(A) Each property owner shall, at the property owner’s expense, inspect, maintain in good working order, repair, and replace, as necessary, the PSL so that it does not cause or contribute to any sewage discharge or exfiltration outside of the sanitary sewer system from either the PSL or the public sewer. The owner shall perform such duties as may be required in response to observed overflows or seepage attributable to the PSL, or as discovered by smoke testing, televising or other surveys of the PSL. Where such maintenance requires excavation or replacement of existing sewer facilities, the owner shall apply for and receive an encroachment permit from the City if within a City right-of-way and approval from any other affected property owner.
(B) Where it has been determined that a PSL exists on two or more adjoining lots, each property owner utilizing the private common building sewer lateral shall be responsible for their portion of the common sewer lateral and those parts described in section 7-17-6(A)1. or make direct connection to the public sewer system in accordance with the California Plumbing Code and all applicable provisions of the Placerville Municipal Code.
1. Each property owner will be responsible for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of their portion of the common sewer lateral building sewer from their individual building drain cleanouts to the public sewer connection.
2. The common sewer lateral may be relocated or abandoned if owners mutually agree and such relocation or abandonment is first approved by the City, with the appropriate permits.
3. In the event an owner neglectfully or intentionally damages or interferes with the efficient operation of the common sewer lateral, that owner shall be responsible for all costs of repairing such damage or removing any obstruction caused by the owner.
4. All owners shall acknowledge that pursuant to the California Plumbing Code, the City shall have enforcement rights with respect to this chapter, and that, in the event the City is required to bring action to enforce this chapter or any part thereof, owners agree to pay for reasonable legal fees and staff time.
(C) All PSLs must meet the following standards and the requirements of the California Plumbing Code, including:
1. The PSL shall be kept free from roots, grease deposits, and other solids which may impede or obstruct the flow.
2. All joints shall be tight, and all pipes shall be sound and free from structural defects, cracks, breaks, openings, and missing portions to prevent ex-filtration by waste or infiltration by ground water or storm water.
3. The grade of every PSL shall be uniform without sags or offsets not being less than ¼ inch per foot of grade.
4. The PSL shall have an exterior two-way cleanout located at or near the structure and a two-way cleanout located at the property line most directly adjacent to public right-of-way or easement. All cleanouts shall be securely capped at all times. Additional cleanouts shall be installed at intervals not to exceed 100 feet straight run.
5. The PSL shall be equipped with a California Plumbing Code approved backflow device.
6. In conjunction with a PSL serving a structure in which there are plumbing fixtures at an elevation too low to permit drainage by gravity from the fixtures to the sewer main, the property owner shall install and maintain a pump or other appropriate device or devices to lift the contents of the PSL to the City’s sanitary sewer system. Such devices shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the California Plumbing Code and all applicable provisions of the Placerville Municipal Code, and shall be subject to inspection, testing, repair and replacement under the provisions of this chapter governing PSLs
7. There shall be no Non-Sanitary Sewer Connections to the PSL plumbing. Any non-sanitary sewer connections shall be subject to immediate removal when discovered at the property owner’s sole expense. Illicit waste is also not permitted.
(D) Property Owners shall provide connections to the sanitary sewer system in accordance with all applicable state and local laws.
(E) Property Owners shall report to the City of any wastewater that is released from a PSL to the surface resulting in a sanitary sewer overflow or spill within 24 hours. (Ord. 1712, 12-12-2023)