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HomeMy Public PortalAbout450704Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Sewer Separation Program — Preventing Future Backups Overview MSD's Sewer Separation Program (SSP) began in 2001 and is specifically designed to prevent the occurrence of basement backups due to overcharged sewers caused by insufficient public sewer capacity. The program involves modifying the private lateral line connecting the home or business to the public sewer. The modifications to the private property are intended to isolate the property from the overcharged public sewer. The modifications are performed at no cost to the property owner. However, the property owner must agree to the modifications and remove all storm water connections to the lateral. In addition, they must allow MSD access to their property for installation and on -going maintenance. Eligibility Criteria Current eligibility criteria for participation in MSD's SSP is to have experienced two overcharged sewer related backup events. The program does not apply to those properties where the cause of the basement flooding is due to overland flow, lack of maintenance of the sewer lateral by the property owner, or temporary public sewer maintenance issues such as a blocked main. Once installed, the SSP device belongs to the property owner. MSD will provide necessary routine maintenance to the device. The Process An MSD field engineer conducts an initial review to determine if the property is eligible for inclusion in the Sewer Separation Program. This can consist of reviewing maintenance history for the property and a preliminary site visit. Once it has been determined that the property is eligible for the Program, the following process is performed. 1) An MSD field engineer will meet with the property owner and conduct a comprehensive investigation of the property. The goal of the investigation is to identify the cause of the backups and determine the appropriate solution. The investigation may involve the following: • Locating the private sewer line that connects the building to the public sewer and televising the interior condition of the pipe. • Dye testing all identified storm water connections such as gutters, downspouts and exterior drains. • Collecting information on the property's drainage, layout and construction. • Measuring elevations of the basement relative to the main public sewer line. • Televising the public sewer line to determine its condition. Page 1 of 3 June 2012 Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Sewer Separation Program — Preventing Future Backups 2) Using the information gathered during the comprehensive investigation, the field engineer will identify a solution specific to the property in order to prevent future backups from occurring. There are several types of SSP devices that are available for installation based on the severity of the sewer backup problem. The most commonly installed devices are the Backwater Prevention Device and the Grinder Pump: Backwater Prevention Device This device is an extendable backwater valve that prevents sewage backup into a residence or business as a result of an overcharged public sewer. It is designed to be easily installed outside a home or other structure and will be readily accessible for maintenance or cleaning. The extendable valve consists of a tee -shaped valve body, a top collar, and a bottom collar with a replaceable PVC flapper attached. In the event of back -pressure, the flapper blocks reverse flow and prevents sewage backup. Grinder Pump This device is a 2 horsepower sewage grinder pump that is installed outside a home or other structure and will be readily accessible for maintenance or cleaning. It is enclosed within a fiberglass tank approximately 30 inches in diameter and nearly flush with the ground level. The tank has a watertight removable lid locked in place by removable nuts and bolts. The Iid is typically fiberglass but may be metal if located in a heavy traffic area. The grinder pump requires an electric control panel which includes a motor starter circuit, control circuit and alarm circuit. The control or alarm panel may be located in a remote location outside of the structure preferably within sight of the system. On occasion, the extendable backwater valve can be used in conjunction with a grinder pump system. 3) Once the appropriate device has been selected, the MSD field engineer will meet with the property owner to review the selected device and the installation process. 4) The property owner will be required to sign a release Agreement accepting the proposed modifications to the private house lateral. This contract not only binds MSD and the current property owner to the agreement, but also any future property owners. By signing the SSP release, the property owner agrees to the terms and conditions associated with the Sewer Separation Program. Page 2 of 3 June 2012 Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Sewer Separation Program — Preventing Future Backups 5) Upon receipt of the executed Release, MSD will schedule the installation of the device. During construction, the property owner must allow sufficient access to the property receiving the SSP device. MSD Routine Maintenance Inspection Program Backwater Prevention Device: • MSD will perform a semi-annual inspection and cleaning. Maintenance and repairs will be performed by MSD employees or authorized contractors at no expense to the property owner. Grinder Pump Device: • MSD will provide an annual inspection and cleaning. Maintenance and repairs will be performed by MSD employees or authorized contractors at no expense to the property owner. Emergency Maintenance or Repairs MSD will provide emergency inspection and repair services for customers with a SSP device. Customers having a problem with the device are asked to contact MSD's Customer Care Center at 314.768.6260 to request an inspection. MSD will dispatch a service crew to resolve the issue. Customers may be responsible for a $100.00 deductible per service inspection call event. Especially, if MSD determines the problem was caused by the customer or the customer's lateral line. An event is defined as any time a service crew or contractor is dispatched by MSD to the property for service outside of the maintenance schedule described above. This charge will be added to the customer's next bill. Any repair needed pertaining to the call will be paid for by MSD, less the $100.00 deductible. MSD will not pay for repairs to damaged devices that are the result of any modifications or discharges of unacceptable waste materials by the property owner which affect the operation of the device. MSD will not reimburse for services provided by private plumbers or not initiated by the District's Customer Care Center. Post Installation Basement Backup Assistance If a property continues to experience backups after the device has been installed, an investigation will be performed by MSD's staff. The property owner will still be eligible for Basement Backup insurance claims if it is determined that the backup was caused by a defect in the device or improper installation. Backups with other causes may not be covered by the Basement Backup insurance. Page 3 of 3 June 2012