CHAPTER 2
SEWERS
ARTICLE 4. PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
SECTION:
§3703.5 Abandonment Of Facilities
§3703.7 Additional Requirements
§3703.1 SEWER NOT AVAILABLE
Where a public sewer is not available, as defined in §3702.5, the sewer of any structure located within the City shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this Article. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.2 PERMIT REQUIRED
Before the commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner or builder shall first obtain a written permit issued by the City Engineer and/or the Director of Public Works and/or the health officer of the County, whichever is required. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.3 INSPECTION REQUIRED
No private sewage disposal system shall be placed in use until the installation is inspected and approved by the City Engineer and/or the Director of Public Works and/or the Health Officer. City shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction. City shall be notified by the applicant when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.4 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The type, capacities, locations and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all requirements of the Department of Public Health of the State of California and of the Health Officer. No private sewage disposal shall be permitted to discharge to any stream or water course. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.5 ABANDONMENT OF FACILITIES
At such time as a public sewer becomes available to property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in §3702.5, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with the ordinances, rules, and regulations of City, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material as determined by the Director of Public Works. Exceptions to this Section shall be requested in writing to the City and may be approved by the Council.
A. Every abandoned building lateral or part thereof, shall be plugged or capped in an approved manner not more than five feet (5’) from the property line.
B. Every cesspool, septic tank and seepage pit which has been abandoned or has been discontinued otherwise from further use or to which no waste or soil pipe from a plumbing fixture is connected, shall have the sewage removed therefrom and be completely filled with earth, sand, gravel, concrete or other approved material.
C. The top cover or arch over the cesspool, septic tank or seepage pit shall be removed before filling and the filling shall not extend above the top of the vertical portions of the sidewalls or above the level of any outlet pipe until inspection has been called and the cesspool, septic tank or seepage pit has been inspected. After such inspection, the cesspool, septic tank or seepage pits shall be filled to the level of the top of the ground.
D. No person owning or controlling any cesspool, septic tank, or seepage pit on the premises of such person in that portion of any public street, alley or other public property abutting such premises, shall fail, refuse or neglect or comply with the provisions of this Section or upon receipt of notice so to comply.
E. Where disposal facilities are abandoned consequent to connecting any premises with the public sewer, the permittee making the connection shall fill all abandoned facilities as required by the City within thirty (30) days from the time of connecting to the public sewer. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.6 MAINTENANCE BY OWNER
The owner of a private sewage disposal system shall, at his own expense, maintain such system in a manner consistent with the requirements and overall purpose of this ordinance. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
No requirement contained in this ordinance shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by any law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any governmental entity. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.8 REVOCATION
Any permit to construct and/or use a private sewage disposal system issued pursuant to this ordinance may be revoked upon certification by the City Engineer and/or Public Works Director and/or Health Officer that such system is not adequate for the purpose for which it was intended, or is not in operating condition, or constitutes a hazard to the health of any person, or constitutes a public or private nuisance by entering water courses, polluting ground water supplies, rising to the ground surface of any other detrimental effect. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)
§3703.9 PRESSURE SEWERS
Where a public sewer is not available and ground conditions are not suitable for septic tank effluent leach field disposal, application may be made for installation of a pressure sewer for transport and disposal of septic tank effluent to a public sewer. All pumping and maintenance shall be the responsibility of the applicant. Charges for such connection shall be determined by the City Engineer. (Ord. 845, §4, adopted 1985)