Sherwood Heights Public Sewer Extension

• Timing/needs: Many existing septic systems in the area are approaching the end of their useful lives and have, or will require repairs, replacement, or upgrades. Sometimes these repairs, replacements, or upgrades can be costly, particularly if the geology of the area is not conducive to infiltration. For example, in areas where there is not sufficient filtering for the septic system flows within the vadose zone layer. This can occur where bedrock is close to the ground surface or soil types are not satisfactory. Various requests have been made by residents for the city to extend sewer to make the subsequent extension(s) of the public system more feasible.
• Preferred modern design practice: Whenever public sewer systems are available, the preferred sewage disposal practice is to convey it to the public collection system for extensive wastewater treatment and recycling as a reusable water supply.
• A valuable water resource: Wastewater is now considered a valuable community resource in the desert. Cities are striving to capture and reuse treated wastewater as much as possible in order to reclaim if for beneficial use. Conversion of septic systems to connection to the public gravity sewer system is important to this objective.
• Ground water quality and sanitary concerns: Septic systems require proper planning, design, and maintenance to function properly. Without these elements the ground surface, ground subsurface, or groundwater can be exposed to undesired chemicals or biological contaminants. If proper infiltration is not achieved, biological contamination can spread to surface water flows or other water bodies. In areas where ground infiltration is not adequate, septic systems may not be permitted by Maricopa County or may be required to contain more advanced supplemental (and costly) treatment systems.
• Septic system costs over time: Maintenance of septic systems is needed to maintain effective operation, and replacement, repair, or upgrade is eventually required. Connection to a public sewer line will include costs for the initial connection to the sewer pipe, a new service line connection from the public sanitary sewer to the home. This will provide maintenance free sewer service. There is an ongoing rate cost to the city for upkeep, operations, conveyance (pumping where applicable), and treatment associated with the public sewer system.

It depends. Once the sewer is operational and available along your frontage, or within a specific distance of extension from your property line, you could be required to connect or extend. If your septic system fails or is in need of an upgrade or replacement (and the sewer fronts your property) you will be required to connect. If extensive redevelopment or new development occurs on the site and you are within 500 feet of the public sewer, you may be required to extend and connect. Refer to city Municipal Code Section 49-117 for conditions that require connection or extension of the sewer.

The sewer line extension will mandate future options for waste disposal. City and County representatives will not grant a new septic permit to any property that is adjacent to an active sewer line that is available for connection.

(This is typically called a service stub-out, service line, lateral, or tap from the main public sewer main)

No. Sewer service lines to all structures are considered privately owned all the way up to the public sewer main and will be the responsibility of the property owner to fund and permit. A required process for approving a sewer connection and paying the relevant fees needs to be followed.

It depends. Some costs are fixed, some are variable, so the total cost will vary. Once the sewer connection permit documentation (i.e., sewer tap plan) is submitted and accepted by the city there will be a one-time Development Fee collected to accommodate the new flows into the existing sewer system. There are fees related to plans submittal for city review. There are costs associated with proper abandonment of the septic system (reviewed, approved, and inspected by Maricopa County Environmental Services Department). There also may be costs to reroute internal or external plumbing or building sewer flows from the home/structure to the public sewer line with the new private sewer service line.

It depends. When a sewer is routed along a property’s frontage and there is no existing connection to the public sewer, an assignment on the property for a proportional cost for the construction of the public sewer is executed. This assignment is called a “payback” and is funds are not due until the homeowner deicides to connect to the public sewer. Paybacks expire after 20 years. So, if no connection is made within this period, the payback will expire.

It depends. The city has estimated the potential extent of sewer extensions possible (refer to figure at the end of this FAQ) in the area. Your home may or may not be along the route of the planned sewer system and it will not be possible for all homes in the area to connect to the system (see note 3a below). However, after this initial public sewer extension the city will not be executing further public sewer extensions. Instead, the city offers the Line Extension Participation Program exclusively to single-family home owners. The timing of these subsequent extensions occur will be dictated by the homeowners in the area extending multiple public sewer segments. The Participation Program provides proportional reimbursement to single-family homeowners who initiate and construct a public sewer main extension to serve their property. Refer to Scottsdale Municipal Revised Code Section 49-215 & 49-227 and the city’s Line Extension Participation Program for more information. You may also call the Water Resources Department for more information at 480-312-5685 or [email protected].

• Note 3a: The routing of the planned public sewer is dictated by the depth of the existing sewer, available public Right of Way routes, and the surface topography. A constant downward slope and minimum depth of over are necessary for public sewers. These factors ultimately dictated the routing of the sewer and who will be able to connect via a private service line via gravity flow to the extended system.

The public sewer main must first be extended along your frontage to limits accepted by the city. A sewer tap plan and associated permit application must then be submitted to the Development Services Department and approved. Upon approval relevant permits are granted. The sewer tap plan is a proposed design plan by a professional that will evaluate the factors and details relevant to connecting your home to the public system in accordance with standard design practices applicable to Scottsdale.

To evaluate if your building sewer can be disconnected from your septic system and routed to the new public sewer, a private plumbing company or other qualified professional should be consulted by the homeowner. The initial city extension and subsequent extensions are positioning the sewer at the maximum depth possible to facilitate the maximum number of connections and to allow for the slope drop needed to route from the backyard to the front. The city cannot guarantee that every homeowner (with specific individual site conditions) will be able to connect.

Refer to Scottsdale Municipal Revised Code Section 49-215 & 49-227 and the city’s Line Extension Participation Program for more information. You may also call the Water Resources Department for more information at 480-312-5685 or [email protected].