Apparently the answer is, it depends. Meaning if you are on a gravity system and you have a blockage off your property but before the sewer main----under current codes the costly repairs could be on you, Mr. Homeowner.
During a discussion on the platting of a subdivision in District 5-- an interesting topic of conversation turned to homeowner responsibilities as it pertains to sewer line repairs in the county's right of way (ROW).
The above drawing was provided to commissioners on the dais by ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody, who attended our morning review session. He explained ECUA's position, backed by their codes, that determine responsibility (homeowner or ECUA) for line repairs dependent on WHERE such repairs are needed. He was asked questions about it, and due to his very brief tenure at ECUA he was not aware of the history of when these codes had been updated.
My counterparts wanted to know when the codes had last been changed.
For my part, I asked why there appeared to be a double standard on the responsible party determination as it pertains to the gravity sewer line; according to ECUA and as illustrated in the above diagram--ECUA is responsible for low pressure sewer or water line repairs from the meter or homeowners property line (whichever is closer to the house) over to the main line----except in the case of a gravity sewer systems--where the homeowner ----apparently -----is responsible for any line repairs from their property, through the county's ROW, and up to any roadway.
This seems odd, and I asked if costs of repairs in the ROW was used in ECUA's decision to have this distinction in their code (e.g. is it costly historically for ECUA to make repairs in the ROW for gravity sewer lines?) I was told that an answer on this was not known.
I asked why this distinction was made? I voiced my opinion that ECUA should be responsible for ALL lines from the property lines or meters (whichever is closer to the homeowner's improvements) through the county's ROW to their main lines. I asked that this change be made by ECUA.
My counterparts agreed.
Mr. Woody stated that he would bring this feedback to the ECUA board for their consideration.
Stay tuned on this one.........
