Chapter 13.16
SEWER SYSTEM – REGULATIONS, SEWER USE, CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGES
Sections:
13.16.040 Penalty for violation.
13.16.050 Permit for connection and approval of construction plans.
13.16.060 Construction inspection.
13.16.070 Final connection made by the city.
13.16.080 Responsibility for stoppage in sewer lateral.
13.16.090 Connections outside city limits.
13.16.120 Separate connections for each lot.
13.16.130 Improper use of sewers.
13.16.140 Prohibited waste discharges.
13.16.150 Nonindustrial charge rates.
13.16.160 Industrial wastewater prohibited waste discharges.
13.16.170 Industrial sampling and flow measurement.
13.16.180 Damage caused by prohibited discharge.
13.16.190 Permit for industrial wastewater discharge.
13.16.200 Establishment of industrial charge rates.
13.16.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure maximum beneficial public use of the city’s facilities through adequate regulation of sewer use, construction and industrial wastewater discharges, and to provide for equitable distribution of the city’s costs. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.020 Inspection.
Inspection of any facility that is involved directly or indirectly with the discharge of wastewater to the city’s sewerage system may be made by the superintendent of public works or other authorized personnel as deemed necessary. These facilities shall include, but not be limited to, sewers, stormwater drains, manholes, pumping facilities, industrial processes, and all pretreatment facilities. Inspections may be made to determine that such facilities are maintained and operated properly and meet the provisions of this chapter. No person shall interfere with, delay, resist or refuse entrance to any authorized city inspector attempting to inspect any wastewater generation conveyance or treatment facility connected directly or indirectly to the city’s sewerage system. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.030 Enforcement.
The superintendent of public works or his agent shall notify any person or business found to be in violation of this chapter or of any limitation or permit requirement under state or federal law before the superintendent takes any action to implement HMC 13.16.040. The superintendent shall take no such action until the elapse of 10 days from the date of notice is given. Any notice required to be given by the superintendent of public works under this chapter shall be in writing and served in person or by registered mail. Notice of mail shall be deemed to have been given at the time of deposit. Any time limit provided in a written notice may be extended only by a written directive of the superintendent of public works. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.040 Penalty for violation.
Any person, firm, or corporation violating any provision of this chapter, including failure to pay a fee or charge hereby imposed, or any condition of a permit issued, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in HMC 1.12.010. Additionally, if a violation is not immediately corrected, the superintendent of public works shall have the authority to disconnect any water services furnished by the city to the premises while the violation is occurring. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.050 Permit for connection and approval of construction plans.
All sewers, laterals, house connections, and other sewerage facilities must be constructed in compliance with city ordinances. A written permit is required for each connection of a sewer or house drain to the city sewer system. The permit shall be issued by the building inspector, who shall charge such fees as are set by resolution of the city council. The issuance of the permit will be predicated on approval of all construction plans by the city engineer or the superintendent of public works. No person, other than employees of the city or persons contracting to do work with the city, shall construct or alter any public sewer, lateral sewer, house connection of industrial sewer, pumping facility, or other sewerage facility within or without the city where existing or proposed wastewater flows will discharge to city facilities without prior written approval of the city. The applicant shall submit to the city engineer, superintendent of public works for approval, construction plans, and such specifications and other details as required. The plans shall have been prepared under the supervision of and shall be signed by an engineer registered in the state of California. Plans for sewerage construction shall not be approved for any facility which will convey industrial wastewater unless the discharger has obtained a city permit for industrial wastewater discharge. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.060 Construction inspection.
All sewers to be connected directly to a trunk sewer shall be inspected by city personnel during construction. At least 48 hours prior to cutting into a city sewer, the city shall be so notified. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.070 Final connection made by the city.
All connections to sewer drains of the city within public rights-of-way shall be made by the city, and all materials and work in connection therewith shall be furnished and performed by the city to be installed at the property owner’s expense. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.080 Responsibility for stoppage in sewer lateral.
In case of stoppage in the service sewer lateral or house drain, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to determine the location of the stoppage and to remedy the same. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.090 Connections outside city limits.
Anyone owning property outside the city limits and who wishes to connect to the city sewer system must first obtain the permission of the city council. Conditions, on a fair and equitable basis, for out of the city connections, and the connection charge therefor, will be as set by resolutions of the city council. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.100 Cesspools.
The use of cesspools within the city limits of the city is prohibited, except in those cases where the city has no sewer main within 600 lineal feet from the property. When the city sewer system is made available to any property, the property owners or occupants shall have 90 days in which to connect onto the system. In the event there is an area within the city limits not served by the city sewer system, and it is necessary for a property owner to build a cesspool, he shall first obtain permission from the city council and build the cesspool in accordance with the requirements of the superintendent of public works and in accordance with standards set by the county. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.110 Sand traps.
