Upper Burrell raises fees 32% for inspection of new private septic systems

The Upper Burrell supervisors recently approved a 32% increase in fees for property owners installing new septic systems and other associated services.

Virtually all homes and businesses in the township use septic systems because public sewage pipelines don’t exist.

The township raised its rates for its sewage enforcement officer to visit a site, conduct a percolation test and inspections because the services are more expensive than they were when the township last raised its rates, about 14 years ago, Walker said.

In 2008, the township charged about $960 for fees, inspections and a perk test for a typical residential septic system. In 2022, the new rates for those same services total about $1,270, according to township officials.

All three supervisors approved the rate hike.

The township recently hired a new company, the EADS Group with locations in Somerset, Pittsburgh and other areas, for sewage enforcement officer duties.

Supervisors interviewed three prospective companies offering the sewage service before chosing EADS.

“They were all about the same price,” Walker said. “We liked the EADS company, and they do a lot of work for other municipalities.”

The new sewage officer’s hourly rate of $90 an hour is about 38% higher than the old rate of $65 an hour, according to township officials.

The township’s new fee schedule is built on services billed hourly, such as soil probes, percolation test, design review, permit issuance, inspection and other services. There is a flat $500 fee to cover all or a portion of those expenses.

“Each septic application/property is unique and could have its own set of challenges associated with it,” said Jonathan D. Barron, the township’s new sewage enforcement officer from EADS. “Some sites may require less effort and others may be more involved and require more hours of dedicated time.”

There are no regular sewage system inspections in the township, Walker said.

However, when properties are sold, a site’s septic system needs to pass a township inspection, he said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, environmental laws in the state require property owners to pump solids out of a septic tank every three years, or when an inspection shows the tank is more than one-third filled with solids or scum.