OK - I'll try to explain my situation... I own a home in MA with town water and town sewer. I recently put the house up for sale and I had a buyer who had a home inspection done. During this process it was discovered that I have a "manhole" in my backyard. Under the cover of the manhole is a cast iron pipe which carries the waste water from my home and empties into a cement-looking "troth" which then empties into the pipe that carries it out to the street. There is about a 2 - 3 foot area where the waste isn't in a pipe (it's out in the open) but under the manhole, so contained...

According to Roto Rooter -- who snaked & scoped the line out to the street to confirm sewer tie in, there's no storage tank, no cesspool or leaching field. I am definitely connected to town sewer. He said he sees this type of set-up frequently - and it isn't problem.

Here's my question: Is it required that the waste be inside of a pipe at all times? This is how I bought the house years ago... I didn't even know.

Hmmmm...

Hi Samadams9876:

In my area I have seen a few of these manholes and never heard of any issues with them.

I think the best bet here would be to talk to your local plumbing inspector and see what he has to say about this. I'm almost positive that you will be GRANDFATHERED in and should not have any issues with home inspector after that!

That manhole can be considered a cleanout, for example... see what the inspector says.

MARK

Thank you Mark. I do have a call in to the town inspector. I am hoping that it can be left alone - but I'm afraid that they will make me join those two pipes and remove the manhole thing. I just have no $ . Got laid off over a year ago and will soon lose my house. Guess I'm just worried that it'll be an expensive fix, on top of other problems..
Thanks again,
SAM

I think it is considered a legal cleanout... Let me know the result... OK?

Thanks...

I agree with Mark. It is actually a good thing to have. I wish I'd have such a set up on my property...

Are you talking about the floor of the manhole, is that where you see no pipe? That is how a manhole works, sounds normal to me.