As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISING (CCTV)
A process whereby a camera is placed into, run through and
video records the inside of a sewer lateral to detect leaks or other
deficiencies.
COMBINATION (COMBINED) SEWER
A sewer system which carries a combination of sewage and
stormwater and is maintained and operated by the City of Monessen.
EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE
An official written statement issued by the City that it
has on file a written certification from a Westmoreland County registered
plumber that there are no illegal storm-, surface or subsurface water
connections into the sanitary sewer system, such as roof drains, downspouts,
foundation drains, yard drains or driveway drains, and no blocked
drains, and that the lateral passed inspection on the property to
be sold or transferred.
ILLEGAL STORM- OR SURFACE OR SUBSURFACE WATER CONNECTIONS
The discharge of basement seepage or groundwater or other
subsurface water, or the connection of downspouts, roof drainage,
foundation drains, yard drains, driveway drains, or other connections
conveying surface drainage into the sanitary sewer system.
SALE, TRANSFER OR CONVEYANCE
The sale, transfer or conveyance of any interest in real
property; provided, however, that refinancing of real property, without
a conveyance, is not a sale or conveyance under this article.
SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
A system of pipes which carries sewage exclusively and is
owned and operated by the City of Monessen and/or the Mon Valley Sewage
Authority.
SEWER LATERAL
The sewer line or lateral connecting the structure served
to the sanitary sewer system for the entire distance from the structure
to the point in the road right-of-way or sewer easement where a connection
to the sewer main is available.
The following standards shall govern sewer lateral inspection
and replacement/repair:
A. Testing procedures.
(1) The property owner shall submit an application on the City provided
form and make payment of fees associated with the lateral testing
at least 20 days prior to the date of sale.
(2) All testing shall be on a pass-fail basis. If the lateral fails,
then the entire lateral shall be replaced or relined.
B. Lateral testing.
(1) Testing and any necessary replacement or repair must be performed
at the owner's expense by a registered plumber certified through
the National Association of Sewer Service Companies NASSCO Lateral
Assessment and Certification Program and thoroughly knowledgeable
with the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment and Condition Grading System.
(2) It is required that laterals be tested in the following manner:
(a)
A camera shall be inserted into the lateral through a cleanout,
inside floor drain, or excavation. The pipe shall be evaluated in
accordance with the NASSCO Condition Grading System. Any lateral that
has a structural defect rating of three or higher, shows signs of
any infiltration, or has roots present shall require complete replacement
or rehabilitation. Other deficiencies observed but not listed herein,
as determined by the City and at its discretion, may constitute a
failure also.
(b)
If it is necessary to excavate an access point for the camera
insertion, the plumber, at the owner's expense, shall install
a cleanout at this location to facilitate future maintenance of the
lateral. The cleanout shall be provided with a cast-iron frame and
cover in paved areas and other areas subject to vehicular traffic.
(3) The City reserve the right to reject any tests or test results which
it determines to be inconclusive or inaccurate. If this is the case,
the City may require further testing at the property owner's
expense.
(4) Foundation drains connected into the sanitary sewer lateral are illegal
connections. The City reserves the right to require further testing
if it is suspected that the building foundation drain is connected
to the sanitary sewer.
C. Lateral replacement/rehabilitation.
(1) All tests must be performed by a registered plumber and shall be on a pass/fail basis. Failure shall require complete replacement or cured-in-place lining of the entire lateral from the house trap to the tap-in with the main sewer line, subject to the option for one spot repair set forth at §
317-19, Subsection A1(2), above.
(2) The property owner is required to replace or reline the entire lateral
at his or her own expense.
(3) All work must be completed within 60 days of notification of failure,
unless otherwise extended by the City.
(4) Cure-in-place liners must be televised after installation. A copy
of the post-lining CCTV video in DVD format shall be provided to the
City for inspection.
D. Lateral testing exemptions.
(1) Laterals that are less than three years old, are constructed of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), and were inspected by the City are exempt from the
lateral testing requirements.
(2) Properties that have passed lateral testing shall be exempt from
further camera testing for a period of three years.
(3) Lateral tests are valid for a period of three years.
E. Temporary approval.
(1) When testing cannot be performed due to weather conditions, the property
owner shall provide the City with security in the amount of $5,000
to guarantee that the appropriate test will be performed. In addition,
the property owner shall provide a signed written acknowledgement
from the purchaser of the property, agreeing to correct, at the said
purchaser's sole expense, any violations/defects that may be
discovered as the result of the lateral testing.
(2) The lateral testing shall be performed as soon as possible at such
time as weather conditions make testing possible.
(3) In cases where it is determined by the City that lateral testing
cannot be performed prior to a scheduled closing between a purchaser
and a seller, the purchaser may apply for an interim evidence of compliance,
upon the written agreement to escrow from the real estate closing
the sum of $5,000 in favor of the City, which funds are to be used
to perform the required testing and, if necessary, to correct any
and all lateral testing failures found as a result of inspection.
In the event there is a balance left in the escrow account after the
corrections have been completed, the same shall be refunded from the
escrow agent to the purchaser. In the event there is a shortage of
funds, the seller shall be required to make up the difference in costs
for said corrections. The City may reject or approve such an application
as it deems necessary after a preliminary visual investigation of
the property in question.
(4) When a lateral fails the testing and the necessary remedial activities
to correct said failures would require a length of time such as to
create a practical hardship for the applicant, the applicant may apply
to the City for temporary approval, which may only be issued when
the applicant provides the City with all the following:
(a)
A bona fide executed contract between the applicant and a registered
plumber to complete the necessary remedial work with the City listed
therein as a third-party beneficiary;
(b)
Security in the amount of said contract as posted with the City;
(c)
An agreement by the purchaser to be responsible for all cost
overruns related to the remedial work, together with a license to
the City to enter upon the property to complete work in case of default
by the contractor. The City shall determine when such temporary approval
shall expire, at which time the security shall be forfeited. The City
shall use the security to have the necessary work completed.