MSD SEWER SERVICE POLICY
1. CALL MSD FIRST!
When an MSD customer has sewer problems, the resident should first
contact MSD at 255-0061. MSD will dispatch a crew to check the main sewer. If
there is a cleanout at the public right-of-way, MSD will also inspect
the cleanout to determine the location of the blockage in the service
line. MSD will clear the stoppage if it is in the MSD main sewer line or
the portion of the service line in the public right-of-way. If the
stoppage is in the private property section of the service line,
District personnel will notify the owner and advise if a plumber should
be called.
2. PROPERTY OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY
The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining the entire
building service line from its origin in the structure to the MSD main
sewer line if there is no cleanout exposed at the public right-of-way or
the edge of the MSD easement. Locating the building service line at the
public right-of-way or MSD easement is also the owner's responsibility.
The MSD recommends that the owner employ a licensed plumbing or licensed
utility contractor to locate the building service line at the public
right-of-way or at the boundary of a MSD easement. MSD has no history of
the location of building service lines and cannot perform work on
private property except within a public easement for a sewer line.
3. DISTRICT WILL INSTALL CLEANOUT
Once the plumber or licensed utility contractor exposes the building
service line at the public right-of-way or MSD easement, MSD should be
notified at 255-0061. MSD will install a clean-out at that location
at no charge and assist the property owner in maintaining the portion of
the building service line in the public right-of-way. All permits required for the plumber's excavation and the backfilling of the
excavation are the responsibility of the property owner.
4. FLOODED BUILDINGS
If a building is flooded with sewage the property owner should notify
the MSD. A Collection System Division First Responder or Supervisor will
respond and take all reasonable steps to stop the flooding. The MSD
Supervisor or First Responder may request permission in writing from the
owner or occupant of the building, to enter the premises for the purpose
of pumping out standing water, applying disinfectant and taking
photographs to document the damage. MSD personnel cannot enter private
property for any reason without permission from the property owner. Upon
receiving written permission from the owner or occupant, the MSD will
pump out standing water and apply disinfectant.
If the responsibility for the flooding is MSD's, the Supervisor will
notify the owner or occupant of the procedure for filing a claim with
the MSD's insurance company and will contact a subcontractor to clean
the area. The occupant or owner of the building will need to make the
building available to the cleaning subcontractor. If the cleaning
service does not satisfactorily clean the flooded area, the owner or
occupant should notify the District.
The Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County will only
accept responsibility for damage from sewage flooding a building if it
is a direct result of a failure of the MSD Sewer Main line. Private
systems, systems with more than one building connected to a four-inch
service line or plumbing problems in the building service line are not
the responsibility of the Metropolitan Sewerage District. If you have
questions regarding this policy or regarding a sewer problem please call
255-0061 and ask for a Supervisor to assist you.
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