ARTICLE V. - BUILDING SEWERS AND CONNECTIONS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Bristol, RI.
The text
Sec. 22-146. - Permits.#
(a)
No connection of private property or public property with the town's sewer system shall be made until the owner of the land, or his duly authorized agent, has made application in writing to the director for permission to make the connection, and has been granted such permission.
(b)
There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: (1) for residential and commercial service, and (2) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner shall apply using the form furnished by the town. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the director. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid according to the current fee schedules maintained by the building inspector's office and established by the town council.
(c)
Upon approval of the application by the director, the director shall authorize the building inspector to issue a permit for such installation to a duly licensed plumber or underground utility contractor.
(Code 1972, § 18-16; Ord. No. 2015-08, 6-10-15; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-147. - Separate and connecting building sewers.#
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building. Where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer. The town does not and will not assume any obligation or responsibility for damage caused by or resulting from any such single connection aforementioned. The rights appurtenant to such single connection or extension from a front building to a rear building shall be recorded with each of the respective deeds.
(Code 1972, § 18-17; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-148. - Investigation of existing sewer service connections.#
An investigation of private sewers or drains and sewer service connections within the street limits laid previous to the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter derives may be made at the discretion of the director to determine if such private sewers and sewer connections are property located, laid at suitable gradient, in good condition, with proper and suitable appurtenances and in every way satisfactory to the director.
(Code 1972, § 18-18; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-149. - Costs and expenses.#
All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connections of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the town from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.
(Code 1972, § 18-19; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-150. - Extension of sewer system.#
(a)
Any person developing a plat of land in the town shall, at his own expense, install sewer lines and service stubs or wyes in such plat and shall connect the same with the existing sewer system according to town-approved plans where the system is within 200 feet (60.6 meters) of the subdivision. Where the existing sewer system is beyond 200 feet (60.6 meters), or where no town-approved plans are available, each lot shall be designed insofar as feasible to permit the location of an individual sewage disposal system between the building site and the street.
(b)
Connection to the public sewer system shall be in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the following:
(1)
The entire cost of the installation of all sewer pipes to serve any such plat or any part thereof shall be paid by the developer. The entire cost shall include the cost of all engineering services, both preliminary to and during the actual installation of such sewer pipes, and the costs of all materials, services, labor and supplies for constructing and laying out sewers and connecting the sewers with the town's sewer system.
(2)
The developer, before proceeding with the installation of sewer lines in any such plat or any part thereof, shall submit plans and specifications to the director relative to the proposed construction in accordance with the standard construction details of the town. If the director approves such plans and specifications, the developer shall submit the name of a qualified sewer contractor to do the work, together with a breakdown of items, quantities and unit prices for the project. After investigating the qualifications of the proposed contractor and reviewing the breakdown submitted, the director shall make the final determination whether to allow the contractor to proceed or to request that another contractor be submitted for approval.
(3)
The construction and laying out of all sewer lines pursuant to this section shall be subject to the inspection of the director. If at any time the director shall determine that the construction and laying out of such sewer lines is not being performed in accordance with the plans and specifications, as approved, he shall forthwith notify the developer to this effect in writing, who shall then order the suspension of all further work by and of payments to the contractor until such corrections are made as will produce complete compliance with the plans and specifications.
(4)
All sewer lines constructed pursuant to the provisions of this article shall become the property of the town. After such sewer lines have been connected with the public sewer, all the normal costs of operating and maintaining them shall be borne by the town. However, the town may backcharge the contractor for any abnormal conditions for a period of six months after acceptance.
(c)
Abutting lands to sewer lines with building laterals that are extended through an existing dedicated or improved street to serve a plat as described in subsection (b) of this section and are constructed at the expense of any person, group of persons or developer shall be assessed/based on each home site served by the installation of the sewer line in an existing dedicated or improved street. In the case of construction by other than the town for sewer lines extended through an existing dedicated or improved street to provide sewer lines to a plat or other dwelling, reimbursements of the assessment charge less ten percent for administrative fees shall be paid to the person, group of persons or developer at the time assessment fees are paid in full or the yearly assessment has been paid to the town. It will be the responsibility of the person, group of persons or developer to seek reimbursements from the town. Total reimbursement shall not exceed the total cost of construction less ten percent for administrative fees. All requests for sewer system extensions which will be seeking reimbursements must meet the following requirements:
(1)
To be certified before construction begins:
a.
Project approval from the town council.
b.
The town clerk's stamp of approval indicating town council approval.
c.
Plans approved by the town engineer and WPCF superintendent.
(2)
The portion of the cost not covered by assessments shall be the responsibility of the person, group of persons or developer. No town financial reimbursement will be provided unless the conditions of subsection (c)(1) of this section are met before construction.
(Code 1972, § 18-20; Ord. No. 1997-03, 7-16-97; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-151. - Sanitary sewer standards.#
The following design standards for sanitary sewers are considered acceptable: (1)
At the juncture between a sewer and one of larger diameter, the inverts of the sewers shall be designed so that the peak flow lines match.
(2)
Velocities greater than 12 feet per second (3.7 mps) or less than two feet per second (0.61 mps), when flowing, will be unacceptable.
(3)
Installing a smaller sewer downstream from a larger sewer in general will be considered unacceptable.
(4)
Sewers of a diameter from eight inches (20.3 cm) through 21 inches (53.3 cm) shall be designed so that they are flowing at a depth no greater than 0.6 times the diameter of the sewer at peak flow rates.
