Chapter 10.12 SEWERS

“Private sewer” shall mean a sewer serving two or more buildings, residences or properties, constructed by private contract; or a side sewer serving two or more buildings, residences or properties, constructed before June 19, 1964.

“Sanitary sewer” shall mean a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, ground water and unpolluted cooling or process waters are not intentionally admitted.

“Storm sewer” or “storm drain” shall mean a sewer which carries storm surface waters and unpolluted cooling or process waters, but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.

“Side sewer” shall mean the extension from the building drain to the public sewer.

“Building drain” shall mean that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the side sewer which begins two feet outside the outer face of the building wall.

“System of sewerage” shall mean and include a system of sewers, outfalls, works, plants, and facilities for sewage treatment and disposal, or any and all such facilities.

“Sewage” shall mean a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments, together with such surface and storm waters as may be present.

“Sanitary sewage” shall mean wastes that are derived principally from dwellings, business buildings, institutions and the like, exclusive of storm and surface waters.

“Standard sewage” shall mean sewage and acceptable wastes that are within specifications regarding pH, B.O.D., dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, and grease.

“Sewage works” shall mean all facilities for pumping, treating and/or disposing of sewage.

“Sewage treatment plant” shall mean any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

“Industrial wastes” shall mean the liquid wastes from industrial processes as distinct from sanitary sewage.

“Suspended solids” shall mean solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which can be removed by laboratory filtering.

“Garbage” shall mean solid wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of food or food products.

“Properly shredded garbage” shall mean the wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that has been reduced in size to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions existing in the sewage facility furnished.

“Natural outlet” shall mean any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or ground water.

“Watercourse” shall mean a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

“B.O.D.” (denoting biochemical oxygen demand) shall mean the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees centigrade, expressed in parts per million by weight.

“pH” shall mean the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

“Superintendent” shall mean the superintendent of water and sanitary facilities of the city of Ritzville, or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.

“Plant operator” shall mean the person in charge of city treatment plant.

“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group. (Ord. 497 § 1, 1964).

10.12.020 Duties of superintendent.

The superintendent shall have charge of the sewage disposal plant and sewer system and it shall be his duty to operate and maintain said plant and system and keep the same in repair and he shall have full charge and control of all the work provided for and contemplated by this chapter. He also shall have charge of all collections and enforcement of all charges for services rendered. (Ord. 421 § 2, 1954).

10.12.030 Acquisition of equipment and grounds and employment of personnel – Council authorized.

The city council is authorized to from time to time acquire such equipment and grounds, repairs and material, and employ such personnel, as it may deem necessary to assist the superintendent to properly operate, maintain and repair the sewage disposal plant and sewer system.

All expenditures therefor shall be from the water and sewer fund. (Ord. 421 § 3, 1954).

10.12.065 Administrative and inspection fees.

There shall be charged for each new sewer connection an office administration charge of $5.00, and an inspection fee of $70.00. This rate shall apply both inside and outside of the city limits. (Ord. 779 §§ 2, 4, 1986; Ord. 722 § 3, 1983; Ord. 708 § 3, 1982).

10.12.070 Discharge of wastes into sewer system required.

All sanitary sewage, industrial waste, or other polluted waters being discharged into a natural outlet within the city, or in any area under its jurisdiction, shall be discharged into the system of sewerage of the city, unless there is no sewer service within a reasonable distance of the property, or reasonably available to the property. Any other mode of disposal must meet city and county health department requirements. It is unlawful for any person to dispose otherwise of the sewage, wastes and polluted waters. (Ord. 711 § 3, 1983; Ord. 497 § 2, 1964).

10.12.080 Storm water prohibited in sanitary sewer.

It is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process water to any sanitary sewer. (Ord. 497 § 3, 1964).

10.12.090 Discharge of storm water or unpolluted process waters.

Storm water shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged upon approval of the superintendent to a storm sewer or natural outlet. (Ord. 497 § 4, 1964).

10.12.095 Surface water and roof water drainage.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prohibit the use of the sanitary sewer system for surface water and roof water drainage.

B. Prohibited Acts. The drainage of roofs and other surface drainage to the city sanitary sewer system is prohibited.

C. Penalty. Anyone violating the provision of subsection (B) shall be subject to a fine up to $300.00 and imprisonment up to 30 days. Each separate day of continued violation of this section shall be considered a separate crime and punishable as such. (Ord. 647 §§ 1 – 3, 1980).

10.12.100 Wastes prohibited in sewers.

Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged, any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewer:

A. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit;

B. Any water or waste which may contain more than 100 parts per million by weight of animal or vegetable fat, oil or grease;

C. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable liquid, solid or gas, or other petroleum products and derivatives;

D. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded;

E. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operations of the sewage works;

F. Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to sewer structures, equipment, personnel of the sewage works, or to be adversely active on sewage treatment processes;

G. Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with sewage treatment processes, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant;

H. Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant;

I. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard. (Ord. 497 § 5, 1964).

