Township of East Goshen, PA Connection Requirements

If the owner of any improved property located in the Township, whose principal building is within 150 feet of the sewer system, fails to connect such improved property to the sewer system within 60 days, after notice by the Township, the owner shall be deemed to be in violation of this article.

The Township, in it's sole discretion, may make such connection and may collect from such owner the cost and expenses thereof. In such case, the Township shall, upon completion of the work, send an itemized bill of the cost of the construction of such connection to the owner of the improved property to which connection has been so made.

Upon the refusal by the owner of such improved property to pay said bill, the Township or the Authority shall file a municipal lien. Said lien shall be filed within six months of the date of the completion of the construction of said connection. The lien shall be subject in all respects to the general law provided for the filing and recovery of municipal liens.

§ 188-28 Rules and regulations governing building sewers and connections to sewer system.

Where an improved property, at the time connection to a sewer system is required, is served by an on-lot sewage disposal system or device, the existing house sewer line shall be broken on the structure side of the on-lot sewage disposal system or device and attachment shall be made, with proper fittings, to continue such sewer line, as a building sewer.

Every excavation for a building sewer shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from damage and injury. Streets, sidewalks and other public property disturbed in the course of installation of a building sewer shall be restored, at the expense of the owner of the improved property being connected, in a manner satisfactory to the Township.

The Township and/or the Authority reserves the right to adopt, from time to time, additional rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary and proper relating to connection to the sewer system, which additional rules and regulations, to the extent appropriate, shall be construed as part of this article.

Special requirements necessitated by unique physical conditions encountered or imposed on the building sewer shall be constructed to the satisfaction of the Plumbing Inspector.

A separate building sewer will be required for each building or structure on an improved property unless the Township and/or the Authority Engineer determines it to be impractical.

Permits.

A permit is required for each connection. No person shall uncover, connect to, make any opening into or use, alter or disturb, in any manner, any part of the sewer system without first making application for and securing a permit, in writing, from the Township and/or the Authority.

Application for a permit shall be made by the owner of the improved property to be served or by his duly authorized agent.

Required permits for work performed within the rights-of-way of all public roads, including state highways, must be obtained from the responsible jurisdiction prior to commencement of work in connection with the installation or repair of any building sewer.

All costs and expenses associated with the construction and connection of a building sewer to the sewer system shall be borne by the owner of the improved property to be connected, and such owner shall indemnify and hold harmless the Township and the Authority from all loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly as a result of construction of or connection of the building sewer to the sewer system.

A building sewer shall be connected to the sewer system at the place designated by the Township or the Authority and where the lateral is provided.

If in any existing building accessible to the public sewer system there is existing ground floor or cellar drainage systems that cannot drain into the public sewage system by gravity flow, such ground floor or cellar drainage systems may continue to drain into existing cesspools or septic tanks so long as approval is granted by the Chester County Department of Health.

No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved by the Plumbing Inspector. If any part of a building sewer is covered before being inspected and approved, it shall be uncovered for inspection at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property to be connected to a sewer.

Every building sewer on any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition by the owner of the improved property.

Other restrictions.

[Amended 4-17-2001 by Ord. No. 129-B-01]

Only sanitary sewage and/or industrial waste, if permitted, shall be discharged into the sewer system. No person shall discharge any groundwater and/or surface water by means of a sump pump, floor drain or any other means into the sewer system, except as provided in Subsection L(2) of this section.

The connection of any sump pump or floor drain to the sewer system shall be prohibited, and any such connection to the sewer system shall be a violation of this article, except for the following:

[Amended 10-16-2007 by Ord. No. 129-C-07]

Floor drains shall be permitted in the kitchens and toilet rooms of commercial establishments, which are served by the Ridley Creek Sewer Treatment Plant only, provided that the floor drains are installed in accordance with the specifications set forth in Chapter 175 of the Code of the Township of East Goshen, adopting the International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, or later edition when adopted as an ordinance by the Board of Supervisors, and the traps for the floor drains are equipped with automatic trap primers meeting the standards promulgated by the American Society of Safety Engineers or the American National Standards Institute.

Floor drains shall be permitted in commercial, institutional or industrial establishments, which are served by the West Goshen Township Sewer Treatment Plant only, provided that the floor drains are installed in accordance with the specifications set forth in Chapter 175 of the Code of the Township of East Goshen, adopting the International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, or later edition when adopted as an ordinance by the Board of Supervisors, and the traps for the floor drains are equipped with automatic trap primers meeting the standards promulgated by the American Society of Safety Engineers or the American National Standards Institute, and the floor drains have been specifically approved by the Sewer Manager for West Goshen Township.

