Exeter Township is backing the residents of the Glen Oley Farms development to keep their septic systems in tact.
With the Department of Environmental Protection requiring the homes of Glen Oley to link up with the township sewer line connection within five to 10 years, the 62 residents of the development are upset.
Results of a study conducted by the DEP stated the wells are failing, and require the residents to connect to the public sewer system. According to the Act 537 amendment plan posted on the township’s website, total estimated costs to fully extend the sewer line to Glen Oley Farms would cost $1,124,350.00.
A separate, independent study completed in Oct. 2013 revealed that only one of the 59 surveyed homes in the development fell into the confirmed “malfunction” category.
The residents’ attorney, David R. Beane, spoke on behalf of his clients during the Monday, Oct. 27 Board of Supervisors meeting. According to Beane, the home that did classify as malfunctioned was unoccupied at the time. Other testing showed that the DEP test results may not be accurate.
“There’s a big disparity with the two, the initial test and the follow up testing that was completed last year,” Jeff Bukowski, chair of the board, said. “There’s a lack of evidence for the DEP to take the strong position that it has been.”
The board voted 5-0 to file a formal request for sufficiency determination, contact the regional director of DEP and pursue scheduling a meeting to further discuss the matter.
“They really haven’t come forward with a factual basis,” Bukowski said.
Beane stated none of his clients wish to have another study in five years. “All of the preregulatory systems are functioning properly,” Beane said.
