(a) Applications. Where any individual or organization desires to construct or have constructed, sanitary sewers beyond the present sewers, and connect same to the City sanitary sewer system, application for such construction and connections must first be submitted to and approved by, Council. Application must be in the form of a letter outlining the proposed project and accompanied by detailed plans and specifications which shall contain all information pertinent to the design and construction of the proposed sanitary sewers. Two copies of such plans and specifications must be submitted. Both copies thereof shall be approved by Council, one copy to be returned to the applicant and the other copy to be filed in the office of the Director of Finance.
(b) Specifictions. In general, the design and construction of all sanitary sewers shall comply with sound recognized engineering practices and sewer construction standards. Council shall reserve the right to invoke any requirements which are deemed necessary for the protection, satisfactory operation and future maintenance of the sanitary sewer system.
(c) Pipe Standards. All sanitary sewer lines serving more than two lots shall have an inside diameter of at least six inches. Larger sizes may be required where volume of sewage flow or possible future development indicates they are needed. The sewer pipe shall be SDR 35 PVC or other acceptable and approved material. No old or used sewer pipe shall be used for sanitary sewers unless accepted by a representative of Council.
(d) Joints. Joints shall be well caulked and oakum and then sealed. Other types of joints will be considered for approval. Every joint, after being made, shall be scraped on the inside before the next pipe is placed to insure a perfect flow line.
(e) Lines; Grades. All sewers shall be laid on straight lines and uniform grades. Grades shall be such as to cause a minimum velocity in the sewer of at least two feet per second when sewer is flowing half full. In calculting minimum sewer grades, velocities and maximum capacities, Kotter's Formula with N - .013, shall be used.
(f) Manholes. Standard manholes shall be required at each change of direction or grade, intersection with other sewers, or at least every 400 feet. Manholes shall be constructed of pre-cast reinforced concrete sections. They shall have smooth, well-formed inverts, so as not to interfere with the smooth flow of sewage through the bottom. The manholes shall have a minimum diameter of four feet and, near the top, shall be tapered to a diameter of two feet five inches. Construction of the manhole shall be such that a water-tight structure will result, and each manhole shall be equipped with cast iron steps to provide reasonable access to the bottom. The manhole shall be topped with a standard cast iron frame and cover. Sample drawings showing manhole details may be obtained upon request from the City Engineer.
(g) Trenches. Before any pipe is laid in a dry trench, the trench shall be evenly graded with depressions being made for the bell end of the pipe, so that the weight of the pipe will be evenly supported along its entire length. After the pipe is laid and properly jointed, loose earth shall be carefully tamped about the pipe and to a depth of at least six inches above the top of the pipe, after which coarser materials may be backfilled. Where the bottom of the trench has been filled in, the builder shall be required to thoroughly tamp the area under the pipe. In wet soil or "quick sand," a rigid type of pipe, such as cast iron, may be required in order to insure stability of the sewer line. The need for a rigid type pipe shall be decided by the Council representative inspecting the work.
(h) Infiltration. All pipe shall be laid and jointed so as to provide a tight waterproof and root-resistant system. If it is deemed advisable by the Council representative, infiltration tests may be made upon the new sewer lines before they are placed in service.
Infiltration shall not exceed the following amounts:
Size of Pipe (inches) | Allowable Infiltration in Gallons Per Mile Per 24 Hours |
8 | 6,300 |
12 | 9,500 |
15 | 15,000 |
In the event that the measurements of infiltration exceed the allowable limits, as stated in the above table, the applicant shall be required to repair the defective joints or pipe to reduce the infiltration to the specified limits.
(i) Inspection; Backfilling. Council shall have the right to inspect all materials and work at any time during the progress of the job. No sewer line or manhole excavations shall be backfilled without the prior inspection and approval of the Council representative.
(j) House Laterals. All house lateral connections constructed as a part of a new sewer extensions shall conform in every respect to the provisions of this article regarding house lateral connections to the City sanitary sewer system. Wherever a sewer line is to be constructed under a paved street, or a street which is to be paved in the near future, house laterals shall be constructed at the same time as the street sewer. These laterals shall be extended to, or beyond the existing or proposed curb line of the pavement.
(k) Right of Way. All sewer line extensions shall be made in recognized street or alley rights of way or under rights of way especially dedicated for sewer line construction. Where sewer lines are constructed in rights of way other than streets or alleys, the builder of such sewer lines shall furnish Council with legal rights-of-way agreements conveying these rights of way to the City. The width of such rights of way shall be at least five feet on either side of the centerline of the sewer.
(l) Conveyance to City. After satisfactory completion of the construction of the sewer extensions, if then within the City corporate limits or upon the subdivision or development in which such sewer extensions have been constructed being taken into the City, the builder and/or owner of these sewer extensions shall, by appropriate instrument, convey the ownership of these new sewer lines and the necessary rights of way therefor, to the City for future maintenance and operation. Such sewers shall be subject to all rules and regulations applicable to the City sanitary system, including the obligation to pay the prevailing sewer service charges from the time the sewer extensions are placed in service. (1976 Code Sec. 19-32)