Things to think of before making the decision to do it yourself

• Where are the underground utilities on the property?
• • Cable
  • Power lines
  • Other plumbing lines
• What landscape (trees) and concrete (sidewalk or driveway) features may create obstacles?
• How deep will you need to dig and at what angle?
• Do you know the location of the sewer connection at your property line and at your house?
  • There may be more than one house drain, especially if the house has been remodeled. Sometimes there are separate lines for a washing machine to drain.
• How much will it cost to rent the equipment to dig?

Please note that if it is not done correctly you will be creating a sanitary hazard on your property.

The application plumbing permit form is available online at scgov.net but each homeowner must come to 1301 Cattlemen Road to apply and pay $40 for the permit. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except the office is closed on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

• Homeowner must bring in a receipt for paying the fees as described in the certified letter sent to residents when sewers are ready for hookups.
• Contact the Call Center at 861.5000, and ask for Utilities Permitting.
• Homeowner must own and occupy the residence to hook up as a do-it-yourself project.
  • If the location is a rental a licensed plumber must be hired.

Guidelines for connections to central sewer

All installation and material requirements must follow Florida Building Code for plumbing.

1. Obtain your permits before starting any work.
2. Call for utility locates 800.432.4770. Allow two days.
3. The building permit must be posted on site during the course of the work.
4. First locate the building drain(s) from the home. Note: older homes may have a separate drain system for the washing machine. All building drains must be connected to the new central sewer system.
5. Contact Sarasota County Utilities 861.6790 to denote the location of your property tap to the central sewer system.
6. Plan your connection installation to minimize “down time” of your plumbing system and design your system to comply with Air Vac requirements.
7. It is recommended that you use 4-inch Schedule 40 pressure pipe or other approved materials for the installation from the street connection to the air intake.
8. The minimum slope of the pipe from the house to the street tap is 1/8-inch fall per foot for 3 to 4 inch size pipe. A greater slope is recommended if a greater fall is available. The piping is to remain on an even slope without sags.
9. Florida Plumbing code requires a cleanout be installed wherever a drain exits the building, any vertical or horizontal change in grade, and at the minimum of every 100 feet.
10. Code requires a gravity test of the installation. Fill the piping with water to verify no leaks are present for 15 minutes under test.
11. A gravity test affidavit is required for inspection or the test needs to be in place for the inspector to verify leak tight connections. Utilities will not allow connection without this verification and each department, utilities and inspections require this verification. Request guidance and schedule an inspection by the county's Air Vac operational representative by calling 232.2605.
12. An inspection request must be scheduled when the work is ready. Call the inspection scheduling number 861.6601 to set the date for inspection.
13. All trenches must remain open for inspection.

Before Inspection a 'Sewer Test Affidavit' must be filled out and filed
with Permitting Office



Required Inspections:

  Planning and Development Services, plumbing inspections 861.6601.

  Utilities Customer Service, inspections 861.6790.

  Air Vac operational representative, ask for an inspection 232.2605.

  DOH, ask for septic crush and fill inspection 861.6133.




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Materials List:

4-inch diameter PVC SDR-21 or Schedule 40 pressure pipe from street to air
intake.

Air intake fittings and screen.

Glue and primer on all pipe and fittings.

No Fernco adapters shall be installed on the lateral between the air intake
and valve pit.

All line connections coming from the home are to be made on the house side
of the 4-inch air intake.

No check valve shall be installed between the home and valve pit.

Cleanouts required within 30-inches of home and every 100-feet of lateral
length.

All other installation and material requirement must follow the Florida
Building Code for Plumbing.


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Note:

All septic tanks must be pumped, crushed and filled with clean sand or
other suitable material.

They cannot just be used as a cistern.

A septic contractor or a licensed plumber who is registered or certified
must do septic tank abandonment.

Permit cost from the DOH is $40.

Florida state regulations do not allow homeowners to do this work
themselves.


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