HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.b. Extend Existing Septic To Sewer Financing Program for Three Years and Create a New Three-Year Pilot Lateral Replacement Financing ProgramPage 1 of 17
Item 3.b.
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT
SUBMITTED BY:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
J ULY 18, 2023
REVIEW DRAFT POSITION PAPER TO EXTEND THE EXISTING SEPTIC
TO SEWER FINANCING PROGRAM FOR THREE YEARS AND CREATE A
NEW THREE-YEAR PILOT LATERAL REPLACEMENT FINANCING
PROGRAM
THOMAS BRIGHTBILL, SENIOR ENGINEER
INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES-
PDS-RATES AND FEES
REVIEWED BY: DANEA GEMMELL, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION
MANAGER
EDGAR LOPEZ, PROVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNICAL SERVICES
GREG NORBY, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, OPERATIONS
ISSUE
Approval of the Board of Directors (Board) is required to adopt resolutions.
BACKGROUND
On February 18, 2021, the Board adopted Resolution 2021-013 which established a two-year pilot Septic
to Sewer Financing Program. The program allows residential property owners with septic systems who
are adjacent to an existing Central San sewer main to finance construction costs and Central San fees
associated with abandoning their septic system and connecting directly to the Central San sewer. Based
on reaction and comments from users during the pilot program and additional comments from the Board
and Board Committees, the extension of the existing Septic to Sewer program for an additional three
years and the creation of an associated sewer Lateral Replacement Financing Program for three years are
proposed.
Extension of the Existing Septic to Sewer Financing Program
Since the beginning of the program, construction and financing has been completed for 16 parcels. One
additional parcel has a signed financial agreement and is in the permitting and construction phase.
Prior to starting the program, a review identified 178 eligible parcels. Conceptual level cost estimates
were prepared for these parcels. The average cost was estimated at $15,900 with 84 percent of the cost
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 65 of 123
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estimates being below $50,000. An initial cap of $50,000 per parcel was included in the pilot financing
program, in part to ensure that several large agreements did cause a shortage of funds for other
prospective participants.
Of the 16 parcels where construction has been completed, four of the parcels had costs greater than
$50,000. Based on the higher than anticipated percentage of projects with costs greater than $50,000 and
the increase in construction costs and fees since the program began, staff recommends that the cap be
increased to $65,000 per parcel.
Staff also suggests that changes in construction activity and costs warrant extending the pilot program
rather than update District Code at this time.
Creation of a New Pilot Sewer Lateral Replacement Financing Program
Central San District Code section 9.10.040 states that the construction, repair, and maintenance "side
sewers" from the building to the point of connection with Central San's sewer main are the responsibility of
the property owner. Note that while District Code and Standard Specifications refer to these as "side
sewers", the phrase "laterals" is proposed for the financing program as this phrase may be more familiar to
property owners and customers.
Aging and defective sewer laterals are generally accepted to be significant sources of infiltration, a
process where groundwater enters the wastewater collection system through cracks (or breaks) in the
sewer lateral pipe or through misaligned pipe joints. This additional flow places an additional burden on the
wastewater collection system, where it can lead to overflows. It also places an additional burden on the
treatment plant, resulting in increased treatment costs and increasing the risk of overflow from the wet -
weather storage basins during storms.
Wastewater utilities have used a number of approaches to encourage or require property owners to ensure
their sewer laterals are in good repair and are not contributing to infiltration. Staff feels that one of the least
intrusive would be to offer a financing program to assist property owners with the costs to replace an aging
or defective sewer lateral. A white paper from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
on Private Sewer Laterals supports this position by commenting "...financing options can make it easy for
the homeowner to agree to and proceed with the repair."
The following terms are proposed for a three-year pilot financing program:
• To be eligible, the project must be for the complete replacement of the sewer lateral. Projects for
spot repairs are not eligible.
