Chapter 13.05
SEWER RELIEF VALVES

Sections:

13.05.010    Purpose.

13.05.020    Specifications for a sewer relief valve and for installation.

13.05.030    Sewer relief valve requirement.

13.05.050    Maintenance of sewer relief valves.

13.05.060    Failure to install.

13.05.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements for the City to install and property owners to maintain sewer relief valves on each property in the City that is connected to the City’s sewer system. A sewer relief valve properly installed on a sewer lateral will prevent sewage that is blocked in or near the sewer main from flowing back into a residence and causing a health hazard and causing property damage. The City Council finds that a program to install sewer relief valves is in the best interests of the health and welfare of the citizens of the City of San Carlos. (Ord. 1376 § 1 (part), 2006)

13.05.020 Specifications for a sewer relief valve and for installation.

A.    A sewer relief valve shall conform to the current edition of the City of San Carlos specifications and standard plans for public works construction.

B.    Installation of a sewer relief valve shall be on the sewer lateral extending from a building and immediately before the lateral connects to the property line cleanout, as shown on diagram A at the end of this chapter. (Ord. 1376 § 1 (part), 2006)

13.05.030 Sewer relief valve requirement.

A.    Upon adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, a sewer relief valve shall be required to be installed, as provided in this chapter, on each sewer lateral connecting from a single-family or multifamily residential property (the affected properties) to a City sewer lateral or City sewer main.

B.    Installation of a sewer relief valve shall occur on all properties connected to the City’s sewer system on the earliest to occur of the following:

1.    Immediately after the property has experienced a sewer backup due to a blockage in the City sewer main.

2.    On all new construction.

3.    On repair, remodel or improvement of a property where the building permit valuation of improvements is fifty thousand dollars or more, and where plumbing modifications are being made, where any replacement or repair is made to the sanitary sewer system, or where more than twenty-five percent of the square footage of the structure is being remodeled.

4.    In buildings where the elevation of any floor is at or below the invert of the City sanitary sewer main, or where a condition exists where a plug in the City sanitary sewer main will cause the hydraulic grade line to rise above the lowest floor level.*

*    A special, underground sewer backflow prevention device (SBP) is required on all structures where a pump is used to lift sewage to the sanitary sewer lateral and City sanitary sewer main. The SBP shall be located to protect the structure from damage in the event the pump is pumping against a closed SBP.

5.    Whenever title to property has changed.

6.    By January 1, 2015, on all structures connected to the sewer collection system. (Ord. 1376 § 1 (part), 2006)

13.05.050 Maintenance of sewer relief valves.

If the City determines the lateral from the cleanout to the main to be blocked, broken, or crushed, the City will repair or replace that portion of the lateral from the cleanout to the main at City expense.

If the City determines that the lateral from the cleanout to the main is clear, and that blockage or break is within the lateral between the building and the cleanout, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to repair or replace the lateral, including the sewer relief valve, from the building to the cleanout at property owner expense. (Ord. 1376 § 1 (part), 2006)

13.05.060 Failure to install.

The failure of a property owner to install or allow to be installed a sewer relief valve within ninety days of the City’s written request to do so, or to maintain and repair said sewer relief valve after installation:

A.    Shall be deemed a public nuisance.

B.    Shall relieve the City, its officers, employees and agents, from any liability, damages or claims resulting from a sewer backup, regardless of whether the sewer backup occurs from a blockage of the sewer main or sewer lateral.

C.    Shall be installed upon order by the Director of Public Works. The Director shall then bill the property owner for the installation expense. (Ord. 1376 § 1 (part), 2006)