Water & Sewer Forms

Private Sewers & Drains

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We approve, oversee, and inspect the construction of private sewers and private drains to ensure compliance with DEP standards. This section includes requirements, application forms and guidelines for the construction of private sewers and private drains. This information is applicable to property owners, professional engineers and registered Architects. For more general information, visit Water and Sewer Forms.

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Rules Governing the Design and Construction of Private Sewers or Private Drains

Title 15 of the Rules of the City of New York Chapter 23 applies to Drainage Proposals to address the hydraulic adequacy of proposed private drains, construction plans for private sewers and private drains and permit applications to construct private sewers and private drains.

Local Law 96 amends the New York City Administrative Code to establish the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) as the city datum. In response to the issuance of Local Law 96 and questions from applicants and consultants, DEP issued the following directive to clarify issues regarding the vertical datum with regards to submissions and construction drawings requiring DEP’s review and approval.

Download Local Law 96 of NYC—Regarding Vertical Datum

Sewer Design Standards

This book includes standards for sewers, manholes, catch basins, precast manholes, precast catch basins and sewer appurtenances. Those standards are used in the design of capital and private sewer projects.

Download the Sewer Design Standards

Private Sewer/Drain Plans Checklist

This checklist outlines requirements for the preparation of a Private Sewer/Drain Plan, which is required when proposing to construct a private sewer or private drain. All Private Sewer/Drain Plans must be prepared by or under the supervision of a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect licensed by the State of New York. Approval of a Private Sewer/Drain Plan is required prior to applying for a permit to build a private sewer/drain.

Download the Private Sewer Submission Plan Checklist

Private Sewer/Drain Application for Permit to Build

Once a Private Sewer/Drain Plan has been approved, this form must be used by the owner of the proposed private sewer/drain to obtain a permit to build a private sewer/drain. The form must be brought to the pre-construction meeting for review and signature by DEP. Afterwards, the form must be submitted to your Borough Water and Sewer Office to obtain permit approval. The following documentation must be provided at the time of permit application:

  • Original Private/Sewer Drain Plans approved by DEP
  • Contract/agreement between the property owner and the contractor who will perform the job
  • Contract/agreement between the property owner and the consultant who will oversee the job
  • Itemized price list and quantity of materials
  • Original performance bond
  • Original liability Insurance Certificate
  • Permit Application signed by DEP

Download the Private Sewer Application to Build

Private Sewer/Drain Pre-Construction Meeting Checklist

A pre-construction meeting is required after the Private Sewer/Drain Plan has been approved and before construction can begin. Pre-construction meetings must be scheduled at least 15 days prior to initiating construction. The items in the attached checklist must be brought to the pre-construction meeting.

Download the Private Sewer Pre–Construction Meeting Checklist