1. This problem was described to the taxpayers in a Tax Bill insert in 2000.  Taxpayers in violation of the existing  freshwater runoff provisions of the township ordinances  were urged to immediately comply.
2. The Committee imposed a Voluntary Sewer Ban in the Fall of 2000.
3. An Ad-hoc Sewer Ban Committee was created to review all exemptions from the Sewer Ban that were passed on from the Zoning Board.
4. An aggressive program to seal leaking manholes and pipes was begun in the Spring of 2002.
5. Township Ordinance 107-02 was passed to require inspections of freshwater runoff into the sanitary sewer system, prior to the sale of every property.
6. An additional notice was sent as a Tax Bill insert in July 2002.  Taxpayers in violation of the existing runoff provisions of the Ordinance were again urged to immediately comply.  Two new programs were introduced.
   • An Amnesty Program is established to suspend prosecution of violators until December 31, 2002.
   • A new program is established to require a freshwater runoff inspection prior to the sale or rental of any property in the town.  This program takes effect for all sales after September 1, 2002.

AMNESTY PROGRAM

The township ordinance prohibits "storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cellar drainage (sump pumps), cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters" from being discharged into the sanitary sewer system.  This unlawful discharge can occur because:

• The builder of your house connected the roof drains and/or sump pump to the sanitary sewer line rather than construct a proper dry well to receive the runoff.
• The sump pump is jury-rigged to discharge into a laundry tub (for example) which then connects to the sanitary sewer line.

• Inspect all your downspouts and sump pumps to insure that they are piped to a dry well or to a surface water runoff area.
• If you find any connection to the sanitary sewer line, contact a plumber or landscaper and have them correct the problem.  No permit is required unless more than 2 inches of soil are added in the course of the remediation.  See Construction Permits.
• If you do not have the expertise or are unsure, or if you see a violation and would like to discuss the corrective steps with a township advisor, call 908-647-0789 between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM Monday-Friday and ask for an "Amnesty Inspection".
• A township wastewater employee will visit your house and will verify whether you have a compliance problem.  There is no charge for this visit.  He will make recommendations to assist the property owner to comply with the law.  (However, he is not permitted to recommend contractors by name.)
• The owner must then correct the problem within 90 days of the recommendation and before December 31, 2002 to remain exempt from a violation under the Amnesty Program.

PRE-SALE INSPECTION PROGRAM

Effective September 1, 2002, you must obtain a Sump Pump Certificate before you can sell or rent your house.

The procedure is as follows:

• AT LEAST 10 days before the closing, contact Public Works (908-647-0789) to schedule an inspection of your house to insure that there are no freshwater connections to the sanitary sewer system.  We recommend that you schedule this inspection as soon as you put your house on the market, to allow plenty of time for any corrections, if they are necessary.
• The fee for this inspection is $50.00, which must be paid at the time of application.  Credit cards are not accepted.  (A reminder: you also need a Smoke Detector Compliance inspection before you can sell your house.  Apply at the same time.)
• A township wastewater employee will visit your house and will verify whether you have a compliance problem.
• If you are in compliance with the runoff ordinances, the inspector will give you a Compliance Certificate, which the attorneys will require at the closing.
• If the inspector discovers that there is an unlawful discharge into the sanitary sewer system:
  1. He will make recommendations to assist the property owner to comply with the law.  (However, he is not permitted to recommend contractors by name.)
  2. The Public Works Director will send you an official Notice of Non-compliance within 3 business days.  The Notice will clearly describe the violation and the remedial action needed for compliance.
  3. You must correct the problem and apply for a re-inspection and obtain a Compliance Certificate before the closing date for the sale of the house.