Pittsburgh City Council to Consider Stormwater Measure

Pittsburgh homeowners could be required to test their storm drains for leaks before they sell their homes if a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority plan passes with City Council. 

Under the plan, people who are selling their homes would be required to hire a certified plumber to perform a dye test to determine whether storm water is entering the city's sanitary sewer system. If problems are found, repairs would be required before the home could be sold. The dye test could reveal leaks, whether a sewer line has an illegal tie-in that deliberately diverts storm water runoff into the sanitary sewer system or a single line system that combines stormwater and sanitary sewage. Once a home is tested and certified before it's sold, it's not required to be tested again, even if the house is sold again. The Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh criticized the proposed requirement as a burden on homeowners and buyers and a danger to property values. 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/news/s_402625.html TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, December 10, 2005