Guidelines For Connecting To The
South Charleston Sewer System

The following guidelines will assist you in making your connection to the South Charleston Sewer System. If you have a question about making the connection, you may call 768-4140 between 7:00a.m. and 3:30p.m. Monday through Friday.

1. Homeowners are responsible for constructing the sewer line from their house to the South Charleston sewer system. The South Charleston Sanitary Board will construct a four or six inch tap to your property line, or to the edge of our easement if the main line was already constructed on your property. The location of the end of the tap will be marked with a stake.

2. If you are constructing only one single-family dwelling to the sewer line, a four inch diameter pipe may be used. If you are connecting two or more single-family dwellings or an apartment building to the sewer, the minimum pipe size that can be used is six inches in diameter.

3. The pipe must be SDR 35 or Schedule 40 and must bear the class designation on the side. It also must be visible to South Charleston Sanitary Board’s inspectors or the pipe may not be used.

4. The pipe must be laid at a slope of a least 1/8 an inch per foot. Point the bell of the pipe uphill.

5. Restaurants, schools, and other eating establishments must install a grease trap.

6. Car washes, service stations, and mechanic garages must install grit traps and oil and water separators.

7. The pipe must be installed in bedding material halfway up the side of the pipe. Thoroughly tamp the bedding material in place. Use either sand, crusher rock, or river gravel for the bedding.

8. You must construct a clean-out at the property line to clear any blockages that may occur. You can obtain a diagram of the layout at our office.

9. Connect to the sewer using a Fernco (brand name, or equal) rubber coupling with stainless steel bands.

10. Do not backfill the pipeline until it has been inspected by the South Charleston Sanitary Board. Call 768-4140 to make an appointment to have the sewer connection inspected. Inspectors will be made Monday thru Friday during normal working hours.

11. Do not connect roof drains, footer drains or any other type of drain that allows rainwater or other surface drainage to enter the sewer system. This is a violation of the South Charleston Sewer Use Ordinance.

12. Once your sewer line has been inspected and approved, you may backfill the trench.

13. A $250.00 tap fee is charged to all new customers. The fee will generally be charged for each water meter installed on the property.