In Plain English
Quick Answer
The city's underground pipe network that carries wastewater away from buildings to a treatment plant.
Definition
Definition
The municipal underground pipe system that collects and transports wastewater from buildings to a treatment facility. Sanitary sewers carry only domestic sewage and are separate from storm sewers in modern systems. Connection to the sanitary sewer requires a building permit and inspection of the building sewer.
Context
Why It Matters in Bidding
Sanitary sewer scope often involves deep excavation, shoring, dewatering, and utility connections that carry significant cost and risk on a site bid, plus tap and permit fees that estimators must capture. Coordination with the municipality and verifying invert elevations are critical, because a connection that requires more depth or a lift station than assumed can dramatically change the number after award.
Example
Example
Pricing a restaurant site, the estimator confirms the sewer main depth and invert, then bids the building lateral, the tap fee, trench shoring, and bedding to connect the building to the city sanitary main.
See Also
Related Terms
FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
What should a sanitary sewer connection bid include?
Carry the building lateral piping, the tap or connection to the main, excavation, shoring or trench protection, bedding and backfill, any dewatering, restoration of disturbed surfaces, and municipal tap and permit fees. Confirm invert elevations and depth from the plans, since deeper-than-expected mains drive up excavation and shoring costs quickly.
What is the difference between sanitary and storm sewer in a bid?
Sanitary sewer carries wastewater to treatment, while storm sewer handles runoff; in modern separated systems they are distinct pipe networks with different materials, slopes, and pay items. Estimators must take off and price each separately. Mixing the two in a takeoff causes quantity errors and scope disputes during construction.
Why are tap and permit fees important in a sewer estimate?
Municipal connection, tap, and capacity or impact fees can be substantial and vary widely by jurisdiction, yet they are easy to forget because they are not on the drawings. Verify current fee schedules with the utility and list them as an allowance or explicit line so the owner sees them clearly.
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