• The program would also fund the installation of a new sewer lateral where it required to remedy a
lateral is shared with another parcel, a situation which does not conform to Central San's Standard
Specifications. I n such a case, the General Manager or his designee may determine that it is in the
best interest of the property owners and the District to only require the construction of a new sewer
lateral downstream of the existing point of connection between the two existing laterals.
• A maximum project amount of $12,500 for single family residential parcels, and a maximum of
$25,000 all other parcels.
• The financed amount will be repaid to Central San through annual payments on the property tax bill
collected over 15 years and will include the interest at the rate specified on the Schedule of
Environmental and Development -Related Fees and Charges for the Septic to Sewer program.
There will be no penalty for early pay-off.
The higher maximum amount proposed for non -single family residential parcel is based on staffs experience that
laterals in commercial district tend to have more utility conflicts often requiring hand excavation as well as more
challenging traffic control and construction methods.
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Page 3 of 17
If the Pilot Sewer Lateral Replacement Financing Program is approved, staff is planning to outreach to
property owners whose laterals are connected to Central San sewer mains scheduled for routine
replacement or reconstruction.
ALTERNATIVES/CONSIDERATIONS
The Board could decline to extend the existing Septic to Sewer Financing Program or could make
changes to the terms of the proposed extension.
The Board could decline to create a new Sewer Lateral Replacement Financing Program or could make
changes to the terms of the proposed program.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Approximately $640,000 in currently allocated funds are available for both programs for FY 2023-24, if
approved by the Board.
Ultimately Central San would be paid back for the funds financed through the programs, including interest
and set-up fees.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Finance Committee reviewed this matter at its July 18, 2023 meeting and recommended
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION
Approve to extend the existing Septic to Sewer financing program for three years and create a new three-
year pilot Lateral Replacement Financing Program.
Strategic Plan Tie -In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 2 - Promote initiatives to advance affordable and equitable access to services
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation
2. US EPA - Private Sewer Laterals
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Page 4 of 17
Attachment 1
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 68 of 123
Page 5 of 17
S2S History Recap
February 18, 2021— Board approves
establishment of a S2S Financing Program.
March 4, 2021, - Resolution approved for 2-
year pilot to finance all costs to convert from
septic to sewer for residential customers
June 2021-15t S2S Promissory Note Signed
January 2022 — Outreach to 178 parcels
identified as close proximity to existing
sewer mains
June 2021-June 2023 —16 Promissory Notes
signed for S2S Conversions
I CENT—SAN
Septic to Sewer (S2S) Finance Program:
Your Questions Answered
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July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 69 of 123
Page 6 of 17
Existing S2S Program
Eligible for Financing
Application & Inspection Fees
Capacity Fee
CAD* & AVAD Fees
Reimbursement Fee*
Side Sewer Construction*
Septic Abandonment*
*Paid to third parties
**Current Rate adopted June 1, 2023
Financing Terms
Financing cap of $50,000 per customer
15 years with fixed annual rate of
3.84%* *
Customer provides three contractor
proposals and signs a promissory note
which is secured by the parcel
No prepayment penalty
Annual Payments made on the tax roll
Only residential properties being converted from private septic tank systems to public sewer
N— service are eligible to participate in the program
5
S2S Program Statistics e H E
16 parcels have signed financing agreements and =-
completed construction --�_
4 parcels had costs greater than $50,000 r
12 parcels had costs below $50,000 �'
An additional 42 parcels have had conversations and
correspondence with Central San. Some of these
parcels may still participate if the program is extended.
Paid to Contractors and 3rd Parties
Central San Fees & Services
Total Amount Financed
I
$333,000
532 000
$865,000
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 70 of 123 3
Page 7 of 17
S2S Recommendation
06091
Extend Septic to Sewer Pilot for another/I
.
3-Years until June 2026 �
Based on number of projects with costs
greater than $50,000 and the increase in
=n � � All —
fees and construction costs, the cap beit
increased to $65,000 per parcel.
