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Old 10-08-2012, 07:13 PM
 
1 posts, read 9,901 times
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We are looking to purchase a house and the septic system on the property drains into a ditch on the property. It has been like this since the house was built in 1978. Would this go under the grandfather law or would we have to change it if we bought the house? Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Old 10-08-2012, 08:38 PM
 
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What area? I believe this would depend on the municipality. The closer you get to any city, the less lenient the municipality generally will be.
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Old 10-08-2012, 11:01 PM
 
Location: Pennsylvania
30,229 posts, read 15,988,536 times
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Even in the boonies, they're starting to get more strict. Open sewage is a health hazard, and smelly. As BTA88 said, check before you buy. The seller may have to fix it, or you may be able to get a lower price on the place with the knowledge that you'll have to fix it.
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Old 10-09-2012, 07:33 AM
 
4,277 posts, read 11,713,370 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PAhippo View Post
. . . or you may be able to get a lower price on the place with the knowledge that you'll have to fix it.
Due to the numerous uncertainties in PA's septic codes word to the wise, do NOT count on this option without an actual issued permit by the local SEO - unless you can afford to gamble and lose all the money on the property.
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Old 10-09-2012, 10:03 AM
 
Location: Selinsgrove, PA
1,518 posts, read 6,667,251 times
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Yes to what ki0eh said. Have a code inspector/sewage enforcement officer (usually found through the county courthouse) inspect the property. The fix may be very costly indeed.
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Old 10-15-2012, 09:53 PM
 
14,613 posts, read 17,288,245 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSterner View Post
We are looking to purchase a house and the septic system on the property drains into a ditch on the property. It has been like this since the house was built in 1978. Would this go under the grandfather law or would we have to change it if we bought the house? Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
I seriously doubt it. The neighbor had a superb 5 year old septic system on a new house, and he had to replace it with a sewer connection when the new sewer was put in. If he couldn't get a bye, then I don't know why they would give you one!

The law is: A sewage system may not discharge untreated or partially treated sewage to the surface of the ground or into the waters of this Commonwealth

Definition of Water of this Commonwealth—Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches, water courses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, ponds, springs and other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground water, or any of their parts, whether natural or artificial within or on the boundaries of this Commonwealth.

You may consider it dirty pool, but I am sure some potential buyer will report the violation. He would be compelled to fix it before selling the property, or he could sell it at an appropriate discount where the new owners would be compelled to fix it.
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