Rapho Township has been required by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to enact an Act 537 law. This law requires mandatory pump-out of on-lot disposal systems (O.L.D.S.) every four years. The Township has determined that the four voting districts will designate the order of pumping. The Township has identified the Elm Tree II District as the first to be required to pump out for 2009. This means that all properties with on-lot septic disposal systems, including cesspools, are required to pump out during their designated year. If you have your septic system pumped one year prior your designated year (example: pumped out 2008 and your designated year is 2009 we will accept this as long as we have a report from the septic hauler). A one year prior to your designated pump out year will be acceptable
To document your compliance with this law, the Township is requesting that you ask your pumper/hauler to complete our 3-copy form when they inspect and pump your system. These forms are available at the Township office to any haulers who would like to provide service in Rapho Township.
However, you only have to submit a form to the Township every four years.
During the year of a property's required pumping, the property owner is responsible to return the top (white) copy of the form to Rapho Township with a check payable to the Township in the amount of $25.00. This fee will cover the cost of administering the O.L.D.S. program. If you have your system pumped more often than every four years, you should keep your forms for your own records in case there is a problem with your system or you decide to sell your property.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the white copy of the form is returned to the Township with your check. Some haulers may offer the service of submitting the form and check on your behalf. If they do not specifically say that they will submit the form for you, you should not assume that they will. They will not include the $25 in their fee for service, since the check must be made out separately to Rapho Township.
Haulers are familiar with our form, and have received guidance about how to help our residents comply with the program. Since 2009 is the first year of our program, if you had your system pumped out in 2008, you probably do not have a copy of our form. For this first year, we would ask that you submit a copy of whatever documentation your hauler gave you at the time of pumping, along with your $25 check. If you contact the hauler who provided your service last year, they should have your records on file if you do not have a copy.
All treatment tanks, dosing tanks, lift tanks, and any other tanks associated with your on-lot system should be pumped out.
Regular pumping will extend the life of your septic system. Haulers will be looking for maintenance problems that you might not otherwise realize until a major problem occurred. Pumping every four years is much less expensive than having to replace a septic system or connect to public sewer.
Rapho Township appreciates your cooperation with our Act 537 plan. Feel free to contact the Township office if you have any questions regarding our O.L.D.S. management program.
Voting District Pump Out Schedule: Every 4 years. Elm Tree II 2009, 2013, 2017, etc. Elm Tree I 2010, 2014, 2018, etc. Union Square 2011, 2015, 2019, etc. Sporting Hill District 2012, 2016, 2020, etc.