Sand traps are required for all services in which sand or dirt or heavy foreign material can enter the sewer drain. It is the owner’s responsibility to install and maintain all sand traps in good working condition. The superintendent of public works shall inspect all sand traps. After receiving notice from the superintendent, the owner has reasonable time in which to repair or clean the trap. If not complied with, in a reasonable time, the superintendent may close the line to further use until it has been repaired or cleaned to the superintendent’s satisfaction. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.120 Separate connections for each lot.
There shall be a separate sewer connection for each lot unless permission is first received from the city council. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.130 Improper use of sewers.
The city reserves the right to inspect any existing lateral or collecting sewer that discharges wastewater directly or indirectly into the city sewerage system. If it is found that such sewers, gutters or drains are improperly maintained or used, thereby causing discharges of septic wastewater, excessive infiltration, debris, or any other objectionable substance, or excessive inflow due to run-off from excessive lawn irrigation, wash-down water, or from any other source is entering the city’s sewerage system, the superintendent of public works will give notice of the unsatisfactory condition to the offending discharger and shall direct the condition to be corrected. In cases of continued noncompliance with the city directive, the superintendent may disconnect the offending sewer from the system and/or take action pursuant to HMC 13.16.040. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.140 Prohibited waste discharges.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any rainwater, stormwater, ground water, street drainage, subsurface drainage, yard drainage, including evaporative type air cooler discharge water, into any sewerage facility which is directly or indirectly connected to the city sewerage system. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.150 Nonindustrial charge rates.
Monthly sewer rates for nonindustrial users served by the city sewerage facilities will be designated in a duly adopted city resolution. These rates may be amended as needed by resolution passed and adopted by the city council. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.160 Industrial wastewater prohibited waste discharges.
In most cases, the concentration or amount of any particular constituent of the discharge which will be judged to be excessive or unreasonable cannot be foreseen but will depend on the results of technical determinations. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the city sewerage system, either directly or indirectly, the following wastes:
A. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, solvent, fuel oil or any liquid, solid or gas that would cause or tend to cause flammable or explosive conditions to result in the sewerage system;
B. Any waste containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in such quantities that, alone or in combination with other waste substances, may create a hazard for humans, animals or the local environment, interfere detrimentally with wastewater treatment processes, cause a public nuisance, or cause any hazardous condition to occur in the city sewerage system;
C. Any waste having a pH lower than 6.0 or having any corrosive or detrimental characteristic that may cause harm or injury to wastewater treatment or maintenance personnel or may cause damage to structures, equipment or other physical facilities of the sewerage system;
D. Any solids or viscous substances of such size or in such quantity that they may cause obstruction to flow in the sewer or be detrimental to proper wastewater treatment plant operations. These objectionable substances include, but are not limited to, asphalt, dead animals, ashes, sand, mud, straw, industrial process shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, whole blood, paunch manure, bones, hair and fleshings, entrails, paper dishes, paper cups, milk containers or other similar paper products, either whole or ground;
E. Any water added for the purpose of diluting wastes which would otherwise exceed applicable maximum concentration limitations;
F. Any nonbiodegradable cutting oils, commonly called soluble oil, which form persistent water emulsions;
G. Any excessive concentrations of petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable oils, or refined petroleum products;
H. Any dispersed biodegradable oils, and fats, such as lard, tallow or vegetable oil in excessive concentrations that would tend to cause adverse effects on the sewerage system;
I. Any waste with excessively high concentration of cyanide;
J. Any unreasonable large amounts of undissolved or dissolved solids;
K. Any wastes with excessively high BOD, COD or decomposable organic content;
L. Any strongly odorous waste or waste tending to create odors;
M. Any wastes containing over 0.1 milligram/liter of dissolved sulfides;
N. Any wastes with a pH high enough to cause alkaline incrustations on sewer walls;
O. Any substances promoting or causing the promotion of toxic gases;
P. Any waste having a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher;
Q. Any waste requiring an excessive quantity of chlorine or other chemical compound used for disinfection purposes;
R. Any excessive amounts of chlorinated hydrocarbon or organic phosphorus type compounds;
S. Any waste containing substances that may precipitate, solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Fahrenheit;
T. Any waste producing excessive discoloration of wastewater or treatment plant effluent;
U. Any wastes containing excessive quantities of iron, boron, chromium, phenols, plastic resin, copper, nickel, zinc, lead, mercury, cadmium, selenium, arsenic or any other objectionable material toxic to humans, animals, the local environment or to biological or other wastewater treatment processes;
V. Any blow-down or bleed water from cooling towers or other evaporative coolers exceeding one-third of the make-up water;
W. Any single pass cooling water;
X. Any excessive quantities of radioactive material waste. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any public sewer which directly or indirectly connects to the city’s sewerage system any wastes, if in the opinion of the superintendent of public works such wastes may have an adverse or harmful effect on sewers, maintenance personnel, wastewater treatment plant personnel, or equipment, treatment plant effluent quality, public or private property or may otherwise endanger the public, the local environment or create a public nuisance. The superintendent of public works, in determining the acceptability of specific wastes, shall consider the nature of the wastes and the adequacy and nature of the collection, treatment and disposal system available to accept the waste. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.170 Industrial sampling and flow measurement.
