Chapter 3.15
PLUMBING CODE
Sections:
3.15.010 Adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code.
3.15.020 Amendments, deletions and additions.
3.15.050 Deviations from code.
3.15.060 Structures over sewers.
3.15.110 Industrial interceptors.
3.15.120 Reuse of existing sewers.
3.15.140 Size of building sewers.
3.15.150 Connection at public sewer.
3.15.010 Adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code.
The most current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, as amended and updated from time to time, including appendices thereto, being a codification of laws relating to the plumbing industry of a general nature as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 4755 East Philadelphia Street, Ontario, California 91760, or any successor or publisher, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as though fully set forth herein, except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by this chapter. A copy of said code is on file in the office of the general manager. Except as amended hereby and by other amending ordinances, the remainder of this title shall remain in full force and effect. [Ord. 2023-003 § 3.010]
3.15.020 Amendments, deletions and additions.
The following sections containing amendments, deletions and additions to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code are hereby adopted by reference. [Ord. 2023-003 § 3.020]
3.15.030 Approved materials.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 701.1, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) The General Manager shall make available listings of approved pipe jointing, cleanout, backwater protection, and other materials or devices to be installed or used in the construction of building sewers and no deviation will be allowed without the express approval of the General Manager.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.030]
3.15.040 Standard drawings.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 103.1, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) The General Manager shall make available standard drawings of commonly used installations showing approved construction methods and no deviation will be allowed without the express approval of the General Manager.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.040]
3.15.050 Deviations from code.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 102.1, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) In existing buildings or structures or premises in which plumbing installations are to be altered, repaired or renovated, deviations from the provisions of this code are permitted, provided such deviations are found to be necessary and are first approved by the General Manager.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.050]
3.15.060 Structures over sewers.
The last sentence of Section 102.4.1 is hereby deleted and the following substituted therefor:
(b) No structure or part thereof shall be erected or placed over any part of WCW’s sewerage system unless otherwise approved by the District.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.060]
3.15.070 Cleanouts.
Section 707.1 is hereby amended by adding the following thereto:
A minimum four-inch (4'') cleanout of the same material as approved for the building drain and the same size as the building drain shall be installed plumb and level at the connection of the house building drain with the house building sewer.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.070]
3.15.080 Access to cleanout.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 707.8, which subsection shall read as follows:
There shall be no permanent obstruction by structural members or foundations between the crawl hole and any cleanout.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.080]
3.15.090 Venting of sumps.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 710.7, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) Sumps and receiving tanks shall be provided with substantial covers having a bolt and gasket type manhole or equivalent opening to permit access for inspection, repairs, and cleaning. The top shall be provided with a vent pipe, which shall extend separately through the roof, or when permitted, may be combined with other vent pipes. Such vent shall be large enough to maintain atmospheric pressure within the sump under all normal operating conditions and in no case shall be less in size than that required by Table 4-3 for the number of fixtures discharging into the sump, nor less than two (2) inches in diameter. When the foregoing requirements are met and the vent, after leaving the sump, is combined with vents from fixtures discharging into the sump, the size of the combined vent need not exceed that required for the total number of fixtures discharging into the sump. No vent from an air-operating sewage ejector shall combine with other vents.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.090]
3.15.100 Harmful wastes.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 714.1, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) Chemical or industrial liquid wastes which are likely to damage or increase maintenance costs on the sanitary sewer system, detrimentally affect sewage treatment or contaminate surface or subsurface waters, shall be pretreated to render them innocuous prior to discharge into a drainage system, in conformity with applicable ordinances of the district. Detailed plans and specifications of the pretreatment may be required by the General Manager. Piping, conveying industrial, chemical or process wastes from their point of origin to sewer connected pretreatment facilities shall be of such material and design as to adequately perform its intended function to the satisfaction of the General Manager. Drainage discharge piping from pretreatment facilities or interceptors shall conform to standard drainage installation procedure.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.100]
