Procedures to follow when a sinkhole develops on private property.

• Determine if the sinkhole is impacting any utility services (gas, water, electric, sanitary).  If sinkhole is impacting a utility, contact that utility company directly

• If sinkhole is located close to the home, check for structural damage (settlement cracking) in basement and at interior wall seams/joints

•  Ensure that the sinkhole area is blocked off from children, pets, pedestrians to avoid potential for injury

•  In areas of high to medium density housing, determine if sinkhole is in an area where former cesspool or septic system was located, as a collapsed system can mimic the subsidence feature

•  Contact a local construction contractor to assess the situation.  Typically, a sinkhole can be remedied by excavation and filling an exposed “throat” with a bentonite (clayey) grout mixture or concrete mixture known as “flowable fill” to provide a manmade plug. 

•  Consider maintaining subsidence/sinkhole insurance

•  Call the Engineering Services Office (610-678-5393) to report the occurrence so the location can be recorded onto the Township sinkhole database. 

•  Literature on sinkholes is available from the Engineering Services Office and is free of charge or can be obtained at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website at: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/ - click on Geologic Hazards Heading, then Sinkholes where “Sinkholes in Pennsylvania” booklet can be downloaded.

•  If sinkhole is discovered in the public right-of-way, contact the Township

If a sanitary sewer backup occurs, notify the Township FIRST before calling a plumber…that way the WWTP staff can check the main line for any obstructions. If the Township determines that the main line is clear, they will advise you to contact a plumber as the problem most likely will be located in your sanitary lateral line. We recommend this practice because if a plumber snakes out your lateral line first, debris could be pushed into the main sewer line causing additional backups to other residents.

If a backup occurs during regular business hours – Contact the Wastewater Treatment Plant (M-F, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) – call 610-678-4448, give your name, address, phone number and nature of the problem, and a staff member will respond to the complaint

If the backup occurs after hours - Contact the Spring Township Police Department at 610-678-3431 giving your name, address, phone number and nature of the problem. The Police Department will contact a Wastewater Treatment Plant employee designated as “on-call” who will promptly respond to the complaint.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has adopted a statewide building code in an effort to promote consistency of building codes throughout the Commonwealth. The Township of Spring plans to adopt the statewide Uniform Construction Codes to take effect before July 9, 2004. Current zoning and property maintenance codes previously adopted in the Township will remain unaffected. The UCC will apply to all new construction after the effective adoption date. 

The new codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) are similar to existing BOCA codes currently being used, so there will not be any major changes to the way buildings are constructed. Most of the changes will be administrative in the form of increased inspection and permitting requirements. We are currently making the necessary changes within the Department of Engineering Services for this new regulation.

Residents applying for permits will notice our new application and permit forms. Residents should also be aware of a new energy compliance inspection conducted before the drywall is installed. 

We will attach a procedure sheet to all applications and permits to help clarify any unfamiliar requirements of the code. As always, the Township will gladly assist you or your builder with any questions or concerns.