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1. What is an easement?

An easement is a legal document that conveys limited property rights from the Grantor (Property Owner) to the Grantee (Marshall Township Municipal Sanitary Authority (MTMSA)). This document is usually recorded in the office of the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds. A sanitary sewer easement creates a non-exclusive, perpetual right to use a portion of property for sanitary sewer purposes. This provides MTMSA with access rights to repair, replace, inspect, enlarge, change, maintain, test and/or remove the sanitary sewer located within the easement.

2. Who owns and maintains an easement?

The Property Owner continues to own the land and has only given up defined rights on the portion of land used for the easement. Maintenance of the property within the easement is the responsibility of the Property Owner. Marshall Township Municipal Sanitary Authority (MTMSA) will periodically clear the easement area when necessary for access.

3. Who can enter onto an easement?

Marshall Township Municipal Sanitary Authority (MTMSA), if it has an easement, may go onto the easement at any time. MTMSA may occasionally have a Contractor perform specific tasks related to MTMSA operations. Although an effort will be made to notify you prior to entry, it may be necessary to enter without prior notification. The general public does not have the right to trespass through an easement located on private property.

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1. What is an illicit discharge?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines illicit discharges in general as any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. The exceptions include water from fire fighting activities, discharges from de-chlorinated waterlines, fire hydrant flushing and discharges from facilities already under an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.

2. Why are illicit discharges a problem?

Illicit discharges are a problem because unlike wastewater, which flows to a wastewater treatment plant, stormwater generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Illicit discharges often include pathogens, nutrients, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants.

3. What are examples of illicit discharges?

Illicit discharges are activities that may allow for waste water to enter into a storm drain, ditch, or waterway, for example:

• Damaged sanitary sewer lines or sewer cross connections to stormwater systems
• Erosion of dirt or landscaping materials being swept into a storm drain or water body (including from construction sites)
• Improper disposal of household or other hazardous materials, including paints and stains
• Improper pet waste disposal
• Improper storage of oil, pesticides, dirt, or fertilizers
• Leaking dumpsters
• Motor vehicle fluid spills or illegal disposal into a storm drain
• Septic system failure
• Vehicle wash water from loading areas in the vicinity of storm drain inlets

Examples of what you might see that result from illicit discharges:

• Discoloration of water
• Foamy/soapy water in the waterway
• Muddied water from sediment and dirt
• Oily/greasy sheen in the stream water
• Overflowing manholes

4. How can I report an illicit discharge?

If you encounter what you suspect to be an illicit discharge during normal business hours (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) please notify Bill Campbell, Manager of the Marshall Township Municipal Sanitary Authority at 724-935-3090.

For emergency situations that include hazardous waste spills, spills of raw sewage, gasoline, or other hazardous materials, dial 911.

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1. What is the MTMSA's Service Area?

Please refer to the GIS Maps on website or contact the MTMSA Manager.

2. What is the charge for a Municipal Lien Letter?

• Jordan Tax Service, Inc. handles Sewage Lien Letters for all Marshall Twp. & Pine Twp. properties serviced by MTMSA; Jordan Tax Service, Inc.’s cost = $35
• Separate Municipal Lien Letters are issued by Marshall Twp. & Pine Twp.; please contact Marshall Twp. & Pine Twp. for more information

3. Are Point of Sale Dye Tests required?

Yes; a Point of Sale Dye Test Application (found on website) must be submitted at least 14 working days prior to closing. The cost for a residential dye test is $125 due to COVID 19; commercial costs vary depending on size of building.

4. What is the cost of the residential Tapping Fee?

The cost is $3,441. (The Tapping Fee is $3,341 and the Inspection Fee is $100); an additional $7,540, Special Purpose Fee is required in the Valley Special Purpose Area.

5. What is the cost of the Commercial Tapping Fee?

(Application on website) $3,441 minimum; for usage over 289 gallons per day (GPD), the fee is calculated by taking the estimated additional water usage multiplied by $11.56, plus the $3,441 minimum fee. (Fees are calculated by the MTMSA manager upon application.)

6. What is my sanitary sewage bill based upon?

Customers with metered water usage pay a minimum Base Fee of $68 plus a User Fee of $5.87 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed per quarter. Unmetered water customers are charged a flat fee of $156.00 per quarter. This flat fee equates to the $68 Base Fee plus an $88 User Fee.

7. What is a deduct meter and how do I install one?

Deduct meters provide readings for water used in irrigation systems. The water usage is subtracted from West View’s meter readings. A base fee of $64 per quarter is still applied. Meters are purchased and installed at homeowners' expense. Permit cost is $50 (application on website). 

8. How do I handle address changes and/or new customers?

Customers who are moving into or out of the area must contact West View Water Authority at (412) 931-3292 to set up new water service or schedule a final water meter reading.

9. Are discounts provided for swimming pools or watering a new lawn?

Customers can receive a one-time sanitary sewer service bill credit for filling a new swimming pool or watering a new lawn. (application on website)

10. Are there future plans to provide public sewer in a particular area?

Please contact the MTMSA Manager.

11. How are requests for new Sanitary Sewer Line Extensions handled?

Any requests are reviewed by the Marshall Township Municipal Sanitary Authority (MTMSA) Manager and go before the MTMSA Board for approval. (application on website)

12. Once sewer service is available to a customer what must be done to connect?

Customers must obtain a Tapping Permit from the Authority. Service line connections are installed at customers’ expense in accordance with established rules and regulations of MTMSA and Allegheny County. The sewer must be inspected by the MTMSA and Allegheny County after construction and prior to the time it is covered or put into use.