PRIVATE PROPERTY INFILTRATION & INFLOW

HOME ASSESSMENT RESOURCES

Private Property Infiltration & Inflow Home Assessments

Voluntary home assessments are a critical component of identifying the magnitude of the Private Property Infiltration and Inflow problem. For additional public education materials, contact mparker@paigegroup.com. For additional assessment materials, including maps and pre-populated forms, contact karl.schrantz@obg.com.

Step 1: Identifying the Assessor

While it is up to each municipality to decide on who their assessor(s) will be, it is recommended that assessors have a level of municipal authority, as well as the ability to effectively engage with community members. In addition, assessors should have knowledge of plumbing and drainage systems and the ability to identify sump pumps, roof leaders and other drainage connections, including recognizing where the water is directed. Additionally, assessments should be done in pairs to ensure safety and thoroughness.

NOTE: It is extremely important for the assessor to regularly attend Oneida County Sewer District working group and Steering Committee meetings. This person not only will help to shape the OCSD assessment program, but will also play a critical role in relaying key information between the municipality and the Steering Committee.

Step 2: Preparing the Assessments

When conducting assessments, materials needed include:

  • Resident information, including owner’s name and tax ID
  • Corresponding map of the area, including owner’s name and tax ID
  • Spreadsheet for data collection
  • Explanations of each of the ten questions to be asked during assessments
  • Public education materials including program brochures and door tags

Letters should be sent one to two weeks prior to an assessment to familiarize homeowners with the program and alert them to the assessor’s scheduled visits. In some cases, neighborhood meetings may be appropriate.

Step 3: Performing Assessments

Using the area map and data collection spreadsheet, assessors should note:

  1. Did occupant of the home let you in to do the assessment?
  2. Is there evidence of a sanitary sewer lateral coming into the structure?
  3. Is there a sump pump in the cellar?
  4. Does the sump pump gravity drain directly to the sanitary sewer lateral?
  5. Is the sewer lateral higher in elevation than the top of the sump pump?
  6. Is it evident that the footing drains are being discharged to the sanitary sewer?
  7. Is there a sump pump present and operational?
  8. Does the sump pump discharge to the sanitary sewer lateral?
  9. Does the washing machine discharge to the sump pump?
  10. Is there evidence of roof drains or surrounding French drains discharging to the sanitary sewer lateral?

Information should be entered into the spreadsheet using standardized fields (i.e.,“Y,” “N,” and “U” for unknown). Brochures should be provided to each homeowner/resident. Door tags should be used to leave behind if no one is home at the survey time.

Step 4: Reporting

Copies of assessment records should be kept at the municipal level. In addition, it is critical that this information also be relayed to OCSD representatives. Blank forms can be downloaded here. Please send copies of all assessments to brian.whittaker@obg.com.