!!! WATER & SEWER SERVICE LATERAL LIFESPAN & RESPONSIBILITY !!!

Many of the homes in the Hideout are approaching the 20-30-year-old mark. Likely, so are their Water & Sewer laterals that run from the house to the service connection. This is the average lifespan of a water service line. Sewer lines, generally being made of rigid plastic piping, tend to withstand a heartier lifespan, but are not immune to earth’s ever shifting surface.

Per RS&W Rules & Regulations, the service lines are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and repair. With the increasing number of houses in the above-mentioned age range, we are seeing a steady rate of water service line leaks. This often takes a homeowner by surprise, not only emotionally, but financially as well. A repair / replacement usually consists of hiring an excavator to dig the line and lay a new one. It can become an expensive project. There are not many options available, other than putting aside funds for such emergencies or looking into a Service Lateral Insurance policy. RS&W encourages members to research their options and contact their own Homeowners Insurance Companies to educate yourself.

Unfortunately, most broken sewer laterals can go undetected for a long period of time. As the RS&W infrastructure replacement project heads into the completion of its 3rd and final stage, our crews have been, as a requirement mandated by the PaDEP, scoping the sewer service laterals of every gravity line home in the community. To date, several letters have been sent to homeowners in Stages 1, 2 & 3 advising them of broken, blocked or otherwise concerning issues found during this process. We expect there to be more to come, as we are receiving the final reports for Stage 3, from the contractor. PaDEP is requiring that all infiltration issues be repaired, as part of the overall Corrective Action Plan as it affects the overall efficiency and environmental impact of our system. Homeowner’s who are notified of an immediate need must respond accordingly and have the lateral repaired. Fines and Fees will be assessed to any noncompliant permits issued in these instances. Most sewer lateral repairs are “spot fixes” and can generally be completed quickly and cost effectively.

RS&W is aware that a repair like this can come as an unexpected shock. We will do our best to work with homeowners, regarding time, in getting these repairs completed. However, please understand, a water lateral repair can affect our water loss significantly and will generally have to be addressed more quickly, should we not be able to leave service off until the repair is completed.

If you have questions regarding any of the information provided, please feel free to contact RS&W and we will gladly assist you. We thank you and we look forward to your anticipated cooperation, as we head toward a new era in our community with a healthy water/sewer infrastructure and environment to enjoy for years to come.

IMPORTANT
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Sewer Service Lateral Repair Letter
Service Line Leak Repair Letter

PLEASE CONTACT ROAMINGWOOD SEWER & WATER
FOR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUESAS SOON AS POSSIBLE