If any person shall fail or refuse to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building sewer within 30 days of receipt of written notice from the Township and/or the Authority, the owner of the improved property shall be deemed to be in violation of this article. The Township or the Authority may refuse to permit such person to discharge sanitary sewage and/or industrial wastes into the sewer system until such unsatisfactory condition shall have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Township or the Authority. The Township and/or the Authority, at their option, may make such repairs at the expense of the property owner and collect such moneys due in the manner prescribed by law.

§ 188-29 Registration of persons performing work on facilities to be connected.

Persons performing work on the construction of building sewers which are to be connected to the sewer system shall be subject to registration as follows:

Persons desiring to perform work on and/or construct building sewers in the Township must register with the Township, present their qualifications and past experience, record their place of business and provide any other required information. Upon acceptance, their names shall be listed on the building sewer contractor list. No registration fee will be charged by the Township or the Authority nor will the Township or the Authority issue any licenses or certificates nor will they be responsible in any way for the work done by those on the list.

Evidence of failure to comply with the provisions of this article by any person on the building sewer contractor list will subject that person to removal of his name from the building sewer contractor list.

§ 188-30 Conditions for making connection to system.

No person shall make or cause to be made a connection of any improved property to the sewer system until such person shall have fulfilled each of the following conditions:

Such person shall have notified the Township and/or the Authority of the desire and intention to connect such improved property to the sewer system.

Such person shall have made application for and obtained a permit from the Township and/or the Authority. The permit shall include a sketch of the proposed building sewer.

Such person shall have given the Township and/or the Authority at least 24 hours' notice of the time when such connection will be made so that the Township and/or the Authority may inspect the connection and witness the necessary testing.

Such person shall have paid any tapping fee imposed by the Authority and any inspection fee charged by the Township.

§ 188-31 Building sewer connections.

[Amended 12-16-2014 by Ord. No. 129-G-2014]

General.

When connection is to be made to an existing building sewer, such connection must be made on the building side of the septic tank/cesspool serving the building. This connection shall be made as close as possible to the building. No cap, stopper or plug on the sewer system shall be removed or punctured until permission has been granted by the Plumbing Inspector.

The contractor shall determine the difference in grade between the points of connection. Under no circumstances is the trench to be dug before it is determined that the minimum fall can be obtained.

If a minimum grade of 1/4 inch per foot or a maximum grade of one inch per foot can be obtained, the contractor may proceed.

If the minimum grade is calculated to be less than 1/4 inch per foot, but at least 1/8 inch per foot, the building sewer can be installed; provided, however, that the pipe grade must be checked during the installation with a transit. The contractor shall, if requested to by the Plumbing Inspector, demonstrate that the pipe grade is at least 1/8 inch per foot.

If the grade is calculated to be in excess of one inch per foot, the building sewer shall be installed beginning from the building at a grade of not less than 1/4 inch per foot nor more than one inch per foot until the last portion of the building sewer, at which point the building sewer pipe shall be angled down, utilizing pipe fittings, to its connection point with the lateral.

No portion of any sanitary sewer lateral or building sewer shall be used until tested and approved in accordance with the provisions of this article.

No portion of an existing building sewer that is constructed of bituminous fiber (Orangeburg) pipe shall be used as part of the new building sewer.

Pipe requirements.

The building sewer and lateral shall be constructed of any one of the following materials:

SDR 26 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and fittings conforming to ASTM standards, latest revision. All pipe and fittings shall utilize rubber gasket joints.

Schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and fittings conforming to ASTM standards, latest revision. All joints shall be chemically bonded in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Building sewers and laterals passing under any stream or creek shall be constructed of ductile iron pipe conforming to ASTM standards, latest revision, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

No building sewer pipe or lateral shall be reduced in size between the house and the sewer. All pipes shall have a minimum inside diameter of four inches. Pipe sizes for apartments and commercial or industrial buildings must be approved by the Township Engineer.

A minimum cover of three feet of earth shall be provided to protect pipe from frost action and/or surface loading. Concrete encasement shall be provided where cover is less. All changes in grade and alignment (direction) shall be made with pipe fittings. No fittings exceeding 45° will be permitted except in the construction of the building trap.

(5)

Pipe transitions.

For the building sewer, no transition from one pipe size to another or from one pipe material to another may be made without the use of a gasketed solid wall transition coupling, Fernco Strong Back (RC) coupling, or equivalent transition adapter fitting, manufactured and designed for that purpose. Equivalent adapters must be approved by the Township. No mortar or portland cement joints are permitted.

