, legal, engineering, and procedural efforts associated
with the implementation of the selected long-term sewage disposal alternative for
the Dolington Area. It is projected that a long-term sewage disposal alternative for
the Dolington Area will be accomplished within the Ten-Year Planning Period, by
January 2026.
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