Rutledge Borough Stormwater Management information page
Borough Sewer Mains
The Borough of Rutledge is responsible for maintaining the municipal sewer lines that run through the Borough. These main lines were fully relined within the past six years, improving their integrity and performance.
Important Notes:
- Manhole Issues: If you observe any problems with sewer manholes—such as damage, displacement, or overflow—please contact the Borough Office immediately (Phone: (610) 544-1028).
- Location of Lines: In most cases, municipal sewer lines are located at the rear of the property running parallel to the main avenues, with individual residential lateral connections along that path.
- Property owners are assessed an annual fee as part of their tax bill that includes the costs of maintaining the Borough’s lines and the costs from CDCA/DELCORA for transporting and treating the wastewater.
Sewer Lateral Responsibilities & Inspection Requirements:
Individual sewer laterals—the pipe(s) that run from the resident’s house to the municipal sewer main—are owned and maintained by the property owner. If you are experiencing a sewer backup, you must contact a licensed plumber for inspection and any necessary repairs.
Key Information for Property Owners:
- Permits: Any repair or replacement of a sewer lateral requires a valid building permit issued by the Borough.
- Aging Infrastructure: Most sewer laterals in the Borough are over 80 years old and made of terracotta pipe, which over time are prone to cracking and root intrusion. These issues can cause backups, sinkholes, or complete pipe failure.
- Lateral Length: In many cases, the laterals run a long distance to the rear of the property, which can make them more susceptible to damage over time.
- Inspection Charges: If a resident reports a sewer issue and the Borough’s engineer, staff, or contractor is dispatched—and it is determined that the problem lies with the resident’s lateral—the resident will be charged for any inspection or work performed by the Borough.
- Stormwater Regulations: It is illegal to discharge sump pumps, downspouts, runoff, or other stormwater into the sanitary sewer system. Preventing these unauthorized connections helps reduce the cost of wastewater treatment and improves system performance.
Property Sales Requirement:
Prior to the sale of a property, the sewer lateral must be inspected and confirmed to be in good working condition. If they are found to be cracked or damaged, repair is required prior to selling the property in order to pass the Use and Occupancy Permit.
Find the Sewer Lateral Inspection Form HERE
Wastewater Treament:
The Borough is a member of the Center Delaware County Authority (CDCA), which manages the Borough’s sewer flow as it exits the Borough. From there, sewer lines connect to DELCORA, the regional authority responsible for treating the wastewater.
Sewer Fees:
Property owners are assessed an annual fee as part of their tax bill that includes the costs of maintaining the Borough’s lines and the costs from CDCA/DELCORA for transporting and treating the wastewater. Limiting stormwater, runoff, illegal sump pump discharge and other water sources from the sewer system is an important step to reducing costs to treat wastewater.
Stormwater Management
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