CHAPTER 11. SEWERSCHAPTER 11. SEWERS\Article 4. Permits; Building Sewers and Connections

No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or openings into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Superintendent.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

There shall be two (2) classes of building sewer permits:

(a)   for residential and commercial service, and

(b)   for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the City.

The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a residential or commercial building sewer permit and fifty dollars ($50.00) for an industrial building sewer permit shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed.

(Ord. 834; Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

(Ord. 897; Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; EXCEPT where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, courtyard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the Superintendent, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

Alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer, and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling of the trench of the building sewer shall conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the City, and be subject to the approval of the Superintendent. In no event shall the diameter of the sewer be less than four inches (4”) for single residences, and six inches (6”) for multiple residence properties, commercial or industrial establishments, EXCEPT, where in the judgment of the Superintendent a four inch (4”) line is sufficient for certain industrial and commercial establishments. The slope of the pipe shall be not less than one¬-eighth inch (1/8”) per foot and should be one fourth inch (1/4”) per foot where possible. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three feet (3’) of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade in straight alignment insofar as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with properly curved pipe and fittings.

In the absence of specific provisions of this chapter or other code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of ASTM and WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the following requirements and those of the building and plumbing codes or other applicable rules and regulations of the City.

(a)   All joints and connections shall be made gastight and watertight.

(b)   All joints in vitrified clay pipe, or between clay pipe and cast iron pipe, shall first be caulked tight with jute, hemp or similar approved material, and then filled with approved asphaltum jointing compounds.

(c)   Other jointing materials and methods may be used only in compliance with those set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and the WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9 and then only by approval of the Superintendent.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the wye branch if such wye branch is available at a suitable location. If the public sewer is twelve inches (12”) in diameter or less, and no properly located wye branch is available, the owner shall, at his own expense, install a wye branch or an approved saddle at the location specified by the Superintendent. Where permitted by the Superintendent, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about forty-five (45) degrees. A forty-five (45) degree ell may be used to make such connection, with the spigot end cut so as not to extend past the inner surface of the public sewer. The invert of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be at the same or a higher elevation than the invert of the public sewer. A smooth, neat joint shall be made, and the connection made secure arid watertight by encasement in concrete.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drainage shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

No permit shall make connection of downspouts, interior or exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain, which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Superintendent or his representative.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the City.

(Ord. 02-2005; Code 2016)