(A) The following requirements pertain to dwellings that require a grinder pump to connect to the Town of Liberty's collection system. Owners are responsible for the installation, operation, maintenance and replacement of the entire wastewater collection system within their property.
(B) A tap will be installed by the town and the cost for such shall be taken from the tap fee. In the event a tap fee is not required, owners are responsible for all costs associated with connecting to the sanitary sewer.
(C) No work can begin until the tap fee has been paid and a permit to connect has been approved. In addition, a utility locate request must be submitted to the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Services (IUPPS). The “dig request number” issued by the IUPPS must be entered on the tap permit. For properties requiring a road bore, a right-of-way/road bore permit must be obtained from the Indiana Department of Transportation. The tap/connection fee must be paid before the permit is applied for.
(1) All applicable requirements in the "Procedure for Sanitary Sewer Connection" must be satisfied.
(2) The town recommends hiring a qualified contractor and/or electrician to ensure that the connection's design, installation and operation will provide safe, efficient and uninterrupted service under all conditions. Contractors or owners working within the public portion of the sanitary sewer must provide evidence of liability insurance. A copy must be on file before the work can begin.
(3) The dwelling's plumbing shall be designed and installed to allow only typical residential wastewater to enter the public sewer. Floor drains, sump pumps and other similar appurtenances shall not be connected to the dwelling's sewer. Storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface draining or cooling water shall not be discharged into the public sewer.
(4) Building sewer must be a direct watertight connection to the public sewer. Septic/holding tanks and other similar structures cannot be part of the service and must be abandoned in accordance with state requirements (contact local health department).
(5) All subsurface pipe and fittings must be new 4" (minimum diameter) gasketed SDR 35 PVC.
(6) Solvent weld (glued) pipe and fittings (SDR 35 or Schedule 40 PVC) and FERNCO couplings may be used in appropriate above ground applications.
(7) Laterals should be installed at a normal slope of 1/4" per foot. Minimum slope shall be 1/8" foot.
(8) The bell end of the sewer pipe shall be laid upgrade.
(9) The town recommends installing the lateral below the frost penetration depth or at a minimum of 30".
(10) The town requires the installation of a cleanout at or near the point where the sewer exits the dwelling. Additional cleanouts may be required every 100' or where a change of direction greater than 45 degrees is needed.
(11) Bends in the building sewer should be avoided where possible. Changes in direction may not be accomplished using 90-degree fittings. Two 45-degree ells and a short piece of pipe must be used where a change in direction of 9-degrees is needed.
(12) Acceptable methods and materials must be used to ensure that the building sewer is properly bedded and covered.
(13) Bedding and cover shall consist of angular, 1/8" to 1" in diameter, washed and graded or crushed stone. The pipe must have a 2" bed and 2" cover of stone. Native material taken from the trench may be used for the balance of the backfill provided it is stone free and well broken up.
(14) Prior to beginning installation, an authorized representative of the town shall inspect all materials to ensure they are of sufficient type and quantity to complete the installation. The town reserves the right to reschedule the work should they determine there is insufficient or improper materials onsite that would prevent the installation from being completed in an efficient, timely or safe manner.
(15) The owner shall furnish and install, under the town's supervision, a complete packaged grinder pump station. The unit shall consist of a factory-built and tested grinder pump(s) suitably mounted in a basin/vault constructed of fiberglass, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or concrete. If concrete is used, the vault must be sealed and watertight. Concrete vaults may be subjected to a standard leakage test. The unit shall consist of a rail lift system, all non-corrosive material (plastic, fiberglass or stainless steel), guide rails, upper guide bracket, discharge piping and check valve (this may be part of the rail lift assembly), shut-off valve with extension handle, Nema 4 junction box with cord grips for all pump and control wires. Each unit shall have a control panel consisting of a pump circuit breaker, contractor overload, start components, hand-off auto (HOA) switch, pump run light, seal fail light, alarm light and buzzer with a rest and silence switch. The panel shall be suitable for mounting on the dwelling exterior wall or a freestanding post. Mounting on freestanding post next to the basin is recommended. A station varying from the above shall be permitted provided the station has been determined to be a town approved equal.
(a) The grinder pump unit (lift station) must be located within 25 feet of the dwelling. Any location greater than 25 feet must be approved by the town.
(b) The town strongly recommends that the basin/vault be of ample volume to provide adequate storage capacity in the event of lift station failure due to power outages, peak usage complications or mechanical failure. A duplex lift station may be required for commercial applications.
