[HISTORY: Adopted by the Butler Area Sewer Authority 8-11-1993; as revised 11-9-2004; 10-10-2006; 4-10-2007. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Added 11/11/2020[1]]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FOG INTERCEPTOR
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting normal sewage or wastes to discharge into the drainage system by gravity.
FOG USER
Any person or commercial establishment that the Authority deems as wastewater contributor of fats, oils, and grease (FOG).
[Revised 12/13/2022]
[1]
Editor's Note: This resolution also renumbered former §§ 200-1.01 through 200-1.21 as §§ 200-1.02 through 200-1.22, respectively.
Application for connection or repair shall be made to the Butler Area Sewer Authority upon the permit form furnished.
All information requested on said form shall be furnished.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
The prevailing tapping, connection and inspection fees shall be paid at the time of making application for permission to make a connection.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
No work shall commence before the payment of all fees and issuance of the aforementioned connection permit.
Unless written permission is obtained from the Butler Area Sewer Authority, separate connection and tap-in fees will be required for each individually occupied building, whether construction as a detached unit or as one of a pair or row, but a single connection will be permitted to serve a permanent multiple-unit structure whose individual apartments or units may not be subject to separate responsibility for maintenance.
No privy vault, cesspool, septic tank, mine hole or similar receptacle shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
All connections to the sanitary sewers shall be subject to certain restrictions as to prohibited wastes described in the Rules and Regulations of the Butler Area Sewer Authority. Subject to the foregoing, all water-carried wastes normally disposed of in a system of sanitary sewers from residences, apartments, commercial establishments, etc., will be connected to the sanitary sewer system; however, roof drain water, stormwater, foundation drain water, springwater and surface water shall be omitted.
(A) 
The designated Inspector of the Butler Area Sewer Authority shall be given at least 24 hours' notice of the time during normal Authority office hours when such connection shall be made in order that said inspector can be present to inspect and approve the work of connection. The Inspector shall signify his approval of the connection by endorsing his name and the date of approval on the aforementioned connection permit in the possession of the permittee(s).
(B) 
At the time of inspection of the connection, the owner of property shall permit the Inspector full and complete access to all sanitary and drainage arrangements and facilities in each building and in and about all parts of the property. No building sewer line shall be covered over, or in any manner concealed, until after it is inspected and approved by said Inspector.
(C) 
It is the intention of these Rules and Regulations that the entire connection be inspected at one time, including the trap and its connection to the house sewer. If the property owner or contractor feels that special conditions warrant more than one inspection, he may request the same.
(D) 
The Butler Area Sewer Authority Inspector shall not be permitted to enter any ditch exceeding a four-foot depth, unless proper cribbing is in place. All work shall comply with all federal, state, and local safety standards and regulations.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
Service sewers shall be installed in accordance with BASA Drawing No. 11, and sewer service lines in accordance with BASA Drawing No. 8.[1] In the case of an existing installation, such as converting from an on-lot system, new pipe must be installed to a point of connection within five feet of the exit point from the dwelling.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Appendix 11, BASA Drawing 11, Sanitary Service Connections Using Wye Fittings and Saddles, and Appendix 8, BASA Drawing 8, Building Sewer.
All pipe and/or fittings to be installed shall be of the following material:
(A) 
PVC — shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D-3034 SDR 35 with ASTM D-3212 joints, or Schedule 40 conforming to the requirements of ASTM D-2665 with solvent-cemented or compressed-gasket type joints.
(B) 
ABS — shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C-2751 with solvent-cemented or compressed-gasket type joints.
(C) 
Cast iron — shall conform to specification ASA-A40.1.
(D) 
Each section of pipe or fitting shall be clearly stamped with the manufacturer's specifications.
(E) 
Whatever combination of pipe, vent, cleanout stack, traps, etc., are used, it is the responsibility of the property owner to supply proper gaskets, clamps, or adapters in order to effect a watertight and airtight connection.
(F) 
Such joints as concrete, oakum, lead, or slip-seal are not permitted.
All sewer pipe shall be installed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. A four-inch cradle of approved granular material shall be provided under the pipe. The entire pipe zone shall be filled with this granular material, including a minimum cover of six inches over the top of the pipe. The installation shall be inspected prior to covering, and the special material shall be on site ready to be placed in the pipe zone after the inspector's approval of the installation.
