Chapter 13.23
SEWER MAIN EXTENSIONS, REPLACEMENTS, PUMP STATIONS AND OTHER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Sections:
13.23.010 General requirements.
13.23.020 Sewer system improvements – Installation method.
13.23.030 Preparation of plans and specifications – Surveys and engineering.
13.23.040 Pipe size and location.
13.23.050 Pump stations and force mains.
13.23.060 Other appurtenances.
13.23.080 Construction of improvements – Testing/certifications.
13.23.090 Notification of city upon completion of work.
13.23.100 Prevention of damage to public sewer.
13.23.110 Acceptance of improvements.
13.23.010 General requirements.
A. When Required. A main extension, main replacement, pump station, maintenance hole, force main or other system improvement may be required for any of the following reasons to mitigate the direct impacts of the proposed development:
1. Whenever a customer requests service and the premises to be served does not abut a sewer main;
2. Whenever the existing sewer main(s) is not adequate to provide the necessary service;
3. Whenever the development cannot be served by a gravity system;
4. Where other components of the sewer system are inadequate to handle the increased wastewater discharges;
5. Whenever necessary to handle wastewater from the development; or
6. Whenever necessary to protect public health and safety.
B. Extension Requirements Where Customer Owns Multiple Contiguous Lots or Parcels. Multiple lots or parcels which meet the definition of “premises” set forth in PTMC 13.01.020 and which do not fall under subsections (A)(1) through (A)(6) of this section will not require a main extension; provided, that the following conditions are met. First, some portion of the property to be developed must abut a main, which may require binding the lots or parcels with a restrictive covenant to run with the land. Any such restrictive covenant must be in a form acceptable to the city attorney and must ensure that, in the event of any further development of the lots or parcels, all premises to be served will abut a main. Second, the customer/developer must be able to meet all Uniform Plumbing Code, engineering design standards and/or Department of Health and Department of Ecology requirements without a main extension.
C. Right-of-Way Acquisition. When sufficient right-of-way does not exist, the customer shall provide sufficient right-of-way or utility easements where necessary to serve the needs of the development and for the maintenance and orderly growth of the system.
D. Mitigation Costs.
1. The customer shall be required to bear the full costs of all main extensions, replacements, hydrants, valves and other system improvements required by this chapter where reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of the development.
2. Development Occurring in Tier 1 Areas. Where the installation of these facilities will benefit existing structures and customers already connected to the system, the developer will only be required to pay a proportionate share of the cost of the utility system improvements, defined as that portion fronting the lot(s) owned by the developer and any lots currently unserved and not participating in the construction of the improvements. It will be the city’s obligation to fund a pro rata share of utility improvements based on the percentage of lot frontage properties already connected to the system. Undeveloped lots may be included in a benefit assessment area subject to a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC. However, in the case of developed properties, there is no duty on the part of the city to make connections to the new system.
3. Development Occurring in Tier 2 Areas. Where the installation of these facilities will benefit existing structures and customers already connected to the system, the city will contribute to the cost of the improvements consistent with the city’s currently adopted six-year capital improvement plan (“CIP”). In determining proportionate share, the developer will only be required to pay a proportionate share of the cost of the utility system improvements, defined as that portion fronting the lot(s) owned by the developer and any lots currently unserved and not participating in the construction of the improvements. It will be the city’s obligation to fund a pro rata share of utility improvements based on the percentage of lot frontage of properties already connected to the system. Undeveloped lots may be included in a benefit assessment area subject to a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC. However, in the case of developed properties, there is no duty on the part of the city to make connections to the new system.
4. Development in Tier 3 Areas. The developer shall pay for the full costs of the installation of these facilities.
5. Oversizing Costs. Oversizing costs must be paid in accordance with the criteria established in PTMC 13.14.060. (Ord. 2609 § 5, 1997; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.020 Sewer system improvements – Installation method.
A. Except as noted in Chapter 13.22 PTMC, whenever an applicant requests sewer service to premises with no sewer main in the adjacent street, a main must be installed as a prerequisite to connection to the city sewer system. The main must conform with the city’s wastewater master plan and city engineering design standards manual.
B. Sewer mains must be extended as far as possible to flow by gravity. Force mains shall be allowed only when flow by gravity is impractical.
C. Sewer system improvements may be installed by any of the following methods or as specified in PTMC Title 18 for subdivisions:
1. At the expense of the owner, with the improvements installed by a licensed and bonded contractor. Eligible property owners may apply to the city for a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC;
2. The owner may also elect to have the improvements installed by the formation of a local improvement district (LID) as prescribed by state law and the ordinances of the city; or
3. City crews or contractors for projects and repairs initiated by the city. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.030 Preparation of plans and specifications – Surveys and engineering.
A. All applicants shall furnish design and construction plans and specifications for all proposed sewer system improvements. All design and construction plans and specifications shall be prepared in accordance with the city’s engineering design standards manual. If base maps prepared by a licensed land surveyor are available, the design and construction plans shall be submitted on such maps. If base maps are unavailable, and the public works director determines that a survey is necessary to avoid conflicts with existing infrastructure, to determine contours, and/or to determine the limits of the right-of-way for utility placement, the applicant shall have the right-of-way surveyed, including elevations along the proposed utility route, by a licensed land surveyor and the plans shall be prepared and submitted on such surveyed base maps.
