Town of Cortlandt, NY Grinder Pump Units and Pressure Sewer Systems

General. Grinder pump units and pressure sewer systems from time to time are economically feasible where a gravity sewer system is cost-prohibitive. Under these circumstances the following regulations shall apply.

Responsibility.

(1)

Any lot included in an accepted sanitary sewer district or improvement area serviced by primary force and gravity mains, with buildings having plumbing facilities and/or used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, in existence on the date a contract is awarded for installation of a sanitary force main and low-pressure sewer line abutting the property line of a lot shall have a Town-owned grinder pump installed in accordance with plans approved by the Town and the Westchester County Department of Health and maintained by the Town and shall grant the Town an easement for future maintenance and replacement of the pump. Installation, from the sewer main to the isolation valve, grinder pump and connection from the building to the grinder pump shall be made by the owner in accordance with plans approved by the Town and the Westchester County Department of Health.

(2)

In the event any property owner with a Town-owned grinder pump does not grant the Town an easement to maintain a Town-owned grinder pump, such property owner shall be solely responsible for the costs of such installation, maintenance and connection. The Town shall, in the Town's sole discretion, make reasonable attempts to contact the property owner to obtain such easement, which shall include sending a certified mail request to the owner of record as identified in the tax receiver's office. In addition, any property owner who fails or refuses to grant the Town an easement to maintain a Town-owned grinder pump shall be subject to penalties as set forth in this chapter. Such property owner may also be subject to all other legal remedies, including but not limited to injunctive relief, and shall be liable to the Town for any expenses incurred by the Town pursuing such remedies, including but not limited to reasonable costs and attorney's fees.

(3)

The costs of installation and maintenance of all other grinder pumps shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner.

Grinder pump connections.

(1)

Sewer connections shall be laid solidly on a true grade of not less than 1/4 inch per foot. They shall be laid in a straight line. Change in direction, if necessary, shall be made with proper fittings. All pipes shall be clear of dirt or other foreign materials as the work progresses.

(2)

Fill used over and around any pipe shall be laid and compacted to the approved and accepted details of the Town of Cortlandt. Fill shall be free of clay, large stones and debris. No construction demolition debris or any recycled materials shall be used.

(3)

Adequate cleanouts shall be installed not over 50 feet apart so that at all times the route of the flow can be rodded or cleaned mechanically between the building and the grinder pump unit.

(4)

All materials used must be in accordance with prevailing Town standards and as specified on plans and details approved by the Westchester County Department of Health.

(5)

All materials used must be inspected by the Departments of Technical and Environmental Services. No work shall be inspected or approved unless the trench is open for its entire length and all pipe and joints visible. Any trench backfilled before such inspection is made and the work approved shall be reopened for its entire length by the party performing the work. The party performing the work shall notify the Director of Technical Service and/or designee, giving at least 24 hours' notice in advance of the time when the connection will be laid and ready for inspection of such sewers, as are specifically designated by the Town.

(6)

No connection will be permitted for draining stormwater, roof water, surface water from roads, driveways, or lawns, groundwater runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water, cellar drains, including sump pumps, or other ponded water. Stormwater and all other unpolluted water shall be discharged to applicable standards and environmental law.

(7)

Sewer laterals shall be separated 10 feet horizontal and 18 feet vertical from any potable water supply.

(8)

Property owners shall have the option to either install an on-site standby generator to service the grinder pump assembly in the event of a power outage, or install a secondary holding tank in-line of the building service connection in accordance with plans approved by the Town and Westchester County Department of Health.

(9)

All connections to grinder pumps shall be made in accordance with the following specifications and applicable New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and those specifications accepted and approved for use by the Town of Cortlandt in conformance with the Westchester County Department of Health's guidelines.

Electrical.

(1)

The property owner shall be responsible for the cost of electricity to operate all grinder pump units.

(2)

For Town-owned grinder pumps, the Town shall be responsible for the cost of supply, delivery and installation of electrical parts, materials, labor and equipment required for complete and proper operation for the grinder pump station. The property owner shall grant the Town and its contractors access to the property, to the owner' s premises and electrical panel, and allow the Town to install the necessary electrical connections to the grinder pump station and alarm panel. All electrical work, equipment and apparatus provided and installed shall conform to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or the National Electrical Code.

(3)

For grinder pumps owned by the property owner, the property owner shall be responsible for the cost of supply, delivery and installation of all electrical parts, materials, labor and equipment required for complete and proper operation of the grinder pump station. All electrical work, equipment and apparatus provided and installed shall receive an electrical permit and shall conform to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or the National Electrical Code.

(4)

The Town cannot ensure emergency power of grinder pump units. In the event of a prolonged power outage, the Town will make its best effort to supply emergency power to Town-owned grinder pumps. Privately owned grinder pumps shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

Penalties. Unless otherwise provided, any person committing an offense against any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a violation pursuant to the Penal Law of the State of New York, punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation of an offense against the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct offense hereunder for each day the offense is continued.