A letter and two attached forms for signature were mailed out to the stub rehabilitation project participants on April 15, 2009. The information below explains why the District is planning this project.What are sewer stubs? The sewer system consists of a public sewer main running down the street in front of your property or in an easement beside your property and a publically owned sewer stub that connects your property to the sewer main.
What is the problem with certain sewer stubs? Sewers in Valley View were first constructed over 50 years ago. Since then the pipe material and pipe joints have begun to break down allowing roots intrusions into the system. These root masses grow down the stubs and into the sewer mains and can cause blockages which may result in sewer backups. Unless the stubs are rehabilitated the District's maintenance crew must spend extra time root cutting and flushing the sewer mains to keep them clear.
What will the stub rehabilitation project accomplish? Valley View has identified the 65 sewer stubs most in need of repair, because of how big a maintenance problem they have become. This project will rehabilitate those stubs so they will no longer need to be maintained due to poor condition and root intrusions.
Why repair private side sewers as well? The District has found that roots growing into private side sewers will travel down to the stub and in some cases through the stub to the main where they can cause blockages. In addition, when home owners hire a contractor to cut roots out of their private side sewers the broken off root masses can become lodged in the sewer main where they can cause backups. Finally, excess storm water gets into the sanitary sewer system through cracks and breaks in the private side sewers. For all of the above reasons it is to the District's advantage to help property owners replace their side sewers.
What is the funding source for this project? Valley View applied for and was awarded a loan through the State Public Works Trust Fund Loan Program. This is a source of money administered by the State that is loaned to qualifying municipalities for infrastructure construction and rehabilitation. The interest rate is lower than alternate funding and allows the District to do the work now without a major rate impact.
What is the Right of Entry form? The Right of Entry allows the District's contractor to set up equipment and dig as necessary to rehabilitate the District owned sewer stub. Disruption will be kept to a minimum and all property will be restored to a condition as good as it was upon entry by the contractor.
What is the Agreement to Rehabilitate Replace Private Side Sewer? While a contractor is on site to rehabilitate the District owned sewer stub you will have an opportunity to have your private side sewer replaced at a greatly discounted price. It would normally cost you $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 to have a contractor come on site just to replace your private side sewer. Because of the trenchless construction method being used and because the contractor is already on site your side sewer can be replaced for no more than $500.00 as part of this project. The District's contractor will video inspect your side sewer as part of the project so that the District and contractor can advise you about whether or not your side sewer should be rehabilitated. If there is no need to repair or rehabilitate your side sewer there will be no cost to you. Examples of side sewers and stubs with root intrusion a common problem in older side sewers, are available for you to view.