Departments
Health and Human Services
Bucks County Health Department
-- Main -- BioTerrorism -- Bureau of Personal Health -- Bureau of Environmental Health --
Bureau of Environmental Health
Water Pollution Control
(Sewage and Industrial Waste)
Andrew Schafer: Acting Chief, Environmental Engineering Division
The Department ensures that stream and groundwater pollution is
prevented by requiring compliance with the Clean Streams Law, the
Rules and Regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection
(PA DEP), Act 315, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and the
Local Health Administration Law.
A major component of the Program is regular inspections for the
proper operation of sewage treatment plants and industrial waste
treatment plants. Professional engineers and technical supervisors
administer the Program with support from Environmental Protection
Specialists (EPS) in order to evaluate the operation of these plants.
To carry out this Program and to evaluate the efficient operation
of these plants, the Department Staff collect hundreds of water-quality
samples each year and arrange for laboratory services for these wastewater
and stream samples. Department Staff also ensure that all sewage
treatment plants of greater than 2000 gallons per day design capacity
in Bucks County have two certified operators of the required class
and type. Noncompliance with proper operation and maintenance procedures
and permit conditions may lead to the issuance of violation notices
and fines.
Department engineering staff evaluate Planning Modules for new Sewage
Treatment Facilities and Chapter 94 (Waste Load Management) Reports
prepared by Waste-Water Utilities for technical correctness, best
technical guidance, compliance with municipal 537 Plans, and the
PA Code. The Department serves as a consultant to municipalities
in the evaluation of these Planning Modules. Department staff process
Act 537 Planning Module Application Mailers on behalf of the PA DEP.