The Long Beach City Council on Jan. 21 will vote on a proposed law that would require homeowners to inspect, maintain, test and repair their sewer system laterals, or hook-ups, to ensure that wastewater pipes don’t leak.
Under the proposed law, those who fail to comply would be deemed a public nuisance and would have to pay for any damages and necessary replacements to their
sewer hook-ups that cause wastewater exfiltration, which is raw sewage that leaks into soil, groundwater and waterways, according to the proposal.
The detailed proposal states in part: “Testing and inspection shall be performed by a qualified licensed plumbing contractor, unless the owner present satisfactory proof to the City that the Private Sewer Lateral is less than twenty (20) years old or has been repaired pursuant to a permit issued by the City within the prior seven (7) years.”
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The proposal also requires an inspection at the time of the home’s sale and any problems must be corrected before transfer of property.
If the council approves the proposal at the Jan. 21 meeting, it would take effect April 1, 2014.Find out what's happening in Long Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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