Sewer ordinance changes require backwater valves for new service lines

Newton City Council last week unanimously approved changes to the sewer ordinance and is now requiring landowners to disconnect old faulty sanitary sewer pipes from the public sewer main whenever a building is demolished and also install backwater valves on all new sewer lines within the city.

As a result of this amended ordinance, the city is also increasing its financial assistance capabilities to qualified applicants for reducing inflow and infiltration. Referred to as “I&I,” it is the process of water entering sanitary sewer systems from sources other than wastewater, like groundwater or stormwater.

Instead of offering $3,000 in financial assistance to remove prohibited discharge, the city will allow up to $4,500 of actual costs incurred for said removal. The allowable financial assistance payment shall be 50 precent of the actual labor and material cost, not to exceed $1,500 for each of any of the following projects:

• Installation of a sump pump, including drain tile, discharge rigid piping and electrical outlet.

• Removal of a prohibited discharged, including rain gutter downspouts, exterior area drains, foundation drains and prohibited sump pump connections.

• Removal and replacement of a faulty sewer service lateral.

Officials introduced these changes as a direct response to the May 2024 floods, which caused significant issues to public infrastructure and personal property. The third consideration of the amended ordinance was approved at the April 7 council meeting, and it was adopted by council soon after.

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.