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July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 71 of 123 4
Page 8 of 17
Background on Laterals (Side Sewers)
October 20, 2016, Board meeting to consider changing
policy on private sewer lateral after discussion of Collection
System Master Plan. Board reaffirmed:
Property owner responsible for upper and lower lateral
On a project -by -project basis, Central San offers property owners
the opportunity to work with a Central San contractor to replace
the lateral — paid for by the property owner directly to the
contractor
September 18, 2020, Board meeting request for future
agenda items to bring a lateral financing program similar to
Septic -to -Sewer (S2S) financing program
February 18, 2021— Board approves establishment of a S2S
Financing Program.
Staff has waited to bring proposed Lateral Replacement
Program while S2S Program was further developed
0
Sewer Lateral
p.
Statistics-_
p 1. �0 D
Residential Connections,—
L
97,600 single family homes
39,600 multi -family units
\ Overflow
Protection
Collection
Pipeline
Upper Lateral Device
Typical sewer lateral is around 30 feet
Lower Lateral
Approximately 600+ miles of private
residential sewer laterals
Breaks and leaks in private
sewer laterals
are generally assumed to
be responsible for up to 50% of Inflow and Infiltration in a collection system
10
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 72 of 123 5
Page 9 of 17
Current District Code
9.10.040 - Ownership, maintenance and connection of side sewers.
A side sewer is a private facility. The property owner shall be responsible
for constructing, repairing and maintaining the entire side sewer between
the building and the public sewer (including both the lateral and building
sewers, and the tap, saddle or Wye connection fitting at the public main
sewer). The District shall not be financially responsible for any side sewer
construction, operation, maintenance, repair, abandonment or other costs
whatsoever, except where the District itself or its contractor reconstructs or
realigns the public sewer, thereby necessitating the reconnection of private
side sewers to the public sewer.
(Ord. 253 § 1(Exh. A(part)), 2008)
11
Options Brought to Board in 2016 and 2020
for Consideration Private Lateral Program Policy
Option A: Maintain current code (private sewer lateral at property owner's responsibility) Current Policy
Option B: Implement ordinance requiring lateral inspection, repair, and replacement upon:
sale of property, and/or
major renovation, and/or
change in water meter size
Option C: Provide private lateral rebate program
Option D: Take ownership or maintain lower lateral Not Recommended
Option E: Take ownership or maintain upper and lower lateral Not Recommended
• Option F: Offer lateral insurance program via third party Contra Costa Water District offers to its
customers
• Option G: Offer private lateral financing program
Option H: Maintain existing code and add alternative bid price for lateral replacement in renovation
projects for optional customer participation
12
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 73 of 123 6
Page 10 of 17
EPA Guidance on Private Sewer Laterals
"Most private property owners have no idea of the
condition of their sewer laterals, and they will see
little or no direct personal benefit from the cost to
repair their lateral."
"...repairing or replacing sewer mains to remove
infiltration may be less effective in reducing I&I
than predicted until the laterals also are fixed."
"Programs to address issues with private laterals can
be much more successful with less public
resistance if the financial aspects, as well as the
legal aspects, are carefully considered. "
"...financing options can make it easy for the
homeowner to agree to and proceed with the repair."
13
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Lateral Replacement Financing is a good
companion tool with Capital Renovation Projects
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DISTRICT PROJECT No. 100049
DOWNTOWN WALNUT CREEK
SEWER RENOVATIONS — LOCUST
Bid Date: Late Summer 2023
Coordinated with City Pavement Project,
EBMUD Water Project and PG&E
upgrades
This is a rare opportunity to address
most or all commercial laterals while the
streets are open for construction.
