►
Description
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Friday, June 15, 2018, at 1:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:
180554 An Ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer," by amending Section 13-306, entitled "Water Pipe Laid by Property Owners," and by amending Section 13-406, entitled "Sewers Constructed by Property Owners," by revising certain provisions to allow for private water and sewer services to be constructed to serve units in planned communities and condominiums; all under certain terms and conditions.
A
B
Called
support:
this
is
the
public
hearing
of
the
City
Council
Committee
on
transportation
and
public
utilities.
The
purpose
of
this
public
hearing
is
to
hear
testimony
on
bill
number
one:
eight,
zero.
Five
five
four
I
recognize
the
presence
of
a
forum
with
committee
members,
the
members
of
the
committee
who
are
in
attendance
or
a
councilman
Allen
down
councilman
mark
Squealer,
councilman
Al's,
happy
burger.
B
C
Title
13
of
the
Philadelphia
Code
entitled
water
and
sewer
by
amending
section,
13
306
entitled
water
pipe
laid
by
property
owners
and
by
amending
section,
13
406
entitled
the
sewers
constructed
by
private
by
property
owners
by
revising
certain
provisions
to
allow
for
private
water
and
sewer
services
to
be
constructed
to
serve
units
and
planned
communities
and
condominiums
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
The.
B
D
Deborah
McCarty
water,
commissioner
and
good
afternoon,
chairman
Johnson
and
other
members
of
the
committee
on
transportation
and
public
utilities,
as
you
know,
and
Devon,
requiring
the
water
department,
commissioner
and
I'm
here,
to
testify
on
bill
number
one:
eight,
zero,
five,
five:
four,
which
authorizes
the
construction
of
private
water
and
sewer
infrastructure
on
private
property
for
certain
developments.
Councilman
Johnson
introduced
this
bill
on
the
council's
president's
behalf
on
May
24th
2018
in
general.
The
War
Department
is
strongly
opposed
to
private
water
and
sewer
infrastructure
serving
multiple
customers.
D
It
is
a
practice
that
was
permitted
in
the
past
and
for
which
we
in
our
customers
pay
a
steep
price.
It's
a
day,
while
there
is
a
difference
between
private
water
sewer
infrastructure
on
private
property,
which
this
bill
addresses
and
private
water
sewer
in
the
public
right
away,
the
downsides
are
significant
and
can
affect
any
customer
connect
it
to
private
infrastructure.
First,
let
me
address
private
infrastructure
in
the
public
right
away.
D
I
will
assume
that
many,
if
not
all,
of
you,
have
received
at
least
one
complaint
from
your
constituents
and
your
customers
and
our
customers
without
being
connected
to
a
private
water
main
or
sewer
when
a
major
sewer
is
private,
it
means
that
it
is
not
owned
or
maintained
by
the
city.
Instead,
the
pipe
is
owned
by
each
of
the
connected
property
owners.
D
Often
the
private
water,
vein
or
sewer
was
not
constructed
to
PWD
standards
and
is
prone
to
failure,
because
private
water
infrastructure
is
not
owned
by
the
sea--
repair
or
cleaning
is
left
to
the
connected
property
owners.
When
the
community
is
unable
to
coordinate,
affects
PWD,
will
repair
or
clean
the
water
main
or
sewer,
then
bill
and
lien
the
connected
property
owners
equally
to
cover
the
cost.
D
If
a
homeowner
is
not
aware,
and
he
or
she
is
connected
to
private
infrastructure,
you
can
imagine
the
frustration
he
or
she
feels
when
the
bill
orally
notice
arrives
in
the
mail
while
problems
sometimes
take
years
or
decades
to
surface.
We
are
dealing
with
these
legacy
problems
today,
as
for
allowing
private
water
mains
and
sewers
on
private
property,
the
water
department's
position
that,
if
it
and
if
units
in
a
development
front
a
street
with
public
water
and
or
sewer
service,
the
units
must
individually
connect
to
that
public
infrastructure.
D
We
require
individual
connections
for
several
reasons,
all
of
which
benefit
the
customer
now
and
in
the
future.
One
individual
connections
create
a
billing
and
service
relationship
between
the
unit
owner
and
the
city.
If
the
customer
becomes
delinquent
water
department,
water,
Revenue
Bureau
has
a
remedy
against
the
individual
unit.
If
a
condo
association
becomes
delinquent
and
there
was
one
connection
to
the
entire
development,
all
twenty
or
thirty
or
fifty
or
so
units
become
subject
to
shutoff.
Additionally,
large
meters
on
a
large
connection
lead
to
lost
revenue
for
the
city.
D
These
large
leaders
unfortunately
won't
register
a
toilet
flush,
but
smaller
individuals
will
to
the
owner
association
probably
does
not
have
the
expertise
to
manage
all
of
the
maintenance
that
is
required
of
large
scale,
water
and
sewer
infrastructure
PWD.