For the lateral sewer, no transition from one pipe size to another or from one pipe material to another may be made without the use of a gasketed solid wall transition coupling.

(6)

All connections to the sewer system must be made into the lateral provided for that purpose.

(7)

Whenever the existing lateral is broken, the broken end must be cut square and fitted with a duplex coupling or that section of pipe must be replaced.

(8)

Each connection must be made to the sewer within the property lines of the lot or property. Building sewers shall be laid at a minimum of five feet from side property lines.

(9)

The mouth, or opening, of that section of the building sewer that is completed shall be kept properly closed at all times during construction.

(10)

When 2B stone is required by this article, it shall conform to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Form 408, grading and quality requirements for AASHTO No. 57 coarse aggregate.

Building sewers shall be vented and trapped, and cleanouts shall be provided as follows:

Fresh air vent. A vent shall be placed as close to the building as possible, not more than 10 feet from the face of the building. The vent riser shall extend a minimum of 12 inches above the ground surface and shall be capped with a mushroom vent. Fresh air vents shall be at least four inches in diameter.

Building trap. A standard building trap shall be provided immediately after the fresh air vent. The building trap shall be the full size of the building sewer.

Cleanouts.

Where the sewer main is in the road, a cleanout shall be provided one foot inside the edge of the right-of-way.

Where the sewer main is in an easement, the cleanout shall be provided one foot inside the edge of the permanent easement.

Cleanouts shall be provided in the building sewer at one-hundred-foot intervals.

(d)

Cleanouts shall be installed at any change in grade or alignment.

(e)

A cleanout shall be provided immediately after the building trap.

(f)

Cleanouts shall be constructed using a sweep tee fitting in the run of the pipe with riser to ground surface. Installation of the sweep tee fitting shall be such that the cleaning rod moves toward the sewer main. A double sweep tee fitting may be used to facilitate cleaning in each direction.

(g)

All cleanouts shall be capped with a watertight PVC screw-type cap recessed below the ground surface protected by a concrete collar and cast iron frame and cover. The top of the cast iron frame and cover shall be flush with the ground surface. The cover shall be marked as "sewer."

Every building trap, cleanout and fresh air vent shall be properly supported by 2B stone.

Special conditions.

New building sewers shall not be placed through a septic tank or cesspool, except that under special circumstances, which have been approved by the Plumbing Inspector, the building sewer may be placed through the septic tank or cesspool, provided that the septic tank or cesspool is pumped out, has holes punched in the bottom or the bottom demolished, and is backfilled with 2B stone which has been thoroughly compacted.

The contractor shall have sufficient pumping equipment ready for use at all times on the site. All groundwater which may be found in the trenches and any other water which may get into them from any cause whatsoever shall be pumped or bailed out so that the trench shall be dry during pipe laying and backfilling. Water shall be kept away from any mortar or concrete work until it has thoroughly set. When water is encountered, no less than six inches of No. 2B stone shall be used for the bedding for the pipe. No groundwater or surface water shall be allowed to enter the sewer system. If, for any reason, construction of the building sewer is delayed or stopped, the pipe connected to the sewer main must be capped with a watertight plug.

Ductile iron pipe shall be used under all driveways and/or parking areas with the exception that if the crown of the sewer is greater than 3.5 feet below the level of paving, SDR 26 or Schedule 40 PVC may be used, provided that all backfill is stone to the bottom of the pavement section.

Pipe bedding.

Pipe bedding shall be provided as a foundation for all pipe, unless concrete cradle or concrete encasement or other type of bedding is approved by the engineer.

When Schedule 40 and/or SDR 26 PVC pipe is being installed, bedding shall consist of a minimum of six inches of 2B stone under the pipe. The bedding shall extend up to or beyond the midpoint of the pipe.

Regardless of the type of pipe used, unsuitable material encountered in excavation, such as ashes, muck and unstable soil, shall be removed from the site and shall not be placed in the backfill. When the bottom of the trench has been dug too deep, it shall be refilled to subgrade with 2B stone.

Backfilling.

Upon completion of the building sewer and/or lateral installation, the trench shall be backfilled with 2B stone to a height of at least six inches above the pipe. Care shall be exercised not to disturb the pipe.

The remainder of the backfill material shall be free from cinders, ashes, refuse, vegetable or organic material or other material which, in the opinion of the Plumbing Inspector, is unsuitable. Backfill material containing stones up to six inches in greatest dimension may be used. All stones or rocks in excess of six inches in greatest dimension shall be removed. The trench shall be completely backfilled without displacement of the grade or alignment of the building sewer. Backfill material shall be free of ice, and no partially open trench shall be permitted to be left open during the night when temperatures below 32° F. are predicted.

