Current through September 18, 2024
1.4.1
Mandatory Connections
The owner of any building or property generating sanitary
or industrial wastewater situated within the District and abutting on any
street, alley, or right-of-way in which a public sewer is located, is required,
at his or her own expense, to construct a building sewer and connect it to the
public sewer. Structures required to connect shall include, but not be limited
to, industrial and commercial facilities, single family or multi-family
residential properties, all subdivisions, publicly owned buildings, and
non-profit institutions.
1.4.2
Direct Connections
The requirements of this section shall apply to all persons
that directly discharge or propose to discharge to the NBC Facilities. No
person(s) shall uncover, make any direct connection with or opening into, use,
disturb, tamper with, construct, enlarge, alter, move or change the use or
occupancy of a building or structure or increase flow by more than twenty
percent (20%) to any NBC owned sewer or appurtenance thereof without first
being granted a written permit from the NBC. The NBC may require the owner at
his or her own expense to perform appropriate testing, monitoring or
inspections of the NBC Facilities and any nonNBC owned facility related to the
proposed sewer connection.
1.4.3
Indirect Connections
The requirements of this section shall apply to all persons
that indirectly discharge or propose to discharge to the NBC facilities via an
indirect connection through sewer lines owned by a local municipality or other
entity. No person(s) shall make any connection or construct, enlarge, alter,
move or change the use or occupancy of a building or structure that is
indirectly connected to the NBC's Facilities that will increase the flow by
more than twenty percent (20%) to any NBC owned sewer or appurtenance thereof
without first being granted a written permit from the NBC. The NBC may require
the owner, at his or her own expense, to perform appropriate testing,
monitoring or inspections of the NBC Facilities and any non-NBC owned facility
related to the proposed sewer connection.
1.4.4
Stormwater Connections
A. No person(s) shall make direct or indirect
connections or shed stormwater from roof down spouts, foundation drains,
areaway drains, or other sources of stormwater, which in turn are connected to
any public sewer, unless the NBC determines that a combined sewer is the only
reasonable means available for disposal, such connection receives NBC approval,
and the NBC issues a sewer connection permit. Prior to issuance of such permit,
the applicant shall be required to execute and bear the cost of developing a
Stormwater Management Plan Application, if required by the NBC. The Storm Water
Management Plan Application may require, but may not be limited to, the
following studies and/or evaluations:
1. A
site plan showing all stormwater flows from the site or drainage area and all
points of discharge;
2.
Investigation of mitigating measures to eliminate or reduce storm flow from the
project;
3. The use of LID and
design methods that utilize green infrastructure and other technologies to
eliminate or reduce storm flow from the project;
4. BMP approach to stormwater management to
eliminate or reduce storm flow from the project;
5. Investigation of alternative options
available to direct discharges into natural waterways.
B. The NBC also shall consider the following
factors when determining if a combined sewer is the only reasonable means
available for disposal and whether to permit the discharge of stormwater to the
sanitary sewer system: (Not in any order of priority)
1. The present condition of the areaway basin
at the point of the proposed storm connection;
2. The potential impact of the proposed
connection on the existing downstream connection;
3. The economic impact of the proposed
connection on the NBC and the applicant; and
4. Any measures taken by the applicant to
separate present and future flows, and to mitigate storm flows from the
project.
1.4.5
Sewer Alteration Permit
A. Any
person(s) planning to initiate construction which will modify or expose
structures such as, but not limited to, manholes, catch basins, and sewers
owned by the NBC shall obtain a sewer alteration permit before performing any
alterations to the NBC's Facilities. The sewer alteration permit application
shall be obtained from the NBC and the applicant shall submit the completed
application and any required information prior to the issuance of a sewer
alteration permit. The sewer alteration permit application information required
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Contact name, company name, address and
phone number.
2. Description of the
project along with a sketch or map identifying the location of the project and
a drawing which indicates at least two (2) points of reference (typically
closest NBC-owned manholes) with distance measurements corresponding to each
structure or connection to be altered.
3. Method(s) and material(s) to be used to
construct the alteration.
4.
Method(s) which will be utilized to prevent debris from entering NBC
sewers.
5. Record Plans prepared at
the completion of the alteration confirming the details of the changes made to
the NBC sewers and appurtenances.
1.4.6
Sewer Connection Permits
Required
The owner(s) of any property subject to the provisions of
§§1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, or
1.4.5 of this Part must
obtain a permit in accordance with those provisions. Such permit shall be
effective for one (1) year from the effective date of the permit and shall be
renewable at the NBC's option for one (1) additional year. Said renewal shall
be requested by the owner at least two (2) weeks prior to the expiration
date.
1.4.7
Transfer
of Permits
Permits are not automatically transferable. Permits are
issued to a specific applicant for a specific use and connection. A permit
shall not be reassigned, transferred, or sold to a new owner, new user,
different premises, or a new or changed operation without prior written NBC
approval.
