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Issues to Consider for Design/Construction of Low Pressure Sewer Systems (Grinder Pumps)

1) Current Method for Gravity Sewer Design/Construction (as applied to Developers and past ULID's):

  1. Developer/LUD Design infrastructure in Right-of-Way (and Public Easements in private property, if necessary) subject to LUD standards and approval.
  2. Finish floor elevations are surveyed to determine minimum depth of gravity system.
  3. Sewer Stubs are provided to adjacent properties (typically at the lowest corner of property for gravity stubs).
  4. Stubs typically extend 10 feet onto private property to terminate beyond other underground utilities (unless owner denies access).
  5. Property Owners typically hire a contractor to connect House to the Stub (Property Owner can do the work on private property, but need an approved contractor for work in Right-of-Way).
  6. Contractor/Owner requests Side Sewer Permit.
  7. Contractor/Owner makes connection and calls LUD for Inspection.
  8. LUD inspects and approves installation after meeting LUD standards.
  9. LUD draws and maintains record of As-built Side Sewer on Private Property.
  10. Property Owner maintains Side Sewer from House to Property Line.

2) Alternative Methods of Sewer Design/ Construction:
  1. Is the District going to Own the facilities on Private Property?
  2. If No, then the following does not apply.
  3. If Yes, is the District going to design the Individual Pump Systems?
    1. If No, Property Owner provides an Engineering Design approved by District.
    2. If Yes, LUD needs to prepare individual site designs for each property.
      1. Where does Design End?
        1. If LUD Design Ends at the Pump chamber,
          1. LUD develops Onsite Piping Plan
            1. Determine lowest elevation to be serviced
            2. Determine Owners preferred Pump chamber location.
            3. Determine Pump Size/Capacity
            4. Determine Size of Force Main from Pump chamber to edge of Right-of-Way (or Easement)
            5. Determine Route of Force Main
              1. Consider, Location of building or other remote structures, fences, irrigation system piping, underground lines (power, gas, water, cable, etc.), landscaping (special grasses, tree, shrubs, rockeries, etc), significant obstacles (driveways bulkheads, etc), and other neighbor or homeowner concerns.
            6. Specify tracer wire for future locates.
            7. Determine if Auxiliary Power/Emergency Generator will be provided.
              1. If Yes,
                1. Size Pump chamber/Holding Tank.
                2. Specify abandonment of Septic Tank (if not used).
              2. If No,
                1. Obtain permission to use existing septic system for emergency overflow.
                2. If Yes,
                  • Determine location of drainfield/tank
                  • Assess condition of drainfield/tank
                  • Design overflow route to drainfield/tank.
                3. If No,
                  • Over size Pump chamber/ Holding Tank.
                  • Specify abandonment of Septic Tanks (if not used)
          2. Property Owner would provide fixture count for pump and pump chamber sizing.
          3. Property Owner would be responsible for specifying power available, 120v, 240v, etc.
          4. Who is responsible for gravity section from House plumbing to Pump chamber (LUD or Property Owner)?
            5.
          5. Location of building drain(s) leaving home. [UPC defines]
          6. Obtain Owner's approval of On-site Piping Plan.
        2. If LUD Design Ends at the Normal Power supply,
          1. LUD would be responsible for ensuring adequate power supply is available from the Owner's power service to the home. Commercial Electrical Standards might apply to LUD.
          2. LUD develops site electrical plans for contractor
            1. Need access inside the home.
            2. Need floor plan of house.
            3. Determine power available 120v, 240v, etc. (What if service panel is already overloaded?)
            4. Determine where pump(s) load center/control panel will be located
            5. Determine route from customer's electrical circuit breaker panel to pump(s) load center/control panel (can it?)
            6. Determine location of Remote Disconnect at pump(s) location.
            7. Determine if Auxiliary Power/Emergency Generator is needed (Would we design? Emergency plug and/or transfer switch?)
            8. Determine location of residential alarm unit and enunciator.
            9. Obtain Owner's approval of electrical site plans
  4. Is the District going to administer construction of the Individual Pump Systems?
    1. If No, (same as current method, repeated below)
      1. Property Owners typically hire a contractor to connect House to the Stub (Property Owner can do the work on private property, but needs an approved contractor for work in Right-of-Way).
      2. Contractor/Owner requests Side Sewer Permit
      3. Contractor/Owner makes connection and calls LUD for Inspection
      4. LUD inspects and approves installation after meeting LUD standards.
      5. LUD draws and maintains record of As-built Side Sewer on Private Property.
      6. Property Owner maintains Side Sewer from House to Property Line
    2. ii) If Yes, Where does Construction End?
      1. If LUD Construction Ends at the Pump chamber,
        1. LUD issues Side Sewer Permit
        2. LUD makes connection from pump chamber to Right-of-Way (or public easement)
        3. LUD obtains Temporary Construction Easement or Right of Entry on each Private Property (Drawing).
        4. Obtain Pre-Construction Photos of All sites.
        5. Schedules on-site construction activity with each property owner
        6. Utilize different construction equipment (small backhoes, Ditch Witch)
        7. Site restoration to satisfy Property Owners
        8. Who connects from House to Pump chamber (need to get into basement (finished or unfinished) or under house/crawlspace)?
        9. Who connects from Pump chamber to overflow (if any)?
          10.
        10. LUD inspects and approves installation after meeting LUD standards.
        11. LUD draws and maintains record of As-built Side Sewer on Private Property.
        12. LUD maintains from Pump chamber to Right of Way (or easement), Standard Warranty 1 year? (or Longer? see Maintenance for Individual Pump Systems)
          13.
        13. Property Owner ensures adequate power to pump, the electrical connection, location of load center/control panel, location of power disconnect, auxiliary power/emergency generator if desired, and the location of alarm system and enunciator.
      2. If LUD Construction Ends at the Normal Power Supply?
        1. LUD makes electrical connections from Pump to house Circuit Breaker Panel.
        2. Obtain Right of Entry into home.
        3. Obtain electrical permits for each home. Commercial Electrical Standards might apply to LUD.
        4. Schedules in-house activity with each property owner.
        5. Utilize different construction techniques/equipment (electricians, wire/conduit, wallboard work, etc.)
        6. Site restoration to satisfy Property Owners.
        7. LUD Maintains electrical system from Circuit Breaker Panel to Pump, Standard Warranty 1 year? (or Longer? see Maintenance of System)
  5. Is the District going to provide Maintenance for Individual Pump Systems?
    1. If No, standard warranty for installations/products is typically 1 year.
    2. If Yes,
      1. Contract for Outside Service?
      2. Where does maintenance End?
        1. If maintenance ends at the Pump chamber,
          1. LUD maintains pump, pump chamber, and Side Sewer (force main to road or public easement)
            1. Requires Permanent Access Easement or Right of Entry onto property
            2. Responsible for repairs to Pump, Pump Chamber, Side Sewers (force main), check valves, clogs, odor, etc.
            3. Responsible for responding to Pump Alarms (real or false)
            4. What about overflow lines to Septic tank, if any?
            5. Replacement Cost of all components for life of Home? For life of equipment? For residency of current occupants?
            6. Who is responsible for Overflows, cleanup, or property damage?
              1. Due to backups?
              2. Due to blockages?
              3. Due to power failures?
              4. Due to Acts or Omissions of Others?
          2. Property Owner maintains from House to Pump chamber.
          3. Property Owner pays for Power?
          4. Property Owner pays additional Cost of Maintenance?
        2. If maintenance ends at the Power Supply,
          1. LUD maintains wiring in or around home or at Remote disconnect?
          2. LUD maintains Auxiliary Power/Emergency Generator (if any)?
          3. Does Pump system require Separate Power Meter for a particular Home?

