Marple's Hometown Monthly Magazine
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New Sewer Provisions You Need to Know

Marple Friends & Neighbors, October 2022

In the state of Pennsylvania, there are new provisions in our local townships to control the amount of clean water that flows into the water treatment plants. We are living in a time where greener methods are being implemented and there are ways to contribute while creating safety and reliability in your home.

Since this area is one of the oldest parts of America, our sewage systems reflect this history (i.e terracotta lines/old cast iron piping). With these new provisions being implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), townships are going to be monitored for inflow and infiltration. Inflow is water that enters the sewer system from above ground sources, including downspouts, drains from driveways or even a leaky manhole cover. Infiltration is groundwater that seeps into the sewer system through cracks and leaks in the sewer pipes from the surrounding soil.

Basically, the EPA wants to minimize cleaning “clean water.” For example, if a homeowner has a downspout or a sump pump tied into their sewer line, the treatment plant has to work twice as hard to treat the incoming sewage (inflow). Another example would be a heavy rain storm that produces an abundance of rain water which seeps down through your front lawn to your sewer line. This water gains access through the holes and cracks in your terra cotta or old cast iron pipes (infiltration). Both of these create the unnecessary treatment of clean water.

So, how does this affect YOU as a homeowner? The EPA puts pressure on each individual state, the state puts pressure on the townships and the townships put pressure on homeowners. Townships are able to enforce provisions like these when you are in the process of selling your home. Unfortunately, there are going to be more homeowners who are forced to repair or complete a full replacement of their sewer line before selling their home.

If you’ve recently had your sewer line replaced by an accredited plumber, you likely have nothing to worry about in regard to this matter. You will sleep better at night knowing that your sewer line is replaced, preventing you from having future backups or defects.

All homeowners should be aware of these new changes, and adhere to them sooner rather than later. Educate yourself on this matter and have your sewer inspected.