Incentive for Property Owners to
upgrade their Private Sewer Lateral
Finance up to full cost of replacement for
laterals associated with Capital Projects
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 74 of 123
Page 11 of 17
Proposed Lateral Replacement Program
Eligible for Financing
Application & Inspection Fees
Side Sewer Construction*
*Paid to third party contractors
**Current Rate adopted June 1, 2023
Financing Terms
Financing cap of $12,500 per Single -Family
Residential customer
Financing cap of $25,000 for Multi -Family
and Non -Residential customers
15 years with fixed annual rate of 3.84%**
Customer provides three contractor
proposals and signs a promissory note
which is secured by the parcel
No prepayment penalty
Annual Payments made on the tax roll
Only properties planned for full replacement or required to separate a shared lateral are eligible
®— to participate in the program
15
Lateral Replacement Proposal
Recommendation
Establish Lateral Replacement Pilot for 3-Years until June
2026
Include provisions for both Residential and Non -Residential
customers for full replacement of lateral or separation of a
shared lateral.
First Come First Served until annual funding runs out
Evaluate the program at the end of the Pilot term.
16
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Page 12 of 17
17
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Page 13 of 17
ATTACHMENT 2
r
d
EPA United States
C Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA New England Water Infrastructure Outreach provides tools, examples, and technical assistance for water infrastructure
operators and managers, local officials, and other decision -makers for more effective and sustainable water infrastructure
man Bement. For more information see ham://www.0a.eov/regionl /sso/toolbox.html
Private Sewer Laterals
June 2014
Portions excerpted from State of Technology for Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Systems
(EPA/600/R-10/078)
Private sewer laterals are the portion of the sewer network connecting individual and private
properties to the public sewer system. Laterals are often in poor condition, and can have a
significant impact on the performance of the sewer system and treatment plant. Cracked or
broken laterals can allow groundwater and infiltrating rainwater (clean water) to enter into the
sewer system which, at high levels, can cause problems at the treatment facility or overload the
sewers and cause sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
The condition of sewer laterals can affect the results of sewer system rehabilitation programs,
particularly those programs investigating and addressing capacity and inflow and infiltration
(1&1) issues. For example, after infiltration in a main sewer line has been corrected through
rehabilitation, the groundwater level can rise and cause infiltration problems in adjacent sewer
laterals (and can also result in water infiltration into nearby basements). This means that
repairing or replacing sewer mains to remove infiltration may be less effective in reducing I&I
than predicted until the laterals also are fixed.
Typically, private laterals make up about half of the total length of a sewer system. Even when
the system -wide impact of infiltration is not an issue, defective laterals can cause sewer
backups, and can be an important issue of concern in public works agencies. The owners of the
laterals may be unaware of these problems or unwilling to fix them if the consequences do not
directly affect them.
INFLOW SOURCES
INFILTRATION
1J _.
SOURCES
Figure shows a typical layout for a residential
sewer lateral connecting to a mainline in a
UNCAPPED
street, together with illegal drain connections
ROOF DRAIN CLEAN CUT
CRO��ON NECTURM -
and some of the conditions that can contribute
CONHECTJOt! r
L3RCFCQd
to high I&I.
{
CONNECTED tHOlJSE LATERAL
FOUNDATION DRAIN
l
FAULTY LATERAL CONNECTIONV
-
FAULTY MANHOLE -
-
- ..- STORM
SANER
COVER OR FRAME
r
SAANTARY
CRACKED OR BROKEN PIPE
Courtesy King County
SEWER
Dept. Natural Resources and Parks
DETER IORO TED MAN HOLE
July 18, 2023 Regular FINANCE Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 77 of 123
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Clean water can be directed into the sanitary sewer system through other private connections.
The need to remove sources of non -wastewater "inflow" into the sanitary sewer system from
private property is another concern for wastewater managers. These inflow sources can include
connections from roof and driveway drains and from basement sump pumps. These inflows
were once permitted in many communities, but are now typically prohibited. In general,
removal of inflow sources represents one of the more cost-effective ways of removing
unwanted water from a wastewater collection system.
Newer laterals are generally installed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, but according to a
Water Environment Research Foundation survey over fifty percent of private laterals are
vitrified clay pipe (VCP). VCP is prone to root intrusion, cracks, joint misalignment and general
leakage, and private laterals are estimated to contribute about 40 percent of a system's
infiltration and inflow.
