Chapter 13.14
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW PREVENTION PROVISIONS
Sections:
13.14.020 Duty of the discharger.
13.14.030 House lateral maintenance.
13.14.040 Illicit discharges prohibited.
13.14.050 Limitations – City may establish.
13.14.060 Existing FOG disposal systems.
13.14.070 Investigation of sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) incidents.
13.14.080 Use of unauthorized substances prohibited.
13.14.090 FOG control programs.
13.14.100 Minimum standards – City may develop.
13.14.110 Food service establishments – Operating permit required.
13.14.120 Food waste disposal units and dishwashers.
13.14.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to implement additional specific requirements for the use of the public sewer system to ensure compliance with Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems, State Board Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ (State Board Order) and as may be hereinafter amended or superseded. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.020 Duty of the discharger.
All dischargers to the public sewer system shall implement best management practices (BMPs) to ensure that their discharge, either singularly or in combination with other discharges, does not create a condition in the system that might cause damage to the system or a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). Commercial and industrial discharges shall be made only in full compliance with Chapter 13.11 PMC. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.030 House lateral maintenance.
Dischargers to the public sewer system shall use house lateral maintenance procedures that maximize the recovery of deleterious materials and minimize the passage of fats, oils and grease (FOG), debris, cut roots and similar materials to the mainline sewers. PMC 13.02.040 notwithstanding, no person shall interfere with the City’s access to house laterals extending from the mainline sewer and the right-of-way boundary or property line. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.040 Illicit discharges prohibited.
No person shall cause any discharge to the public sewer system unless such discharge:
(A) Consists entirely of domestic sewage;
(B) Consists of nondomestic sewage that is authorized pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 13.08 or 13.11 PMC;
(C) Consists of domestic and nondomestic sewage combined in accordance with PMC 13.11.720; and
(D) Does not consist of storm water or infiltration/inflow. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.050 Limitations – City may establish.
The City may establish numerical limitations on the amount of FOG and other debris that may cause blockages or contribute to SSOs on discharges to all or portions of the sanitary sewer system where the City finds that such limitation is necessary to protect the system from damage or potential SSOs. Industrial waste disposal permits issued pursuant to Chapter 13.11 PMC shall include such limitations where imposed. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.060 Existing FOG disposal systems.
Existing grease interceptors, grease traps or other FOG disposal systems, previously approved by the City, may remain in service provided such systems are properly maintained to effectively reduce FOG discharges, are operating within original design parameters, have not been altered in a manner not approved by the City, and where required are operated under a valid industrial waste disposal permit pursuant to Chapter 13.11 PMC. Such authorization does not preclude the City from establishing discharge limitations which may require the modification, enlargement, addition, or replacement of FOG disposal system to protect the sanitary sewer system from blockages or overflows. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.070 Investigation of sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) incidents.
The City shall investigate and determine the probable cause of an actual or potential SSO incident. In the course of any such investigation, the City may enter the premises of any discharger to the sanitary sewer system to determine the presence of potential sources of FOG, inspection of FOG disposal systems, review wastewater disposal procedures, ascertain if BMPs are in place and adequate, review records, photograph disposal systems, take samples and other measurements in order to determine the cause or sources of an SSO. PMC 13.14.060 notwithstanding, where the City determines that additional, improved, upgraded, repaired or more frequently maintained FOG removal systems are required to prevent the contribution to actual or potential SSOs, the City may serve notice on the discharger to implement such improvements. Such notice may include prohibitions against unauthorized discharges, timetables and/or deadlines. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.080 Use of unauthorized substances prohibited.
No person shall introduce any chemical, biological, enzyme or bacterial agent or substance into a FOG disposal system with the intent to enhance performance and/or reduce maintenance of such system without the specific authorization of the City. Such prohibition is not intended to preclude the use of commercial drain cleaning substances within plumbing fixtures not tributary to a FOG disposal system unless the City or POTW has found that such substances present a general hazard to the sanitary sewer system. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.090 FOG control programs.
Where a discharger is required to install and maintain a FOG disposal system pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and/or is found to be a potential uncontrolled source of FOG, the City may require that the discharger develop and implement a FOG control program. Where required, such a program is subject to approval by the City and may be included as a part of the conditions and limitations of any permit issued pursuant to this chapter. Such a program may be required to include but is not limited to the following provisions:
(A) A plan and schedule for the education and training of personnel or employees that may dispose of FOG containing effluent to the sanitary sewer system.
(B) The development of source control measures to minimize the discharge of FOG to the sanitary sewer system and maximize the efficiency of any required FOG disposal system and/or GRD.
(C) A plan and schedule for the removal and legal disposal of FOG removed from effluent by a FOG disposal system and/or GRD. When so required by the City, such a plan and schedule may include the maintenance of a log record detailing cleaning, repair, inspection, and accidental spill and disposal events in connection with the system or device. The City shall have access to any required log during reasonable business hours and may specify a time period during which such a log is maintained.
(D) A description of facilities used to store removed FOG prior to disposal and measures taken to prevent accidental and/or uncontrolled discharge of FOG to the sanitary sewer system, sidewalks, parking lots, streets, gutters, storm drains, or other private or public property.
(E) A description of equipment and supplies, including the location of such materials, available for the cleanup of accidental and/or uncontrolled spills of FOG or similar materials.
(F) The posting in a conspicuous place of notification requirements to the City or other specified entity in the event of any accidental and/or uncontrolled spill of FOG or similar materials that leave or may be carried off the discharger’s premises. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.100 Minimum standards – City may develop.
The City may develop minimum standards for the performance, construction, installation and maintenance of FOG disposal systems, gravity grease interceptors, GRDs, hydromechanical grease interceptors, and/or components associated with such devices. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.110 Food service establishments – Operating permit required.
Where the City has determined that installation of a FOG disposal system at a food service establishment (FSE) is necessary to protect the public sewer system, such installation shall be subject to plan review and operating industrial waste disposal permit requirements pursuant to Chapter 13.11 PMC. Each separate system connected to the public sewer system shall require a separate permit. The City may authorize multiple FSEs to discharge through a single FOG disposal system provided each establishment enters into an agreement with a single entity that maintains the device including continuous maintenance of any permits required for operation of the facility and submits the agreement to the City. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)
13.14.120 Food waste disposal units and dishwashers.
Unless specifically required or permitted by the City, no food waste disposal unit, garbage grinder or dishwasher shall be connected to or discharge into any FOG disposal system. Commercial food waste disposers shall discharge directly into the building’s sewage drainage system. (Ord. 1376 § 4 (Exh. A), 2009)