WAYNE TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

Rande Joy
Douglas Mitchell
Charles Thompson
Richard Whaley
Kendrick Knight

Phone:  814 - 663 -1663

SEWER AUTHORITY MINUTES
March 15, 2010 
December 21, 2009 
September 21, 2009
June 15, 2009

Delinquent Sewer Policy

A:  A backwater valve is a flap valve that is installed in your sanitary sewer line between the house and the street, or within the basement if it goes beyond the last fixture connection.  It allows the sewage to flow out of the house toward the street/road, but does not allow the sewage to flow back from the municipal sewer.  Any sanitary sewer, including the sewers in Wayne and other townships, may become plugged at one time or another, which can cause sewage to back up.  In addition, some sanitary sewers receive rain water in such quantities that the sewer may not be adequate to carry the flow.  This will also cause the sewer to back up.  If an owner has a finished basement, or stores valuables in the basement, he should install such a valve...even if there has never been a backup of sewage.  The township cannot guarantee that the line will not become plugged at some time, and is not liable for damages caused by sewage backup.  All connections to sewers are at the property owners' risk.

A flap valve, when installed, should be in an accessible location.  The preferable place is in the basement near the front of the house, past the point where anything in the house is connected.  Do not let anyone talk you into putting the valve out in the yard, unless it is installed in a pit or manhole.  Backwater valves must be maintained on at least an annual basis, or they may cease to function properly.

RAINWATER CONSERVATION & RAIN BARREL
Q:  Why should we "recycle" Rainwater?
A:  1. Saving rainwater in rain barrels decreases the need for a larger water infrastructure.
     2. Conserves our natural resources.
     3. Prevents pollutants from rushing into water bodies.
     4. Provides free water to wash tools, mix cement, clean the car, water the garden, etc.
     5. Joy of having your own water system that saves you money.
     6. Helps reduce bacteria-tainted combined sewer overflows.
     7. Reduces the amount of water that settles around the foundation of your home.
Q:  What is the purpose of a Rain Barrel?
A:  Rain barrels catch, store and re-direct your roof water for on-site usage.  Using this free source of non-chlorinated water in your yard and garden helps reduce combined sewer overflow problems that plague many municipalities.  Using a rain barrel recharges our groundwater supply.  The water savings from using a rain barrel, rather than municipal or well water can be substantial over a period of time. 
FYI:  To find barrels or drums to convert into rain barrels, check the phone book or on the Web.  Make sure you purchase plastic food-grade containers.  You can also get "ready-to-go" rain barrels; they come with an inlet & outlet already installed.