Lateral Renewal Decision -Making. After identifying problems related to the condition of sewer
laterals, a sewer department will need to determine how or whether to address these problems.
Criteria may include the direct cost-effectiveness of sewer lateral renewal (avoided cost versus
incurred cost), but may also need to include more general considerations affecting public health,
the environment, and quality of life.
Even when looking at only the direct cost-effectiveness of lateral renewal, it is important to see
it in the broader context of "where, how and when" the I&I affects the system and treatment
plant. Repairing the laterals in one small basin may not appear to be cost-effective if the savings
are calculated only by multiplying the reduction in total quantity of sewage conveyed annually
by the average cost of conveyance/treatment per 1,000 gallons of sewage. However, the same
repair may be cost-effective if it prevents peak flows from exceeding maximum design flows at
lift stations or at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), or if it eliminates the need to upsize
parts of the collection system.
Because of the large investments required to bring most sewer systems up to standards,
rehabilitation and capacity -building efforts may take many years; therefore, repair and renewal
efforts must be prioritized over time. System needs and prioritization will then guide
development of a strategy to deal with sewer laterals (i.e., whether it is necessary to address
the condition of laterals; the approach; how to finance; access issues; and public awareness).
The use of pilot projects for lateral rehabilitation has proved useful in many cities that have
identified problem I&I. Pilot projects can provide area -specific as well as system -wide data.
Private Property Issues. Even when a municipality has concluded that their sewer laterals
present a problem they are still often reluctant to move ahead. Frequently it is because the
buried sewer laterals that are presenting a problem to the municipality are not causing an
obvious problem to the owners of the laterals. This makes dealing with private property owners
over sewer lateral repairs a difficult issue.
Most private property owners have no idea of the condition of their sewer laterals and they will
see little or no direct personal benefit from the cost to repair their lateral. Linked to the legal
issues of ownership, who should pay, etc., are also questions of legal right of access to the
2
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private property for inspection and repair work, as well as legal liability for accidents during
inspection or repair work. Some key issues/options regarding legal and liability matters are:
> Some states prohibit spending public money for private gain (i.e., improving private
property by paying for rehabilitation of private laterals). This issue has been addressed
successfully in the courts by arguing that the private gain is only incidental to a larger
public gain, resulting from fewer sewer overflows and decreased sewage treatment
costs.
> Procedures for entering private property to conduct inspection and repair work vary
widely across the U.S. Local ordinances can be checked and modified if necessary.
> Many municipalities regard taking any additional responsibility for private sewer
laterals as a major concern in terms of additional work and public liaison. Other
municipalities are more proactive, seeing themselves as being in the best position to do
something about lateral problems by providing homeowner -friendly programs, even if
they do not take financial responsibility for the work.
> Having the political will to force homeowner compliance is often an issue with elected
officials who have to approve the program. Outreach can educate officials of the costs
and benefits of action.
Financing Issues. Programs to address issues with private laterals can be much more successful
with less public resistance if the financial aspects, as well as the legal aspects, are carefully
considered. Some considerations include:
> For wealthier neighborhoods, financing options can make it easy for the homeowner
to agree to and proceed with the repair. For low-income neighborhoods, some kind of
financial assistance or deferral of payment until property sale may be essential to
pursuing a program.
> Sewer lateral repair may provide enough public good that a community may decide to
pay for it. A few cities have decided to put up all of the money for the program.
> Financing repairs with insurance - a warranty program approach where the
homeowner essentially pays an insurance premium against the cost of a malfunctioning
sewer system has been adopted by some cities.
> Using a mandatory inspection at the time of sale and a requirement to have the lateral
in proper condition before the property is transferred allows the cost of lateral repair to
be paid at a time that money is available from the property sale.
> A city can use its program size to bid or negotiate uniform and low costs for lateral
repairs. A homeowner can opt to bid the work themselves, but a quick check on an
individual price can often convince them that joining the city program is an opportunity
to take care of the problem at a lower price and with less effort.
