SEWER SORROW
In a meeting with the Board of Alderman today, MSD explained their proposal to mandate strapped plumbing in all new building projects- single and muti-family domiciles, and MAYBE rehabs as well. Cost estimates, according to MSD, range from 500 to 2,000 dollars, but Alderman Ortmann and some onlookers were claiming real life estimates to be in the 3-5,000 range. This could potentially put a damper on new development and rehabbing, and is turning into a hot potato.
The problem is twofold. First, MSD is claiming that they will "work" with some developers and rehabbers, and that the new plumbing might not be necessary in every case (whatever that means), and neither party was sure if the City was going to indeed require strapped plumbing on rehabs or not. MSD seems to think the city IS going to require it for all rehabs, but the Board of Alderman did not clarify what the official position of the City is.
Part of the problem is that MSD trotted out a map of St. Louis that shows what areas are prone to basement flooding, so another bone of contention is that the City should only require strapped plumbing in areas where it is needed. MSD retorts that labeling districts as being flood prone will prohibit development, while the Board replied "then just widen and fix the pipes" in those areas. Obviously, that's expensive.
In any case, we'll do our best to get to the bottom of this.
To the plumbers out there....
What does a "strapped" plumbing system have to do with mitigating sewer backups?
Please explain the technology. Thanks
Posted by anon on Tue., May 23, 2006 at 3:23 PMIt's just another excuse for MSD to try and raise rates and cause more anguish for its customers.
Posted by Steve on Tue., May 23, 2006 at 6:01 PMWell, thanks, "Steve", but does someone have a more technical explanation?
It would be really good to hear how we can help our neighbors living in areas prone to sewer problems.
Posted by anon on Tue., May 23, 2006 at 8:11 PMIn 2003 Sewer backed up in the North to South Alley Way on Fairview Ave.Back up water and odor was against my east wall as the water rose up through a floor crack.I spent 2 days of mopping as well as to missing work due to this disaster that was applying presure against the wall.My basement is below ground level.I called MSD I had to argue,the last words said to me were "You must have a Dead Rat in your basement"that following morning MSD showed up,the back up was on them (after I was first told that their screen image showed no back up on their part the day I finally called in)when the supervisor of the crew came up to me and I instantly told him about the rat thing (I only have a sump pump no p-trap)it angered him to hear that and had an insurance adjuster out here that very day.Today..I am unable to work do to physical disabilities,I could not mop nor take care of what was once again happening on 1/27/07 as I had to argue again,the trucks were out within 4 hours and once again the back up was on them as I watched and I heard.The damage is not good.I also want to say that during my times of being in and out of hospitals,almost died in 2004,developed COPD not able to get around like I use to,as I awaited to hopefully win my Social Security Disability not only did I almost lose my home but MSD was very hard on me for $324.00 and did not care about any letters from my attorney nor my doctors as they are privatley owned.What is life meant for??? Money Hungry Companies who probley has never been in a situation that they never asked for,or Meant to help or lend a hand to those Who need it??
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