Sewer Lateral Inspections

Sewer laterals and building sewers are required to be inspected prior to the sale and/or transfer of a property.  The inspection must be performed by a licensed journeyman or master plumber.  Upon inspection, the plumber must submit a copy of the sewer lateral inspection report as well as a thumb drive with a copy of the video for review by the Borough's Zoning Officer.  Electronic videos will not be accepted.  Videos submitted on a USB flash drive are preferred.  

The inspection may be completed by the Borough or through a private plumber/inspection service. If the seller chooses to use the Borough to perform the inspection, please contact the Water/Sewer Billing Department at 610-965-9231 to schedule the inspection.  Prior to the inspection, a Sewer Lateral Inspection Application must be filled out and payment must be received. The Borough charges $275.00 to perform the inspection.  

If a private plumber/inspection service is chosen, the results of the inspection shall be submitted to Borough Hall, 28 S. 4th Street, Emmaus, PA  18049.  The results and video may be hand delivered to the Zoning Office, located in the basement of Borough Hall, or placed in the drop box located outside the building.  Upon receipt of the inspection report and video, the Zoning Officer will review the report and video.  If the inspection reveals that it has passed, a Sewer Lateral Certificate will be issued.  If an inspection reveals that repairs are necessary, it is the property owner's responsibility to conduct the work and have a reinspection performed prior to the sale of the property.  The results of passing are valid for two years. 

A copy of the Sewer Lateral Ordinance may be found here.  The Ordinance outlines the inspection requirements, results of inspections, the correction of deficiencies/violations, transfers without a required inspections, violations, penalties, and remedies.  

Why are Sewer Lateral/Building Sewer Inspections Required? 

The PA DEP and EPA mandates requiring the community to eliminate the stormwater that is hitting the Allentown Kline's Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.  It is believed that overflows of stormwater are due, in large part, to inflow and infiltration.  Inflow is stormwater flowing directly into manholes and cleanouts, whereas infiltration is groundwater entering sewer pipes and/or manholes through defects.  EPA estimates that at least 50% of inflow and infiltration originates from private properties. Sewer laterals are owned by the property owner and are not the responsibility of the Borough.  The Sewer Lateral/Building Sewer Inspection Program provides an outlet for these issues to be addressed. 

What Companies are Certified to Perform Sewer Lateral Inspections?

 Licensed Plumbers, Phone Number, Email Address

 Agentis Plumbing, 610-432-6355, info@agentisplumbing.com

 CDA Inspection Services, 610-393-4744, info@cdainspection.com

 Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, 610-625-3699, office@deluxeplumbing.com

 Edwards Mechanical Contractors, Inc., 610-533-0942, joseph@edwards-mechanical.com

 Elek Plumbing, 610-432-7001, info@elekplumbing.com

 Fenon Plumbing & Remodeling LLC, 610-739-2341, shaunfenon@gmail.com

 Frank Toth Total Plumbing & Heating Solutions, 610-866-0472, frank@franktothplumbing.com

 Fred J. Moyer Plumbing Inc., 610-432-6629, moyerplumbinginc@gmail.com

 JDL Plumbing, 610-704-7771, info@jdlplumbing.com

 Lehigh Plumbing, LLC 610-973-5070, info@lehighplumbing.com

 Modern Plumbing & Heating Company, 610-435-2081, ray.modern@aol.com

 Robinson Plumbing, 610-351-9889, robinsonplumber@yahoo.com

 Schuler Service, Inc., 610-434-7103, info@schulerservice.com

 You are by no means obligated to contract one of the plumbers above.  If there is a contractor that you would like to employ who is not listed, please confirm   that they are licensed journeyman or Master Plumber before contracting their services. The contractor must provide the Borough with proof of licensure.