(A) 
Approved granular material shall be crushed limestone (AASHTO) No. 8, No. 57, No. 67 (see PennDOT Publication 408, Section 703.2(c), Table C) or similar angular graded material of a size not to exceed 1 1/2 inches. Smooth or rounded gravel will not be acceptable.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
All four-inch pipe shall be installed with a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot, all six-inch pipe shall be installed with a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot, and all pipe shall be installed with a minimum cover of 2 1/2 feet 30 inches unless otherwise approved.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
Traps, fittings and vent stacks may be of any approved material. The trap and vent shall be installed a maximum of five feet from the building. The vent shall be so situated as not to allow the discharge of any surface water to the sanitary sewer. For the installation of an interior trap during a retrofit, see BASA Drawing No. 15.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Appendix 15, BASA Drawing 15, Detail of Vented Trap Interior Retrofit.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
Service lines shall have a minimum diameter of four inches and shall not exceed six inches in diameter for single-family dwellings. All commercial installations and multifamily units shall be sized on an individual basis but shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter, unless otherwise approved.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
Cleanouts shall be installed in accordance with BASA Drawing No. 13.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Appendix 13, BASA Drawing 13, Cleanout With Plug.
[Revised 11/11/2020]
Sewer lateral or building sewer must be pressure tested from the inspection tee at the public sewer right-of-way up to, and including, the vented trap at the building. An air test shall be performed by pressurizing the line to a minimum pressure of five pounds per square inch (psi) and maintaining this pressure for a test period of at least 15 minutes without any pressure loss. A water test may be performed by filling the pipe with water to a head of at least 10 feet of water and maintaining this water level for a test period of at least 15 minutes without any water loss. The property owner and/or their contractor shall furnish all test equipment and conduct the pressure test in the presence of an Authority inspector. Gauges must accurately display five psi in 0.1-pound increments.
In the event the Authority determines that an existing sanitary sewer lateral, or building sewer, contains any pipe defect(s) or other condition(s) that cause or permit stormwater or surface water or the infiltration of groundwater or subsurface water to enter the Authority's sanitary sewer system, the entire service lateral or building sewer from the building to the public sewer right-of-way must be replaced and upgraded to comply with the Authority's current construction standards. In lieu of replacing the entire service lateral or building sewer, the property owner may complete a point repair to replace the defective or leaking section of pipe and then pressure test the entire length of the existing pipe from the vented trap at the building to the inspection tee at the public sewer right-of-way to demonstrate compliance with the Authority's standards. If a vented trap and/or inspection tee does not exist to pressure test the pipe, the property owner shall be required to install a new vented trap and/or inspection tee in accordance with the Authority's current construction standards in order to perform the required pressure test.
Local sewer use ordinances and Authority rules and regulations prohibit the discharge of stormwater, surface water, and groundwater to the public sanitary sewer system. Private service lateral pipe defects, especially the older sewer lines constructed of vitrified clay or terra-cotta, are major sources of the stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration entering the public sanitary sewer system. Illegal stormwater and surface water connections and illegal groundwater connections, such as sump pumps and foundation drains, from private residences and businesses are also major sources of the stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration entering the public sanitary sewer system. Successful elimination of the stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration entering the public sanitary sewer system can only be achieved if the private service lateral pipe defects and illegal connections are addressed and corrected at the same time that the main line sewers are rehabilitated and/or replaced.
Whenever the Authority undertakes a major rehabilitation and/or replacement project by contract and/or in-house staff to upgrade the public portion of the sanitary sewer system in a particular area, the private property owners in that same particular area, which are served by that public sewer system, shall also be required to:
(A) 
Allow Authority personnel or their designated agents to enter the premises served by that public sewer system to conduct an inspection and dye test of the private sanitary sewer service lateral piping, both inside and outside the building, to identify any illegal connections and/or sources of stormwater inflow or groundwater infiltration entering the public sanitary sewer system. The property owner shall also be responsible for providing an acceptable physical means to access and televise the building sewer lines. Any property that has a valid document of certification issued within the last five years through the Authority's mandatory realty transfer testing and inspection program shall be exempt from this inspection and dye testing requirement.
(B) 
Eliminate any and all illegal stormwater or groundwater connections to the public sanitary sewer system within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by the Authority. The cost of any required repair work to eliminate illegal stormwater or groundwater connections to the public sanitary sewer system shall be the responsibility of the private property owner.
(C) 
Option 1: Rehabilitate and/or replace the existing service lateral from the building, where a vented trap is normally installed, to the edge of the public sewer or road right-of-way, where an inspection tee is normally installed, in accordance with the Authority's current construction standards. The rehabilitated or replacement lateral must be inspected by the Authority before it is backfilled, include the installation of a vented trap and inspection tee, if none is currently installed, and successfully pass a pressure test. The cost of the service lateral rehabilitation and/or replacement work shall be the responsibility of the private property owner.