Use of connection.

Use of the new building sewer shall not be permitted until the connection has been inspected, tested and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in this article.

No use of the sewer system will be permitted until the collection system, pumping facilities and treatment plant are ready to accept sanitary sewage for disposal.

Maintenance, repair or replacement of the building sewer, between the cleanout at the right-of-way or easement and the building, shall be the responsibility of the person, firm or corporation owning the property.

Cleanup.

Removal of debris, which may have been stored within the public rights-of-way, including the road, cartway or sidewalk, shall be removed within 24 hours of completion of the building sewer work.

Any concrete sidewalk or curb removed for the purpose of making a sewer connection must be temporarily restored within 48 hours and permanent replacement must be completed within 30 days from the time installation has been approved.

§ 188-32 Testing of gravity.

[Amended 12-16-2014 by Ord. No. 129-G-2014]

Air testing.

The Plumbing Inspector shall witness an air test of the building sewer and lateral. Both ends of the sewer shall remain uncovered until the air testing has been completed and the installation approved. The air test shall be conducted by the building sewer contractor under the direction of the Plumbing Inspector.

The air test shall be made by attaching an air compressor to any suitable opening and closing all other inlets and outlets to the system, then forcing air into the system until there is a uniform pressure of 5 psi on the entire system. This pressure shall be maintained for four minutes with no more than a pressure drop of 0.5 psi. If this requirement cannot be met, the leak shall be located and the building sewer and lateral retested.

Water test.

The Plumbing Inspector shall witness a water test of the building sewer. The water test shall be conducted by the building sewer contractor under the direction of the Plumbing Inspector and made at the expense of the property owner.

The water test shall be made by installing all cleanout and/or vent riser pipes and by plugging the building sewer at the cleanout at the edge of the right-of-way or easement. The risers and building sewer are then filled with water. If there is no drop in water level after 15 minutes, the building sewer is deemed acceptable. If the level drops, the leak shall be located and repaired and the building sewer retested.

§ 188-33 Grinder pump connections.

[Amended 12-16-2014 by Ord. No. 129-G-2014]

General.

The owner of any improved property that wants to utilize a grinder pump to discharge sanitary sewage and/or industrial waste to the sewer system must receive permission from the Authority prior to installing the grinder pump.

All connections to existing septic tanks, cesspools, drainage pits and/or leach fields shall be broken off and plugged. The existing septic tank(s) and cesspools shall be pumped out, filled, and abandoned in accordance with PADEP and Chester County Health Department regulations.

The owner of the improved property that wants to utilize a grinder pump shall provide the following information to the Township and/or the Authority Engineer for review and approval:

The manufacturer's detail sheet for the proposed grinder pump.

A pump curve for the proposed grinder pump.

A copy of the manufacturer's installation instructions.

(d)

A plan of the proposed connection which depicts all information that would be required for the engineer to determine if the grinder pump would function as it is intended, including but not limited to the location of the building or structure that is being connected, the elevation of the existing building sewer and lateral and the proposed routing of the building sewer and discharge piping.

(e)

Grinder pump station operation and maintenance agreement.

(f)

The name of the contractor performing the installation.

Grinder pump unit.

Duplex grinder pump units (two pumps) are required for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and uses. Duplex grinder pump units shall have a tank capacity of at least 150 gallons below the influent invert of the building sewer pipe.

Simplex grinder pump units (one pump) may only be used for the following residential dwelling units: single-family detached, semidetached, and townhouses. A separate grinder pump unit shall be provided for every such residential dwelling unit. Simplex grinder pump units shall have a tank capacity of at least 70 gallons below the influent invert of the building sewer pipe.

For simplex grinder pump units, a spare pump shall be stored on premises at all times for emergency replacement.

Grinder pumps shall reduce domestic sewage to a fine slurry and shall have the characteristics to produce flows of at least 10 gallons per minute under all conditions.

The grinder pump unit shall include a prefabricated fiberglass reinforced polyester or high-density polyethylene tank, sewage grinder pump(s), level controls, discharge piping with hydrostatically sealed discharge flanges, check valve, pump mounting plates with bottom rail supports, upper rail supports, pump guide rails, lifting chain or cable, control panel, control panel enclosure, electrical wiring, visual and audio alarm, internal piping, and other accessories. The grinder pump(s) shall be housed in the prefabricated tank.

