BARR TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Controversy over a manmade outhouse could end up with members of an Amish community in jail.

Neighbors of the Cambria County Amish community complained about the bathroom facilities the Amish are using because they take waste from their outhouse and dump it onto their property.

The property is in the same area near underground wells for nearby residents.

The complaints made to the Cambria County Sewage Enforcement Agency were investigated and citations were filed against the Amish property owners.

The owners said they refuse to pay any fines, because it is against their religious beliefs, and will go to jail if necessary.

Deborah Sedlmeyer, of the Cambria County Sewage Enforcement Agency, said the law doesn't allow residents to discharge sewage onto their property and outhouses must have an approved containing device. The Amish community in question has neither, and nearby residents said that's what concerns them.

"Some of them have had concerns about water quality. There are some on-site wells, so obviously there's an issue. The sewage is often times discharged (and) placed onto the ground, so there are some water quality issues."

The Amish families in Barr Township said they are aware they are facing a list of charges, but said they would not compromise their beliefs because of it.

"If they don't comply, they will be fined. They don't believe in the payment of fines, so they've already attested that they will go to jail in lieu of paying fines," Sedlmeyer said.

The Amish families live a very simple lifestyle with no electricity or cars and said it is against their religion to make the upgrades. They also said they don't mean to bother anyone in the area and are just trying to live the way their forefathers did.

"We certainly respect them for their religious beliefs, but as Pennsylvania residents, they are required to follow state law," Sedlmeyer said.

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