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Longswamp engineers seek more data as Act 537 review finds possible cesspools
Summary
Township engineer reported discrepancies in the Act 537 assessment and said additional inspections and surveys are needed to distinguish septic tanks from cesspools; the board authorized a municipal signature on an NPDES notice for 6 Gap Road so the owner may proceed with permitting.
Township Engineer Jill Smith told the Longswamp Township Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 that a recently received spreadsheet used in the township's Act 537 planning suggests some properties identified as having septic tanks may instead have cesspools, requiring additional surveys and inspection records to clarify the systems in place.
"We need more specific inspections and the SEO reports from the initial Act 537 inspections to sort on-lot systems from cesspools," Smith said, noting the initial needs assessment identified problem areas but that further field verification is required.
The board discussed whether to explore a connection to Topton Borough's sewage treatment plant before contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Don Hickman and Mark Hilbert offered to help locate relevant documents in the township office.
Separately, the board addressed a development parcel at 6 Gap Road. Jill Smith said an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit issued for the property's original driveway work expired in 2021. Because the landowner has requested a new building permit, municipal notification is required under NPDES rules.
Mike Sacks moved to authorize Chairman Don Hickman to sign the required Notice of Notification for Curtis Morton (6 Gap Road); Mark Hilbert seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Office Administrator Allison Fuller also reported on sewage-management program compliance: Cycle 1 (ending June 30, 2025) showed 0.5% of properties needed pumping and 28 notices were mailed Oct. 1; 16 properties have hauler appointments and others will be referred to the solicitor if they do not comply by Oct. 31. Cycle 2 (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) currently shows 73% of properties need to pump.
The board did not adopt a formal policy change at the meeting; engineers and staff will continue to gather inspection reports and survey data to inform next steps.