(5)

The grinder pump unit shall be manufactured by Hydromatic, Barnes, or Environment One. Other grinder pump units may be utilized if approved by the Township or the Authority Engineer.

(6)

The grinder pump unit shall be installed in conformance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(7)

Check valves and shutoff valves are required to isolate the grinder pump(s) from the low-pressure discharge piping.

(8)

Both an audio and visual high-water detection alarm system shall be provided. The audio alarm shall be inside the building being served by the grinder pump system, and the visual alarm shall be outside the building in a conspicuous location. The grinder pump control panel shall contain a separate control circuit and breaker for the alarm system.

(9)

The grinder pump unit shall be installed outside of all buildings with provisions made for access, as well as protection from weather, flotation (high water table), and vandalism.

(10)

Installations shall be quiet and free from electrical and/or health hazards. All installations shall be certified by nationally recognized independent testing laboratories, such as the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the National Sanitation Foundation.

(11)

The grinder pump(s) must be capable of being removed without dewatering the tank.

(12)

The grinder pump unit must be serviceable and replaceable under wet conditions without electrical hazard to the repair personnel.

(13)

Grinder pump units shall be designed such that the failure of the pump(s) will not result in the flooding or the backup of sewerage into the home by setting the bottom of the grinder pump unit below the lowest fixture in the house.

Electrical.

The property owner must install the necessary electrical connection to power the grinder pump unit and must thereafter, at such owner's expense, provide the power supply for such purpose.

Each grinder pump unit shall be provided with an approved, lockable two-pole disconnect switch. The switch shall be located outside of the building or structure and in sight of the grinder pump unit.

All wiring shall conform to the National Electric Code.

Piping.

The piping between the building and grinder pump unit shall conform to the requirements for a gravity building sewer connection.

Each grinder pump unit shall have its own discharge pipe from the grinder pump unit to the receiving pressure sewer system or gravity sewer system.

Discharge piping shall be minimum 1 1/4 inch (iron pipe size) PVC SDR 21 or HDPE DR 11 (minimum 125 psi rating at 73° F.). The pipe shall conform to ASTM standards, latest revision. Other sizes and types of piping may be utilized if approved by the Township or the Authority Engineer.

The discharge piping shall include a redundant check valve if connected to a pressure sewer system. This check valve shall be attached to the grinder pump discharge fitting and shall be accessible.

(5)

The discharge piping shall include a shutoff valve within the easement or right-of-way if connected to a pressure sewer system.

(6)

If the discharge piping is connecting to a Township sewer manhole, the piping shall enter the manhole at the top of the bench, and internal drops shall not be permitted, unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Director.

(7)

Polyethylene pipe adapters shall be Ford Pack Joint Couplings with stainless steel stiffeners, or equal. When insert fittings are used, the clamps shall be doubled and be all stainless steel. Plated screw clamps will not be permitted.

(8)

A minimum cover of three feet of earth shall be provided for discharge piping to protect pipe from frost action and/or surface loading unless the Township or Authority Engineer approves a lesser cover. Concrete encasement shall be provided where cover is less.

(9)

Bedding and backfill.

Discharge piping shall be bedded in either sand or screenings which meet Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Form 408, standards. The bedding shall be at least four inches thick. After the discharge piping has been tested and inspected, an additional twelve inches of sand or screenings shall be placed over the pipe.

The remainder of the backfill material shall be free from cinders, ashes, refuse or vegetable, organic or other material which, in the opinion of the Plumbing Inspector, is unsuitable. Backfill material containing stones up to six inches in greatest dimension may be used. All stones or rocks in excess of six inches in greatest dimension shall be removed. The trench shall be completely backfilled without displacement of the grade or alignment of the discharge piping. Backfill material shall be free of ice, and no partially open trench shall be permitted to be left open during the night when temperatures below 32° F. are predicted.

The bedding and backfill requirements do not apply to portions of piping installed via trenchless technology such as directional drill or jack and bore.

Testing.

Completed discharge piping shall be hydrostatically pressure tested to the greater of 100 psi or 150% of the design operating pressure in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

The piping between the building and the grinder pump unit shall be tested in the manner required for gravity building sewer.

The electrical wiring and controls shall be inspected by an approved inspecting agency.

A final inspection shall be conducted by the Plumbing Inspector prior to the unit being placed in service.

Operation and maintenance of grinder pump.

The property owner shall be responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of the grinder pump system from the pump to the sewer main, unless the low-pressure discharge piping connects to a cleanout on a gravity lateral stub, in which case the property owner's responsibility shall be from the pump to the cleanout.