Sewer ordinance changes require backwater valves on all new sewer lines

Changes to Newton’s sewer ordinances may require landowners to disconnect old service lines from the sewer main when a building is demolished and then install backwater valves on all new sanitary sewer service lines. But the city is also increasing financial assistance for those reducing inflow and infiltration.

These changes are a direct response to the May 2024 floods, which caused significant issues to public infrastructure and personal property. Newton City Council passed the first consideration of the amended sewer ordinance at its March 3 meeting; two more considerations need to pass before it is adopted.

According to city documents included in the council agenda, the code amendments are to help address I&I issues in the private sanitary sewer infrastructure, reduce personal property damage from I&I and provide additional financial assistance for the private sector to reduce I&I.

I&I is the process of water entering sanitary sewer systems from sources other than wastewater. The water in this instance can be groundwater or stormwater.

Jerry Chandler Jr., a Newton resident who owns and operates his own plumbing business, questioned the city wanting to use backwater valves. He understands the concept of backwater valves — they are designed to prevent sewage from backing up into homes — but he felt the real issue was city infrastructure.

“The only way a backwater valve is ever used is if the city sewer is plugged or backs up,” Chandler said. “The only thing a backwater valve is going to do is it’s going to force the water to the next lower person on the sewer line. Backwater valves in new construction is fine, but it’s not going to help anybody else.”

Chandler argued a number of city streets have always flooded, even way back to when he was a kid. But he claimed those issues were not getting addressed.

“Citizens of Newton pay taxes to have this stuff taken care of,” Chandler said. “…Have any of you had to fix (a backwater valve) because the city’s sewer is backed up? You have to pull a check valve out. What that does is anything from the city sewer comes right back into the home.”

The water pollution control division of the city’s utilities department has spent millions of dollars over several years upgrading public sanitary sewers and manholes in an attempt to reduce I&I. The city will continue to invest in public infrastructure to reduce I&I, but this does not address the entire problem.

Newton has about 96 miles of public sanitary sewer pipe, which only accounts for approximately 50 percent of the overall sanitary sewer collection system. The other half is privately owned in private service laterals from homes and businesses connecting to public sanitary sewer mains.