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Town of ChelmsfordGrinder Pump Policy

It is intended that this document shall represent the Grinder Pump Policy of the Town of Chelmsford Board of Selectmen (“Board”), regarding Grinder Pump Systems which includes all force main pipes, appurtenances and controls (“Grinder Pumps”) connected by a force main into the public sewer system of the Board.

1.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS

1.1 New Installations

a. The preferred method for discharge of sewage from an individual building or group of buildings to the Town’s sewer system is by gravity flow. The use of Grinder Pumps shall be considered after alternatives for gravity service connections has been thoroughly considered and, in the opinion of the Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works, cannot reasonably discharge to the Town’s sewer system by gravity flow may discharge to the Town’s sewer system by means of Grinder Pumps, upon approval of said Grinder Pumps by the Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works.

b. Grinder pumps will be permitted only in those circumstances when gravity sewer servicewould be impractical, unreasonably expensive, environmentally destructive or otherwise not feasible. Following shall be some considerations for approval of Grinder Pumps, but is not limited to:i. Topography considerations create difficulties and significant additional

expenditures.ii. Groundwater conditions present difficulties in construction and maintenance.iii. Significant rock formation present impractical application of standard

construction methods.c. Permission by the Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works to install Grinder Pumps

does not eliminate the need by the town to obtain any applicable permits from other Town Departments or the State.

d. The Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works shall permit the use of Grinder Pumps on an individual basis, based upon the presence and significance of the factors set forth in Sections “a & b” above.

e. The permission to allow the use of the Grinder Pumps shall be provided, in writing,issued by the Director of Public Works or his/her designated agent to the Town.

f. Each Owner/Applicant requesting permission for the use of Grinder Pumps for a property shall provide such information as the Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works may request, including the following, but not limited to:

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Town of ChelmsfordGrinder Pump Policy

i. Basis for Grinder Pumps based upon factors set forth in Section “a & b” above.ii. Drawings of proposed Grinder Pumps, plans and profiles of location.iii. Shop drawings with pump curve, design criteria, material specifications, wiring diagram

and warranty information.

g. Each Owner/Applicant shall apply for a permit and shall be responsible for all of the costs related to the installation of a Grinder Pump, except for the cost of the grinder pump.

h. All installations of Grinder Pumps shall be inspected and approved by the Town of Chelmsford Department of Public Works prior to backfilling. A Permanently attached “Maintenance Label” shall be a condition of approval. Such label shall state:

“Maintenance costs for the Grinder Pumps are the Town of Chelmsford’s responsibility.” A hotline number to call will be included on the label or a separate label will be affixed with the hotline number.

i. The label along with a lock and key for the system cover shall be provided by the Town.j. The Homeowner and Town shall each be furnished with a complete set of instructions,

technical bulletins, prints, drawings and/or any other information required for the proper operation, maintenance and repair of the Grinder Pump, including who to contact if there are any maintenance issues and the telephone number(s) and the web address to online access to this information.

k. If permit is granted, the Town will continue to provide grinder pumps at no cost to the homeowner.

1.2 Existing Installations

a. All existing installations of Grinder Pumps will assumed to have been inspected at the time of installation and shall receive A Permanently attached “Maintenance Label”. Such label shall state:

“Maintenance costs for the Grinder Pumps are the Town of Chelmsford’s responsibility.”A hotline number to call will be included on the label or a separate label will be affixed with the hotline number

b. The label, along with lock and key shall be provided by the Town.

c. The Homeowner and Town shall each be furnished with a complete set of instructions, technical bulletins, prints, drawings and/or any other information required for the proper

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Town of ChelmsfordGrinder Pump Policy

operation, maintenance and repair of the Grinder Pump, including whom to contact if there are any maintenance issues, the appropriate telephone number(s), and online access to this information.

2. 0 OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE

a. In order to insure that the Chelmsford public sewer system operates in an environmentally safe and appropriate manner, Residential Grinder Pumps and the associated appurtenances and controls installed shall be maintained by the Town of Chelmsford. The Town of Chelmsford shall not be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of Grinder Pumps servicing commercial properties or for residential properties comprised of four or more units.

b. The Town of Chelmsford shall use qualified contractor(s) experienced in the maintenance and replacement of all elements of the Grinder Pump.

c. All warranties for Grinder Pumps shall be enforced by the Town of Chelmsford against the applicable manufacturer or appropriate agent.

d. Periodic Preventive Maintenance

i. The Town or agent will visually inspect the power cables, control harnesses and lifting cable. Make sure they are properly hung on the adapter hooks and free from defects.

ii. The Town or agent will check operation of the visual alarm lamp and audible siren in the alarm box.

iii. The Town or agent will make sure alarm box is free from any moisture.iv. After inspection, the Town or agent should make certain that the alarm box cover and

system cover are secure and locked.v. The Town will take appropriate actions to correct any deficiencies found.

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Town of ChelmsfordGrinder Pump Policy

3.0 CONSUMER EDUCATION

a. General InformationA Grinder Pump is part of a larger low-pressure wastewater disposal sewer system. The key element in this system is the grinder pump station. The station collects all wastewater from the property. The solids in the sewage are then ground into smaller pieces by the grinder pump(s) within the station, suitable for pumping to the public sewer system. The grinder pump(s) generate sufficient pressure to pump the slurry created from the property to the Town’s Sewer System. With proper care and by following a few simple guidelines, the station will give many years of dependable service. The station is designed to handle routine, domestic and light industrial sewage. Solid waste materials should be thrown in the trash.

b. If Alarm Sounds or pump failure is otherwise indicated:i. The responsible party should contact the Town of Chelmsford and allow the Town’s

grinder pump service representative to inspect the system. through 24/7 hotline provided.

c. Various items SHOULD NOT BE introduced into any sewer system either directly orthrough a drain or waste disposal, including but not limited to:

i. Glass, metal or plasticii. Diapers, sanitary napkins or tampons, condoms

iii. Socks, rags or clothesiv. Explosives or flammable materialv. Lubricating oils or grease

vi. Strong chemicals or gasoline

d. The property owner shall be responsible for any and all costs to repair and/or replace a Grinder Pump as a result of improper disposal of materials into the sewer system.

i. A standard set of publicly available guidelines for determining improper disposal must exist, be made known to the homeowner, and describe the appeals process referred to in iii.ii The Town or agents shall apply the standards equally to all home inspections, be they of gravity feed or grinder pumps.iii. A homeowner disputing the improper disposal case can file an appeal with the Town of Chelmsford Dept of Public Works.