Article II.   Building Sewers and Connections


4.04.170   Written permission required before sewer may be altered.

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.

(Prior code § 4-1-21)

4.04.180   Types of building sewer permits.

There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: (1) for residential and commercial service, and (2) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent to the judgment of the city. A permit and inspection fee, as shall be fixed from time to time by council, shall be paid to the clerk-treasurer at the time the application is filed.

(Prior code § 4-1-22)

4.04.190   Cost borne by owner.

All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

The building sewer connecting the drains, plumbing fixtures, or like drainage devices of any type whatsoever to the public sewer system, regardless of the size or use of such building sewer, shall be deemed to be owned by the owner or the real property on which such drains, fixtures or devices are located, unless the owner can show otherwise by a recordable written instrument establishing ownership of the line in another party; and the city in no instance shall be deemed owner of such sewer by virtue of the line's connection to the public sewer system or the circumstances of the original installation of the building sewer.

(Ord. O-19-93, 1993; prior code § 4-1-23)

4.04.200   Separate building sewer required for each building.

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building. Where one building stands to the rear of another on a single lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, courtyard, or driveway, the city may grant permission for the building sewer from the front building to be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer, upon a showing by the applicant that it is not feasible that the two buildings so connected will ultimately be on separate building lots.

(Prior code § 4-1-24)

4.04.210   Old building sewers must be examined before use.

Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the city and/or the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 4-1-25)

4.04.220   Requirements must meet ASTM or WPCF standards.

The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling the trench shall all conform to the requirements of the appropriate specifications of the ASTM or WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9. All installation is to be subject to the express written approval of the city and/or the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority and in no case shall the size of the pipe installed be less than four inches in nominal diameter.

(Prior code § 4-1-26)

4.04.230   Sewer should be built at elevation below basement.

Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement or first floor. No building sewer shall be made parallel to or within three feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from live loads (automobiles, etc.) which may be superimposed. The building sewer shall be made at uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible. The building sewer shall be constructed to such point as directed by the city and/or the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority.

(Prior code § 4-1-27)

4.04.240   No surface runoff shall be connected to sewer.

No person shall maintain or make a connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

(Prior code § 4-1-28)

4.04.250   Sewer must be inspected before being covered.

Before any underground portions thereof are covered, the applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Greenville County codes department when the building is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection thereof shall be made to the public sewer by the owner, and only after inspection.

(Prior code § 4-1-29)

4.04.260   Property disturbed in the course of work shall be restored.

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazards. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city and/or the state department of highways and public transportation.

(Prior code § 4-1-30)

4.04.270   Developers required to install sewer lines.*

Developers who desire to tie in their subdivisions to the public sewer of the city shall be required to lay and install all sewer lines and connections to the specifications required in this chapter and to such specifications as may be necessary to meet the approval of the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority. After meeting the specifications, the developers may petition the city to accept a deed to the sewer lines and if the connections are free of all incumbrances, the same may be deeded without further expense to the city.

(Prior code § 4-1-31)

*  For provisions regarding waiver of tap fees, see Section 4.04.480 of this code.

4.04.280   City shall keep record of all new sewer connections.

The city shall attempt to keep a permanent and accurate record of the location, depth and direction of all new sewer connections, including such landmarks as may be necessary to make an adequate description.

(Prior code § 4-1-32)