Does
these
maintenance
requirements
include
cathodic
protection,
corrosion
control,
anticipating
and
responding
to
water
main
breaks
swiftly
and
effectively
sewer
cleaning,
sewer,
flushing
addressing
collapses
and
any
regulatory
response
related
to
contamination
and
unlawful
sewage
discharges?
Additionally,
the
association
was
collect
and
saved
adequate
funding
in
preparation
for
any
of
these
potentially
catastrophic
events.
D
3.
When
the
water
department
is
eventually
called
to
help
with
a
problem,
there
is
no
guarantee,
it
will
be.
We
will
be
able
to
access
access.
Pardon
me,
the
private
infrastructure,
our
trucks
and
service
equipment
require
certain
height
and
width
clearances,
physical
constraints,
like
locked
gates
or
low
overhangs,
may
prevent
PWD
from
reaching
the
problem
quickly.
We
recognized
the
VIH
desire
to
connect
multi-unit
developments
to
the
city's
water
and
sewer
infrastructure.
With
warm
connection.
For
the
reasons
stated,
it
is
our
position
that
this
is
bad
public
policy,
which
experience
shows
harms
future
property
owners.
D
D
E
But
considering
that
we
have
an
amendment
on
the
table
and
it
is
Friday
afternoon
and
I'm
sure
everybody
would
like
to
move
on.
We
have
proposed
back
to
the
water
department
that
we
would
agree
to
the
amendment
with
the
agreement
that
there'd
be
a
working
group
developed
over
the
summer
that
this
would
come
out
of
committee,
and
then
we
would
create
a
working
group
over
the
summer
to
come
up
with
a
set
of
regulations
to
make
sure
that
these
this
mandate
and
this
bill
would
be
properly
executed.
E
A
B
A
E
I
would
assume
that
would
be
members
of
the
development
community
and
members
of
the
order
Department
that
would
work
together.
So
we
would
have
a
small
group
that
we
would
come
together
with
were
Department
and
worked
to
make
sure
that
these
regulations
to
what
is
an
approved
system
because
of
the
wording
and
the
amendment
is
that
being
approved
by
the
water
department.
So
we
would
work
together
to
make
sure
that
these
issues
that
the
War
Department
has
are
clear
and
it
serves
their
purposes
as
well
as
serving
the
purposes
of
development,
community
and.
E
D
A
You
know,
dialogue
is
always
a
very,
very
good
thing
and
I
know
I'm
going
dialogue.
We
can
learn
from
each
other
I
just
think
and
particularly
as
things
develop
and
problems
may
occur,
that
maybe
we
didn't
even
think
about
this
very
moment
or
technology
changes,
but
having
the
fact
that
a
working
committee
that
continued
to
continues
to
meet
on
the
subject,
I
think
can
be
very
valuable.
Yes,.
D
F
You,
mr.
chairman,
thank
you
good
afternoon.
I
have
a
just
a
suggestion
to
try
to
bring
them
the
two
of
you
together
a
little
closer,
maybe-
and
it
sounds
like
Commissioner
you're
concerned
about
what
happens
after
the
installation,
which
is
the
maintenance
and
all
the
issues
that
occur
after
these
are
installed,
and
you
10
20
30
years
from
now
and
I,
don't
know
that
most
condominiums
have
a
maintenance
program
for
this.
So
I
have
a
little
knowledge
about
that.
F
So
here's
my
suggestion,
I
would
say:
maybe
you
allow
the
builders
and
developers
to
do
their
installs
the
way
they
did.
You
know
the
way
they
were
suggesting
they
want
to
do
them.
The
War
Department
certifies
it,
and
then
the
water
department
takes
over
the
maintenance
at
a
cost
to
the
condo
association.
Most
companies
usually
be
happy
to
pay
that
cost
because
I
don't
know.
Who
else
does
it
I
mean
I
I'm
involved
with
a
lot
of
buildings?
I,
don't
know
any
building
that
really
maintains
these
systems.
F
D
Response,
so
one
of
the
reasons
that
were
leery
to
take
over
maintenance
of
private
infrastructure
is
typically
it's
not
installed
our
standards
for
one.
So
it's
not
going
to
last
a
long
time
like
we
built
it
to
last,
but
the
other
issue
is
access
issues.
So,
for
instance,
sewer
typical
right
away
is
50
feet,
so
we
can
get
the
backhoe
in
there.
We
can
do
the
repairs.
Sewers
are
deeper
when
the
the
developments
that
I've
seen
they
come
across
our
table
a
lot
of
times
it's
inside
a
private
area.
Access
is
a
problem.
D
You
can't
get
a
backhoe
back
there,
sometimes
because
you
have
a
unit
above
the
driveway.
