Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Property Inspection

The Western Virginia Water Authority (Authority) is the public drinking water and wastewater treatment provider for the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County. In 2005, the Authority entered into a formal agreement with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to reduce sewage overflows.

In order to meet the requirements of this state mandate, the Authority is rehabilitating the wastewater infrastructure in the public right-of-way, for which is it responsible. The Authority also is renovating its Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant, which will allow the plant to treat a larger volume of wastewater.

Sewage overflow reduction also calls for eliminating I&I from wastewater pipes on private property--both commercial and residential. In July 2005, the Authority’s Board of Directors passed a policy regulating I&I from private connections to the wastewater system. The policy--which goes into effect in January 2006--states that properties connected to the wastewater system must be inspected to determine if I&I is entering the wastewater system from private connections. Authority staff or bonded contractors will conduct the inspections at no charge. If I&I defects are found, property owners will be required to take corrective action.

It is the Authority’s intent to coordinate corrective action with the transfer or sale of property, when other corrective measures, such as roof repair, take place. Real estate agents working in the Authority’s service area will be provided with a packet of information about the Authority’s sewer overflow reduction program, including an I & I Inspection Request Form, which they can use to schedule inspections at the time of property listing. Buyers involved in property transactions that occur with or without the involvement of agents will be responsible for any I&I defects not corrected during transactions.

Real estate agents with questions about the inspection requirements or who wish to make inspection appointments may contact the Authority at 853-5661 or by e-mail at i&i@westernvawater.org