[Adopted 11-20-2012 by Ord. No. 1341]
The following definitions apply to terms and concepts used in
the Residential Downspout Disconnection Program.
A sewer which carries both sanitary sewage and stormwater.
Physically plugging or capping the direct rain drain connection
of a downspout to the combined sewer and redirecting the roof water
onto the property either on the surface of the property or under the
ground. This may require alterations to gutters and downspouts.
The conductor that conveys stormwater from the gutter on
the exterior of a building or other structure to another place of
discharge.
A variation on an infiltration system that is designed to
temporarily store and infiltrate rooftop runoff.
Property which has been determined by Etna Borough Public
Works staff and/or engineers that would allow for safe and effective
disconnection with the following guidelines:
The point of discharge must be:
A minimum of two feet from a building without a basement;
A minimum of six feet from a building with a basement (10 feet
if installing a dry well);
Not less than five feet from a neighbor's property;
Not less than 10 feet from a neighbor's building;
Not less than 10 feet from a retaining wall.
The slope in the direction of discharge must be less than 10%
and drain away from any structure.
The discharge water shall not discharge to a street, alley or
other public way;
The discharge water shall not create an icy condition on any
pedestrian walkways/sidewalks within or adjacent to the subject premises
lot lines.
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Downspouts will be disconnected to program standards under direction
of municipal staff and meet the requirements of the Allegheny County
Plumbing Code, Sections AC1101.2 and AC1104.2 and utilize Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Watershed Management,
Best Management Practices and all appropriate Borough of Etna ordinances
and permit requirements.
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A rain garden is an excavated shallow surface depression
planted with specifically selected native vegetation to treat and
capture runoff.
The conductor that conveys stormwater from the roof on the
exterior of a building or other structure to another place of disposal.
A.
A program is established to remove stormwater connections to the
combined sewer system from existing roof drains having downspouts
or rain leaders located on the exterior of eligible properties with
direct connections to the property's external sanitary sewer
lateral. The existence of a direct connection will be determined by
qualified staff through verification by site survey of eligible properties.
B.
Property owners will be provided with free technical assistance in
the determination of eligibility.
C.
Exceptions. The Borough may decline to approve disconnection of a
connected downspout upon determination that the disconnection would
not meet the guidelines for safe disconnection. This includes situations
where disconnection could result in possible damage to the property
or adjoining properties, and/or create a possible nuisance situation
or involve excessive cost.
A.
The Borough intends to engage property owners, community members
and groups and stormwater professionals to create awareness of the
downspout disconnection program and stormwater management. The program
will create economic incentives for meeting the Borough's stormwater
goals.
B.
The Borough will provide educational opportunities on downspout disconnection
and stormwater management in active outreach areas as appropriate,
including direct mail, public events, websites and utility bill stuffers.
C.
Technical assistance strategies include, but are not limited to,
on-site technical assistance, property record research, site planning,
design guidance and management of municipal staff.
A.
The Borough of Etna requires a permit for the disconnection of any
downspout currently connected to the combined sewer system.
B.
Prior to any disconnection of downspout or roof leader, a permit
application, downspout disconnection instruction sheet, hold-harmless
and indemnification agreement must be submitted by the owner of the
property. These can be obtained at the Municipal Building during normal
business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except
holidays).
C.
Upon submittal of the foregoing documents, an appointment will be
scheduled with qualified personnel for a site inspection of said disconnection.
Appointments are to be scheduled during normal business hours, Monday
through Friday (except holidays) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and
2:30 p.m.
D.
After review by qualified personnel, if the disconnection is found
to be eligible, a permit shall be issued upon permit fee payment.
E.
Fee. The Borough will charge a permit fee of $10 for each eligible
household/property approved for disconnection. Fee can cover multiple
disconnections if applied for at the same time for the same building/property
and deemed eligible for disconnection. This includes one appointment
for site review for all potential downspout disconnections.
A.
Upon completion of eligible disconnection(s), the property owner
will contact the Borough for inspection of disconnection(s) and approval
of such. This inspection is required for incentive credit on environmental
sewer surcharge.
B.
Inspections would be performed by the Public Works Director, the
Borough's Engineer or the Borough Manager.
C.
Disconnections made prior to the adoption of this article need not
be inspected, unless a nuisance has been created and/or reported,
unless the property owner wishes to apply for incentive rebate on
the environmental surcharge. At that time the owner must schedule
and pass an inspection of eligible subsurface or surface device.
A.
The Borough will provide a quarterly credit of $5 per household/property
with permitted downspout disconnection on the quarterly environmental
sewer surcharge on the quarterly sewer bill.
B.
The $5 quarterly credit will continue for three years from the time
of permitted disconnection.
C.
Upon request, the property owner will receive a sign at no charge
to display on their front yard that advertises that their property
helps Pine Creek and the Allegheny River.
D.
Once a downspout is disconnected and has received a satisfactory
inspection, the property owner shall be responsible for ensuring that
the new subsurface or surface device is not removed and is properly
maintained and operated to continue eligibility for incentive rebate.
A.
Disconnection is not permitted without a permit.
B.
Failure to properly maintain permitted device may result in a public
nuisance. If disconnection causes a public nuisance to adjoining property
or public property, sidewalk or roadway or neighboring property, correction(s),
which may include reconnection to the combined sewer system, must
be made within 30 days upon reinspection and notification by inspector(s).
Failure to follow inspection directives for corrective action will
result in a fine of $25 a day, payable to the Borough of Etna.
If any section, subsection, sentence or clause of this article
is held, for any reason, to be invalid, such decision or decisions
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this article.