So
those
are
some
of
the
concerns.
If
we
were
to
do
that,
typically
with
private
infrastructure,
when
it
comes
across
as
because
there's
an
issue
we'll
have
hire
a
private
plumber
to
do
the
repairs,
then,
as
I
think
I
stated,
we
distribute
the
cost
to
the
HOA
or
whomever.
Maybe.
F
If
you
had
some
sort
of
regulation
where
you
approved
of
the
installation,
let
them
do
the
install,
you
approve
the
installation,
you
prove
of
the
access
and
then
you
take
on
the
maintenance
for
a
fee
not
for
free
but
for
a
fee.
So
we
make
sure
these
are
being
maintained,
understood
just
a
thought.
If.
E
I
may
address
that
you
know
currently
now
there's
there's
several
different
departments
within
the
War
Department,
one
of
which
being
storm
water
and
the
storm
water
department
it.
The
way
they
really
function
is
that
the
developer
takes
on
the
private
infrastructure.
So
when
a
parcels
over
fifteen
thousand
square
feet
and
has
earth
disturbance
that
creates
mandatory
stormwater
management,
the
developer
takes
on
the
role
of
the
contractor
under
PWDs
purview.
We
design
a
system,
that's
approved
to
their
standards.
We
build
it,
we
construct
it,
we
pay
for
it.
E
We
maintain
there's
operational
funds
set
aside,
as
well
as
long-term
maintenance
funds
that
are
in
reserves
to
handle
this.
We
son
in
onm
agreement
operations
and
manage
and
maintenance
agreement
with
the
War
Department
is
saying
that
we
will
maintain
it
per
these
set
of
regulations
and
that
all
happens
now
without
the
War
Department
actually
handling
the
management.
So
we
don't
see
a
reason
why
this
can't
be
handled
the
same
way
with
a
sewer
and
water
distribution.
E
So-
and
you
do
have
a
great
point
where
there
historically
there
haven't
been
a
large
number
of
contractors
out
there
to
maintain
these
types
of
systems,
but
with
the
growth
of
stormwater
management
and
green
infrastructure.
The
way
we've
seen
it
grow
these
contractors
have.
It
now
start
to
come
about
more
and
more
because
we
need
them
to
maintain
the
green
water
infrastructure
infrastructure
systems.
E
So
these
same
contractors
can
maintain
sewer
and
water,
and
you
know
the
there's
belief
within
the
development
community
that
we
can
do
things
at
a
lower
cost
than
what
a
large
public
agency
can
do
it.
So
we
would
like
the
opportunity
to
maintain
our
own
systems
and
with
the
condominium,
in
that
case,
a
lot
of
times
if
you
have
a
just
a
large
building
coming
out
of
the
ground,
there's
really
no
private
infrastructure
that
takes
place.
E
F
E
Yes,
so
right
now,
if
you
have
a
development,
a
lot
of
things
now
are
larger
parcels
where
the
parcel
might
be
two
or
three
acres,
but
there's
only
200
foot
of
frontage
along
the
street.
There
is
no
private
sewer
or
private
water
mains
running
back
to
the
development,
so
the
developer
then
builds
the
infrastructure
for
the
for
the
project.
Okay
and
that
is
still
permitted
per
if
there's
no
street
frontage,
but
the
units
that
then
attach
to
the
street
or
directly
fronted
on
the
street
are
not
required
to
directly
connect
to
the
street.
E
So
we
build
these
and
in
our
budgets
we
have
now
these
plans
get
recorded
that
you
get
utility
easements
on
the
plans.
The
the
plain
community
documents
get
recorded
with
OPI,
so
the
plans
go
there
in.
There
is
a
utility
plan
as
well.
We
also
have
a
budget
for
operations
and,
just
like
you,
do
for
maintaining
exteriors
and
everything,
there's
a
there's,
a
reserve
budget
in
there
from
of
the
system
and
long-term
care
and
eventual
replacement.
So
your.
C
F
C
E
Really
look
at
it
as
what
yearly
maintenance
cost
and
then
you
have
long-term
replacement
costs.
The
same
way
you
do
when
you
do
a
condo
budget
or
an
HOA
budget.
You
look
at
a
set
of
stairs
and
you
say:
okay,
the
stairs
is
worth
cost
ten
thousand
dollars
and
it
has
a
useful
life
of
20
years.
You
then
divide
that
up
create
a
maintenance
replacement
budget.
You
create
reserves
for
replacement
of
that
system.
So
you
know
what
this
is
some
cost
to
build.
E
You
know,
what's
going
to
cost
to
replace,
you
then
divide
that
up
by
the
useful
life,
and
if
something
happens,
everybody
is
now
it's
a
formalized
system
where
everybody
that
purchases
we
do
have
issues
from
units
built
a
hundred
years
ago
that
didn't
have
this
type
of
documentation.
