Backup and Stoppage Policy
City personnel will check for and clear any debris creating a sewer blockage that are located in a main sewer line.
City personnel will check any service lateral for blockages provided:
- the property owner locates and provides access to a clean-out plug located on the outside of the building.
- If a clean-out plug does not exist at the property line and the
main line is open, it is the responsibility of the resident to expose
the lateral and make an opening so the blockage can be removed.
- If the building has an existing sewer clean-out in the back,
side, or front yard, city crews will remove blockages once every two
years providing the resident signs a "hold harmless" agreement form
relieving the city from liability for any damage caused city personnel
working to clear the blockage.
Lateral cleaning is limited to once every two years.
Individuals requesting line cleaning
services within the two year period are required to contact a plumber
to clear the stoppage.
Claims
PURPOSE:
To efficiently deal with the trauma associated with sanitary sewer
backups, with the possibility of associated property damage, whether or
not the city is determined to be pecuniary liable.
RATIONAL:
The backup of sanitary sewage in or onto private property can have
serious implications concerning health and property damage.
Responsibility and liability is determined via the claims process.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The first responding employee, which is usually the Wastewater Treatment Department sewer maintenance technician, or his supervisor, will, in
all cases, give a copy of the Citizen Instruction Form (Attachment
#1a), and the Sewer Spill Information & Release Form (Attachment
#1b), and the Citizen Insurance and Claim Form Information Sheet,
(Attachment #2a) to the affected citizen. The first responding employee
is to Retain a Signed Copy of the Sewer Spill Information and Release
Form (Attachment # 1b). NOTE: The Sewer Spill Information & Release
Form must be signed in the space which allows entry to the property
and/ or the City’s help, before continuing.
The technician and the responding supervisor will conduct a thorough
investigation of the incident and record their findings on the Sewage
Backup Report, (Attachment #3).
The responding supervisor evaluate the potential health threat,
determine whether or not to take a sample of the flooding, and
determine whether or not the citizen (s) should be advised to
temporarily evacuate to alternative housing. Other City personnel
(Health, Code Official, etc.) may respond if requested by the Public
Works Labor & Trades Supervisor II, reached through Police dispatch
after normal working hours.
If the spill is more than can be handled by the citizen or is not
confined to one small part of the dwelling, the supervisor will offer
to call Service Master of Chester at 748-0716, or Clean Care at
748-5550 to make arrangements to have the affected areas of the
dwelling cleaned and sanitized.
As soon as practical the Labor & Trades Supervisor II who oversees
sewer maintenance will retrieve the Sewer Backup Report and brief the
Public Works Director using this initial data. A narrative of the
incident including such information as the history of sewer incidents
in the area, and the last time the area was cleaned will be developed
and sent to the Risk Manager.
Any corrective action that the City may undertake will be
confidentially determined later by coordination with the Risk Manager,
the City Attorney, and the City Engineer. All inquiries about the
incident will be referred to the Risk Manager.
Citizen Instruction
Form
-
Read and sign the
Release Form to allow entry to your property or help from the City.
-
If you wish to file
a claim, fill out the Claim Form (M-7 Attachment #1B, or M-8 – page
7 of 8 ) and return it to either the Public Works Department or
Municipal Building to the attention of the Risk Manager.
-
Contact your
insurance company and inform them as to what has taken place.
-
Refer all claim
questions to the City Risk Manager at 541-2298.
Citizen Insurance
and Claim Form Information Sheet
-
Contact your Insurance Carrier immediately to
determine if the claim is covered under your policy.
-
If damages are to be claimed, fill out the attached
Personal Injury/Property Damage Claim form (Attachment #2b) completely
and submit to:
SAFETY / RISK MANAGER
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ROOM 225
300 N. MAIN STREET
HOPEWELL, VA 23860
The following are the City of Hopewell’s insurance
claim contacts:
SAFETY / RISK MANAGER
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ROOM 225
300 N. MAIN STREET
HOPEWELL, VA 23860
(804) 541-2298
CITY ATTORNEY
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ROOM 218
300 N. MAIN STREET
HOPEWELL, VA 23860
(804) 541-2247
Other resources available to you are:
-
The Housing Environmental Health Specialists can be
called in to make health safety determinations, if you wish.
-
The Building Official can be called in to help
determine the extent of the damage to the dwelling, furniture, etc.
Forms
