Novato Sanitary District Offers Grant for Sewer Lateral Repair/Replacement
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Sewage spillage seems to be a distant memory in the middle of summer when Marin hills are golden and the weather is glorious.
However, to prevent unpleasant surprises, the Novato Sanitary District has been offering an experimental grant of half of the replacement cost, up to $1,500 per household, to assist homeowners in the repair and/or replacement of the sewage lateral work required. The grant was announced in NSD summer 2011 home mailers. Depending on the success of the program, NSD might consider extending the program.
Sewage leakages have been headline news in the county, mostly in Southern Marin where houses are older and terrains are challenging. A few have happened in Novato proper. Leakages occur more often during the raining season where water from wet soil can seep into pores or cracks of sewer laterals, exceeding sewer main capacity, causing unsanitary spillages onto the street or the bay; other common reasons are old, cracked pipes, separate joints between pipes, blockages by tree roots, hardened household oil dumped into drainage, etc.
In an effort to mitigate potential expensive clean up and environmental hazards, southern Marin towns tried to and a few are requiring homeowners to do a sewer lateral inspection for the sale of their homes; the report becomes part of sellers' disclosures for the potential buyers. Novato has considered the same but has not put that into action.
Since homeowners are responsible for the part of sewer lateral from the clean out of their homes to the district sewer main on the street and the repair of sewer lateral work can be expensive (depending on whether concrete needs to be broken and the length of the pipes, the estimate can run into thousands), this grant might be something homeowners want to consider.
We have not seen many buyers requesting sewer lateral inspections. However, two sets of Southern Marin buyers for my recently sold homes did order sewer lateral inspections. Both found problems with the sewer lines — one found extensive tree root blockage close to the district main, which was easily solved by engaging a service to clean out the roots; the other found semi-disjointed pipes which require expensive repairs (yes, breaking concrete where sewer lateral connects to district main). My client applied for the grant (transferable to new owner with certain restrictions) which helped with the repair estimate.
Homeowners who do not plan to sell but have older homes might also want to check on the health of their sewer lateral for preventive medicine. The grant is on a first come first serve basis; can mitigate the cost for owners if the findings are unfavorable.
Remember to always get several estimates from certified, reputable plumbing companies specializing in sewer lateral repairs before commencing the work. Three such estimates are required by NSD for the application.
For Information or Application of the Grant, contact Novato Sanitary District at 892-1694.
Links:
- Save R Bay Marin Lateral Program
- Novato Sanitary District Website www.novatosan.com
- Click for NSD 2011 Summer Newsletter, see page 2 for the Grant announcement.
- Click for General Information about Sewer Lateral Inspection. The inspectors should have video camera to show where the problems are.
(*) Disclaimer - The article is intended to provide general information on the subject. Readers who require specific advice should consult experts in the area of interest.
Tina McMillan
10:23 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Vote: Jean Mariani for Novato Sanitary District
Appointed in 2011
Resident of Novato from 1958 to 1973 and from 2004 to present.
•BS Economics, Santa Clara University.
•Financial Management & Rate Setting, American Water Works Association, 1993.
•Governmental Auditing, Graduate School, USDA, 1997.
Employment History:
•City and County of San Francisco 1982-1993 Budget and finance positions with Board of Supervisors, Mayor's Office and SF Public Utilities Commission (water, power, transit).
•East Bay Municipal Utility District 1993-1996 Director, Office of Management and Budget.
•City and County of San Francisco 1997-2009 Budget and finance positions with Controller's Office, Sheriff's Department and SF Public Utilities Commission (water, power, wastewater).
•Sonoma County Water Agency 2010-2011 Project Manager wastewater rate study and cost accounting system replacement.
Elected and Appointed Offices
•Member, Board of Directors, Sanitary District No. 1 of Marin County 1996-2002.
•Commissioner, Central Marin Sanitation Agency (representing City of Larkspur) 1996-2002.
•President, California Association of Sanitation Agencies 2001-2002.
•Executive Board Member, California Association of Sanitation Agencies 2004-2005.
Community / Volunteer Service
•Marin County Open Space Green Gorilla.
•Marin Humane Society, Dog Training Assistant Volunteer.
Tina McMillan
10:33 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mark
I think both are acceptable. We have elections coming up in November that have a tremendous effect on our town. The article refers to the Novato Sanitary District. This is one of the races. Getting folks talking is part of what makes Patch so helpful.
I also appreciate Sylvia's providing information on a specific program that would allow individual home owners to get financing to assess and correct potential sewer line problems.