Okay
and
now
there's
this
major
gray
area.
Where
suddenly
doesn't
not
even
aware,
because
there's
nothing
on
the
deed,
there's
no
easement
on
the
deed.
There's
no,
you
know
there's
no
documentation.
E
E
F
E
So
they're
paying
$200
a
month
for
an
association
fee,
X
number
of
dollars
of
that
$200
a
month
goes
into
reserves
for
replace
and,
as
you
know,
with
so
many
projects,
you
have
reserves
a
replacement
for
things
that
are
twist
less
ten
years
in
the
index.
Minus
20,
it's
a
moving
budget,
but
the
funds
are
there
and
if,
at
any
point,
there's
a
shortfall
in
funds,
that's
an
assessment
would
happen
to
all
the
owners
of
the
so.
F
D
My
understanding
that
condo
associations
can
dissolve
themselves
if
they
have
the
vote.
So
it's
not
exactly
foolproof,
and
there
are
concerns,
mean
I.
Don't
know
why
one
would
do
that,
but
I
think
it's
better
if
we
can
work
on
the
amendment
to
address
some
of
the
standards
to
be
met
for
the
installation,
the
materials,
the
how
the
piping
is
installed
to
better
preserve
and
not
have
the
problems
down
the
road-
and
the
other
thing
I
can
say,
is
that
yes,
as
mr.
E
I
think
a
major
point
that
may
resonate
is
that
you
know
so
many
times
we're
talking
about
who's
paying,
for
this
is
the
city
paying
for
this
or
the
developer
paying
for
this.
This
is
a
case
here,
where
the
development
community
sitting
in
front
of
you
asking
for
the
permission
to
pay
for
our
own
systems
who's
going
to
handle
the
long-term
maintenance
expense.
We
are
the
development
community.
Is
the
buyers
are
we're
taking
that
off
of
the
city's
plate
versus
something
that
we're
saying
if
they
handle
the
maintenance?
E
A
Thank
You
mr.
Moran
Ski.
Thank
you
for
your
expert
testimony
because
you
coming
from
the
industry
I
think
it's
very
very
helpful
to
all
concern.
One
I
think
you've
already
answered,
but
I
just
want
to
say
it
again,
because
I
heard
it
properly.
Your
your
estimates
of
paying
for
this
is
perpetual
ongoing
forever
correct.
Is
that
memorialized
in
the
in
the
in
the
ordinance
itself?
Does
it
say
that,
or
is
that
sort
of
look?
It
doesn't
say
that.
E
E
The
War
Department
that
that's
been
there
for
a
long
time
that
hasn't
been
enforced.
That
said,
any
Street
facing
home
must
directly
connect
to
this
to
the
streets.
This
is
newly
being
enforced,
and
that
is
what
the
emphasis
of
the
bill
was
to
come
forward
and
put
this
to
allow
us
to
to
build
these
with
private
infrastructure.
E
E
E
A
E
E
The
regulations
that
we'll
meet
over
the
summer
is
saying
that
the
only
way
you
can
build
private
infrastructures
that
your
plan
is
recorded
with
OPI
and
you
must
have
reserves
for
replacement.
There
must
be
adequate
access
to
the
property
there.
You
know.
Okay,
all
items
like
this
at
will
back
work
with
back
and
forth
to
develop
a
set
of
criteria
that
makes
us
a
reality.
Mr.
Moran
ski.
Thank
you
thank.
D
The
we
we've
proposed
the
amendment
and
we
think
it
actually
can
be
further
refined
to
include
the
installation
of
the
water
main
private
water
main
and
private
sewer
to
meet
Department
standards,
at
least
in
materials
and
installation
may
be,
you
know,
I.
We
recognize
that
right
away
of
50
feet
for
this
private
sewer.
It's
not
you
know,
that's
just
gonna
be
problematic
and
one
of
the
issues
that
it's
gonna
drive
up
costs
and
reduce
the
developer
land
on
that
property.
But
so
I
think
that's
something
that
we
would
like
to
work
out
through
the
summer.
B
D
B
D
B
C
B
Has
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
that
the
amendments
of
bill
number
one,
eight,
zero,
five,
five
four
be
approved.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
hi,
alright,
the
eyes
head
and
the
motion
carries
in
the
minutes
of
bill
number
one:
eight
zero.
Five
five
four
has
been
approved.
B
C
D
B
Has
been
moving
properly
seconded
bill
number
one:
eight
zero,
five,
five
four:
has
it
been
to
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
this
recommendation
and
further
move
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
commit
first
reading
of
this
bill
at
the
next
session
of
council?
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
was
signify
by
saying
aye
the
eyes
have
it
and
the
motion
carries.
They
will
number
one
eight
zero.