10.12.110 Preliminary treatment – Special agreements.

Any wastes of such nature as do not conform to standard sewage as herein defined shall be made to conform to the standards as set forth in this chapter by the person using the public sewer at his expense before discharging into the public sewer.

The city of Ritzville may, however, make a special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to special payment therefor by the industrial concern. (Ord. 497 § 6, 1964).

10.12.120 Review and approval required for discharge of certain wastes.

The admission into the public sewers of any waters or wastes having (a) a five-day biochemical oxygen demand greater than 300 parts per million by weight; or (b) containing more than 350 parts per million by weight of suspended solids or 600 parts per million of total solids, or (c) containing any quantity of substances having the characteristics described in RCC 10.12.100, or (d) having an average daily flow greater than two percent of the average daily sewage flow of the city shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent. Where necessary, in the opinion of the plant operator, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to (a) reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to 300 parts per million by weight, or (b) reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum allowable limits provided for in RCC 10.12.100 hereof, or (c) control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted to the superintendent and the Pollution Control Commission of the state of Washington for approval, and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approvals are obtained in writing. (Ord. 497 § 7, 1964).

10.12.130 Maintenance of preliminary treatment facilities.

Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense. (Ord. 497 § 8, 1964).

10.12.140 Control manholes required.

When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property served by a side sewer carrying industrial wastes shall within nine months install a suitable manhole in the side sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measuring the wastes. Such manhole, when necessary, shall be accessibly and safely located and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times. (Ord. 497 § 9, 1964).

10.12.150 Standards for measurements, tests and analyses.

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in RCC 10.12.100 and 10.12.120 shall be determined in accordance with the current edition of “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage,” a publication of American Public Health Association, Inc., and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in RCC 10.12.140, or upon suitable samples taken at said control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer from the point at which the building is connected. (Ord. 497 § 10, 1964).

10.12.160 Grease traps in commercial uses.

In all cases where a building is used as a hotel, boarding house or restaurant, the owner or occupant shall provide a properly constructed grease trap through which all wastes of a greasy nature shall be drained, and the health officer shall have authority, and he is hereby authorized and directed, to compel any person to provide and use a grease trap as aforesaid whenever, in his judgment, the same is necessary. (Ord. 497 § 11, 1964).

10.12.170 Installation and maintenance of grease, oil and sand interceptors.

Grease, oil, and sand interceptors or other necessary removal facilities shall be installed on premises when, in the opinion of the plant operator, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, high concentration of blood, fruit, vegetable or grain liquors, milk wastes, or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the plant operator, and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperatures. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight, and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight.

Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner or occupant, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times. (Ord. 497 § 12, 1964).

10.12.180 Permit required for making connection.

It shall be unlawful for any person to uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof, without first obtaining a written permit from the city clerk/treasurer. (Ord. 497 § 13, 1964).

10.12.190 Notice of laying pipe in streets.

When any person desires to lay or drive any pipe in any street, alley or easement in which a public, private or side sewer is laid, he shall give at least 24 hours’ notice to the superintendent. (Ord. 497 § 14, 1964).

10.12.200 Responsibility for expense of cleaning, inspecting and maintenance of sewer lines.

Any expense incurred by the city of Ritzville for excavation, cleaning or inspecting public sewers by demand of the sewer user shall be the responsibility of the sewer user when a public sewer is not at fault.

In the event a public sewer is at fault, any expense incurred by a property owner for excavation, cleaning or for any other reason shall not be charged against the city of Ritzville.

The expense of cleaning, repairing and maintenance of a side sewer or a private sewer from the building drain to the public sewer shall be the responsibility of the property owner or owners. (Ord. 497 § 15, 1964).

10.12.210 Right of entry for determining compliance – Notice to make corrections.

The superintendent or plant operator, or the health officer shall have the right to enter upon the premises drained by any side sewer or connected with any public sewer at all reasonable hours to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance relative to sewerage has been complied with. If said sewerage or its attachments are in conflict with the provisions of any law or ordinance in regard thereto, the owner of said premises or his agent shall be notified to cause said sewerage or its attachments to be so altered, repaired or reconstructed as to make them conform to the requirements of the law and ordinances within 15 days from the time of receiving such notice. (Ord. 497 § 16, 1964).

10.12.220 Right of entry for inspection, measurement, sampling and testing of wastes.

The owner or occupant of any house, building or property shall allow authorized persons at any time to inspect the nature of wastes on the property intended to be discharged into a public sewer.

The superintendent, plant operator or other duly authorized employees of the city of Ritzville shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 497 § 17, 1964).

10.12.230 Damaging or obstructing sewers.

It shall be unlawful for any person to injure, break or remove any portion of any manhole, lamphole, flush tank or any part of a public sewer.

It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit any garbage, rubbish, dead animal, or any substance having a tendency to obstruct the flow of the sewer in any manhole, lamphole, flush tank or sewer opening.

It shall be unlawful for any person to break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the system of sewerage. (Ord. 497 § 18, 1964).

10.12.240 Penalty for violations.

Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, or who shall counsel, aid, or abet any such violation or failure to comply, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of any sum not exceeding $300.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 497 § 20, 1964).