Periodic measurements of flow rates, flow volumes, BOD and settleable solids for use in determining the annual industrial wastewater treatment charge and such measurements of other constituents believed necessary by the superintendent shall be made by all industrial wastewater discharges, unless specifically relieved of such obligation by the superintendent. All sampling, analysis and flow measurements of industrial wastewaters shall be performed by a state-certified independent laboratory or by a laboratory of the industrial discharger approved by the superintendent. Prior to submittal to the city of data developed in the laboratory of an industrial discharger, the results shall be verified by a responsible administrative official of the industrial discharger under the penalty of perjury. All discharges making periodic measurements shall furnish and install at the control manhole or other appropriate location, a calibrated flume, weir, flow meter or similar device approved by the superintendent of public works and suitable to measure the industrial wastewater flow rates and total volumes. A flow indicating, recording and totalizing register may be required by the superintendent of public works. In lieu of wastewater flow measurements, the superintendent may accept records of water usage and adjust the flow volumes by suitable factors to determine average flow rates for the specific industrial wastewater discharge. The sampling, analysis and flow measurement procedures, equipment and results shall be subject at any time to inspection by the city. Sampling and flow measurement facilities shall be such as to provide safe access to authorized personnel. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.180 Damage caused by prohibited discharge.
Any industrial wastewater discharger who discharges or causes the discharge of prohibited wastewaters which cause damage to city’s facilities, detrimental effects on treatment processes or any other damages resulting in costs to the city shall be liable to the city for all damages occasioned thereby. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.190 Permit for industrial wastewater discharge.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any industrial wastewaters directly or indirectly to sewerage facilities owned by the city without first obtaining a permit of industrial wastewater discharge. The permit for industrial wastewater discharge may require pretreatment of industrial wastewater before discharge, restriction of peak flow discharges, discharge of certain wastewaters only to specified sewers of the city, relocation of point of discharge, prohibition of discharge of certain wastewater components, restriction of discharge to certain hours of the day, payment of additional charges to defray increased costs of the city created by the wastewater discharge and such other conditions as may be required to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. No permit for industrial wastewater discharge is transferable without the prior written approval and consent of the superintendent of public works. No person shall discharge industrial wastewaters in excess of the quantity or quality limitations set by the permit for industrial wastewater or use facilities which are not in conformance with the industrial wastewater permit without applying to the city for an amended permit. The permit fee shall be set by resolution of the city council for initial issuance and upon the occasion of amendment. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981).
13.16.200 Establishment of industrial charge rates.
An industrial wastewater treatment charge shall be paid to the city monthly. The treatment charge shall be based upon the industrial dischargers’ contribution of flow and determine by the city’s sewerage system total maintenance, operation and capital expenditures for providing industrial wastewater collection, treatment and disposal services. The city shall determine the appropriate monthly charge for industrial users as follows:
A. Industries with Unmetered Water Supplies. A flat monthly rate will be established based upon the type of industrial process used and their estimated wastewater contribution. The cost of capital outlay of the sewerage facilities and the annual operation and maintenance costs of the system will be used to derive a cost in dollars per 1,000,000 gallons. This factor will then be applied to the estimated flows from each industrial user class and a flat monthly sewer rate established.
B. Industries with Metered Water Supplies. A consumption factor shall be applied to each industrial user by the city superintendent of public works which estimates the percentage of their water which is collected and treated as wastewater. The collection and treatment cost in dollars per 1,000,000 gallons shall be applied to the monthly water demand times the consumption factor. For example:
ABC Industries, Vegetable Packing Shed Consumption Factor, 0.60;
Unit charge coefficient, $0.15 per 1,000 gallons;
Water used during month, 300,000 gallons;
Sewer use charge:
= (300,000) (0.60) (0.15/1,000) = $27.00.
The quantities by year for total flows used in the industrial rate determination may be established by engineering estimation; short-term sampling, analysis and flow measurement extrapolated to a yearly total; or by extensive sampling, analysis and flow measurement, all as approved by the superintendent of public works. The city superintendent of public works shall set the minimum requirements for sampling, analysis and flow measurement by the discharger necessary to modify the established charges if the industrial user requests a reduction. The monthly charge rates for industrial users serviced by the city sewerage facilities will be designated in a duly adopted city resolution. These sewerage rates may be amended as needed by the passage and adoption of another city council resolution. (Ord. 370 § 2, 1981)