(c) The control panel shall include audio and visual alarms, a push-to-test switch, high- level float switch and a hand-off auto (HOA) pump starting control switch. Elapsed time meter(s) (minutes) are also recommended.
(d) The pumps shall be capable of delivering, at a minimum, 0 GPM against a rated total dynamic head of 106 feet (46.0 PSIG) and 10 GPM against a rated total dynamic head of 100 feet (43.4 PSIG). The pump(s) must also be capable of operating from 20 feet negative total dynamic head to shut-off head without overloading the motor(s) or relying on a mechanical protection device. Under no conditions shall in-line piping or valving be allowed to create a false apparent head.
(e) Owner shall be notified should the proposed location require pumps capable of operating in excess of 100 feet (43.4 PSIG) total dynamic head. Said determination may not be possible until the town has tapped and press checked the force main.
(f) All equipment shall be a product of a company experienced in the design and manufacture of grinder pumps for specific use in low-pressure sewage systems.
(g) All materials exposed to wastewater shall have inherent corrosion protection. The materials shall be made of brass, bronze, fiberglass, stainless steel, or PVC.
(h) The grinder pump and controls shall be free from electrical and fire hazards as required in a residential environment. The completely assembled and wired grinder pump station should be listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. to be safe and appropriate for the intended use.
(i) The grinder pump shall meet accepted standards for plumbing equipment for use in or near residences, shall be free from noise, odor, or health hazards, and shall have been tested by an independent laboratory to certify its capability to perform as specified in either individual or low pressure sewer system applications. The unit shall bear the National Sanitation Foundation seal.
(j) Installation of the unit shall be accomplished so that the finished height of the basin/vault extends above the ground. The finished grade shall slope away from the unit. The lid of the basin/vault shall be gasketed and watertight,
(k) A concrete anti-flotation collar is recommended when using a fiberglass or high- density polyethylene basin,
(l) All piping and fittings shall meet accepted standards for plumbing equipment and shall be manufactured and tested in accordance with all applicable wastewater service specifications.
(16) The service (discharge) line from the grinder unit shall be constructed using appropriate diameter SDR 21 PVC or DR II High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) PE 3408 (or an approved equal). Tracer wire is recommended to be run with the discharge line.
(17) The service (discharge) line shall be installed in a straight and uniform manner. Changes in direction can not be accomplished using 90-degree fittings.
(18) The service (discharge) line shall be extended and connect to a town installed curb stop or tap. Typically, the town will locate the curb stop approximately 1' inside of the owner's property line. A valve box will be placed over the curb stop to provide ready access if needed.
(19) Bedding of the service (discharge) line is not required provided the trench floor is smooth and the cover is stone free and broken up.
(20) Connection to the public sewer (tap) including excavation must be made under the direct supervision of an authorized town representative. Extreme caution must be used when locating and connecting to the end of the public sewer. The valve must be excavated by hand. At no time should excessive pressure (pushing or pulling) be exerted on the service. To do so could result in damage to the tap.
(21) Appropriate transition couplings are required to connect the service (discharge) line to the town installed curb stop or tap.
(22) Support and/or bracing of all valves is required.
(23) The service (discharge) line from the lift station below the frost penetration depth or at a minimum depth 30".
(24) The lift station shall be installed and operational prior to connecting to the tap. This will allow open trench inspection of the system under operating conditions.
(25) Service (discharge) lines not immediately connected to an installed curb shall be capped, marked and covered until the tap can be made.
(26) Owner must ensure that all state and local requirements are satisfied during the entire process. Town standards are designed to work in conjunction with all state and local requirements.
(27) The complete installation must be in accordance with all manufacturers' specifications and recommendations.
(28) Onsite inspection by an authorized town representative during installation is required. Open trench inspection of the entire installation is required should complications prevent continuous onsite inspection.
(29) Inspection services are required to ensure adherence to town specifications and provide guidance or clarification. Liability and safety restrictions prevent inspectors from physically assisting during the installation. The town strongly encourages owners to have appropriate personnel available to complete the installation.
(30) Inspection services are available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding weekends and holidays). No work, can begin after 10:00 a.m. and must be completed before 4:00 p.m. unless prior arrangements have been made. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to schedule inspection services.
(31) All connections must be approved by the town prior to backfilling. Anyone covering a connection in advance of approval will be required to uncover said pipe in a manner to allow proper inspection.
(Ord. 2011-2, passed 6-13-2011; Am. Ord. 2019-10, passed 12-2-2019; Am. Ord. 2024-5, passed 4-1-2024)