[Adopted 9-12-1990 by Ord. No. 90:09]
For the purposes of this article, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
BOROUGH STREET SEWERS
Public sewers in the streets constructed and/or accepted by the Borough.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
BUILDING DRAIN, SANITARY
Drainpipes in buildings and three feet beyond.
[Added 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
BUILDING SEWER, SANITARY
That part of the building sanitary drainage system that extends from the sanitary building drain and conveys the sewage to the public sewer, an individual sewage disposal system or another point of disposal. The building sanitary sewer begins at a point three feet beyond the outside face of the building, extending to and including clean out/sewer vent and to the connection at the sanitary main.
[Added 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
DRAINAGE
Drainpipes in buildings and three feet beyond.
MAIN DRAIN
The main or principal line of drainpipe connected with a cesspool or sewer and to which branch pipes are connected.
PRIVATE SEWERS
Sewers that are not constructed or accepted by the Borough.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
Plans and specifications for Building sewer shall be submitted to the Construction Code Official for approval. "Outside drainage" shall mean from a point three feet outside of the building to the Borough sewer. The work covered by said plans must be performed by a registered plumber.
Plans will be approved or rejected within 24 hours when practicable, and under no circumstances will a delay beyond 10 days be permitted. A certificate of approval shall be issued, in writing, when a plan is deemed satisfactory by the Construction Code Official.
The entire drainage system of each lot and building must be separate and independent of that of any other lot or building and shall be separately and independently connected with the public sewer in the street.
[Amended 5-10-1995 by Ord. No. 95:05]
No building or premises shall be connected with any sewer without a permit being first obtained from the Borough Clerk. Permits so obtained shall be kept on hand during the progress of the work to which they relate and shall be exhibited whenever required. A fee as set forth in the current Fee Ordinance[1] will be charged for a sewer connection or tap. In addition, a fee as set forth in the current Fee Ordinance will be charged on an annual basis for the use of the sewer collection system (sewer rental fee) a reduction in this annual sewer rental fee, as set forth in the current Fee Ordinance, shall be permitted upon application by a residential owner/resident upon proof of senior citizen status (over 65 years of age) or disability status (in accordance with social security disability eligibility).
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 131, Fees.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
Accompanying the permit, the applicant shall receive from the Sewer Superintendent the distance and dimensions locating the WYE fitting in the street sewer nearest to the desired point of connection, directing the discharge in the same direction as the flow in the main, the plans shall specify the location where the plumber is to tap the main.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:10]
A. 
Building sewers shall be connected to the street only at such Y-branch as may be designated in the permit, except as hereinafter provided. In making the connection, a one-eighth or one-fourth bend shall be used next to the Y, as the case may require.
B. 
Where no Y-branch is present in the sewer or the same cannot be located, the connection shall be made in accordance with the following method: After a hole of the proper size has been carefully cut with a coring bit of the proper size into the main sewer at 45° above horizontal (the 1:30 o’clock position), without damaging the sewer main. While making the cut the coupon must be removed and not allowed to fall within the main. The contractor making the cut is required to turn the coupon over to the inspector for confirmation it was a clean cut and the coupon did not go into the main.
C. 
If a saddle is determined to be necessary for the installation. The contractor must submit the manufacturer's specifications and details for approval by the sewer operator several days in advance of ordering and installing the saddle.
D. 
In no case shall the pipe inserted into the opening be plain and straight pipe.
A. 
No street sewer shall be opened or connected without first obtaining a special written permit and paying the fee as provided above.
B. 
The work of making the connection shall be under the immediate supervision of the Sewer Superintendent, and the same shall not be covered or concealed until inspected and passed.
A. 
The size of the main house drain shall be not less than four inches in diameter.
B. 
The main drain from the building to the street shall be of cast iron with leaden joints and shall be free from flaws, splits or cracks over the entire surface.
Where connections are to be made to existing house drains, the latter shall be carefully examined by the Sewer Superintendent. If the same is found to be in good condition and free from infiltration, it may be connected to and used as part of the main drain from the house. If, however, in the judgment of the Sewer Superintendent, the existing house drain is not in good condition, it shall be relaid and approved before connection is made.
