1. Who are the engineers of the project? Woolpert, LLP is the engineer who is working with the District on the project. They have offices in Charleston, WV and Ashland, KY.
2. What is the time schedule for final design and ultimate construction of the proposed sewer system? Construction on Phase I of the N. Berkeley project is planned to begin in Spring or Summer of 2006. The construction period will last approximately one year.
3. Has the design alignment of the proposed sewer been staked in the field to determine the impact to trees and streams in the subject area? Phase I will be staked once the project has been bid and contracts have been awarded.
4. How will I be notified when I can connect to the sewer? A certified letter will be mailed giving permission to connect to the sewer as set forth in the W.V. Code § 16-13A-9).
5. When construction of the sewer line occurs, will residents be required by law, to connect to the sewer at their expense? Yes, if the residence is within 300 feet as set forth in W.V. Code § 16-13A-9, Berkeley County Sewer Use Ordinance Article II, Paragraph 5.
6. Who is responsible for connecting the residence to the sewer tap? The property owner is responsible.
7. Who are the contractors for the project? Contractors will be announced once the bid has been awarded.
8. Is it possible for the tap and sewer line to be moved? Property owner’s can express their concerns and ideas about moving a line. The District will work with the engineer to see if a change can be made. The tap will be located along the proposed sewer line where the property owner requests.
9. What is the projected date of completion for the project? Approximately one year from when the bids have been awarded.
10. Is it the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the sewer line? It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the lateral and clean outs that are on their property. The District is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the sewer main line.
11. Once construction begins, if a property owner has questions or concerns regarding the sewer project on their property, who do they speak to? Any changes, requests, complaints need to be addressed with the District. Do not relay information to the contractors and expect them to relay the information to the District. Any side agreements outside the scope of the sewer line construction made between a property owner and a contractor are not enforceable by the District.
12. Can property owner keep trees, rocks, etc. ? Yes. The request will need to be put in writing prior to construction.
13. Will trees/shrubs/landscaping be replaced? Efforts will be made to minimize the effects of construction on landscaped areas. The District intends to replace ornamental trees and shrubs with nursery stock. If the ornamental tree or shrub is located within the permanent easement boundaries, the nursery stock will be replaced outside of the permanent easement area.
14. Will fences be replaced? Fences will be removed, reset or replaced.
15. Who should you talk to about pre-blast surveys? The contractor(s) who are awarded the contract will contract with a firm to conduct pre-blast surveys. Contact can be made with the District or the District’s engineer before construction begins.
16. Who do you inform of blasting damage and who is responsible for the damage? Call the District as soon as it happens. The District will notify the contractor. The contractor or blasting company will send someone out to investigate the complaint and determine if the damages were done by the blast. The contractor or blasting company will be responsible for the damage if it was proved to be their fault. If it is not their fault, the property owner is responsible for turning the damage into their appropriate insurance company.
17. Will asphalt driveways be restored completely or patched? It will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to size of road and damaged area, age and condition of the road prior to construction, etc. In most instances, a sewer line crossing through a subdivision will be patched.
18. Will subdivision roads be restored completely or patched? It will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to size of road and damaged area, age and condition of road prior to construction, etc. In most instances, a sewer line crossing through a subdivision road will be patched.
19. Will yards be hydro seeded, or hand seeded, and what type of seeding will be used? It will be dependent on the contractor who is awarded the bid.
20. What happens if rain washes away seeding and restoration work? Call the District to inform them and the contractor will be required to come back and redo the restoration work.
21. What are regulations for hooking up to the sewer? Can property owner do it? Does it require inspection? Specifications for hooking up to the sewer will be sent to you by mail when it is time to hook up. You can also call to get a copy from the District. Yes, property owner’s can hook up their own lines. Yes, it requires an inspection by the District before covering it up.
22. Can I request an extra tap? Yes. You will be required to submit the request in writing to the District and there will be a service charge of $7.90 a month per tap that you have requested. The $350.00 tap fee will be waived only if you request the tap before the sewer has been put on the property. If the sewer has already been put on your property and you request the tap, you will be charged $350.00 and a service charge of $7.90 a month per tap that you have requested.
23. Will I have to pay a Capacity Improvement Fee? The Capacity Improvement Fee is $1,581.00. for a standard residential connection. The fee is in place for new development as a means for the District to help finance future expansion costs. Property owners will not be expected to pay this fee for any existing structures served by the project.
24. My septic is located at the back of my property. The sewer plans show the line in front of my home. Do I need to change the plumbing in my home to hook to the sewer? If the customer can be serviced by gravity flow, & is within 300 feet of the main line, the property owner will be required to hook to the sewer. If the property needing sewer cannot be served by gravity flow, BCPSSD will be responsible for the cost of a pump. If we do not require the property owner to hook up but they desire to, the property owner will be responsible for all costs related to hooking up including the pump.
25. What are you required to do as new customers to receive a bill ? By certified mail you will receive an application of service. You will be required to fill it out and pay a deposit of $75.00. This deposit is refunded in full with interest after 1 year of payments made on time.
26. How are customers billed? The bills will be sent out by the fourth of every month. They are due upon receipt. You will be allowed 20 days to pay from the statement date before a 10% a penalty is applied. On the 21st day you will be sent a termination notice. A sewer bill is considered past due if payment has not been made by the 31st day past the statement date. The Water District supplies the billing department with actual meter readings once a month. After the readings are provided the sewer rates are applied.
27. What are the rates of service? Metered customers will be required to pay $7.60 for every 1,000 gallons of water used plus a $7.90 service charge every month. Un-metered customers will be required to pay a flat rate of $42.08 every month. Un-metered rates are an average of 4, 500 gallons of water per month as set by the W.V. Public Service Commission.
28. Does the District allow leak adjustments? Yes. There is a Leak Adjustment Policy in effect that can be viewed at the District Administration Office.
29. Is property owner required to pay for water used to restore property from sewer project? Yes.
30. Is property owner required to pay for water used watering lawns, pools, wash cars, gardens, etc.? Yes.
31. Does the District give credit for water usage outside? Yes. You can obtain a pool form from the District and get a credit once a year. Currently the District is the only Public Service District in the state that allows exemption water meters to be purchased for outside water usage, however the Public Service Commission of W. V. rules and regulations do not allow their use and could order the District to disallow their use in the future. Before you start using it, you will bring it to the District to be registered. Once a year in October, you will be expected to bring it into the District for a credit to your account.
32. Will property owner’s be required to pay tap fee? Tap fees will be applied only to new customers after the construction of the lines are complete and if an easement has not been signed by the property owner when they were asked to sign.
33. How much does it cost to hook to the sewer? Prices vary with contractors. Check with area residents to decide if dealing with one contractor in the area could help with time and prices.