Brant
9:43 am on Friday, August 26, 2011
The people need to ask Coleman what his common sense approach to NSD might be. For example, in John's opinion, is a Public/Private Partnership a good way to ensure competent operation of the new Waste Water Treatment Plant. Or was re-negotiation of the Novato Disposal contract to add zero waste requirements the right thing to do? John's 'I'm a good guy, vote for me' just does not say enough to guide a voting decision.
wileecoyote
10:33 am on Friday, August 26, 2011
Coleman has no idea what he is talking about. No deadlock exists now that Jean Mariani is on the board. Vote for the most qualified people. I'm going with Mariani and Peters.
Tina McMillan
3:44 pm on Friday, August 26, 2011
I would like to know more about Jerry Peters. As I understand it he was part of the yes on F measure to vote to retain Veolia which won in the last election. The recent deadlock on the council came as a result of unresolved issues concerning Veolia. When Novato voted to accept the contract Crow, Coleman and Welsh were against it as part of the No on F group. Crow and Coleman are running for the two seats available as well as Mariani and Peters.
Having all ready voted on Veolia it is important that this not become another anti Veolia campaign. It was very disappointing to have Quesada side with Welsh against Mariani's temporary board appointment because he was angry at the two other board members, DiGeorgio and Long. If Mariani and Peters are elected they will be working with DiGeorgio and Long. If Coleman and Crow are elected they will be working with Welsh.
The board has five seats total. The Veolia issue has been extremely divisive. We need the board to move forward in a spirit of cooperation that reflects the will of the majority of the voters. Yes, it was an extremely close vote but moving forward is critical. The board cannot continue to be deadlocked on the Veolia issue now that it has been resolved.
Sylvia Barry
7:19 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2011
By the way, not all repairs require replacement of pipes - when my client and I went to apply for the grant for her house; Beverly James, Manager/Engineer of NSD, said that depending on the problem, lining the pipes with a special plastic liner instead of replacing the pipes might work also.
This is a much less expensive solution, something to check into.
Brant
10:30 am on Monday, August 29, 2011
Tina, the Veolia issue should be seen as behind NSD for a few years. The voters have spoken on that issue. However, it will come up again when the 5-year contract is considered for renewal. At that time, we need Board Members who will objectively evaluate whether or not that Public/Private Partnership is serving the needs of the ratepayers. So far, Veolia is doing a good job. But they have time in which to stub their toes. We will have to wait, see, and objectively evaluate.
Another important issue on which the Board split, with Welsh objecting, was early renewal of the Novato Disposal contract to incorporate zero waste requirements without an increase in rates. NSD needs a Board that will support environmental goals and logically evaluate opportunities to cost-effectively improve results.
I believe that Mariani and Peters are the candidates Novato needs on the Sanitary District Board.
Tina McMillan
10:49 am on Monday, August 29, 2011
Reichard
http://novato.patch.com/articles/stalemate-ends-jean-mariani-voted-onto-novato-sanitary-district-board
I would like to believe the Veolia issue has been resolved but if you look at vote splits it appears as if there are still unresolved feelings. The five year contract should give the board enough time to evaluate Veolia's work. In the meantime it would be good if the entire board could work together.
Tina McMillan
10:55 am on Monday, August 29, 2011
I also support Mariani and Peters.
jim k
9:47 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The voters did not speak on this issue. Only a small percent of registered voters came out in the June election and most of those were veolia schmucks. If the voters actually came out and voted, veolia would be in court right now suing Novato for being kicked to the curb. Your "board members" (and I use the term loosely) who voted for veolia should all be replaced for following their own adjenda and not doing for the good of the people. Next time...get out and vote people!!
Tina McMillan
10:08 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
jim
I don't know why you have so much animosity for the board, the voters and Veolia but this is exactly why I am not comfortable with either Coleman or Crow. I believe this issue was settled and that any Novato resident that wanted to weigh in had a chance. I received calls during the campaign from people on the anti Veolia side and then did my own homework. I still believe a five year contract is a reasonable attempt to ascertain if this company can do what is needed. I also see public pension liability as untenable. This was part of the shift to Veolia. The difference in the election was fewer than 200 votes so it was very, very close. Sometimes you have to accept a loss and move forward with an attitude of cooperation. The voters did speak. They just didn't agree with you.
wileecoyote
1:56 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The voters did speak and voter turnout was high. Went to recount and still won. Five year contract in place, no spills. Since most were supporters were on the "yes" side, is that not what elections are about? Time to move on and look to the future.