CHAPTER 14.28
SANITARY CODE – LATERAL SEWERS AND CONNECTIONS
Section
14.28.020 Construction requirements
14.28.030 Minimum size and slope
14.28.040 Separate sewer laterals
14.28.080 Connection to public sewer
14.28.090 Protection of excavation
14.28.100 Maintenance of lateral sewers
14.28.110 Testing of sewer laterals in general
14.28.115 Testing of lateral sewers at time of sewer main improvement
14.28.010 PERMIT REQUIRED.
In accordance with Chapter 14.24, no person shall construct a lateral sewer, or make a connection with any public sewer, without first obtaining a written permit from the District and paying all fees and connection charges as required therein.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.020 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
Construction of lateral sewers shall be in accordance with the requirements of the County of Mendocino and the requirements of the District. In case of conflict, the more stringent shall apply.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.030 MINIMUM SIZE AND SLOPE.
The minimum size of a sewer lateral shall be 4-inch diameter. The minimum slope of a sewer lateral shall be 2 feet per 100 feet (2% slope). Exceptions will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of the District Manager.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.040 SEPARATE SEWER LATERALS.
No 2 adjacent buildings fronting on the same street shall be permitted joint use of the same sewer lateral. Every building or industrial facility must be separately connected to an adjacent public sewer if such sewer lies within the distance as described in § 14.16.050. However, 1 or more buildings located on property belonging to the same owner may be served with the same side sewer during the period of such ownership. Upon the subsequent subdivision of the lot or a portion of the lot, resulting parcels not connected with the public sewer shall be separately connected with a sewer lateral to the public sewer, and it shall be unlawful for the owner thereof to continue to use or maintain the indirect connection.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.050 OLD SEWER LATERALS.
Old sewer laterals may be used to connect new buildings to a public sewer only when they are found, upon examination and testing by the District Manager, to meet all requirements of the District.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.060 CLEANOUTS.
Cleanouts in sewer laterals shall be provided in accordance with the rules, regulations, and ordinances of the District. All cleanouts shall be maintained watertight.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.070 SEWER TOO LOW.
In all buildings in which any sewer is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, the building’s wastewater shall be lifted by artificial means approved by the District Manager and discharged to the public sanitary sewer works. Such artificial means shall be owned, operated, maintained and expense borne by the owner.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.080 CONNECTION TO PUBLIC SEWER.
The connection of a sewer lateral serving a building to public portion of the sewer lateral shall be made at the property line where there is an existing public portion of a sewer lateral. Where no public portion sewer lateral exists, the sewer lateral serving the building shall be extended to the public sewer. All connections to the public portion of a sewer lateral or a public sewer shall be done in accordance with the District’s standards and as approved by the District Manager. Any damage to the public sewer shall be repaired at the cost of the applicant to the satisfaction of the District Manager.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.090 PROTECTION OF EXCAVATION.
All excavations for a sewer lateral installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades, lights, covered, or otherwise managed so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the District and the county or any other person having jurisdiction.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.100 MAINTENANCE OF LATERAL SEWERS.
A. The maintenance of all lateral sewers located within the public street, alley, or other public right-of-way is the responsibility of the District.
B. Excepting the first occurrence of a blockage or failure of the lateral sewer located within the public street, alley, or other public right-of-way occurring in any calendar year, caused by:
1. An accumulation of fats, oils, and greases;
2. An accumulation of fish processing residues or packaging materials; or
3. Damage caused by the owner, occupant, or their agents (e.g., plumbers) of the property served.
The cost of line blockage clearing or failure repair shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property served.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.110 TESTING OF SEWER LATERALS IN GENERAL.
All lateral sewers shall be tested for leakage by method(s) approved by the District Manager. Fittings, plugs, water, and labor for testing shall be furnished by the person testing the sewer. All private property portions of sewer laterals showing leakage or damage shall be repaired or replaced at the property owner’s expense and shall be done at the direction and to the satisfaction of the District Manager.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)
14.28.115 TESTING OF LATERAL SEWERS AT TIME OF SEWER MAIN IMPROVEMENT.
A. Sewer Main Improvements. During sewer main improvements, the sewer lateral(s) served by the main shall be tested for infiltration. All necessary repairs or replacements to prevent infiltration shall be made. The property owner in whose property the private portion of any failed lateral lies shall be responsible for the costs and for conforming to the requirements of this title. Such work shall be completed within 180 days of being notified of lateral failure.
B. Testing. Testing will be completed by the City through a cleanout on the property owner’s property. If there is not a suitable cleanout, the City will install a cleanout in the public right-of-way or appropriate easement. Signs of infiltration may include: roots appearing in the lateral, cracks, gaps, or separations in the pipe or pipe joints. If repairs to the private property portion of the lateral are required, the City will provide a copy of the inspection video on DVD or other documentation as appropriate.
C. Failure of Test. Should the private portion of a sewer lateral fail a test, the lateral shall be either repaired or replaced, and then retested. A plumbing permit will be required to perform the necessary repairs or replacement. Testing and repairs/replacement shall continue until the lateral no longer leaks.
D. Exceptions. This section shall not apply to:
1. Buildings where the District Manager determines that testing and repair or replacement of sewer lateral(s) has been performed to District standards within the last 3 years.
2. Buildings where the District Manager determines that new sewer construction has been inspected and passed within the last 3 years. This determination shall be made by a test performed by District staff. Except for standard permit costs, there will be no charge to the property owner for this test. In the event that the test fails, refer to subsection (C) of this section.
(Ord. 911, § 2, passed 08-24-2015)