Ordinance Air Testing

Air pressure testing the sewer service will determine if the line is in need of repair or replacement due to leakage.

In effect since the late 1980s, the ordinance maintains an aging system and ensures upgrades and repairs to protect against sewer spills and pollution.

Testing is good for 5 years, and required in case of:
· A change of ownership
· A new construction
· A remodel

Requirements:
· Two clean outs (see illustrations);
· one outside the foundation and one on the property line.
· If the line is more than 75', a mid line clean-out is required.
· Clean outs must be to grade (ground level) and boxed.
· If the line is under 10', an inspector may waive testing.

Clean-outs give access for testing, cleaning and emergencies.

The sewer line line must hold 3.5 PSI of air pressure for a minimum of 5 minutes to pass tesing. A loss of 1/2 PSI of pressure is allowable on an existing line, no loss is permissible for a new line.

Districts require re-testing and work to be performed by a licensed pipeline, plumbing or general engineering contractor.

The homeowner can perform work with a refundable bond of $500.00.

If the test fails, an additional cost will be incurred for repair, replacement, or to meet district codes.