Beyond the Manhole
We rarely think about sewers until something goes wrong—like a “depressed manhole” rattling your car, or a utility sink failing in a mechanical room. But the January 13, 2026 meeting of the Newtown Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) shows how “keeping the flow” is a constant balancing act of liability, technology, and big-dollar infrastructure decisions.
You Own More of Your Sewer Line Than You Think
One of the most important takeaways for residents came during public comment: the “government’s problem” starts later than many assume. In Newtown, homeowners are responsible for the sewer lateral from the house all the way to the “4 to 6 connection”—the point where the 4-inch residential line meets the Authority’s 6-inch main, generally around the curb-line area.
“You do indeed own the pipe from the home to the 4 to 6 connection generally around the curb line area... so that is yours, that's homeowners.”
Sewer Work Doesn’t Stop for Holidays
A reminder that public-health infrastructure is “always-on”: on Christmas night at 6:00 PM, two NBCJMA staff members left their families to assist the Northampton Sewer Authority, which faced a major backup—about 2,000 feet of main line—while their own equipment was down. NBCJMA crews cleared the “grease and gunk” that caused the blockage.
Even a “Slop Sink” Can Become a Lesson in Lifecycle Costs
During the expenditure review, the Authority Manager described a heavy-duty utility “slop sink” that “decided to blow apart” and spewed water. It’s a small story with a big point: municipal operations are a continuous cycle of equipment fatigue, surprise failures, and rapid response.
On the financial side, the Authority approved a transfer of $700,860.83 from a trust account to the operating account—illustrating the large-scale cash movement required to fund daily operations while paying for capital work.
Trust → Operating Transfer
$700,860.83
Lining Payout (Doli Construction)
$347,190.27
Lined Pipe Segment
8-inch, ~400–500 feet
Why “Lining” Often Beats “Digging”
The Authority is managing replacement work for 60 laterals in Penn’s Commons, but the field conditions on Tamara are classic Murphy’s Law: lines run beneath established trees and brand-new driveways, and some areas are preserved or historic—where excavation triggers permitting headaches and restoration costs.
Their solution: line an 8-inch section of pipe (roughly 400 to 500 feet) by inserting a new interior coating instead of digging. The real value is strategic—avoiding months of state/local permitting delays and the ratepayer costs tied to environmental mitigation and property restoration.
The “Death of the Trap” and Modern Home Connections
Older developments used yard “traps” (U-shaped pipes) to block sewer gases. Modern homes already have internal traps and venting, making external traps redundant—and worse, a maintenance obstacle that can block cleaning equipment. The Authority is phasing these out in favor of two-way tees, especially when builders renovate or rebuild homes.
“We’ve done away with traps, but they're still out there... The traps are just a nightmare... When [builders] come back, they'll get rid of that trap and put a two-way tee in.”
Conclusion: Watch The Curb Line
From Right-to-Know requests (including one from John Mack about previously condemned property) to ensuring new developments at 518 South State Street and 10 Friends Lane don’t strain existing residents, the NBCJMA is juggling transparency, operations, and multi-hundred-thousand-dollar capital work—often simultaneously.
Next time you pass a manhole cover, ask yourself: do you know which side of the curb line your responsibility begins?