1.4.8
Sewer
Connection Permit Application
A.
Persons seeking a sewer connection permit must complete and file an application
with the NBC, together with any applicable permit fee. The sewer connection
permit application shall include, but not limited to, the following
information:
1. Name of owner/applicant and
address of premise(s) which applicant wishes to connect to the NBC's
Facilities;
2. Name and signature
of property owner;
3. Overall site
plan and plot plan;
4. Detailed
plans of the proposed sewer connection;
5. The location of each connection to the
sewer line;
6. The proposed use of
the property to be connected to the sewer;
7. Any other pertinent features,
specifications, or information which the NBC may require to assist in its
evaluation of the application.
B. The NBC may require that designs and/or
drawing plans which include mechanical or plumbing components be stamped by a
licensed Rhode Island Professional Engineer. All applications for building
sewer connection permits must be signed by the owner of the premises and the
licensed plumber or licensed drainlayer who is constructing the sewer
connection. The NBC shall evaluate the data furnished by the owner and may
require additional information pertinent to the application. Based on the
application, the NBC may issue a building sewer connection permit, subject to
the terms and conditions enumerated in the permit. The NBC may deny a request
for a permit when the information supplied indicates the user will be unable to
reasonably meet the NBC's standards, or if it is determined that the NBC
Facilities cannot accommodate the quantity or quality of proposed sewage. Any
person denied a permit may request a hearing in accordance with the provisions
of §
1.10 of this
Part.
1.4.9
Fees
All permits referenced in §
1.4 of this Part shall be
subject to applicable fees as set forth in the NBC's Tariffs as approved by the
Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.
1.4.10
Expedited Permit Process
Application for an expedited permit is permissible and
shall be made in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-117.
1.4.11
Permit
Conditions
A. Persons seeking sewer
connection and/or sewer alteration permits are subject to specific permit
provisions contained in the permit as well as to provisions of this Part and
all other Regulations, user charges, and fees established by the NBC. Permit
conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Compliance with Federal, State, and other
governmental laws, Rules and Regulations;
2. Submittal of Record Plans within sixty
(60) days after the final inspection by the NBC, indicating, at a minimum, pipe
sizes, materials, slope, details of pipe trench, details of connections to the
NBC Facilities, pipe to pipe details, cleanout (including cap) and
specifications of all materials and other components utilized for the
connection. All non-NBC utilities shall be indicated on the plan. The plan
shall show, at minimum, the building to be connected, the building connection
and the NBC Facility to be connected to in plan and profile view. Commercial
plans shall be stamped by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of
Rhode Island;
3. Use of
water-conserving fixtures in the proposed structure or dwelling;
4. Implementation of LID and BMP approach to
stormwater management and mitigation;
5. Obtaining necessary town or city permit
and compliance with any applicable town or city requirements;
6. Provision for authorized NBC personnel and
agents to enter and inspect the premises;
7. Posting of performance bonds for materials
and/or labor costs associated with such permitted sewer connection;
8. Posting of the sewer connection permit on
site until the construction is completed;
9. Televising the sewer line before and after
the construction to ensure the structural integrity;
10. Monitoring the soil activity near and
around all NBC Facilities in the area of construction; and
11. Any other reasonable conditions necessary
to ensure compliance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §
46-25-1
et seq.
1.4.12
Sewer Connection Plans
A. Persons seeking a sewer connection permit
must submit plans in accordance with the requirements set out in §1.4.8 of this Part. In
addition, such plans must meet the following specifications:
1. All plans must show a "North" arrow and
shall be oriented so the "North" arrow points upward or to the right-hand side
of the plan; and
2. All plans must
be identified by titles which describe the nature of the project or the work
encompassed on the plan; and
3. All
plans submitted for subdivision developments must bear the stamp, seal and
signature of a licensed Rhode Island Professional Engineer responsible for the
design.
B. Such plans and
specifications shall be in conformance with applicable and appropriate
standards of the ASTM and WEF or other standards the NBC may require or deem
appropriate. Review by the NBC does not constitute any form of guarantee or
insurance with respect to performance of the sewers or other wastewater
facilities proposed. The NBC does not assume responsibility for means, methods
or techniques used, or for the safety of construction work on the site, or for
compliance with applicable laws and Regulations.
1.4.13
Flow Monitoring/Impact
Analysis
Persons seeking a sewer connection permit who anticipate
the flow into the sewer from their proposed structure or dwelling to exceed two
thousand (2,000) gallons per day may be required by the NBC to demonstrate
through flow monitoring that the NBC sewer line, into which the person proposes
to connect, has the capacity to accept the proposed additional flow.
