Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drain Regulations and Specifications

General Requirements

  • No work shall begin until a permit has been issued for the installation of a sanitary sewer and/or storm drain.
  • All work must be performed in accordance with the Town of Belmont Noise By-law, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Anti-Idling Law, and any applicable OSHA requirements.
  • Work shall only be performed between the hours of 7 a.m and 8 p.m. Monday – Friday.
  • No work shall be performed on weekends or legal holidays.
  • A Street Opening Permit from the Department of Public Works is required, upon receipt of a sewer/drain connection permit, for any activities occurring within the public right of way.
  • A Trench Permit from the Department of Public Works is required for any trench exceeding 3 feet in depth.
  • Replacing a septic system or cesspool requires permission by the Board of Health. You must pick up a sewer connection packet from the Health Department. The request to the Board of Health for a Town sewer connection must be completed and a copy stamped approved must accompany this application before a sanitary sewer permit will be issued.
  • The septic tank or cesspool must be abandoned according to Title 5 regulations:  “the septic tank shall be pumped of its entire contents by a licensed septage hauler; and the tank shall be excavated and removed from the site, or the bottom of the tank shall be opened or ruptured after being pumped of its content so as to prevent retainage of water and the tank shall be completely filled with clean sand.”  The Certificate of Abandonment, completed and signed by the contractor, must be submitted to the Health Department with the exact description of how the system was abandoned after completion of the work.
  • The Massachusetts State Plumbing and Gas Code requires a plumbing permit for any work performed within 10 feet of a building (Please provide proof of compliance from the Plumbing Inspector, if applicable).
  • Back-filling is not allowed without inspection and approval from the Office of Community Development (617-993-2665).
  • The Engineering Division must be notified 24 hours in advance of installation of the sewer connection.
  • Traffic control and police details are the responsibility of the applicant and must be coordinated with the Town of Belmont Police Department.

Residential Sanitary Sewer Service Connection Specifications

  • Professional Engineer’s Design: Not required for gravity connections less than 250 feet in length
  • Design sketch/drawing: Required
  • Minimum pipe size: 6 inch diameter
  • Pipe material: SDR 35 PVC
  • Minimum depth of cover: 4 feet
  • Minimum slope: 2%
  • Maximum distance between clean-outs: 100 feet
  • Maximum bend without a clean-out or manhole: 22 degrees
  • Maximum pipe length without a manhole: 200 feet
  • Connection to an existing main: Wye or Saddle (Saddle for 12” main or greater)
  • Connection between two piping materials: Fernco or equivalent
  • Minimum inside diameter of manhole: 4 feet service; 5 feet main
  • Drop manholes: Outside drop only unless prior approval from the Town Engineer
  • Separation from water service – horizontal: Minimum 10 feet (or as approved by DPW- Water)
  • Separation from water service – vertical: Minimum 18 inches below (or as approved by DPW- Water)
  • Pipe Bedding:  Minimum 6 inches of gravel or stone (per MassHighway specifications)
  • Backfill material: Clean fill or gravel

Note:  All proposed sanitary sewer services must conform to current town standards.  Partial existing pipe must be replaced with SDR 35 PVC so that the proposed service connection is new from 10 feet from the structure to the main.

Residential Sewer Pump and Force Main Specifications

  • Professional Engineer’s Design: Required
  • Design sketch/drawing: Required
  • Sleeve  Required – SDR 35 PVC Min 4” Diameter
  • Separation from water service/main - horizontal: Minimum 10 feet (or as approved by DPW- Water)
  • Separation from water service/main - vertical: Minimum 18 inches below (or as approved by DPW- Water)
  • Sleeve Bedding: Minimum 6 inches of gravel or stone (per MassHighway specifications)
  • Backfill material: Clean fill or gravel

Residential Storm Drain Connection Specifications

  • Professional Engineer’s Design: Not required.
  • Design sketch/drawing: Required
  • Minimum pipe size (gravity):  6 inch diameter
  • Minimum pipe size (pump):  As required by manufacturer
  • Pipe material: SDR 35 PVC or Class V HDPE
  • Minimum depth of cover: 2 feet
  • Minimum slope: 1%
  • Connection to an existing main: Wye or Saddle
  • Connection between two piping materials: Rubber coupling
  • Pipe Bedding: Minimum 6 inches of gravel or stone (per MassHighway specifications)
  • Backfill material: Clean fill or gravel

Extension of Existing Sanitary Sewer or Storm Drain System

Proposals to extend the existing sanitary sewer or storm drain main system must conform to the Board of Survey Rules and Regulations of the Town of Belmont.

Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drain Connection Permit Application (Download)

Fees

Each service connection requires a separate permit fee.  Example: A new duplex with two separate service connections requires two permit fees.

Total Fee Per Connection: $100 
Yard Drain: $100

Please make checks payable to the Town of Belmont.