[Added 3-15-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2021]
A.
The purpose of this article is to reduce infiltration and inflow
into the sanitary sewer system operated by Nassau County, causing
excess flow to the Nassau County Wastewater Treatment Plants and into
groundwater and waterways in the County of Nassau and the Village
of Valley Stream, by requiring inspection, testing, repair, replacement
and ongoing maintenance of private sewer laterals by property owners
within the Village of Valley Stream.
B.
Private property sewer laterals comprise 50% of the entire sewer
collection system, yet homeowners are often unaware of the condition
of those laterals. Additionally, the costs to inspect and repair laterals
are not anticipated by the homeowner and can be costly. Sewer laterals
have a specific lifespan, and when that lifespan is reached, the aging
lateral will cause contamination of soil, groundwater and aquifers,
and will permit the introduction of rainwater and groundwater to the
sanitary collection system, contributing to sanitary sewer overflows.
This article is adopted in compliance with the Federal Clean
Water Act; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Laws and Regulations; the Nassau County Sewer Ordinance, the Nassau
County Public Health Ordinance and the Village of Valley Stream Plumbing
Code.
The following terms apply to this article and are the same as,
or supplement the definitions found in the Village of Valley Stream
Plumbing Code:
A pipe fitting and associated piping connected to a lateral
that provides access to the lateral for the purpose of inspection
and maintenance.
A cleanout as part of a private sewer lateral.
A cleanout at or near the property line or street curbline
that is maintained by Nassau County.
Raw sewage that leaks out of laterals into soil, groundwater
and waterways.
Groundwater and runoff from rainfall or any other source
that passes through the soil into a lateral through defects in the
sewer pipes and associated structures.
Runoff from rainfall that enters the lateral through non-sanitary
sewer connections.
The combination of inflow and infiltration.
LOWER LATERALThe portion of a lateral that is located in the public right-of-way and extends from the curb to the main sewer. A lower lateral is also referred to as a spur.
UPPER LATERALThe pipe, line or sewer running across or through any property and connecting to a pipe, line or sewer owned by the municipality or municipal authority for the purpose of transporting wastewater for treatment, usually at a cleanout or curb.
In all other cases, the Plumbing Inspector, Building Inspector,
Village Engineer, Certified Code Enforcement Official or designee
of the Village Board of Trustees shall determine the extent of the
private sewer lateral, based on applicable circumstances, in a manner
that best accomplishes the purpose of this article.
A sanitary sewer line directly controlled by Nassau County
and located in the public right-of-way or in Village and County easements
that collects flow from more than one sewer lateral.
Any facility that directly or indirectly conveys stormwater,
surface water, roof runoff, intercepted groundwater or subsurface
drainage into sanitary sewers, including but not limited to downspouts,
yard drains or other sources of stormwater or other run-off.
Any structure or building as defined in the Code of Ordinances
that is provided with public sewer service by Nassau County.
A.
It shall be the sole responsibility of private property owners to
perform all required maintenance, repair and replacement of private
sewer laterals in accordance with this article and any other Village,
county, state and federal standards. For purposes of this chapter,
the Village adopts the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Standards for maintenance
of private sewer laterals and for the determination of the proper
condition of private sewer laterals. The relevant portions of those
standards are set forth below:
(1)
Private sewer laterals shall be kept free from roots, grease deposits
and other solids that may impede the flow or obstruct the transmission
of waste.
(2)
Private sewer laterals shall not exhibit signs of infiltration.
(3)
Private sewer laterals shall not exhibit signs of exfiltration or
leakage.
(4)
Private sewer lateral pipe joints shall be tight, and all private
sewer lateral pipes shall be free of any structural defects such as
cracks, deterioration, breaks, fractures, collapses, openings, holes
or missing portions, and the grade shall be uniform without sags or
offsets.
(5)
Private sewer laterals shall be composed of materials that are permitted
pursuant to New York State plumbing codes and shall not contain substandard
pipe materials.
Prior to a connection, disconnection, or repair, Dig Safely
NY shall be contacted to mark utility infrastructure. The work shall
be scheduled so that there is minimum inconvenience to local residents.
All costs associated with the provisions of this article shall
be borne by the property owner.
In addition to the enforcement process and penalties provided in Article V, any condition caused or permitted to exist by the property owner in violation of any of the provisions of this article is a threat to public health, safety and welfare and declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored at the violator's expense, and or a civil action to abate, enjoin or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be taken.
All ordinances, local laws or resolutions, or parts of ordinances,
local laws or resolutions of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream
inconsistent with the provisions of this article are hereby repealed,
provided, however, that such repeal shall be only to the extent of
such inconsistency and in all other respects this article shall be
in addition to other legislation regulating and governing the subject
matter covered by this article.
If any section, paragraph, subdivision or provision of this
article shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same
shall not affect the validity of this article as a whole or any part
or provision thereof, other than the part so decided to be invalid
or unconstitutional.
The foregoing provisions shall take effect immediately upon
filing with the Secretary of State.
