Abandon or Reuse Old Laterals?
If a sewer pipe no longer in use is sealed off, it becomes a source of ground water inflow into the sanitary system and increases the likelihood of sewer backups in the residences and businesses near it.
Demolition Projects
As part of any building demolition project, where the building discharged sanitary wastewater to the Sanitary District, the lateral or laterals must be located, marked and temporarily or permanently capped in a watertight manner.
If you are abandoning sewer laterals, call the District at 758-3513 for specifications on what to do and to schedule an inspection.
Re-Use of Old Laterals
District regulations allow the re-use of existing sewer laterals if they are found to be sound and in an acceptable condition.
Call the District at 758-3513 to schedule an inspection to assess the potential for re-use.
Conditions of Approval for Re-Use
The Sanitary District will investigate each lateral and determine its integrity with a miniature television camera inspection. Its structural condition will be assessed by noting things like evidence of leakage (past or present), root intrusion, cracks or other infirmities anywhere along the lateral, up to and including the point of attachment to the public main.
Depending upon the condition of the sewer lateral, the District will instruct the property owner on how it may be reused or abandoned.
Other Conditions & Requirements for Construction
Abandonment of Septic Systems
District and County Health Department regulations require that a septic tank scheduled for abandonment be cleaned of sludge, the bottom perforated so as to permit adequate drainage and the tank then filled with gravel, sand or compacted dirt.