Wastewater Repair Program

Step 1 - Obtain at Least Two Quotations

Contact at least two contractors and ask for a quotation along with a camera inspection that includes video and voice recording of the inspection showing both the house number and the interior of the lateral section considered for repair or replacement. Only one recording is required for an emergency repair or replacement. In all cases, you must obtain two quotations to ensure competition.

Step 2 - Submit an Application to the City of Fairfax Public Works Department

Before work begins, submit a Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement Program application(PDF, 187KB) to Ann de la Torre via email, or by mail or in person at Fairfax City Hall (Annex Room 200). Please include the following supplemental documents:

• Two quotations and related descriptions for the work to be accomplished.
• At least one video recordation of the interior lateral condition for the entire length to be replaced or section to be repaired.

Step 3 - Contract for the Work

After you receive recommendations and application approval by the city (which can be accomplished within four hours for emergency repairs), you will hire the selected contractor. The city will not manage the contractor and, as such, will not be responsible for the work product.

The hired contractor will be expected to apply for a plumbing permit with the City of Fairfax Office of Code Administration before the work begins.

Step 4 - Reimbursement

Upon completion of the work, pay the contractor and provide the invoice and proof of payment to the City of Fairfax Public Works Department for reimbursement for a portion of the payments made.

Repairs to wastewater laterals - individual pipelines that carry wastewater from buildings - often involve public rights-of-way. Currently, property owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of these pipelines - all the way to the main within the rights-of-way. Usually invisible for decades, wastewater laterals sometimes require emergency repairs, particularly after a pipeline failure. These repairs must be completed immediately and can cost as much as $30,000 or more using conventional open trenches. In many cases, at least a portion of the lateral runs under a public street, sidewalk, or other municipal area.

Repairs are usually corrective and require immediate response. The amended ordinance (approved by City Council on January 10, 2017) provides city support in two primary ways; (1) technical advice regarding cost-effective methods of repair and replacement, and (2) financial reimbursement for eligible corrective repairs or preventive replacements. The city is therefore establishing lateral repair and replacement support that would share a portion of the costs with customers who experience failures primarily within city streets and easements, yet also for complete replacement to avoid future failures.

What is CIPP?

Cured-in-Place-Pipe Lining (CIPP) is a trenchless method of sewer lateral rehabilitation. The CIPP process involves inserting a flexible liner with resin inside the existing pipe, inflating the liner, and exposing it to heat or ultraviolet light to dry and harden the liner inside the pipe. The liner forms a smooth surface inside the existing pipe, restoring it to near-new condition.

CIPP Limitations & Disadvantages

The trenchless pipe repair can be installed in significantly less time, is more cost-effective, and requires little or no digging. However, there are some limitations and disadvantages of CIPP.

• Ineligible Pipes: Since the epoxy liner takes the shape of the host pipe, the existing pipe cannot be collapsed, back-pitched, or fragile.
  • The epoxy lining will not correct any structural defects in the existing pipe.
    • Existing structural defects in the lateral line must be replaced and/or repaired before the CIPP liner is installed. The structural defect repair and/or replacement must be approved by the Office of Code Administration.
  • Fragile Orangeburg pipes may get damaged during the hydro-jetting process used to clean them before inserting the liner, which would make them ineligible for CIPP.

Applying for a CIPP Plumbing Permit

The Office of Code Administration is responsible for reviewing, approving, and issuing the plumbing permit for CIPP. If an applicant decides to rehabilitate a sewer lateral line using CIPP, the contractor will need to submit the following documents before the work can begin:

• A plumbing permit application(PDF, 4MB) and a CCTV recording of the existing lateral line to determine if the line is eligible for CIPP.
  • If a 10+ foot section of the existing lateral line needs to be replaced before the CIPP liner is installed, two plumbing permit applications(PDF, 4MB) are required. One for the pipe replacement and one for the CIPP lining.
• A building inspector will review the permit application submission and reach out if the pipe is deemed eligible for CIPP.
  • If the building inspector doesn't approve CIPP, the applicant will need to hire a plumber that can do pipe bursting or traditional excavation.

The plumber can send the CCTV recording, plumbing permit application, and any supplemental documents directly to permits@fairfaxva.gov.

Please refer to the 2018 Virginia Plumbing Code Section 717 Relining Building Sewers and Building Drains for additional information.

Cured-In-Place Pipe Lateral (CIPP) Rehabilitation

Code Administration & Public Works Submission Requirements

If an applicant decides to rehabilitate a sewer lateral line using CIPP, the contractor will need to submit the following documents to Public Works Department and the Office of Code Administration before the work can begin.

Public Works Department

• Submit a wastewater lateral reimbursement application, CCTV recording of the existing lateral pipe, and two contractor quotes with a detailed scope of work.
• The Program Administrator will review the quotes, CCTV recording and application and confirm the total amount approved for reimbursement.
• A reimbursement check will be processed when an invoice or proof of payment for the completed work is submitted to the Program Administrator.

A Right-of-Way Permit is required for work in the street, sidewalk, and/or easement and an application can be submitted via email at pw-inspectors@fairfaxva.gov.

Office of Code Administration

• Submit a plumbing permit application and CCTV recording of the existing lateral pipe.
• A building inspector will review the plumbing permit application and CCTV video. The inspector will confirm if the pipe is deemed eligible and approved for CIPP.
• If the building inspector doesn't approve the CIPP lining, the applicant will need to hire a plumber that can do pipe bursting or traditional excavation.

The plumber can send the CCTV recording, plumbing permit application, and any supplemental documents directly to permits@fairfaxva.gov

• Mosby Woods Pilot Program Application(PDF, 580KB)

• Wastewater Lateral Program Package (Application)(PDF, 187KB)
• How to Apply for Assistance(PDF, 196KB)
• Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement Program Presentation(PDF, 1MB) (City Council Work Session of October 29, 2015)
• Wastewater Lateral Program Video Presentation (City Council Work Session of October 29, 2015)
• Recommended Phase 1 Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement Program Presentation(PDF, 801KB) (City Council Work Session of July 13, 2016)
• Proposed Lateral Phase 1 Repair and Replacement Program Summary(PDF, 97KB)
• Consideration of Policy Change for Laterals Presentation(PDF, 1MB) (City Council Work Session of January 28, 2014)
• Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement Program Overview(PDF, 97KB)

For more information regarding the Wastewater Lateral Repair and Replacement program, please contact: Ann de la Torre via email, or by phone at (703) 273-6239.