3.15.110 Industrial interceptors.
Section 1009.1 is hereby amended to read:
When required – Interceptors (including grease, oil and sand interceptors, etc.) shall be provided when, in the judgment of the General Manager in accordance with applicable ordinances of the West County Wastewater, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease, flammable wastes, sand, solids, acid or alkaline substances or other ingredients harmful to the building or structure drainage system, the public or private sewer or to public or private sewage disposal.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.110]
3.15.120 Reuse of existing sewers.
A new Section 715.4 is hereby added, which shall read as follows:
Reuse of existing sewers. Existing building sewers may not be used for new buildings unless the sewer is constructed of current approved standard materials and joints and use of the existing sewer has full knowledge and written consent of the owner and approval of the General Manager. Approval may be given to re-use of substandard building sewers in good condition where their location is under paving in an arterial street, beneath a sidewalk, or in an otherwise inaccessible location.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.120]
3.15.130 Backflow protection.
Paragraph (1) is added to Section 710.1 as follows:
(1) Purpose for Requiring Installation of Backwater Overflow Prevention Devices. When blockages or stoppages occur in sanitary sewers, there exists the potential for adverse public and private health impacts, bodily injuries and damage to property resulting from sewage overflow and back-flooding on public and private property. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents in WCW’s jurisdiction and to minimize the possibility of damage to property or injury to persons by requiring the proper installation and maintenance of backwater overflow prevention devices pursuant to the directives and standards of WCW.
(b) Responsibility for Backwater Overflow Prevention Devices. All property owners shall install, repair and maintain a backwater overflow prevention device on any Building Sewer or Sewer Lateral that is connected to, or is intended for connection to, WCW’s sewer system. In this Ordinance, the term “backwater overflow prevention device” includes, but is not limited to, backwater overflow devices and backwater check valves, pressure relief devices and shutoff systems, and any other devices WCW may approve for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the possibility that raw sewage will back up into any structure or for any similar purpose. All backwater overflow prevention devices shall comply with standards acceptable to WCW and shall be maintained and repaired by the property owner to provide for their uninterrupted function for the purpose for which they were designed.
(c) New Building Sewer or Sewer Lateral Installations, Alterations or Repairs to Existing Building Sewers or Sewer Laterals. No person shall install, alter, or repair a Building Sewer or Sewer Lateral that is connected, or is intended for connection to the WCW sewer system, without first paying all fees and obtaining a permit from WCW. No person shall install, alter, or repair a Building Sewer or Sewer Lateral that is connected, or is intended for connection to the WCW sewer system without first installing a sewer cleanout in a location approved by WCW, and without first installing a backwater overflow prevention device of the type and in the manner prescribed by WCW and any permit requirements imposed by WCW.
(d) Correction Upon Sale or Transfer.
(i) Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall sell, transfer or convey any improved real property that is connected to the WCW sewer system without (1) first installing or confirming the presence of a sewer cleanout in a location and of a type approved by the WCW’s General Manager (2) without first installing or confirming the presence of a backwater overflow prevention device of a type and in the manner prescribed by WCW and any permit conditions imposed by WCW, and (3) performing a video inspection of the building lateral and providing that video to WCW, and receiving confirmation from WCW that the building lateral is in good working order or otherwise receiving a Certificate of Compliance from WCW. The property owner shall obtain an executed repair permit confirming a proper sewer cleanout and backwater overflow prevention device and a properly functioning building lateral or a certificate of compliance with this Ordinance from WCW’s General Manager prior to the close of escrow of any sale, transfer or conveyance of any improved real property that is connected to the WCW sewer system. If any sale, transfer or conveyance of improved real property that is connected to the WCW sewer system is to be accomplished without an escrow, then the property owner shall obtain a Certificate of Compliance with this Ordinance from the WCW’s General Manager prior to recording any deed or other document evidencing such sale, transfer or conveyance.
