Amador City Municipal Code Art. 5 Building Sewers, Lateral Sewers and Connections

In accordance with Article 6 of this chapter, no person shall construct a building sewer, lateral sewer or make a connection with any public sewer without first obtaining a written permit from the city and paying all fees and connection charges as required therein.

(Ord. 147 § 5.01, 2002)

Construction of building sewers and lateral sewers shall be in accordance with the requirements of the county and requirements of the city. In case of conflict, the more stringent shall apply.

(Ord. 147 § 5.02, 2002)

Pipe for side sewers shall have an internal diameter equal to or greater than that of the building drain to which it connects and in any case the minimum diameter shall be four inches. Where more than one hundred fifty (150) fixture units are to be connected to a single side sewer, the side sewer from the point of intersection of one or more building sewers to the public sewer shall be not less than six-inch diameter.

The minimum slope for four-inch diameter side sewers shall be one and one-half feet per one hundred (100) feet (1.5 percent) provided, however, that where unusual conditions exist making it impractical to obtain this slope, a four-inch diameter side sewer may have a slope of not less than one foot per one hundred (100) feet (1.0 percent) when specifically approved by the city engineer. The minimum slope for side sewers greater than four inches in diameter shall be one-half foot per one hundred (100) feet (0.5 percent).

(Ord. 147 § 5.03, 2002)

Each separate building shall be connected to the main sewer with a separate side sewer, except that one or more buildings located on property owned by the same person may be served by the same side sewer if the city engineer determines that it is unlikely that the ownership of the property can or will be divided in the future. However, if for any reason, the ownership of the property is subsequently divided, each building under separate ownership shall be provided with a separate side sewer and it is unlawful for the owner thereof to continue to use or maintain such common side sewer.

Not withstanding the provisions hereof, single-family residential units with common walls, condominium, stock co-operative, community apartment or other similar improvement which entitles owners of interests therein to occupy independent ownership interests and to make joint use of utility and other services, which may be provided by facilities owned in common, may, upon issuance of a permit authorizing such common use by the city engineer, be permitted to maintain a common side sewer or sewers.

(Ord. 147 § 5.04, 2002)

Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, upon examination and test by the city inspector, to meet all requirements of city.

(Ord. 147 § 5.05, 2002)

Clean-outs in building sewers shall be provided in accordance with the rules, regulations and ordinances of the city. Clean-outs shall be the same diameter as the building sewer. All clean-outs shall be maintained as watertight and shall be constructed with a forty-five (45) degree riser and a cast iron one-eighth bend set in concrete at the surface of the ground and shall be sealed with a watertight brass screw plug or cap in accordance with either the detailed drawing on file in the inspector's office. A clean-out shall be installed at the junction of each building sewer and lateral sewer in an accessible location within the street between the curb and property line, except, that where the sewer main and lateral is located within a public easement or right-of-way at the rear or side of the lot, no clean out need be installed if the run to the first building sewer clean-out is less than one hundred (100) feet.

(Ord. 147 § 5.06, 2002)

In all buildings in which any building sewer is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building sewer shall be lifted by artificial means, approved by the manager, and discharged to the public sewer at the expense of the owner.

(Ord. 147 § 5.07, 2002)

The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the lateral or "Y" branch, if such lateral or "Y" branch is available at a suitable location. Where no properly located "Y" branch is available, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building or lateral sewer, with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about forty-five (45) degrees. A wye saddle shall be used for the connection and in no case shall the pipe protrude inside the main sewer. The invert of the building or lateral sewer at the point of connection shall be at a higher elevation than the invert of the public sewer. A smooth neat joint shall be made, and the connection made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete. The connection to the public sewer shall be made in the presence of the city inspector and under his or her supervision and direction. Any damage to the public sewer shall be repaired at the cost of the applicant to the satisfaction of the city inspector.

(Ord. 147 § 5.08, 2002)

All excavations for a side sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades of lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, side walks, parkways and other property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city and the county or any other person having jurisdiction.

(Ord. 147 § 5.09, 2002)

Side sewers shall be maintained by the owner of the property served thereby. Where a side sewer provides service to more than one single-family residential unit in a development with common walls, condominium, stock co-operative, community apartment or other similar improvements, the obligations to maintain the side sewer shall be in the homeowner's association or entity responsible for the maintenance of the property and facilities owned in common.

(Ord. 147 § 5.10, 2002)

Where a side sewer serves plumbing fixtures that are located less than one foot above the rim elevation of the upstream manhole or rod hole in the reach of main sewer into which the side sewer connects, it shall be protected from back-flow of sewage by installing a backwater prevention device of a type and in the manner prescribed by the manager. Any such back flow device shall be installed by the applicant for sewer service at the sole cost and expense of the applicant. The maintenance of the back flow device shall be the sole obligation of the permittee or his or her successor in interest. The city shall be under no obligation to ascertain that the back flow device continues in operating condition.

(Ord. 147 § 5.11, 2002)