Engineer: Mandrel lines left in sewer contributed to Costco backup; authority to review permitting and inspection communications

Chairman David Weihbrecht opened discussion of an engineer’s report about a sewer backup reported at the new Costco during its third day of operation. Authority Engineer William Rudy said required sewer line tests had not been completed before the store opened and that the outstanding mandrel test and mandrel pull lines left in the pipe contributed to debris accumulation and the backup.

Rudy said the sewers are now active and recommended that the Authority request televising of the private sewer extension from Liberty Excavation in lieu of the mandrel test so the line can be examined while in service. "The mandrel test remained outstanding, and mandrel pull lines were still in place when the store opened, which trapped debris and led to the backup," Rudy said, as recorded in the meeting minutes.

Board members questioned how inspections and permitting communications are coordinated between the township office and the Authority when new construction proceeds to a Certificate of Occupancy. Authority Manager James Stevens was directed to review the permitting process and meet with township staff to explore enhancements to internal communications to ensure all inspection items are completed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

The meeting record does not give a timetable for the televising work or for Stevens’ review, nor does it record a vote specifically authorizing repairs or billing responsibility for cleanup. The engineer’s report and the board’s directive to review procedures were recorded as the primary outcomes of the discussion.

Next steps noted in the minutes: staff will request televising of the private extension from the contractor and Stevens will coordinate a permitting/inspection review with township staff; no specific dates or cost estimates were given in the minutes.