A. 
In laying iron-leaded joint pipe directly or indirectly connected to the public sewer, the trench shall first be excavated along the line and to the exact depth desired. It shall be of sufficient width to provide ample room for making the joints. Bell holes shall be dug beneath each joint and the pipe allowed to rest along its entire length on the bottom of the trench. The pipe shall have a fall of not less than 1/4 inch to one foot.
B. 
All joints shall be made by first inserting a gasket or packing of the best quality oakum or hemp fiber. The packing shall be caulked into place at the bottom of the bell, leaving a space of not less than 1 1/2 inches from the same to the face of the joint. Care should be taken that none of the packing is allowed to enter the inside of the pipe. The remaining portion of the joint shall then be filled with cement mortar, composed of one part cement, two parts of clean, sharp sand, to which 10% by weight of hydrated lime has been added. The cement covering shall be held in place by a strip of cotton ducking or muslin (not cheesecloth) having a width of at least six inches greater than that of the bell and allow for tying at the four corners.
The main house drain shall be provided with a main or horizontal trap placed at the curbline.
A. 
After the pipe has been laid, the trench shall be backfilled by placing loose earth, free from large stones, brickbats, etc., under the side of the pipe, around and up to the distance of one foot from the bottom of the trench, thoroughly tamping the same in not less than six-inch layers. From this point to the top of the trench, the gravel or quarry blend may be placed and tamped by hand or settled by flushing, as the case may require, except any portion of the trench as shall be within the property line of the street.
B. 
Any portion of the trench which shall be within the property line of the street shall be tamped to a depth of one foot from the bottom as aforesaid, and from that point to the top it shall be flushed with water and tamped in six-inch layers. Within the curbline, the surface of the street shall be promptly restored to its original conditions.
C. 
No trench shall be backfilled or the pipe in the same covered from view in any manner until inspected and passed by the Sewer Superintendent unless permission is given by said Sewer Superintendent to do so.
[Amended 8-8-2011 by Ord. No. 2011:08]
A. 
All fixtures with outlets emptying into the main sewer hereafter installed in cellars or basements of any or all buildings within the limits of the Borough of Somerdale are done so solely at the risk of the owner. Any fixtures are required to have a back flow prevention device installed between the fixture and the sewer connection line.
B. 
The Borough of Somerdale will not be responsible for any damage or inconvenience sustained by any property owner owing to the backing of sewage into cellars or basements of any or all buildings where fixtures have been installed preceding the adoption of this article.
C. 
Maintenance of the house drain to the main sewer shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
D. 
The Borough shall maintain the main sewer, manholes and pumping stations.
No plant or system for the disposal of sewage shall be constructed or maintained within the limits of the Borough either by means of broad irrigation, subsoil irrigation, wells or otherwise, except that it be shown that the proposed system can be maintained without nuisance or danger to the public health and detailed plans of said system are submitted, approved and permit issued by the appropriate government agencies.
All dwelling houses and premises abutting on streets in the Borough of Somerdale in which a public sewer shall be laid or constructed, which sewer is or shall be operated by the Borough, shall be connected with said sewer within six months after the effective date of this article or, in the case of premises abutting on a street in which a sewer shall hereafter be constructed and put in operation, within six months after its completion and being put in operation.
No privy vault or cesspool for sewage shall hereafter be constructed in any part of the Borough where a public sewer is at all accessible, nor shall it be lawful to continue a privy vault or cesspool on any lot, piece or parcel of ground abutting on or contiguous to any public sewer operating within the Borough limits for a period longer than six months from the operation of the public sewer. No connection from any cesspool or privy vault shall be made with any sewer, nor under such circumstances shall any water closet or house drain empty into a cesspool or privy vault. All discontinued privy vaults and cesspools shall be cleaned and filled with fresh earth within three months from the date of such discontinuance and shall not thereafter be used as a receptacle for sewage or filth of any kind.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to any combination of the following:
A. 
A fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
B. 
A term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days.
C. 
A period of community service not exceeding 90 days.