Sewer Use Regulations

Article III.  Building Sewers and Connections

Section 1.  No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Superintendent.  Any person proposing a new discharge into the system or a substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants that are being discharged into the /system shall notify the Superintendent in writing, and receive the Superintendents’ written approval at least ninety (90) days prior to the proposed change in discharge or sewer connection.

No person shall construct, uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facilities or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Superintendent working on behalf of the Wastewater Commission. 

Section 2.  There shall be two (2) classes of building sewer permits for: (a) residential and commercial service and (b) service to establishments producing industrial wastes.  In either case, the owner (or agent) shall make application on a special form furnished by the Town of Harwich. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Superintendent and Director of the Health Department. A permit and inspection fees connection charges, and inspection fee shall be paid at the time the application is filed.

Section 3.  All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer to the sewer works shall be borne by the owner.  The owner shall indemnify the Town from any loss or damage that may occur either directly or indirectly or occasioned by the installation or repair of the building sewer.  Construction of all building sewers shall be performed only by a Licensed Utility Installer. 

Section 4.  A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private or public sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through either: an adjoining alley, courtyard, driveway, or easement.   If these conditions exist, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.

Section 5.  Old building sewers may be used to connect new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test, to meet all requirements of these rules and regulations and are approved by the Superintendent.

Properties with building sewers that will be connected to the sewer system from a septic system, a portion of the existing pipe may be used as part of the building lateral to a public sewer or to a pumping system only if it meets the requirements in the previous paragraph.

Section 6.  A property that is generating wastewater, where a common sewer is available for connection, shall be connected to the common sewer, within two-years (730) days of written notification from the Board of Health, unless the Board determines a different connection schedule following a public hearing.  For new construction, connection to the common sewer, where a common sewer is available for connection, shall be completed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.            

In the case of construction of new common sewers, or extensions of existing common sewers, said Board of Health written notification shall follow notice from the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners that said common sewer(s) are complete.