(5)
Sewers of a diameter larger than 21 inches (53.3 cm) shall be designed so that they are flowing at a depth no greater than 0.7 times the diameter of the sewer at peak flow rates.
(6)
Sewers shall be designed using a Manning's "n" of 0.013 constant with depth.
(7)
No public sewer shall be less than eight inches (20.3 cm) diameter.
(8)
Manholes shall be installed at the end of each line; at all changes in grade, size or alignment; at all intersections; and at distances not greater than 400 feet (121.4 m), or as approved by the director.
(9)
Manholes shall be constructed of precast reinforced concrete, American Society for Testing and Materials Designation C478, latest edition; concrete masonry units, ASTM designation C139, latest edition; or as approved by the director.
(10)
Sewer pipe shall be extra strength clay pipe, ASTM Designation C700, latest edition; asbestos cement, ASTM Designation C428, latest edition; PVC gravity sewer pipe, ASTM D3034; or as approved by the director. All pipe shall have compression joints as per appropriate ASTM designation, or as approved by the director.
(11)
All sanitary sewers and appurtenances shall be designed and constructed in accordance with WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9, "Design and Construction of Sanitary and Storm Sewers," latest revision.
(Code 1972, § 18-21; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-152. - Service connection standards.#
Sewer service connections from the public sewer to the street line shall be laid at such depth and gradient and in such location as the director may determine. No sewer service connection shall serve more than one building, except by permission of the director. All pipe shall have compression joints. The following design standards for building sewers, are considered acceptable: (1)
The pipes for building sewers from the public sewer to the property line shall be six inches (15.2 cm) in diameter, but larger sizes may be required by the director. The building sewer from the property line to the building drain shall be a minimum of four inches (10.2 cm) in diameter, but larger sizes may be required by the director. All such pipes shall conform to section 22-151(10). Building sewer pipes shall be laid with a minimum gradient of at least one-quarter of an inch per foot (2.1 cm/m). Such pipes shall be laid accurately to straight lines and gradients, except that junctions with public sewers shall be made at an angle, by installing a six-inch (15.2 cm) by six-inch (15.2 cm) wye or tee as shown in the service connection detail in appendix A of this chapter which is not printed in this Code but a copy of which is on file and available in the town offices, such that flow from the building sewer shall not be opposite in direction to the flow in the public sewer. Where depth of the public sewer is such that a chimney is required, such chimney shall be installed per appendix A which is not printed in this Code but a copy of which is on file and available in the town offices. Special means for flushing and cleaning (cleanouts) in accordance with the particular requirements of the director shall be provided in the building sewer at 75-foot increments, at all significant changes in direction and as otherwise required by the director. The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the wye or tee branch, if such branch is available at a suitable location. If no branch is available, a connection must be made by tapping the existing sewer by an approved method, then inserting an approved wye or tee saddle, all encased in concrete. Approval of tapping method and saddle shall be made by the director.
(2)
No service pipes for other utilities, such as water, gas and the like, whether town-owned or privately owned, shall be laid in the same trench with a building sewer, except by written approval of the director.
(Code 1972, § 18-22; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-153. - Lifting of sewage.#
The building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation above the basement floor so as not to allow gravity sewage flow from any basement area sanitary devises such as: toilets, sinks, washing machines, etc. Any sanitary devices located in the basement must be connected to a separate drain, and the sewage from these devices must be lifted by means of a sewage pump and discharged to the building sewer, upon the approval of the director. However, the town shall have no responsibility for the operation and maintenance of such equipment.
(Code 1972, § 18-23; Ord. No. 2006-20, 7-19-06; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-154. - Prohibited connections.#
No person shall make or keep a connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sewer.
(Code 1972, § 18-24; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-155. - Requirements for connection.#
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the town and/or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9, latest edition. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the director before installation.
(Code 1972, § 18-25; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-156. - Requirements for excavation.#
All excavation for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the town.
(Code 1972, § 18-26; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-157. - Inspection of connection.#
The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the director when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the director.
(Code 1972, § 18-27; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-158. - Discontinuance of use.#
Whenever any user under this article shall cease operation, notice shall be given to the building inspector, and the waste lines employed by such user shall be sealed under the supervision of the building inspector.
(Code 1972, § 18-28; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-159. - Sewer service under unusual conditions.#
(a)
Where an abutting town has installed sewer lines to serve their residents and possibly the Town of Bristol's residents, and where such sewer flows into the town's sewer system, such residents served shall pay the annual sewer assessment fee to help defray the operation and maintenance cost of the wastewater facilities.
(b)
Where an abutting town has residents that can be entirely served by the town's sewer system, these owners shall be subject to the annual sewer assessment fee.
(c)
Where industries are located either in the town or in an abutting town and where industries are to be served by reciprocal agreements, then under these cases agreements must be drawn and approved by the town council.
(Code 1972, § 18-29; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-160. - Removal of existing steel septic tanks.#
Whenever a steel septic tank is disconnected and/or abandoned, such steel tank shall be removed and properly disposed of. The raining hole shall then be filled in with suitable material.
(Code 1972, § 18-30; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-161. - Maintenance of lateral sewer lines.#
All repairs to and cost of maintenance of lateral sewer lines beginning at the sewer main in the public street and extending to the owner's residence or building shall be made at the expense of the owner. If such lateral lines are not repaired promptly following written notice of need thereof, the town reserves the right to discontinue the service without further notice. The town shall in no event be responsible for maintenance or for damage done by the sewage escaping from the lateral line or any other pipe or fixture on the owner's side of the property line.
(Ord. No. 2006-05, 3-8-06; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)