Sewer Cap -- Dagnabbit!!

[joebaloney]

We got our new sewer cap numbers from the City this month. I was really looking forward to a *lower* sewer cap this year because we finally got all our water-conservation ducks in a row...new low-use toilets, leaks all fixed, new water-efficient dishwasher, better habits. For a family of three, we ended up using between 2000 and 3000 gallons a month this winter. I was pretty damn proud. (Back in 2003, we used between 6000 and 7000 per month.)

So...our sewer cap should have been *lowered* this year, but lo and behold...it went up by 1000 gallons! Why? Does anybody really give a crap about their sewer cap? I do. It was supposed to be my reward for conserving water. But, no....the City decides that from now on, they are going to take the average of the last *five* winters to determine our sewer cap.

That just irritates me.

[Wrinkle]

Yeah,once more King Charles Hardt flips rules around to produce a tax increase without consent of voters.

A 5 year cap average "gets" all those renters, who now get to pay a premium based on the former tenants' use.

Some things just ain't right, and this is one.

[cannon_fodder]

Well, at least you have a sewer that works.  They broke the sewer main while trying to clean the line running down the easement in the middle of the block.  So when the air is just right the back portion of my yard smells like the open sewer that is now back there somewhere (buried, but open).

Since the sewer still flows it is not considered broken and was put behind 130 other "low priority" open sewers in Tulsa to be fixed.  Not that I am looking forward to boarding my dogs for a couple weeks, them tearing out my fence and destroying the garden I planted last weekend...  stupid sewer.

Who was it saying our sewer system was fine?  Maybe the funds were mismanaged or something, but the system is apperently not fine.  Which appears to be the case in the entire nation (roads, bridges, sewers... all our infrastructure actually.  What the hell do we spend 5 TRILLION a year on?).

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Well, at least you have a sewer that works.  They broke the sewer main while trying to clean the line running down the easement in the middle of the block.  So when the air is just right the back portion of my yard smells like the open sewer that is now back there somewhere (buried, but open).

Since the sewer still flows it is not considered broken and was put behind 130 other "low priority" open sewers in Tulsa to be fixed.  Not that I am looking forward to boarding my dogs for a couple weeks, them tearing out my fence and destroying the garden I planted last weekend...  stupid sewer.

Who was it saying our sewer system was fine?  Maybe the funds were mismanaged or something, but the system is apperently not fine.  Which appears to be the case in the entire nation (roads, bridges, sewers... all our infrastructure actually.  What the hell do we spend 5 TRILLION a year on?).

Whatever you do don't call them and inform them of a break of the sewer line on the easement. They immediately tell you its on your property and there will be an assessment.

In my case the land started to sink into a broken sewer line. The line was probably broken when the plumber monkies hired by the infill builder behind me attached his new construction to the old line. Even though the line is squarely in the middle of the old alley that ran through the two properties they seized on me because I called in and told me I would have to be assessed for repairs. Probably how they keep repairs off the list.

I filled the hole with debris and rock.

[cannon_fodder]

They damn well better not!

1) They broke it while doing "maintenance."  Their fault or not, I don't know... but they stuck their giant router rooter in there and got it stuck.  When they yanked it out (by pulling the truck forward several times) I guess it broke.

2) The easement is outside my fence line.  Between my backyard and my neighbors there is a 4 foot no mans land that is a utility easement.  I have no idea who's land that actually is - he mows it and it is on the other side of my privacy fence (I have to walk around the block to get there).

As an interesting side note, the utility pole behind my house is no longer connected to the ground.  It is dangling from the support cable, you can swing it around, put a stick under it, whatever... it's not connected to the ground.  I was told this is nothing to worry about by a lines men last summer.  [:O]

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

As an interesting side note, the utility pole behind my house is no longer connected to the ground.  It is dangling from the support cable, you can swing it around, put a stick under it, whatever... it's not connected to the ground.  I was told this is nothing to worry about by a lines men last summer.  [:O]

It seems that problems get solved faster when they end up as embarrassing video on the news...
Just a thought.

[shadows]

CF: I know you are aware that the easement is you responsibility to maintain just as front of your house to the curb line.  Where the main sewer is tapped you are responsible for even that two feet of your line on the easement.

If they send a crew out to fix it you can expect six men (one supervisor, four men cleaning the mud off the shovels and holding them upright and one man digging.)  

Remember the Tulsa average wage?   You will be paying it.

Code enforcement will check to see if your sewer easement is mowed.   16.5 person paid by the citizens for each square mile to tell them it's all the citizens fault.

[cannon_fodder]

They initially told me I had to move my fence "back to the easement line."  Which is false, I only need to give them access.  But when I asserted that my fence was actually constructed outside of the easement (my rear fence is 5' off my technical property line) they acquiesced.

BUT, I told them I understood they had a job to do and would be willing to work with them.  We are going to spare my vegetable garden and sacrifice my flower garden.  The result will be a fence moved back 3 or 4 feet and tied into my shed (to allow my dogs to stay).  I hope this helps them do the job while limited damage to my property.

My fence is custom built wood (not modular) and anchored by 8 foot posts that are concreted 3 feet deep into the ground.  What I'm getting at is moving the fence is not going to be a quick job.  Putting it back equally painful.  And I hope they replenish my perennial garden...

They seemed to be willing to work with me and grateful that I understood they had a job and that it was a pain for me too.  Will keep you updated.

Oh, did I mention I'm leaving the country tomorrow AM?  So no pressure to get this done today over lunch or anything...