(A) Property owners shall inspect and provide to the District a report of the results of the inspection of the laterals on their property prepared by a licensed plumber using closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection or other inspection or test method approved by the District Engineer, and if found defective, the property owner shall obtain a lateral repair permit and thereafter repair the lateral, as follows:
(1) When building a new structure on property with an existing lateral, or when otherwise proposing to connect a previously unconnected structure to an existing lateral;
(2) As a condition of approval of any major building remodel project. A major building remodel project is one that is estimated to cost $50,000 or more;
(3) Prior to the close of escrow when the property is transferred via sale or other transfer of ownership by deed, instrument or writing;
(4) Whenever the District finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a lateral has encroached upon public property, including but not limited to a street or the storm drain system, or has flowed onto private property owned by another property owner;
(5) Whenever the District finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a lateral presents a threat to public health, even if it has not flowed across a property line. In the absence of a specific deadline, all inspection and testing work shall be completed within 60 days of notification by the District that such inspection is required. Existing laterals shall not be used if they are found to be defective by the inspection or if they fail District mandated tests or if they were constructed of materials deemed unacceptable by the District Engineer;
(6) When as part of its periodic construction and maintenance of sewer mains, the District discovers defective laterals, the District may order the property owner to conduct an inspection, repair or replacement of any lateral that the District knows or reasonably suspects to be defective.
(B) A lateral shall be considered defective if it has any of the following conditions: tap connections to the sewer main, displaced joints, root intrusion, substantial deterioration of the lines, damaged cleanout, defective cleanout, inflow, infiltration of extraneous water, or other conditions likely to substantially increase the chance for a lateral blockage, or if, within a period of one year, a lateral suffers two or more blockages resulting in overflows. Factory wye connection made of the same material as the main sewer is required.
(C) Whenever defective laterals are found, the property owner, at the sole expense of the property owner, shall repair or replace the lateral. The District Engineer shall determine the extent of repair required, and more limited repair than complete replacement of the lateral may be permitted at the sole discretion of the District Engineer. The following requirements shall be met.
(1) A replaced or repaired lateral shall not be covered or backfilled until it has been inspected by a representative of the District.
(2) All repaired or replaced laterals shall be brought into compliance with District requirements. Overflow devices must be installed on all repaired or replaced laterals, and backflow valves are required to be installed on laterals.
(D) In the absence of a specific deadline established by the District, all repair or replacement work shall be completed within 60 days of notification by the District that such repair or replacement is required.
(E) When a lateral is completely replaced in accord with a valid lateral replacement permit, the property owner is not required to inspect the lateral upon sale of the property for ten years following the date of complete replacement of the lateral.
(F) Roots, grease, or other material which have accumulated in a lateral cleaned or maintained shall be prevented from entering the sewer main during the maintenance or repair of the lateral. In the event that material is permitted to enter the main causing or contributing to the cause of a sewage spill, the property owner and/or contractor performing such maintenance work, in addition to any criminal penalties imposed, shall be subject to civil liability for any fines or other expense incurred by the District resulting from the spill.
(Ord. 2024-02, passed 9-26-2024)