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Sewer FAQ's |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sanitary Sewer Laterals
Q. I need to have my sewer lateral repaired...do I need a permit?
A. Yes, a permit is required for all work done on sewer laterals, whether it be the initial installation, repairs,
replacement, reconnection, or plugging of an abandoned lateral.
Q. Where do I get a permit?
A. Permits can be obtained at the Engineering Office in the Meadville City Building, 984 Water Street, Meadville.
Q. I live in West Mead Township. Do I need a permit?
A. Yes, any West Mead Township property owner connected to MASA’s system is required to obtain a permit for
work done on sewer laterals.
Q. Do I have to hire a registered plumber to do the work?
A. No, a registered plumber is not required for work done on a sewer lateral. The homeowner may hire a
contractor to perform the work, or the homeowner may do the work himself. All installations, repairs, etc., must
comply with Meadville Area Sewer Authority’s (MASA’s) Rules and Regulations and must be inspected by
MASA’s inspector prior to backfilling.
Q. Who is responsible for obtaining a permit?
A. The property owner is responsible for obtaining a permit. Many contractors will apply for the permit for you as
part of their service, as well as schedule the necessary inspection.
Q. How much does a permit cost?
A. There are currently no fees for connection, repair/replacement, or plugging permits. There is, however, a
tapping fee for new connections to MASA’s system. The tapping fees vary according to area; check with the
Planning and Zoning office to determine the fee applicable to your location.
For reconnection of a lateral that was previously plugged, a reconnection permit is required, and there is a $250
inspection fee.
Q. Where do I get the rules governing installation or repairs?
A. Copies of the rules and regulations are available at the Engineering Office in the Meadville City Building, or by
contacting the Meadville Area Sewer Authority at (814) 724-6058.
Q. Where does my responsibility end?
A. Property owners are responsible for their laterals from their home or business to the right–of-way or easement.
If you feel that the problem with your lateral lies in the area of the right-of-way or easement, please contact the
Meadville Area Sewer Authority at (814) 724-6058 for additional information. Work done in right-of-ways and
easements will require additional permits, and, depending on the circumstances, may be restricted to approved
contractors.
Q. Does the work done on my sewer lateral need to be inspected?
A. Yes, all work done on sewer laterals needs to be inspected by MASA or its designated agents. Contact the
Engineering Office at (814) 333-3324 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an inspection.
Q. Can I schedule a weekend inspection?
A. No, all inspections are done weekdays, Monday through Friday (except holidays) between the hours of 8:30
a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Q. The permit asks for the number of EDU’s. What’s an EDU?
A. EDU stands for Equivalent Dwelling Unit. It is a calculation of the amount of sewage normally discharged for a
particular building. A single residence house, for example, is one (1) EDU. The Planning and Development
Office will determine the number of EDUs for a particular building.
Q. Who do I call to help me locate my lateral?
A. The Meadville Area Sewer Authority has limited records of sewer laterals, but still may be able to help you.
Contact MASA at (814) 724-6058 for assistance. It may be necessary to hire a contractor to find your lateral
through the use of a locator or other means.
Q. What size of pipe is required for my lateral?
A. The size of pipe required for your lateral depends on the loading, or amount of sewage flow generated from your
property. Normally, a 4-inch diameter pipe is required for most homes. If you have an apartment building or
business, the fixture loading may require a larger pipe size. Check with the Engineering Department to make
sure that you install piping with adequate capacity for your needs.
Q. What kind of pipe should I use for my lateral?
A. MASA regulations require SDR 35 plastic pipe (recommended), Schedule 40 solid core PVC pipe, or Schedule
80 solid core PVC pipe. All fixtures and connections must conform to the plumbing code applicable to your
municipality. Copies of MASA’s Rules and Regulations for Connection or Repairs to the Sanitary Sewer System
are available at the Engineering Office.
Q. Should the floor drains in my basement or garage go into the sanitary sewer?
A. Yes, these drains should be connected to the sanitary sewer. However, French drains, downspouts, sump
wells, foundation drains, and other sources of extraneous water are not permitted to be discharged into the
sanitary system.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the
Engineering Department at (814) 333-3324, or the
Meadville Area Sewer Authority at (814) 724-6058.
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