Fort Jones Municipal Code Ch. 13.08 Sewer Service

The owner of any building situated within the town and abutting on any street in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sewer of the town, is required at the owner's expense to connect the building directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within 30 days after the date of official notice to do so, when such connection is deemed necessary by the town.

(Code 1987, § 13.04.040; Res. No. 993, app. A, § 13.04.040, 6-6-2011)

At the discretion of the director, certain uses that unduly burden the sewer system shall be restricted or regulated. These uses include, but are not limited to, commercial or residential customers producing quantities of grease or other materials detrimental to the sewer system. In this case, these customers would be required to install grease traps at their expense.

(Code 1987, § 13.04.050; Res. No. 993, app. A, § 13.04.050, 6-6-2011)

Existing septic tanks serving buildings that are unable to connect to sewer mains shall be governed by the following:

(1) All tanks and tank installations shall meet with county health and building standards.

(2) If it shall become feasible due to changes in mains, etc., any person currently utilizing septic tanks shall, as soon as possible, connect to the town sewer mains under regulations currently in effect.

(Code 1987, § 13.04.060; Res. No. 993, app. A, § 13.04.060, 6-6-2011)

Any violation of this title, with the exception of section 13.08.050, shall constitute an infraction or misdemeanor, at the discretion of the town attorney, to be punished according to the provisions of state law in existence at the time of the violation.

(Code 1987, § 13.04.080; Res. No. 993, app. A, § 13.04.080, 6-6-2011)

The contractor shall be responsible to inspect each parcel and satisfy himself as to the work to be performed, including the character, quality, and quantity of surface and subsurface materials to be encountered and the arrangement of the existing onsite plumbing. Any failure by the contractor to acquaint himself with the work will not relieve him from responsibility for properly estimating the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work.

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(A))

(a) The scope of work for each parcel consists of installing a new four-inch diameter PVC or ABS service line from the new lateral location at the property line or easement line to the existing house or structure, then at the house or structure disconnect and plug the existing service lines and connect all sanitary drainage piping to the new service line.

(b) In those cases where there are existing plumbing connections to the sewer main that are under the structure, the contractor shall disconnect all existing drainage piping from the sewer main and replumb them so that all drain piping connects only to the new lateral. If multiple drainpipes are run from under the house to the new lateral, they shall each be provided with a plugged clean out immediately beyond the structure foundation as specified.

(c) In those cases where multiple drain lines are currently discharging from a structure to the sewer main located outside of the structure, the contractor shall tie into existing lateral at the closest point to the new sewer lateral located at the property line.

(d) The existing sewer must remain in service until all the sewer service laterals are connected in a given sewer service area. Therefore, it is very important that the contractor exercise extreme care when disconnecting existing service connections to make sure that debris does not enter the existing sewer. The contractor shall also install a watertight cap or plug on all existing sewer lines that are disconnected to limit infiltration and inflow into the old sewer until it is taken out of service.

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(A))

The contractor shall notify the town that an installation is ready for inspection at each of the following junctures:

(1) Prior to removing the service lateral plug and connecting the house drain from the structure;

(2) After the pipe has been laid with bedding up to the centerline of the pipe, but before backfilling the pipe trench;

(3) When all work is complete.

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(A))

The following materials shall be used:

(1) Four-inch diameter sewer line:

a. PVC sewer pipe—Schedule 40 (ASTM D 2665) or (ASTM F 891).

b. ABS sewer pipe—Schedule 40 (ASTM D 2661) or (ASTM F628).

c. Solvent weld joints. (Note: If ABS sewer pipe is used, it must be connected to the town's PVC pipe using solvent that is recommended for both PVC and ABS pipe.)

(2) Pipe fittings same materials as sewer line:

a. PVC (ASTM D 2665 and D 3311).

b. ABS (ASTM D 2661 and D 3311).

(3) Cleanouts of the same material as sewer line.

(4) Concrete shall be a minimum of a 5.5 sack mix with a maximum slump of four inches.

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(B))

The special property line cleanout shall consist of a standard double cleanout tee and a stub of four-inch pipe extended to within four to six inches of the ground surface and capped with a watertight threaded plug as shown on the attached detail. This cleanout shall be provided with a standard valve box with cast-iron lid such as Cook Concrete Products No. 10T12, Brooks Products No. 1-RT, or equal. Lid shall be marked "sewer."

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(B))

Construction shall conform to the following specifications:

(1) Slope of pipe: minimum slope of one-quarter-inch per foot unless otherwise approved in writing by the town.

(2) Bedding: pipe to be placed on a firm bed of sand or aggregate base, a minimum of four inches below pipe and six inches around sides and over top of pipe.

(3) Depth: minimum of 18 inches (one inch to six inches) of cover over the top of the pipe unless otherwise approved in writing by the town.

(4) Cleanout spacing:

a. At 100-foot intervals for straight runs.

b. One additional cleanout for each aggregate change in direction of 135 degrees or more (three 45-degree bends or one 90-degree bend and one 45-degree bend).

c. Provide a cleanout immediately outside of the foundation at each connection to the structure plumbing, except no cleanout will be required on a branch that does not exceed ten feet in length and is a straight-line projection from a building drain which is provided with a cleanout.

d. All cleanouts shall be extended to grade.

e. Each cleanout shall be installed so that it opens to allow cleaning in the direction of flow or at right angles thereto, and except in the case of wye branch and end-of-line cleanouts, shall be installed vertically above the flow line of the pipe.

f. Cleanouts installed under concrete or asphalt paving shall be made accessible with a concrete meter box with traffic rated cover such as a Cook Concrete Products No. 14 box with a cast-iron traffic cover, or equal, or extending flush with paving with approved materials and be adequately protected.

(5) Backwater valves: drainage piping serving fixtures which have flood level rims located below the elevation of the next upstream manhole cover of the town sewer main serving such drainage piping shall be protected from backflow of sewage by installing an approved type backwater valve. Fixtures above such elevation shall not discharge through the backwater valve. Backwater valves shall be ABS, PVC, or cast-iron and approved by the town. Provide concrete meter box with concrete extensions to the surface and concrete lid of adequately size to provide access to remove backwater valve cover and perform maintenance.

(6) Sump pump or groundwater discharges: there may be some existing groundwater drain pump discharges that should be diverted away from the sewer system. Prior to connecting any sump pump or drainage pump discharges, obtain written permission from the town that they should be connected to the town sewer system.

(7) Trench backfill: all trench backfill in traffic areas, such as roadways, shoulders, and driveways shall be Caltrans Class 2 aggregate base compacted to 90 percent relative compaction. Existing asphalt or concrete, if any, shall be neatly cut and patched. A minimum of two inches of asphalt concrete shall be placed and compacted to patch existing asphalt. The concrete thickness shall match that of the existing concrete. Trench backfill in landscaped areas shall be native material which shall be firmly compacted by jetting, inundation, or mechanical means.

(8) Protection and restoration of existing improvements and trees: replace in kind any fences, sidewalks, or other improvements removed or damaged as a result of the work. In some cases, the sewer laterals will have to be installed adjacent to existing trees and shrubs. In order to preserve the trees, the contractor shall take special care to protect tree trunks and limbs during construction. Special attention shall be taken to avoid wrenching or otherwise damaging roots greater than three inches in diameter. When such roots are encountered, they should be left intact if at all possible or cut cleanly with a saw. Roots greater than six inches in diameter should not be cut. If tree or shrub removal is required, the contractor shall notify the property owner and obtain their written permission prior to beginning work.

(Code 1987, ch. 13.04, att.(C))