Sewer Use Regulations

Article III.  Building Sewers and Connections

Section 1. Authorized Uses

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. Permits

There shall be two (2) classes of building sewer permits for: (a) residential and commercial service and (b) service to establishments producing industrial waste. 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. Installation and Connection Costs

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. Independent Building Sewers

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.

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 5. Building Sewer Connection

A property that generates wastewater, where a common sewer is available for connection, shall be connected to the common sewer, within two years 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.

Section 6. Grinder Pumps

The Town will advertise a bid for grinder pumps with each expansion of the Town collection system. An eligible property owner will need to request a pump for their property within three

(3) years of the Town bid opening for the pumps that were received for the associated collection system or within three (3) years of the first order to connect, whichever comes last (the requirements of Section 6 for connection time are in full effect). When an eligible property owner requests a grinder pump from the Town, they will need to sign a transfer and maintenance agreement. Any warranties for the pumps will be transferred to the property owner. The property owner will be responsible for all maintenance of the pumping system and for any replacement that is needed. The Town is not responsible for any failure of the grinder or any impacts resulting from the failure whether due to misuse, act of God, or failure of pump under warranty.

The Town shall provide one (I) outdoor simplex grinder pump system for each residential (non-commercial and non-industrial) property that had an existing septic system with an occupancy permit on the date the contract for the installation of the municipal sewer system for that property commenced. The Town shall also reimburse a property owner who has previously purchased a

grinder pump (and meets all requirements herein) at a value commensurate with the aforementioned bid price. In addition, if a specialty pump is needed (e.g., flood zone, indoor unit), the Town shall reimburse the homeowner at a value commensurate with the bid price noted previously.

The need for a grinder pump will either be shown on the drawings or will be as agreed by the Town's engineer (an existing septic system and occupancy permit are still required as indicated above). In general, the Town is serving first floors for the municipal sewer system, but exceptions can be made for existing basement uses that include plumbing and sanitary drainage to an existing septic system by the date indicated herein. Changes to the property after the commencement of the installation of the municipal sewer system will not change the eligibility of the property to have a grinder pump. Grinder pumps other than the style noted herein will not be provided by the Town.

The property owner shall hire an installer, trained by the pump manufacturer to maintain the warranty, who shall confirm the grinder pumps procured by the Town are appropriate for the specific installation. Once the transfer and maintenance agreement has been signed, the installer shall pick up the pump at a Town designated location.

Homeowners shall call the grinder pump manufacturer's representative, if they are having an issue with the residential grinder pump provided by the Town while the pump is under warranty. After the warranty period, the property owner may contact other qualified repair companies.

Property owners shall contact the Harwich Water & Sewer Department for information on the grinder pump manufacturer's representative.