Riverside Sewerage Authority, NJ Laterals and Mains

The owner of any real property which shall have been directly or indirectly connected with the sewerage system or from or on which originates or shall have originated sewage or other wastes which directly or indirectly shall have entered or which may enter the sewerage system shall be responsible for the maintenance of sewer lateral(s) servicing the real property.

§ 30-3 Reporting of stoppage by owners.

[Amended 12-10-2007 by Res. No. 2007-28; 1-14-2008 by Res. No. 2008-01]

In the event of a sewage stoppage, the Authority shall be contacted as soon as possible between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. At all other times, the stoppage shall be reported to the Township Police Dispatcher at telephone number (856)461-3434.

In the event that the Authority determines that there is no sewage stoppage, the Authority shall so notify the owner.

In the event that an owner hires a private contractor to investigate a sewage stoppage prior to contacting the Authority, and the Authority later determines that the stoppage is a result of a blockage in the Authority's main, the authority will not reimburse the owner for any expenses associated with hiring a private contractor to investigate the line stoppage.

In the event that a sewage stoppage is reported to the Authority, and the owner hereafter hires a private contractor to investigate the condition of the owner's sewer lateral, and the Authority later determines that the sewage stoppage was a result of a blockage or conditions in the Authority's sewer main, the Authority shall, upon the presentation and review of appropriate cost documentation from the owner, reimburse the owner for the costs of investigating the condition of the sewer lateral. The Authority will not reimburse the owner for any other costs in the matter, including any repair costs.

§ 30-4 Authority to notify owners of problems; emergencies.

In the event that the Riverside Sewerage Authority shall have reason to suspect that the sewer lateral(s) servicing the real property shall have become blocked or cracked or shall be experiencing a problem affecting the sewerage system, the Riverside Sewerage Authority shall provide notice to the owner as shown on the tax records of the Township of Riverside and, if known, to the occupant of the real property. Such notice shall consist of a description of the problem and the proposed remedy, shall be sent by certified mail to each such person and shall request that the Superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant be contacted within seven days of mailing. The notice shall also provide that in the event that the Superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant shall not have been contacted, then the Riverside Sewerage Authority shall take such action as it shall deem necessary to protect the public health and safety and to preserve the integrity of the sewerage system. The notice shall also advise that all costs incurred shall be borne by the owner of the real property as an additional service charge.

In the extreme circumstance where the Superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant shall determine that there exists an immediate threat to the public health and safety which shall constitute an emergency, the aforementioned notice shall not be required. However, prior to authorizing any repairs, the Superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant shall attempt to verbally contact the owner and/or occupant of the real property.

§ 30-5 Payment of costs; interest.

Payment of all costs incurred by the Riverside Sewerage Authority shall be due from the owner of the real property within 10 business days following presentation of a statement from the Riverside Sewerage Authority. Interest shall thereafter accrue and be due to the Riverside Sewerage Authority at the rate of 1 1/2% per month until the costs and the interest thereon shall be fully paid to the Riverside Sewerage Authority.

§ 30-6 Lien.

In the event that payment shall not be made when due, the unpaid balance thereof and all interest accruing thereon shall be a lien on the real property. Such lien shall be superior to the interest in such real property of any owner, lessee, mortgagee or other person, except the lien of municipal taxes, and shall be on a parity with and deemed equal to the lien on such real property of the Township for taxes due in the same year and not paid when due. Such lien shall not bind or affect a subsequent bona fide purchaser of such real property for a valuable consideration without actual notice of such lien, unless the Riverside Sewerage Authority shall have filed in the office of the Collector a statement showing the amount and due date of such unpaid balance and identifying such real property, which identification may be sufficiently made by reference to the Assessment Map of said municipality. The information shown in such statement shall be included in any certificate with respect to said real property thereafter made by the township official vested with the power to make official certificates of searches for municipal liens.

§ 30-7 Shutting off of service for nonpayment; civil action.

In the event of nonpayment the Riverside Sewerage Authority may also, in its discretion, enter upon such real property and cause the connection thereof leading directly or indirectly to the sewerage system to be cut and shut off until such payment and interest accrued thereon shall be fully paid to the Riverside Sewerage Authority. The Riverside Sewerage Authority shall also have the authority to pursue a civil action seeking payment and all interest accrued thereon, together with attorney's fees and costs, and any lien on real property for such payment and the interest accrued thereon may be foreclosed or otherwise enforced by the Riverside Sewerage Authority by action or suit in equity as for the foreclosure of a mortgage on such real property.