(ii) For purposes of this ordinance, the following shall not be considered to be a sale, transfer or conveyance of improved real property:
(1) Documents and transfers recorded solely for the purpose of correcting the name(s) of the person(s) holding title to the property;
(2) Documents recorded to create, terminate or reconvey a lender’s interest in the property;
(3) Documents recorded only as a requirement for financing purposes or to create, terminate or reconvey a security interest in the property;
(4) Documents recorded to substitute a trustee under a deed of trust, mortgage or other similar security interest;
(5) Documents, which result in the creation of a joint tenancy in which the transferor remains as one of the joint tenants;
(6) Documents which return title to the property to the person(s) who created a joint tenancy; and
(7) Documents, which transfer the property to a trust for the benefit of the grantor or the grantor’s spouse or to a trust revocable by the grantor.
(e) Maintenance Requirements. All backwater overflow prevention devices shall fully comply with all WCW requirements and shall be maintained by the property owner to provide for their continuing function as designed. All backwater overflow prevention devices shall be accessible at all times and shall be free from any obstructions, including, but not limited to, rocks, soil, vegetation, debris, grass, trees, bushes, plants, landscaping, concrete, asphalt or other ground coverings or any other materials or substances that may impair the proper function of or unobstructed accessibility to the devices.
(f) Elevation Requirements. All backwater overflow prevention devices shall be installed at an elevation that protects the property upon which it is installed and other property in its vicinity from damage. The property owner shall either confirm that the backwater overflow prevention device is properly installed at the proper elevation, or obtain competent assistance from a duly licensed plumber or contractor to confirm its proper elevation. If any subsequent modification of the property results in the backwater overflow prevention device being at an improper elevation, the property owner shall adjust the backwater overflow prevention device to the proper elevation. The property owner shall be responsible for any damage to property or injury to person that is sustained as a result of the improper installation or location of a backwater overflow prevention device.
(g) Failure to Follow Backwater Overflow Protection Device Requirements. Any property owner whose property has no backwater overflow prevention device, or which has a defective or improperly installed backwater overflow prevention device, or which has a backwater overflow prevention device that does not comply in all respects with the requirements of this Ordinance or with any standards adopted or utilized by WCW shall be responsible for all damage that results from the lack of such a device, or the failure of the defective or improperly installed or noncompliant device to prevent or minimize such damage. WCW will not be liable for damage resulting from sewer overflows when a backwater overflow prevention device has not been installed.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.130]
3.15.140 Size of building sewers.
Section 717.1 is hereby amended to read:
The minimum size of any building sewer shall be determined on the basis of total number of fixture units drained by such sewer, in accordance with Table 717.1, but shall not be less than four (4) inches.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.140]
3.15.150 Connection at public sewer.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 706, which subsection shall read as follows:
(1) Main or public sewers shall be entered by wye branch fittings or wye saddles and one-eighth (1/8) bend unless otherwise approved by the General Manager or their designee. Connections to public sewers shall not be sloped greater than 45 degrees from horizontal plane to the main sewer.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.150]
3.15.160 Cover.
A new subsection, to be numbered 718.4, is hereby added, which subsection shall read as follows:
718.4 Cover. That portion of the building sewer within a street, alley, or public thoroughfare shall be at least three (3) feet below curb grade at the property line, unless the same is covered with at least six (6) inches of concrete or cast iron pipe is used.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.160]
3.15.170 Cleanout location.
A new subsection, to be numbered “(1),” is hereby added to Section 719.1:
(1) Every change in alignment or grade in excess of 90 degrees in a building sewer shall be served by a cleanout, except that no cleanout shall be required for change of direction not to exceed one 45-degree change horizontally or one 45-degree change vertically. The sewer cleanout at the junction of the building drain and the building sewer shall be equipped with a pressure relief device to relieve backflow where needed or as directed by the General Manager. When building sewers are located under buildings or structures the cleanout requirements of Section 719.5 shall apply.
[Ord. 2023-003 § 3.170]