SERVICES - sewer

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Sewer

Establishing Sewer Service:
If you are moving into an existing building, contacting BRWA will also begin your sewer service. For new construction, contact the Public Works Department at (828) 287-5961 to find out if sewer service is available in your area and locate the nearest sewer line. Prior to a sewer tap being installed, the property owner must pay a fee to the Town for the privilege of tapping into the sewer collection system. Click here (.pdf) for a listing of tap fees and current sewer rates. The Town's Public Works Department must inspect all sewer taps as they are installed. Please contact the Public Works Department at (828) 287-5961 to arrange a time for the inspection.

Billing
Sewer is billed by Broad River Water Authority on the same invoice as the water bill. Sewer fees are based on the water used as determined by BRWA meter readings. In order to avoid being billed sewer on water that is used for irrigation, filling a swimming pool, etc., a separate meter must be installed. Credits are not issued for these uses.

Reporting Leaks
To report a sewer leak, call (828) 287-5961 during normal business hours; after hours, call the communications center at (828) 286-2911. If there is a water leak, please contact Broad River Water Authority at (828) 286-0640. Please note that citizens are responsible for sewer lines up to the point where the line joins a main line.

Sewer Stoppages
The Town maintains and periodically cleans sewer lines and performs preventive maintenance and repairs, but occasionally a stoppage may occur. To report any sewer system problems, contact the Public Works Department at 287-5961 between 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, for EMERGENCYS after hours, or on weekends or holidays, call 286-2911 (The Police Emergency Communications Center). The Town will assess the stoppage to determine if the blockage is on the Town's side of the sewer line or the homeowner's side of the sewer line. The Town will clear blockages that occur in the main sewer line. Homeowners are responsible for blockages that occur in the line between the main line and the dwelling (the "sewer lateral line").

BackflowValves
A backflow valve is necessary to prevent wastewater from getting into a building during regular line cleanings and in case of a backup. Building code requires a backflow valve to be installed if the plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first, upstream manhole on the street. To find out if you have or need a backflow valve, check your plumbing plans or consult with your builder or professional plumber. The Town cannot be held liable for damages caused by wastewater backing up into a home or building when a backflow valve has not been installed by a property owner.

Prohibited Discharge into the Sewer System
The Town's Sewer Use Ordinance prohibits the disposing of grease, oil, paint and large amounts of chemicals into the collection system. Organizations that serve food such as restaurants are required to have a grease trap and should be cleaned at least once every three months. These substances can cause damage and possible harmful conditions to the Town's sewer collection system and equipment. If a problem occurs and a source can be found, stiff fines will be assessed.

Institutional food preparation and serving facilities are required to adequately trap and retain fats, oils and greases prior to discharge into the sewer treatment system. Residential users are asked to consider their own cleaning practices and their impact on the control of greasy wash water, food solids and oils to the sewer system. To view other prohibited discharges, click here (pdf).

Storm Drains
Storm drains are most often located in the curb of streets and go directly to area creeks and streams, not to the treatment facility. Storm drains or run off water should not be connected to the sewer system. Missing and broken storm drain covers or manhole covers should be reported. immediately to the Public Works 287-5961, Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 4pm or 286-2911 (The Police Emergency Communications Center) after hours, weekends and holidays.