Plugging Service Lines Permanently
Property sewer and water disconnections are commonly referred to as plugs. In fact, the actual DEP permits required are called Plug Permits.
A sewer and water disconnection, or plug, is a permanent and irreversible termination of those services. This also results in the DEP closing the associated accounts and ends the billing cycles for those services.
Plugging vs. Turning Off
There is a common misconception that turning off your water service is the same as plugging it. That is not the case.
Water service can be shut via the main control valve, a curb valve, or the tap connection on the city main under the roadway. A plugged water line cannot be put back into service.
Sewer service, on the other hand, is usually plugged at the curb line and can usually be reactivated as long as the existing connection is verified in working order.
Only plugging service lines will result in the closing of associated accounts and, in turn, the billing cycle for those services.
The Sewer And Water Disconnection Process Explained
Similar to all work performed on a house sewer or a water service line, there is a defined process that also requires DEP permits, and typically a DOT permit as well.
Note that before the permit process can even start, the owner of the property must submit a notarized permission letter that expressly states their desire to permanently plug the house sewer and water service line.
Permit applications are then submitted to the DEP and DOT before moving on to the pre-inspection site visit.
Once permits are approved, typically 2-5 days, work is scheduled with inspections to follow.
In most cases, sewer and water disconnections are started and completed the very same day.
The day after inspection and backfill all finished surfaces are permanently restored and the required sign-offs are typically issued by the NYC DEP in 1 to 5 days.