Upper St. Clair Township

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Sanitary Sewers & Dye Tests

Home Sellers Must Know:
Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Ordinance Goes Went Into Effect on Jan. 1, 2018
If you are going to sell a home in Upper St. Clair, you must first get a sanitary sewer lateral inspection and dye test. First, call the Public Works office so the employees can prepare the forms. The phone number is 412-831-9000, ext. 2710. Then, go to the Public Works office at 1751 McLaughlin Run Road to pick up forms and maps. 

1. Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection
Sellers must hire a National Association of Sewer Service Companies-certified contractor to conduct a video inspection. Return the video and form from your contractor and a $25 check to the Public Works Office located at 1751 McLaughlin Run Rd. FORMS MAY TAKE UP TO 14 DAYS TO PROCESS WITH THE TOWNSHIP, THEN UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 14 DAYS AT JORDAN TAX SERVICE. You can go to NASSCO.org for more information regarding NASSCO guidelines and/or to verify a NASSCO certified technician.

2. Dye Test
Sellers must hire a registered plumber to perform the dye test. Return the form and a $25 check to the Public Works Building located at 1751 McLaughlin Run Road. FORMS MAY TAKE UP TO 14 DAYS TO PROCESS WITH THE TOWNSHIP, THEN UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 14 DAYS AT JORDAN TAX SERVICE. 

Please perform these tasks early in your selling process in case you don't pass and have to make repairs. Please read the Dye Test Ordinance and Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Ordinance below if you'd like to learn more about the ordinances.

Sewers
Sanitary Sewers
The Township owns, maintains and inspects over 831,000 feet of sanitary sewer lines. These lines carry wastewater from the home to ALCOSAN for treatment. Every home has a private sewer lateral, connecting the home to the Township sewer line. Homeowners are fully responsible for the maintenance and repair of their sewer lateral.

Storm Sewers
The Township owns, maintains and inspects over 50 miles of storm sewers, over 2,000 inlets and 37 storm water retention ponds and tanks.

Points to Remember

  • Sanitary sewer backups and your homeowner's coverage. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not automatically include coverage for sewer-related damage expenses. If a sewer backup should occur there is potential for significant loss. It is advisable for homeowners served by a public sewer system, particularly those with finished basements, to obtain some level of coverage.
  • Storm sewer lines may not be connected to sanitary lines. In compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection requirement, the Township is responsible for the testing of illegal storm water tap-ins to sanitary sewer systems. Dye testing is also required for the sale of real estate within the Township and is the responsibility of the seller.
  • Maintenance of lateral sewer lines. The lateral sewer lines from homes that are connected to Township sewer lines are the responsibility of the property owner. When a sewage backup occurs, if the problem is due to the lateral lines, the homeowner will be responsible for correcting the problem.
  • Manholes are not to be covered or buried. Manholes provide access to sewers for maintenance. They must be kept uncovered so that they are quickly available in the event of a sewer emergency and to conduct tests and maintenance on the sewer system.
  • Keep sewer easements open. Trees, valuable plantings, and structures other than easily moved fences should not be planted or erected in sewer easements. Easement locations can be determined from property surveys or by observing the location of manholes. The imaginary line between two manholes is generally the location of an underground sewer line. Easements are a minimum of 15 feet wide.
  • Roots from trees may damage or clog sewer pipes. Trees, valuable plantings, and structures must be removed to maintain or repair sewers. The Township does not replace or pay for the replacement of these items and incurs additional costs in removing them for maintenance or repair of the lines.
  • Do not grade over sewers. No cutting or filling of earth over sewers is permitted without approval of the Township Engineer. Such grading can crush and damage sewers or make them inaccessible for future maintenance and repair.
  • Use common sense in disposing of waste. Do not flush diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, tampon applicators, etc. in toilets. These materials lodge in lateral lines and clog processors at pump stations causing backups in the sewage system.
  • Don't pour solvents, pesticides, paint thinners, engine oil, or household cleaning products with hazardous chemicals down the drain or into storm sewers. If you need information on how to dispose of items, contact the waste management chemist in the DEP Regional Office or call the PA HHW Hotline at 1-800-346-4242.
  • Use water wisely. Fix leaks and install water-saving devices and appliances. In addition to the environmental benefits you should see a reduction in water bills and sewer usage fees.

Consent Order

Dye Test Ordinance

Easements and Manholes

Operation and Maintenance Program Plan

Pump Station

Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Ordinance

Watersheds

Clean Streams Act

NPDES

Storm Water Management

Use Water Wisely