Lincoln Municipal Code Art. IV Building Sewers and Connections

No person shall use, alter, connect to, uncover or discharge into any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the public works director.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: (A) for residential and commercial service, and (B) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by such plans, specifications or other information required by the public works director. In addition to the connection charges imposed by Chapter 13.12, the applicant shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the city for plan check and inspection of the work.

In addition, for establishments producing industrial wastes, the city may require that the owner or his agent apply for an individual wastewater discharge permit as described in Article VIII. of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

Every building sewer permit issued by the public works director under the provisions of Article IV shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new building sewer permit shall first be obtained so to do, and the fee therefor shall be the amount required for a new permit for such work with a credit being given for any fees previously paid to the city for the original building sewer permit. A credit for fees previously paid will be granted provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that any failure to commence, suspension or abandonment of work has not exceeded one year.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer to the building drain and public sewer shall be borne by the property owner. The owner shall indemnify and hold harmless the city from and against any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly result by the installation or connection of the building sewer by employees of the city or its contractors.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

No existing sewer may be used by any building or facility constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter unless the sewer is determined by the public works director to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

Building sewer materials shall be approved by the public works director. The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the public works director, but in no event shall the diameter be less than four inches. The slope of such four-inch pipe shall be not less than one-quarter inch per foot. The slope of building sewers six inches and larger shall be not less than one-eighth inch per foot.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three feet of any bearing wall which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at a uniform grade and in straight alignment in so far as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with properly curved pipe and fittings.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

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

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

Pipelaying and backfill shall be subject to the approval of the public works director. Building sewer piping shall be laid on a firm bed throughout its entire length. No backfill shall be placed until after the work has been inspected.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

(a) Connections of building sewers to a public sewer shall be made by the owner under an encroachment permit issued by the city and inspected by the city inspector upon the payment of a connection fee as established by ordinance. The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the "Y" branch, if such branch is available at a suitable location. In addition to an encroachment permit, the work shall also require a construction agreement and posting of bonds as security for faithful performance and labor and materials in an amount not less than 100 percent of the estimated cost of the construction work, and a warranty bond guaranteeing the work against defect in materials and workmanship in an amount of not less than 20 percent of the estimated cost of the work for a period of one year following the acceptance of the work by the city council. Estimated cost of work shall be inclusive of all tasks necessary to be performed, to include trench shoring, traffic control, stormwater protection, trench restoration, and any other expenses incurred by the overall project for works of improvements within the public right-of-way.

(b) If the public sewer is 12 inches in diameter or less, and no properly located "Y" branch is available, the owner at its sole expense shall install a "Y" branch in the public sewer at the location specified by the public works director under a properly issued encroachment permit and inspected by the city inspector.

(c) If in the opinion of the public works director the following connections may be made to the public sewer without causing disruptions to the flow and operations of the sewer, where the public sewer is greater than 12 inches in diameter, and no properly located "Y" branch is available, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer, with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about 45 degrees. A 45-degree "L" may be used to make such connection, so that the spigot end does not extend past the inner surface of the public sewer.

(d) The invert of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be at the same or 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. Special fittings may be used for the connection only when approved by the public works director.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the public works director when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the public works director, or his representative.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)

All excavations for building sewer installations shall be adequately protected in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city.

(Ord. No. 992B, § 1, 6-25-2019)