B. All plans required under this section must be prepared, signed and stamped by a Washington State licensed civil engineer. All plans shall be prepared at the developer’s sole cost and expense.
C. All plans under this subsection must be reviewed and approved by the director prior to proceeding with construction of the proposed improvements. (Ord. 3051 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.040 Pipe size and location.
A. Size. Every new sewer main placed into service shall be eight inches in diameter, unless a larger size is indicated by hydraulic needs or the wastewater system plan or city engineering design standards manual. Hydraulic calculations shall take into account demands placed on the city’s system, size and slope of pipe.
B. Location. Sewer mains shall be installed along the complete frontage of the premises and shall be extended to the next street intersection beyond the property; provided, however, that this requirement may be waived pursuant to Chapter 13.01 PTMC. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.050 Pump stations and force mains.
All side sewers shall flow by gravity into the city’s system whenever possible. Individual side sewer pumps or public service pump stations will only be considered if no area gravity system can be constructed. Pump stations which will be turned over to the city must be sized to serve the entire region or basin which it serves. Gravity lines will be brought as far as possible (i.e., force mains shall be no longer than absolutely necessary). When allowed, pump stations and force mains shall comply with the requirements contained in the engineering design standards manual. Alternatively, private systems which are neither accepted nor maintained by the city may be installed to other standards; in such case, a private maintenance agreement shall be required in a form approved by the city attorney. The city can require pump stations and force mains to be private (i.e., not accepted and maintained by the city). Any pump stations that will serve 20 or more residences will be required to meet all city engineering design standards and shall be owned and operated by the city. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.060 Other appurtenances.
Main extension and replacements shall include all maintenance holes, cleanouts and other appurtenances as required by the engineering design standards manual and as determined to be necessary by the director for the integrity and orderly growth and needs of the sewer system. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.070 Oversizing.
A. The director shall determine the size of interceptor mains and pump stations based on projected future wastewater demands. For the purpose of determining oversizing of mains, the standard-size main required of the development shall be eight inches, unless the hydraulic demand of the development or pipe slope necessitates a larger size, as determined by the director, in which case the customer shall bear the full cost of the oversizing. For the purpose of determining oversizing of pump stations, oversizing will be considered the difference between the minimum size necessary to serve the development (or the minimum size pump station available whichever is greater) and the size required to serve the benefit area determined by the city.
B. If oversizing of a main or pump station is required for a project in Tier 1 areas (as identified in the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan – see Chapter 13.01 PTMC, Definitions), the city will pay for the cost of oversizing. Oversizing costs shall be submitted for approval prior to the beginning of construction, and a bill of sale and deed of conveyance shall be submitted prior to reimbursement.
C. If oversizing of a main or pump station is required for a project in Tier 2, the city will reimburse the oversizing costs consistent with the city’s currently adopted six-year capital improvement program (“CIP”). Oversizing costs shall be submitted for approval prior to the beginning of construction, and a bill of sale and deed of conveyance shall be submitted prior to reimbursement.
D. Consistent with the policy directive in the comprehensive plan, if oversizing is required for a project in Tier 3, the developer shall bear the full cost of the oversizing. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.080 Construction of improvements – Testing/certifications.
A. All main extensions, replacements, pump stations and other system improvements must be situated in public rights-of-way or utility easements.
B. Private Contractors Must Be Licensed and Bonded. Any main installations done other than by city forces shall be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor of the state of Washington.
C. All work within the limits of any public area shall be completed with due diligence. It shall be the responsibility of the developer to secure the safety of all work areas. If the developer fails to do so, and if any excavation is left open beyond a reasonable time necessary to complete the work, the public works director may cause the same to be backfilled and the public area restored at the expense of the owner.
D. Testing/Certifications. All new mains and other sewer system improvements must be tested in accordance with city engineering design standards manual. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.090 Notification of city upon completion of work.
Any person, including but not limited to any contractor, performing work under this chapter shall also notify the public works department in writing no later than seven days after the connection is made that the connection has been made. The notice shall include the property owner’s name, the address of the premises, and the file number of the permit. The public works department shall then notify the city utility billing office for purposes of commencement of sewer service charges. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.100 Prevention of damage to public sewer.
The sewer contractor or other persons doing the work shall prevent any damage to the sewer main, tee or stub out, and also conduct his/her trenching operations as to prevent the possibility of damage to the system occurring. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.23.110 Acceptance of improvements.
The city reserves the right to reject any installation not inspected, tested and approved by the department. Upon satisfactory completion of all required tests and acceptance of the improvements, the department shall cause the improvements to be connected to the city system. All costs incurred in such connection(s) shall be the responsibility of the customer. As a condition of acceptance of the improvements by the city, the permit holder shall provide the city with (1) a statement of the actual cost of design and construction of the sewer improvements; (2) a properly executed bill of sale for all improvements; and (3) as-built drawings prepared in accordance with the engineering design standards manual. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).