[HISTORY: Adopted by the Collier Township Municipal Authority 12-12-2016. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Effective
January 1, 2017, the procedure for applying for a municipal lien letter
from Collier Township Municipal Authority ("Authority") has changed.
The Authority will require a CCTV video inspection in addition to
the dye test as previously required for all property transfers in
the Township. In an effort to reduce testing costs and to streamline
the testing procedures, the Authority has entered into a contract
with Mister Sewer to handle both the CCTV video inspections and dye
testing for all of the residential properties (including new construction)
in Collier Township requesting municipal lien letters from the Authority.
Newly constructed residential dwellings will only require dye testing
since the lateral construction is inspected by the Authority prior
to occupancy. Existing residential dwellings will require both the
CCTV video inspection and the dye test. The CCTV video inspection
will remain valid for five years with the dye test remaining valid
for two years upon proof of successful passing test results.
B.
The applicant
is required to provide access to their lateral piping for testing
procedures. The video camera is typically inserted through an existing
cleanout on the piping. However, if no such access exists, the applicant
may be required to provide access through an excavation and have a
new cleanout installed. The lateral piping will be evaluated per the
National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) condition
grading system. Any lateral that is determined to be structurally
deficient, shows sign of infiltration, or has roots present will require
complete replacement or the installation of a cured-in-place liner.
A.
The testing
company/plumber will be responsible for dye testing all interior plumbing
fixtures (sinks, laundry tubs, floor drains, showers and toilets)
as well as exterior roof leaders, exposed stairwell drains, driveway
drains, and other area drains located on the property. The testing
company/plumber is responsible to verify that all internal plumbing
fixtures are connected to the Authority sewer system and that there
are no illegal connections to the Authority sewer system. If any of
the internal plumbing fixtures is not connected to the Authority sewer
system or if an illegal connection is discovered, it shall be the
property owner's responsibility to have the problem corrected.
B.
The testing
company/plumber will also be required to determine the existence and
location of the site tee, sanitary sewer fresh air vent(s) as well
as the sanitary sewer cleanout and to verify that neither the fresh
air vent nor the cleanout acts as a conduit for surface water to enter
the sanitary sewer system.
C.
The property
must also be inspected in such a manner as to determine if there is
a sump pump and any basement sump pumps that must be identified and
the discharge point must be determined.
D.
Finally,
any sanitary sewer manholes on the property must be located to verify
that they clearly have accessibility and there is no surrounding ground
conditions that will allow for surface water to enter through the
lid.
If the tests reveal that all internal plumbing fixtures are
connected to the Authority sewer system, that there are no illegal
connections, and that the lateral piping passes the NASSCO inspection,
the property will be considered to have passed the tests and no further
action is required. However, if the lateral requires replacement,
lateral rehabilitation, or lateral connections removed or altered
to meet compliance, such work is required to be inspected by the Authority
representatives prior to the issuance of any municipal no-lien letter.
The applicant is required to use the Authority's contractor for the
testing services, however they may use any plumber licensed and registered
in Allegheny County for corrective services.
The intent of the CCTV video inspection and dye test is to assure
that the lateral is in fair condition, the premise is connected to
the public sanitary sewer system, and to identify extraneous water
entry to said public sewer system through roof leaders, area drains,
vents, low lying manholes, improperly connected sump pumps, etc.,
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Collier Township
Municipal Authority, Township of Collier and the Allegheny County
Plumbing Code. These tests must be conducted on premises prior to
the issuance of a no-lien letter.
A.
When
a municipal lien letter is applied for, the applicant shall pay a
fee of $195, made payable to "Collier Township Municipal Authority,"
which includes the Authority's costs for hiring the plumber to perform
the sewer certification testing services. Upon submission of a properly
completed application and accompanying fee, the Authority shall notify
the plumber to schedule the lateral certification testing inspection,
Please make sure all sections and answers on the application are completed
and answered.
B.
We ask
that you submit your application and fee to our office at least 20
days prior to the closing date. Generally, lateral certification tests
will be scheduled on a Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and
will be coordinated by Mister Sewer with the applicant. Scheduling
with the applicant may be coordinated for days and times more convenient
to the applicant but are not guaranteed.
C.
Please
be advised that it is the applicant's responsibility to make sure
that the fresh air vent, cleanout, and site tee are exposed and accessible
in order for the plumber to complete the testing. Once the testing
has been completed, the plumber will forward the completed test reports
to Collier Township Municipal Authority for approval and issuance
of the municipal lien letter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A lateral that collects sanitary drainage from more than
one house/building and conveys it to the public sewer in a single
lateral. Basically, it is a shared lateral between two or more units
and single point of connection to the sanitary sewer, and is generally
not permitted by the Authority.
Records the amount of water that flows only to the exterior
of your house and does not enter the sanitary sewer lines of the Authority.
In some cases, a sprinkler system world warrant the use of a "deduct
meter" and in most cases, if a homeowner has a sprinkler system and
a swimming pool, it would warrant the use of a "deduct meter."
