subject: Details Concerning The Sewer Inspections Berkeley Maintains [print this page] Water freely flows into homes, businesses, manufacturing plants, and other locations. After it is used it must be properly disposed of. This means that tons of waste water must be be moved via a public water disposal system. Sewer inspections Berkeley city officials conduct tests to keep the water running smoothly so as not to contaminate the surroundings or offer a threat to anyone's health.
There are both the City of Berkley and federal laws concerning the local disposal system. One concerns the total amount of water that can safely enter the system during wet weather together with that which comes from downspouts, private property lateral lines, and yard drains. To protect against flooding and other problems there are strict laws regarding sewer lateral installations.
Currently real estate that has a sewer line cannot be sold in the City of Berkley unless it is less than 20 years old or, if older, has had the line inspected in the last 20 years. The city is highly concerned with the effect of the sewage operation and a healthy environment. As a result they are joined in a program with a National Pilot Project to improve the disposal of this waste. The city's Public Works Department is currently responsible for the proper operation of 6,000 storms drains.
The city is unique in their Adopt-a-Drain program. Under this program, volunteers work to collect debris that accumulates at various located storm drains. This is done after a storm and the accumulated waste is placed in plastic bags for later pickup by a city truck.
In compliance with the city's laws it is important for the home or business owner's property wastewater drain be kept clear at all times. This drain pipe is made of clay and over time can break, collapse, crack, become disjointed, shift, or be damaged by roots. Any of these will cause pipe failure or blockage.
Keeping the line in good repair and replacing it if necessary is the responsibility of the property owner. Since Homeowner's insurance policy does not cover this possibility, it can be a large expense. It is in the Berkley City Code that the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the upper lateral are the responsibility of the property owner.
A sewage system problem is quite distinctive. Toilets will back up, drains will fill with dirty water, there can be sewage in the yard and a bad smell everywhere. This is the time to get an experienced plumber on the job. Raw sewage can not only cause health problems but it will be unable to use the toilet or other facilities. A plumber will quickly be able to determine the problem and correct it.
Not all sewer inspections Berkeley problems are caused by breaks, cracks, or other problems with the pipe. However, to be sure, the plumber will insert a camera with a closed circuit TR video screen into the sewer line. This will clearly show if there are serious problems. On occasion the line will just be blocked and can be cleared by the use of a plumber's 'snake'.