(D) 
Option 2: Have their existing service lateral pressure tested in the presence of an Authority inspector from the point where it exits the building, where a vented trap is normally installed, to the edge of the public sewer or road right-of-way, where an inspection tee is normally installed, to verify compliance with the Authority's current standard for watertightness. If the service lateral fails the pressure test, the existing line must be repaired and/or replaced in accordance with the Authority's current construction standards and retested until it passes the pressure test. The cost of the pressure test and any required service lateral repair or replacement work shall be the responsibility of the private property owner. A current document of certification issued through the mandatory realty transfer testing and inspection program will NOT exempt any property from this pressure testing requirement, because this realty transfer program did not include a pressure test of the service lateral piping. If a service lateral has been replaced, inspected by the Authority, and passed a pressure test within the last five years, the service lateral will be deemed acceptable and will be exempt from this service lateral testing and/or replacement requirement.
The Authority's inspection and dye testing of the service lateral ONLY reflects the groundwater and stormwater conditions at the time of the inspection and the extent to which the subsurface piping under the basement floor could be televised, if at all. It does NOT mean that there are no illegal connections or subsurface piping problems within the building tested. Inspection and testing during wet weather conditions may result in visible evidence of stormwater or groundwater entering the sewers that is not evident during dry weather periods.
Illegal foundation drain connections and leaking sewers under the building floor are difficult to identify by dye testing, especially in dry weather. A property that successfully passes the inspection and dye testing and completely replaces the exterior service lateral from the building to the public sewer may still be found to have an illegal foundation drain and/or leaking piping under the building floor when the Authority conducts follow-up inspections during wet weather periods, using the inspection tee installed on the service lateral. In such cases, the property owner may be required to complete additional repairs to seal leaking interior sewer drains and/or eliminate foundation drain connections. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that any property owner who is aware of any illegal foundation drain connection(s) should plan on eliminating such connection(s), regardless of whether or not the Authority finds the connection during the inspection and testing of the property.
[Added 11/11/2020]
Inspection tees (BASA Drawing No. 14[1]) shall be installed on each gravity sewer lateral at the property line, road right-of-way, or edge of sanitary sewer easement as may be appropriate. The Authority may waive this requirement if the sewer lateral connects directly to an Authority-owned manhole.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Appendix 14, BASA Drawing 14, Inspection Tee.
[Added 11/11/2020]
Private grinder pump and force main installations for residential, commercial or institutional facilities, as may be applicable, shall be installed in accordance with §§ 300-2.32 and 300-2.33. The use of grinder pumps may be permitted, if, and only if, gravity sewer service (basement or first floor only) is not available.
[Added 11/11/2020; revised 12/13/2022]
FOG interceptors shall be provided by the FOG user to prevent the discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG), sand and other substances harmful or hazardous to the public sewer, the private sewage system or the sewage treatment plant or processes. FOG removal devices shall comply with the prevailing version of the International Plumbing Code. Where conflicting compliance rules are found between the Authorities Rules and Regulations and the International Plumbing Code, the Authorities Rules and Regulations take precedence. FOG interceptors shall be capable of producing an effluent with an oil and grease concentration < 100 mg/L as defined by EPA Test Method 1664A which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, will not cause obstruction, interference or other problems in the POTW. The Authority will use its discretion in determining (on a case-by-case basis) when an interior or exterior FOG interceptor installation is required, and in specifying which sizing method the designer must use. All submissions shall bear the seal and signature of the design professional. The Authority must approve of the size, model, location, associated plumbing and materials and methods of construction of the FOG interceptor(s) prior to the installment. The Authority may choose to assign a cleaning frequency to existing or incoming FOG users based on proposed or actual FOG production. When assigned a cleaning frequency, a FOG user must abide by the schedule and participate in any record tracking methods as required by Authority. The Authority will generally require:
(A) 
Exterior or interior FOG interceptors at food service establishments, car washes, automobile service facilities, commercial garages, or similar businesses when, in the opinion of the Authority, it is necessary for the proper handling of wastewater containing excessive amounts of FOG. Proposed FOG devices shall be:
1. 
Specified by a design professional based on anticipated conditions of use.
2. 
Sized and designed using the Authority's assigned sizing and specification sheets.
3. 
Accompanied with shop drawings showing the interceptor model, location, associated plumbing, as well as materials and methods of construction for the proposed FOG interceptor.
4. 
Connected to pot sinks, prerinse sinks; soup kettles or similar devices; wok stations; floor drains or sinks into which kettles are drained; automatic hood wash units and dishwashers without prerinse sinks. If a prerinse sink is present, the dishwasher shall not be connected to the FOG interceptor.