All sewer work must meet or exceed BWSC's standard requirements.
Projects within MWRA Service Areas
8(m) permits to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) will apply for any project crossing existing MWRA water mains or sewer pipes.
If the proposed project is located in an area where BWSC sewer facilities are not accessible, but MWRA facilities are available, the applicant must fill out a Direct Connection Application/Permit to connect to the MWRA sewer system.
In accordance with the MWRA Sewer Use Rules and Regulations, the amount of time in advance the Toxic Reduction and Control Department (TRAC) requires is a minimum of 90 days to process a Sewer Use Discharge Permit Application for a new user. TRAC does issue temporary permits in some cases so that industry may begin operation once the temporary permit has been issued, which usually takes 30 - 45 days. However, it is best for the industry to submit the application 90 days in advance so TRAC can issue a more specific permit before operations begin.
General Requirements
Backwater Valve
If there will be a plumbing fixture(s) in the basement, which is liable to back-up from a sewer line, a backwater valve is required. Regulations and guidelines for the installation of backwater valves for homes and businesses in low-lying areas of Boston can be found in the BWSC Regulations.
Backwater Valve Brochure
Separate Sewer Connection
The plumbing of each building must have a separate independent sewer connection(s) to BWSC sanitary/combined sewer system outside of the building.
Sewer Lateral Connection
When there is a separate sanitary sewer in the street, the site's sewer lateral must be connected to the sanitary sewer. When there is a combined sewer in the street, the site's sewer infrastructure must leave the property in a separate pipe from the storm drain system and then connect to the combined sewer via a wye connection once in the public right of way. No connections to manholes are allowed.
Connection Detail
Detail of the connection, if it is not being made to an existing wye branch on the sewer, must be shown on the plans. Connection to clay, PVC, concrete, iron, or brick pipes will be made using an approved coring bit and mechanical device.
Sewer Slope
Minimum pitch is 1/4 inch per foot for building sewer connections. Building connections shall be bedded in 3/4 inch minimum crushed stone to at least half the pipe diameter.
Wye Branches
When sewer connections are being made to existing wye branches, the distance from a manhole must correspond to the distances shown on BWSC record plan. All existing wyes accessible from the site must be shown, to allow for field changes. New wye branches must connect to the main and not the sewer manholes.
Cleanout
Provide a clean out on the portion of the building sewer on the owner's property at the property line when there is a building set back from the property line.
Chimney Connection
All chimney connections shall be encased in concrete.
Grease Traps (Point-of-use and Large External Units)
Grease traps or interceptors shall be required on sewer lines for all restaurants and commercial food handling establishments. BWSC may require grease interceptors for any fixture or drain which introduces large amounts of animal or vegetable fat, oil or grease. All submissions shall be sent to Enforcement for review and approval.
Commercial Kitchen Grease Traps
Gas Oil Separators
Gas Oil Separators are required for indoor parking garages for six or more vehicles and indoor parking garages that will be used for automotive purposes other than just storage (i.e., washing, maintenance, etc.), and gas stations. Sewer separators must discharge to the sewer/combined system.
Ten (10) Foot Separation
The sanitary sewer connections shall be laid at least 10 feet apart from any new or existing water services connections.
Cut & Caps
All abandonment of the existing building sanitary sewer services must be cut and capped off at the main(s) in the street. All such work must be performed by a Licensed Contractor.
Sewer Manhole
All new sewer connections and manholes must be stationed. When possible, STA 0+00 should be aligned with the corner of the property lines of the building being constructed.
Inspection
BWSC has the right to inspect building sanitary sewers, building storm drains, and other private sewers, grease traps, oil-particle separators, and other appurtenances tributary to the BWSC's wastewater and storm drainage systems. Inspection points must be delineated on the site plan, along with sign off by a BWSC inspector.
Sewer Video Inspections
In any existing building, vacant for over one year, to be renovated or substantially rehabilitated, it is required that if the sewer lateral is going to be reused, it must be televised. BWSC will determine if the existing lateral can be reused after review of the video provided by the proponent. A new roof drain must be provided if there is no existing drain in the building.
Foundation Drain
For all new construction of buildings, the engineer must address the issue of the foundation drain and under drain.
Plaques
Proposed catch basins and area drains require a "Do Not Dump" plaque that will be purchased from BWSC at the time of the General Service Application.