Ordinance No. 559-14 PULLED FROM AGENDA Air Testing
ORDINANCE NO. 559-14
AN ORDINANCE OF THE SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
AMENDING SECTION 1.1.85, 1.1.113, 1.1.125, 1.1.140, 4.3.3, 4.3.9 AND 4.3.10 OF
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE REGARDING REMODELING, SEWER
LATERALS AND CONNECTION TO PUBLIC SEWER
BE IT ENACTED
by the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility
District, County of El Dorado, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1 – POLICY AND PURPOSE
The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend certain provisions of the
Administrative Code to clarify the requirements regarding sewer lateral air testing.
SECTION II – DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Ordinance, the terms used herein are defined as follows:
A.The District – The South Tahoe Public Utility District.
B.The Board – The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility
District.
C.Administrative Code – The compilation and codification of all of the
Administrative, Water, Sewer, Street Lighting and Groundwater
Management Plan Ordinances of the District, which establish the authority
and the principles for the decisions of the District, and provide the public
with guidelines applicable to District operations.
SECTION III – FINDINGS
The Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District, County of El
Dorado, State of California, make the following findings:
1. The District’s Administrative Code provides requirements when a home or
business remodels, has additions or a change of use, but does not address that a sewer air
test is required when additional sewer units are installed;
2. The District needs to revise certain provisions of the Administrative Code
related to the use of existing sewer laterals and sewer laterals for new construction to
ensure compliance with all current specifications and requirements of the District;
3. The proposed amendment is intended to incorporate the language needed
into Sections 1.1.85, 1.1.113, 1.1.125, 1.1.140, 4.3.3, 4.3.9 and 4.3.10 of the
Administrative Code to enforce this requirement.
3. The Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the District’s
customers to adopt an ordinance amending certain provisions to the Administrative Code
clarifying the sewer air test requirements.
SECTION IV – AMEND SECTION 4.3.11 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Administrative Code Section 1.1.85, 1.1.113, 1.1.125, 1.1.140, 4.3.3, 4.3.9 and
4.3.10 to be amended as follows:
Section 1.1.85“Lower Lateral”.
Is that part of the horizontal sewer piping beginning at the property line cleanout or
connection and terminating at the Sewer Main. After installation of a Lower Lateral or
connection of an Upper Lateral to an existing Lower Lateral, the Lower Lateral is an
asset of the property owner and replacement of the Lower Lateral at the end of its useful
life is the responsibility of the owner.
Section 1.1.113“Remodel”.
Shall mean any construction activity which increases the number of sewer units required
to serve improvements on a property; or a tear down and/or reconstruction of a
substantial portion of the existing square footage of a building(s) on a property as
determined by the District; or a tear down and/or reconstruction of a substantial portion
of any multiple living units located on a property with multiple living units as determined
by the District.
Section 1.1.125“Sewer Lateral”.
Is the part of the horizontal sewer piping beginning at the exterior wall of any building
and terminating at the Sewer Main, consisting of the Lower Lateral and Upper Lateral.
Section 1.1.140“Upper Lateral”.
Is that part of the horizontal sewer piping beginning at the exterior wall of any building
and terminating at the property line cleanout or connection. The Upper Lateral is an asset
of the property owner and replacement of the Upper Lateral at the end of its useful life is
the responsibility of the owner.
Section 4.3.3Connection to Public Sewer.
The connection of the Upper Lateral into the Public Sewer shall be made at the existing
Lower Lateral or “Y” or “T” branch, if such existing Lower Lateral or “Y” or “T” branch
is available at a suitable location. Where there is not a Lower Lateral or “Y” or “T”
Ordinance No.559-14
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branch is available at a suitable location, the owner is responsible for cutting a neat hole
into the Public Sewer and installing the Lower Lateral with entry in the downstream
direction at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45º). A wye saddle shall be used for the
connection and in no case shall the pipe protrude inside the Public Sewer. The invert of
the Lower Lateral at the point of connection shall be made and the connection made
secure. The connection to the Public Sewer shall be made in the presence of the District
Inspector and under the District Inspector’s supervision and direction and in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the District’s ordinances, rules, regulations and the
District’s current specifications for sewer construction. Any damage to the Public Sewer
shall be repaired by and at the expense of the owner to the satisfaction of the District
Inspector.
Section 4.3.9Existing Sewer Laterals.
An Existing Sewer Lateral may be used in connection with a remodeled building(s) only
when such existing Sewer Lateral is determined by the District to have passed a current
air test, or an air test conducted within the prior ten (10) years. If a building(s) on a
property is remodeled, the Lower Lateral shall be capped until reconnection to the Upper
Lateral after completion of the remodel and the Sewer Lateral is air tested. If the air test
fails in the Sewer Lateral, the owner shall repair or replace the Sewer Lateral and air test
the pipe again. After the Sewer Lateral passes inspection, either by air test or CCTV
inspection, it will be certified for ten (10) years from the date of the inspection.
Section 4.3.9Sewer Laterals for New Construction.
After installation of the Upper Lateral and Lower Lateral, if there is not an existing lower
lateral, by the owner, the Upper Lateral and Lower Lateral, if applicable, shall pass an air
test. If the air test fails, the owner shall repair or replace the Upper Lateral and Lower
Lateral, if applicable, and air test the pipe again. If there is an existing Lower Lateral, the
District will perform a CCTV inspection of the Lower Lateral and repair any major
structural damage or blockages. After the Sewer Lateral passes inspection, either by air
test or CCTV inspection, it will be certified for ten (10) years from the date of the
inspection.
SECTION V – SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of
this Ordinance and its implementing rules and regulations is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Ordinance or the Administrative Code. The Board of Directors declares
and determines that it would have passed section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph,
sentence, clause or phrase thereof of this Ordinance and its implementing rules and
regulations and the Administrative Code irrespective of the fact that any one or more
sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases may be
determined to be unconstitutional or invalid.
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SECTION VI – EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance adding the above referenced sections to the Administrative Code
shall take effect thirty days after its passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED
the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public
Utility District at its duly held regular meeting on the 30th day of December, 2014, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
____________________________________
President
South Tahoe Public Utility District
ATTEST: ____________________________
Melonie Guttry, Clerk of the Board
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