3) Financing:

  1. Is the District willing to consider installation of Main Line Facilities in roads and public easements as a "District funded Project"?
  2. If No, ULID process, Bond Sales (or other), Assessments
    1. General Rule of Thumb, if project is less than $1M, other types of financing may be cheaper.
    2. Assess all costs to Logical ULID properties
    3. Likely to be applying assessments to unwilling Property Owners
    4. May impact ULID Formation
    5. Board willingness to allow properties to opt out? (Working septic systems)
  3. c) If Yes, District Project, Latecomer Fee or Charge in-lieu of Assessment (w/interest)
    1. No ULID Formation Process
    2. Customers pay at time of connection (no public financing; must arrange own financing)?
    3. Typically sewer projects have provided stubs to all adjacent property when installed, to minimize damage to new street pavement repair, landscaping repair, etc. Pressure sewers are more like water systems for making additional taps and connection in terms of relative simplicity. Would District want to provide stubs to non- participating Property Owners as part of a District Project?
  4. Some Combination?
  5. Is the District willing to finance the On-site facilities? (Will financing have any implications on Ownership?)
    1. If No, then the following does not apply.
    2. If Yes, What should the District finance?
      1. Installation of Entire On-site System?
        1. Need approved Piping and Electrical Plan and Cost Estimate prior to Construction Bidding (including Pump Specifications)
      2. Installation of Pump chamber and Side Sewer (force main) only?
        1. Need approved Piping Plan and Cost Estimate prior to Construction Bidding (including Pump Specifications)
      3. Purchase of Pump and Pump chamber only?
        1. Need approved Pump Specifications
        2. What should the District do with Pumps until ready for installation?
          1. Store at District Facilities until Property Owner is ready to install?
          2. Deliver to Property Owner when received for them to store until installed?
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