THE SEWER LINE NEWSLETTER

PDF FILE - THE SEWER LINE NEWSLETTER

Salt Issue - Getting Rid Of Water Softener Discharge

The Livingston County Health Department has suggested the following methods of dispensing of your water softener discharge:

1. Run the discharge line to the outside and let the water run on the ground.

2. Bury a container in the ground; fill it with stone and put the discharge line to the container, holes will have to be drilled in the container to allow the water to seep into the surrounding soil. It’s easy to drill holes in and is relatively inexpensive. Sizes range from 15” to 24” in diameter and 2’ to 4’ in depth.

3. Conversion of your septic tank. Existing septic tanks may be used, however, there are some requirements which must be met if you choose to do so. The tank must be pumped out (pumping is required at the time of hook-up to the new sewer system).

The line from the septic tank to the drain field must be cut off and plugged at the tank. This is to prevent back-up of any contaminants from the drain field during high water table. Several holes must be broken through the bottom of the tank and the tank filled with stone. Due to the volume of stone required to fill a septic tank and the labor involved, this method may be costly.

Feel free to call the Hamburg Township Utilities Coordinator if you have any questions on this matter at (810)-231-1000 Ext. 210.

Easements and Your Legal Right

NOTE: This section applies to properties located within a Special Assessment District. However, Paragraph B. does apply to individual sewer connections.

Some property owners have questioned what can happen if they refuse to sign their easement for any number of reasons. John Drury, the Township’s Attorney, has prepared this outline in response:

A. The owners are likely to incur greater costs in the installation of the grinder pumps if they independently contract the work. Typically, the licensed contractors doing the initial work for a greater number of units are not only more familiar with the installation process but usually charge less in as much as they are already set up in the area.

B. Refusal to sign the grinder pump easement will not delay the project. The easements are for the benefit of the individual property owners as well as the overall district. They allow the future maintenance and repair of the grinder pumps at no direct expense to the property owner.

C. Once the sewer system has been constructed; all property owners must tap in. Those who do not will be in violation of local and state health codes and statutes and could be cited for these violations. Appropriate legal action would then have to be taken by enforcement agencies to mandate connection to the system.

D. In addition, the Uniform Condemnation Procedures Act allows the Township to start condemnation proceedings in Circuit Court in order to acquire any easement necessary to complete the project.

This brief outline is in response to several inquiries received by the Township as to what the procedures are in easement acquisition and sewer construction process. We hope this information is helpful to you. It should be noted that additional costs are incurred by you and the district if professional fees are incurred when enforcement is needed. Any further inquiries can be directed to the Utilities Coordinator at (810) 231-1000 Ext. 210.

Contractor Needed

Again, this paragraph applies to properties located within a Special Assessment District. Individual sewer connections must comply with the electrical requirements as specified by Hamburg Township.

As you may know, your electric will be hooked-up and paid for under the contract for the special assessment district. If you need a new Detroit Edison electric meter for 100 amp or greater service you can get a new meter free by calling Detroit Edison. The local Howell office can be reached at (517) 545-9800.

However, it is the property owner’s responsibility to hook up the 4” building sewer pipe from your house to the grinder pump. You may need to hire a contractor to do that and also to crush or fill in your septic tank. The Township has a policy against recommending any one specific contractor to hook up your grinder pump to your house, but we do have a list of qualified contractors available for property owners to use.

You might want to think about getting together with your neighbors to hire a contractor. The cost should be lower for a group of homeowners or an association.

The following is some criteria for selecting a contractor:

• INSURED
• LICENSED
• REFERENCES – should be checked
• EXPERIENCE – ask for referrals
• AFFILIATION WITH TRADE GROUPS
• EQUIPMENT – to fit your conditions
• WORK LOAD
• WRITTEN PROPOSAL

If you have any questions about contractor selection or would like a list of qualified contractors please call (810) 231-1000 Ext. 210.

If a homeowner would like to complete the 4” building sewer connection from the house to the grinder pump station, the Township also has instructions on how to do this. If you would like a copy of the instructions, please contact the Utilities Coordinator at the above telephone number.

Property owners completing the building sewer connection themselves must pull a sewer connection application at the Township Offices. The application form must then be taken to the Livingston County Building Department in Howell for a sewer permit. A $50.00 inspection fee will be charged by the County as they will inspect the completed 4” building sewer connection.

Miss Dig Telephone Number

Property owners who wish to do excavation/digging in their yards are required to call MISS DIG. You must call three (3) working days before you dig – it’s the law.

Have the following checklist ready before you call:

• County, City, or Township
• Location of Work- Street Address
• Intersecting Streets/Roads
• Distance from Intersection/Direction
• Extent of Work Front/Rear/Both sides
• Date of Excavation
• Start Time of Excavation
• Type of Work
• Caller’s Name
• Contractor/Contact Number
• Contact Person/Additional Information

MISS DIG: CALL: 1-800-482-7171

COLOR CODES FOR LOCATING UTILITIES LINES

RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables

YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum, or Gaseous Materials

ORANGE – Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit, CATV

BLUE – Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines

GREEN – Storm Drain Lines or Sanitary Sewer Lines

PINK – Survey Markings

BROWN – Sewer