1.4.14
Discharge from
Swimming Pools
The NBC shall be notified by the owner of the proposed
discharge of water from a swimming pool to a public sewer. The NBC shall have
the right to approve or deny the request, designate the time and rate of flow
permitted, and to enter upon the premises to inspect the project prior to and
during that operation. If an owner fails to provide such notification or
disregards instructions, whether accidentally or intentionally, the owner will
be held responsible for any damage that may be caused from such discharge
subject to the enforcement powers contained in this Part, and the NBC shall not
be held liable for said violation.
1.4.15
Connection Costs
All costs and expenses attributable to the installation of
the main sewer line as determined by the Commission using method(s) reasonably
related to the Commission's cost of construction may be borne by the owner(s);
all costs and expenses attributable to the installation and connection of the
building sewer shall be borne by the owner(s). The owner(s) shall indemnify and
hold harmless the NBC from any loss or damage that may result from the
installation of the building sewer.
1.4.16
Building Sewers
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided
for every newly constructed building. All building plans that involve altering
a pre-existing shared building sewer must construct a new separate and
independent building sewer for each building. All building sewers shall conform
to all Federal, State, and local governmental laws, Rules and
Regulations.
1.4.17
Existing Building Sewers
Existing building sewers or service connections may not be
used for direct or indirect connections for a new building.
1.4.18
Building Sewer
Construction
The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a
building sewer, and the methods to be used in excavating, placing the pipe,
jointing, testing, and back filling the trench, shall all conform to the
requirements of applicable governmental codes or other Rules and Regulations of
the NBC. In the absence of code provisions, the materials and procedures set
forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and WEF Manual of Practice No.
9 shall apply.
1.4.19
Building Sewer Elevation
Building check valves shall be installed as per 510-RICR-
00-00-3, Rhode Island Plumbing Code. At a minimum, if the elevation at which
the building sewer enters the building is lower than the elevation of the crown
of the public sewer at the point of connection, at least one (1) check valve
shall be installed in the building sewer or building drain in an accessible
location to prevent backflow. In all buildings in which any building drain is
too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by
such building drain shall be lifted to the public sewer by a pump and a check
valve shall be installed in an accessible location to prevent backflow.
Whenever a check valve is installed in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph, it shall be installed and maintained at the owner's expense.
1.4.20
Temporary or
Permanent Connection Abandonment
A. An
owner may abandon a sewer connection on a temporary or permanent basis with
formal written notice to the NBC. All abandoned sewer connections shall be
properly capped. Such cap shall be securely installed to prevent the escape of
wastewater, gases, and the infiltration of groundwater and/or debris. Sewer
connections shall be capped and sealed in accordance with the requirements
established by the NBC and local municipalities.
B. If an owner desires to disconnect the
sewer connection from the publicly owned sewer, the owner shall not be
permitted to remove that portion of the sewer between the publicly owned sewer
and the property line unless that portion of the sewer has been determined to
be non-functional by a drainlayer or licensed plumber.
C. If an owner desires to permanently abandon
the sewer connection, at the owner's expense the sewer shall be capped at said
property line and removed from the property line to the initial point of
connection.
D. New sewers installed
to replace abandoned sewers shall comply with all new sewer connection permit
requirements as specified herein.
1.4.21
Clean Outs
Clean outs shall be installed in accordance with 510-RICR-
00-00-3, Rhode Island Plumbing Code. House connections may require the
installation of clean outs at the property line to serve as the required
cleanout for the house connection within the public right-of-way. Clean outs
shall be made by installing a "Y" and one eighth (1/8) bends of the same
diameter as the building sewer, up to a maximum of four inches (4"). For house
connections larger than eight inches (8"), a manhole may be required. The clean
out shall be brought to the finished ground level and be properly capped. The
location of the property line clean out shall be properly documented and
reported to the NBC.
1.4.22
Safety Requirements
All excavations for building sewer installation shall be
adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from
hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in
the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the NBC
and the municipality.
1.4.23
Interference with Traffic
Flow
No contractor shall block any driveway, street, road or
railroad at any time without the permission of the controlling agencies. Every
effort shall be made to permit the movement of vehicular traffic at all times.
Whenever it becomes necessary to cross or interfere with roads, walks, or
drives, whether public or private, the contractor shall maintain, at its
expense, safe bridges or other means of ingress and egress.
1.4.24
Notice to the NBC
A. After a permit has been issued, the NBC
shall be given advanced notice as specified in the approved permit before any
construction or excavation work is begun on any direct or indirect connection.
All work shall be performed by a licensed plumber or drainlayer. If the NBC has
not been properly notified, it may require the completed work to be uncovered
for examination, at the owner's expense. (See §
1.10 of this
Part).
B. Requests for inspections
scheduled after normal business hours will require an additional payment be
made to the NBC within sixty (60) days of the inspection to cover the NBC's
additional expenses.