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Inspection Technologies. Table 2 lists the common methods used for laterals inspection. More
detailed discussions of these methods can be found in EPA's Condition Assessment of
Wastewater Collection Systems.
Table 2: Methods for Inspection of Sewer Laterals
Method
Description
Building inspections
Identifies uncapped cleanouts and various connections to the laterals.
Smoke testing
Identifies various connections and defective service laterals.
Dye water flooding
Identifies defective laterals and various connections to the sewer lateral.
Mainline CCTV
Identifies "suspect" laterals and may be able to inspect first few feet of the
lateral.
Lateral CCTV
Identifies location and size of active leaks and some inactive leaks (water
stains); also identifies change in pipe material/diameter along the lateral, sags,
bends, etc.
Pressure testing
Identifies existence of both active and passive leaks.
Electro scanning
Identifies existence of both active and passive leaks in non-conductive pipes.
Condition Assessment and Recordkeeping. The inspection data from a few sewer laterals may
be representative of the condition of other laterals in the same sewer basin of the same
material and date of construction. Decisions about whether the rehabilitation or replacement of
a particular lateral is necessary can be made on the basis of this assessment, or may be made
based on other system criteria. For example, laterals may be rehabilitated at the same time as
mainline segments, as was done in Nashville and Davidson County, TN, or, all non -PVC laterals
may be renewed in a sub -basin being rehabilitated, as was done in Sarasota, FL. However, in
many agencies' programs, only laterals proven to be defective qualify for repair.
The condition assessment will normally be based both on infiltration conditions in the lateral
and on the lateral's structural condition. The assessment will document any evidence of the
presence of infiltration along with any structural defects. Table 3 indicates the typical data
sources and assessment parameters used for different aspects of condition assessment.
Table 3: Basis for Condition Assessment
Assessment Type
Data Source
Basis of Assessment
Infiltration assessment
CCTV
Visible joint infiltration
Visible joint infiltration
Evidence of periodic leaking
Digital scanning
Evidence of periodic leaking
Pressure testing
Exfiltration rates
Structural assessment
CCTV/digital scanning
Qualitative descriptions
Quantitative scoring of individual defects and
aggregated scores for pipe sections
Operating conditions
CCTV/digital scanning
Qualitative descriptions (e.g., tree roots,
debris, blockages)
Other defects
CCTV/digital scanning
Qualitative descriptions (e.g., construction
defects such as hammer tap lateral
connections)
M
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Standardization of defect codes is just as important for sewer laterals as for mainline condition
assessments. NAASCO's Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) observation codes
are useful in describing and cataloging lateral conditions.
Summary. One of the long-term goals for managing wastewater collection systems is to
understand the most effective rehabilitation procedures with the lowest life -cycle cost.
Determining if excessive infiltration and/or inflow are significantly impacting your collection or
treatment system is a task that stands on its own. If infiltration is a significant issue within your
system, it is almost guaranteed that private laterals are a part of the problem. An issue for moss
municipalities when considering developing a lateral rehabilitation program is whether the cost
and effort of the program can be justified by the potential public benefit (e.g., reduced
treatment costs, reclaiming capacity, and avoiding sewage overflows). There are numerous
examples of municipalities that have implemented an infiltration reduction program and many
of them have included private laterals. Not addressing private laterals would be an incomplete
investigation. Fortunately, municipalities throughout the country have begun to address these
issues and have developed some innovative models and financing arrangements to move
beyond the barriers.
EPA's Guide for Estimating Infiltration and Inflow provides further information on estimating I&I
in your sewer system.
Further information and References
EPA State of Technology for Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Systems (EPA/600/R-
10/078) July 2010
EPA Condition Assessment of Wastewater Collection Systems (EPA/600/R-09/049) May 2009
King County Storm Water & Ground Water in Sewers is a Regional Problem
Vancouver An Approach Towards Private Sewer Lateral Certification in Real Estate Transactions
February 2013
Water Environment Federation WEF Private Property Virtual Library
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