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January 13, 2020NameAddressAddressSubject:RE:Lower Makefield Township Ordinance No. 421Required Inspection and Repair of Private Sanitary Sewer LateralsDear Sir or Madam:Lower Makefield Township has adopted Resolution No. 421 (Sanitary Sewer Lateral Ordinance)that requires the inspection and if necessary repair of private sanitary sewer laterals. TheSanitary Sewer Lateral Ordinance is effective on February 1, 2020 when property ownerswill need to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance. One of the primary requirements ofthe Sanitary Sewer Lateral Ordinance is the inspection of private sanitary sewer laterals. Thisletter is to inform and assist property owners, property management companies and real estateagents on the requirements of this ordinance and how it will impact property owners in LowerMakefield Township that are connected to the public sanitary sewer system.The most commonly required sanitary sewer lateral inspection will be triggered as a resultof a real estate transfer for a residential property. Prior to the sale/transfer of a property, thecurrent property owner will be required to have their sanitary sewer lateral inspected inaccordance with this ordinance. This letter provides an introduction to the Lateral Ordinance andidentifies how residents will need to comply with the Ordinance. There is additional informationon the Sanitary Sewer Lateral Ordinance available on the Lower Makefield Township website.What is a Sanitary Sewer Lateral?Private sanitary sewer laterals are the portion of sanitary sewer pipe extending from abuilding to the right of way of a public street or the edge of a sanitary sewer easement inthe majority of the areas in Lower Makefield Township. The exception to this is in theportion of Lower Makefield Township where the properties are in the Township of FallsAuthority service area. In this area the private sanitary sewer lateral extends all the wayto the sanitary sewer main. A plan showing this area in included as an exhibit to theOrdinance. Another way a property owner can identify that they are in the Township ofFalls Service Area is if they receive their sanitary sewer bill directly from the Townshipof Falls Authority.The maintenance of private sanitary sewer laterals is the responsibility of the individualproperty owners. The diagram attached to this letter illustrates the differences between atraditional single lateral connection and a shared lateral connection as well as the portionsof the lateral that are the responsibility of the property owner and those that are theTownship’s responsibility.
What does the Lateral Ordinance Require?The Lateral Ordinance requires a video inspection of the sanitary sewer lateral from thebuilding to the Township-owned portion of the lateral, visual inspection of buildings,vents, and cleanouts, and completion of a Private Sanitary Sewer Lateral InspectionApplication by a licensed contractor or plumber to Lower Makefield Township. Shouldthe inspection identify deficiencies, the property owner will be responsible for correctingor repairing the deficiencies and providing a video documentation of the repaired sanitarysewer lateral. Upon review and approval of the Inspection Form by Lower MakefieldTownship, a permit will be issued. The approval of the permit is required prior to thetransfer of any property in Lower Makefield Township that is currently connected to thepublic sanitary sewer system.When are Inspections Required?The Sanitary Sewer Lateral Ordinance requires the inspection of private sanitary sewerlaterals upon the following conditions:1. Upon the sale or transfer of residential properties,2. Based upon a ten year schedule for all non-residential properties, apartmentcomplex containing four or more units and common laterals where more than onehousing unit is connected3. When the Township intends to repair or replace a conveyance line; or4. Upon inspection of the sanitary sewer system by the Township, its personnel, orit's authorized agent(s) that discovers a sanitary sewer lateral that is not incompliance.Who Can Complete the Inspection?Property owners will need to hire a licensed plumber or licensed utility contractor toperform the inspection and complete the Lateral Inspection Form. Lower MakefieldTownship held a public request for proposals to obtain quotes to perform the requiredsanitary sewer lateral inspections. The results of the public request for proposals areavailable on the Township website and at the Township Administration Building.Property owners are not required to use these contractors and may hire a licensedplumber or licensed utility contractor of their choice.What is the cost or fees associated with the Lateral Ordinance?The property owner will be responsible for the costs associated with the inspection.Property owners will contract directly with a licensed plumber or licensed utilitycontractor to perform the work and will pay the plumber/contractor in accordance withtheir rate. Property owners will also be required to pay for any repairs to the sanitarysewer lateral to correct deficiencies identified during the inspection.
Property owners will also be required to pay the Lower Makefield Township permitapplication fee which will be established by the Lower Makefield Township Board ofSupervisors by resolution each January. The current application fee is identified on theTownship 2020 Fee Schedule that is available on the Township website as well as at theTownship administration offices.What if the sewer lateral is part of a common sanitary sewer lateral with other users?Where properties are serviced by a shared sanitary sewer lateral, the private portion of thelateral will be required to be inspected upon property transfer.The common portion of the lateral will require the following: Video inspection in years ending in a 2 (i.e. 2022)Cost estimate for repairs in years ending in a 3 (i.e. 2023)Perform and complete repairs in years ending in a 4 (i.e. 2024)Allowance for major repair hardships in years ending in a 5 (i.e. 2025)When do private sanitary sewer lateral that service non-residential properties orApartment Complexes of four or more units need to be inspected?The private sanitary sewer laterals that service non-residential properties or apartmentcomplexes of four or more units are required to be inspected in accordance with thefollowing schedule: Video inspection in years ending in a 2 (i.e. 2022)Cost estimate for repairs in years ending in a 3 (i.e. 2023)Perform and complete repairs in years ending in a 4 (i.e. 2024)Allowance for major repair hardships in years ending in a 5 (i.e. 2025)All property owners, real estate agents and property managers are encouraged to read andunderstand the requirements of Lower Makefield Township's Ordinance 421 - Private SanitarySewer Lateral Inspection Ordinance. The ordinance is available on the Township's website aswell as at the Township administration offices. A copy of the inspection form is attached to thisletter for your information.This inspection form once approved by the Township will become the permit.Should you have any questions regarding the Lateral Ordinance or the requirements, pleasecontact Lower Makefield Township at 267-274-1100.Sincerely,Lower Makefield Township
TRADITIONAL SINGLE LATERAL CONNECTIONSHARED LATERAL CONNECTION
2020-2022 Lateral Inspection Proposal ResultsProperty owners are not required to use these contractors and may hire a licensedplumber or licensed utility contractor of their choice.
Property owners are not required to use these contractors and may hire a licensedplumber or licensed utility contractor of their choice.
The Lateral Ordinance requires a video inspection of the sanitary sewer lateral from the building to the Township-owned portion of the lateral, visual inspection of buildings, vents, and cleanouts, and completion of a Private Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Application by a licensed contractor or plumber to Lower Makefield Township.
