All structures within 150 feet of a sewer are required to connect to the sewer system in accordance with § 67-2 of this Part 1. In the case of newly constructed sewers or of premises available to existing sewers, which premises are not connected to the sewers, the Authority may or shall issue a notice to connect to the sewer system to the owners of premises abutting such newly constructed sewers or the owners of such premises available to existing sewers. The notice to connect to sewer system shall provide a date which shall not be less than 60 days from the date of the notice to connect to sewer system by which connections shall be made. The owners of said premises shall connect to the sewer system at their own cost by the date provided in said notice to connect to sewer system, in accordance with the provisions of this Part 1.
A.
Sewer rental charges shall commence on the date a
connection is made to the sewer system or on the date provided in
the notice to connect to sewer system to the property owner, whichever
occurs first.
B.
After the expiration of the period provided for connection
in the notice to connect to sewer system, the sewer rental charges
shall commence regardless of whether the actual connection to the
sewer system has been made.
The notice to connect to sewer system shall
be presumed to have reached the owner of the property if the same
is mailed by United States Mail, postage prepaid, to the owner's last
address or the address shown on the books of the Municipal Authority
of Westmoreland County or the tax records of the Westmoreland County
Tax Assessment Office and is not returned. In the event that the same
is returned to the Authority because of insufficient address, the
notice to connect to sewer system shall be posted on the property
in a conspicuous place by a competent adult. The affidavit of posting
shall be sufficient proof of actual posting of the notice to connect
to sewer system. At least 60 days before the date provided in the
notice by which connection shall be made, the notice to connect to
sewer system shall be served personally upon the owner in the manner
provided under the Rules of Civil Procedure for service of process
in equity matters, mailed as provided above or posted as provided
above. The Authority may reissue the notice to connect to the sewer
system to effect notice as required herein.
A.
No person shall connect to the sewer system without
first having obtained a written permit from the Authority setting
forth the conditions under which such connection shall be made and
authorizing the construction of the connection. Application to the
Authority shall be made upon a permit form to be formulated and supplied
by the Authority for permission to connect to the sewer system. Among
other things, the applicant must state the character and use of each
structure located upon the property and the projected yearly water
consumption.
B.
A separate permit shall be required for each physical
connection to the sewer system.
C.
Any person commencing work on the construction of
a connection to the sewer system without first having obtained a permit
from the Authority authorizing said connection shall be in violation
of this Part 1.
No person shall connect to the sewer system
or permit to be connected to the sewer system any roof drain, foundation
drain, french drain, driveway drain, surface water drain or permit,
allow or cause to enter into the sewer system any stormwater, surface
water, rainwater or any sewage from any property other than that for
which a permit was issued.
A.
The Authority shall inspect the entire connecting
sewer from the building or structure being served to the property
line where connection to the sewer system is made, and the Authority's
Inspector shall be present during the physical connection to the sewer
system. No person constructing said connection sewer shall cover or
backfill any portion of the sewer prior to the approval of said Inspector,
and shall give at least 24 hours' notice to the Authority prior to
connecting to the sewer system so that the connecting sewer may be
inspected and the construction of the connection to the sewer system
may be observed. The Inspector shall signify his approval of the connection
by endorsing his name and the date of approval on the permit in possession
of the owner of the premises being connected. No changes in the connecting
sewer shall be made after the Inspector has approved the permit.
B.
At the time of inspection of the connection, the owner
of the property being connected shall permit the Inspector full and
complete access to all sanitary and drainage arrangements and facilities
in all buildings and in and about all parts of the property.
A.
All sewers and facilities constructed as a part of the connecting sewer installation shall conform to the following construction specifications, as amended from time to time according to Subsection B.
(1)
No connecting sewer shall be connected to the effluent
of any septic tank, privy vault, cesspool, roof drain, area or driveway
drain or foundation drain.
(2)
All pipe installed shall be PVC plastic solid wall
or cast-iron pipe of the kind and quality hereinafter specified and
of at least six inches inside diameter. Where the ground is firm and
provides a good foundation, PVC plastic solid wall, may be used. On
filled ground or on ground which is not firm, the pipe shall be six-inch
ASA-A40.0 cast-iron soil pipe. Each section of pipe shall be stamped
with the manufacturer's certification. Plastic pipe shall be a virgin,
rigid, PVC plastic and shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D-2751-73,
Type I and Type IV, except that the minimum heat deflection temperature
(ASTM D-649) shall be 180° F. All joints for the cast-iron soil
pipe shall be made with jute and lead. The lead in the bell shall
have a minimum depth of one inch and shall be adequately caulked.
(3)
All sewer pipe shall be installed in strict accord
with the manufacturer's recommendations. Where rock trench foundation
exists, a four-inch gravel cradle shall be provided under the pipe.
(4)
All pipe shall be installed with a minimum slope of
1/8 inch per foot and minimum cover of 2 1/2 feet unless otherwise
approved. All pipe shall be laid to an even grade and straight alignment
to the public sanitary sewer. All pipe shall be laid with full and
even bearing and no block supports will be allowed. Bell holes shall
be dug to allow sufficient space to properly make each joint. Backfill
shall be tamped uniformly around the pipe. All work shall be done
in a workmanlike manner and shall provide a durable installation.
(5)
A six-inch soil pipe trap and four-inch vent shall
be installed a maximum of five feet from the building for new construction.
On converting from an on-site sewage disposal system to the sewer
system, the trap and vent shall be placed at the juncture between
old and new pipe. The vent shall be so situated as not to allow the
discharge of any surface water to the sanitary sewer.
(6)
Where pipes of two different sizes, materials or joint
types are being connected, special transition fittings must be utilized,
if they are available for the particular type of connection required.
When such fittings are not available, special care must be taken to
assure that the joint is watertight and that there is a smooth flow
invert from one pipe type to the other. Such joints shall be subject
to the approval of the Inspector.
B.
The construction of all lateral sewers, building sewer
lines or house service sewers shall be done in accordance with the
specifications, plans, manuals and procedures established by the Authority
as the same may be amended, copies of which are on file with the Authority.
If the owner shall neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of this Part 1 or the written notice as prescribed in § 67-22 hereof, the Authority, if legally authorized to do so, may perform or cause to be performed such work and labor, and furnish or cause to be furnished such material as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of this Part 1 at the cost and expense of such owner or owners, together with 10% additional thereof and all charges and expenses incident thereto, which sum shall be collected from said owner or owners for the use of the Authority, as debts are by law collectible, or the said Authority may, by its Solicitor, file a municipal claim or lien therefor against said premises as provided by law. Interest on the total of any unpaid charges assessed hereunder shall be charged at the rate of 10% per annum.
The maintenance of the connecting sewer shall
be the responsibility of the property owner.
