100 Park Road, Nottingham, PA 19362
(610) 932-4072


Site last updated on August 8, 2022


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SEWAGE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE



West Nottingham Township’s sewage management ordinance established a Sewage Management Program (SMP) which requires that each On-lot Sewage Disposal System (OLDS) be inspected, with excess waste removed, every three years, starting with sewage service zone 1 in 2019, zone 2 in 2020 and zone 3 in 2021.


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Septic pump out work can be a performed by any Chester County Health Department (CCHD) approved liquid waste pumper. Most pumpers will record the servicing of your OLDS in a CCHD database. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to provide proof that the OLDS was pumped and to verify compliance.


The Township implemented the SMP to meet its legal obligation to protect well-water and ensure that no domestic sewage enters the waters of the Commonwealth or endangers human health.


To avoid malfunction, sewage sludge and scum should never fill more than about 30% of a septic tank. An OLDS appropriately designed for the home it serves will reach that standard in about three years. Thus, our sewage management ordinance sets a three-year cycle of pump-outs and inspections. Click here for an On-lot Sewage System Owners Manual.


A lack of adequate maintenance is the leading cause of system failure. A few hundred dollars for a full OLDS service can prevent the cost (now approaching $15-20 thousand) of installing a replacement OLDS when the existing system fails. If the capacity of your tank exceeds the needs of your home or you had the tank pumped last year, you may apply for a one-year waiver based on professional certification.


Our community expects each of us to take basic steps to protect our families, neighbors and the environment from household wastewater pollution. The Township will reach out to households that fail to meet the December 31 deadline. Section 13 of the On-lot Sewage Management Program Ordinance provides for fines and legal sanctions for property owners who fail to comply with the requirements of the sewage management plan. CCHD provides sewage enforcement services for the Township. Our Sewage Enforcement Officer is Austin Abernethy, (610) 344-6519.



The purpose of an on-lot sewage disposal system is to release household wastewater to surrounding soils no faster than the soils can neutralize pathogens and nutrients to prevent contamination of drinking water and pollution of surface water. The septic tank allows naturally occurring enzymes and bacteria to decompose solids, holding back floating scum and allowing heavier sludge to settle on the bottom. If scum and sludge accumulate to the point where they clog openings in the absorption field piping, untreated sewage can back up into the home or inadequately treated wastewater can reach the surface or leech into wells and streams. Relative ordinances and a variety of information and resources are provided below.





Sewage management ordinance



Click here to view Ordinance 2018-1: An ordinance governing the on-lot sewage disposal facilities in West Nottingham Township.



Holding tank ordinance



Click here to view Ordinance 2018-2: An ordinance governing the use of holding tanks in West Nottingham Township.



sewer connection ordinance



Click here to view Ordinance 2-2011: An ordinance establishing sewer connection and use regulations for West Nottingham Township.



act 537 sewage facilities program



Click here to read about the purpose of the Department of Environmental Protection sewage facilities program and how the implementation of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) helps address existing sewage disposal needs, and to helps prevent future problems through the proper planning, permitting, and design of all types of sewage facilities.



the ins and outs of septic systems in pa



Click here for an article by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about owning and maintaining your septic system.



septic tank permitting



Click here to read an article from London Grove Township about permitting on-lot systems.

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septic tank maintenance and repair



Click here to read an article from Penn State Extension about pumping out septic tanks.


Click here to read an article from New Garden Township about septic tank maintenance.


Click here to read an article from London Grove Township on addressing OLDS malfunctions.



cesspools and seepage pits



Click here to read an article from London Grove Township on cesspools and seepage pits.



the basics of onlot wastewater systems



Click here for an article that describes the components and function of on-lot wastewater systems and the regulatory system governing their use.



west nottingham township



chester county, pennsylvania



100 Park Road

P.O. Box 67

Nottingham, PA 19362


www.wnt-gov.org

westnottinghamtwp@zoominternet.net