Chapter 13.20 SEWER REGULATIONS

“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 building sewer, beginning five (5) feet outside the inner face of the building wall.

“Building sewer” shall mean the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.

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

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

“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group.

“Properly shredded garbage” shall mean the wastes from preparations, cooking, and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half (1/2) inch in any dimension.

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

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

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

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

“Sewer” shall mean a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.

“Shall” is mandatory; “may” is permissive.

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

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

“Utility Superintendent” shall mean the Superintendent of the Water and Sewage Works of the Town of Wilkeson, or his authorized deputy, agent, or representative.

“Watercourse” shall mean a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently. [Ord. 118 § 1, 1971].

13.20.020 Insanitary disposal of waste unlawful.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit or permit to be deposited in an insanitary manner upon public or private property within the Town of Wilkeson, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said Town, any human or animal excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste. [Ord. 118 § 2, 1971].

13.20.030 Unlawful to discharge certain liquids – Exceptions.

It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the Town of Wilkeson, or any area under the jurisdiction of said Town, any sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter. This section shall go into effect when sewers are operable. [Ord. 118 § 3, 1971].

13.20.040 Construction of privies, septic tanks and cesspools.

Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, cesspool, tank, or facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage. [Ord. 118 § 4, 1971].

13.20.050 Installation and connection of toilet facilities required.

The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the Town of Wilkeson and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the Town, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within ninety (90) days after date of official notice to do so; provided, that said public sewer is within two hundred (200) feet of the property line. [Ord. 118 § 5, 1971].

13.20.060 Where public sewer is not available.

Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of WMC 13.20.050, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 118 § 6, 1971].

13.20.070 Permit for construction of a private system required.

Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Utility Superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the Town, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the Utility Superintendent. A permit fee as specified in the standard plumbing code shall be paid to the Town Clerk/Treasurer at the time the application is filed. [Ord. 118 § 7, 1971].

13.20.080 Inspection of construction of private sewage system.

A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Utility Superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Utility Superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of notice by the Utility Superintendent. [Ord. 118 § 8, 1971].

13.20.090 Discharge of a private system.

No septic tank, cesspool or other private system shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or natural outlet without special approval of the Town Council. [Ord. 118 § 9, 1971].

13.20.100 When public sewer becomes available.

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in WMC 13.20.050, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material, when deemed necessary in the opinion of the Utility Superintendent. [Ord. 118 § 10, 1971].

13.20.110 Operation and maintenance of private sewage facilities.

The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the Town. [Ord. 118 § 11, 1971].

13.20.120 Permit required to make connection.

No unauthorized person shall 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 Utility Superintendent. [Ord. 118 § 12, 1971].

13.20.130 Expense of installation and connections.

All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the Town from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer. All “tees” or “wyes” shall be installed by the Town at the owner’s expense after the Town sewer has been uncovered. All work on the public right-of-way must be done by a bonded contractor or by the Town at the owner’s expense. [Ord. 118 § 13, 1971].

13.20.140 Separate sewer required for each building – Exceptions.

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building, except where one (1) building stands at the rear of another or on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed on the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one (1) building sewer. The charges shall be as for separate hook-ups. However, in special situations such as a school or a business complex, the number of connections may vary with approval of the Town Council. The charges shall be as for separate hook-ups. [Ord. 118 § 14, 1971].

13.20.150 Use of old building sewers.

Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and tests by the Utility Superintendent, to meet all requirements of this chapter. [Ord. 118 § 15, 1971].

13.20.160 Types of sewers permitted.

The property owners have the option to install either a four (4) inch inside diameter concrete pipe, vitrified clay pipe, or asbestos cement pipe. Regardless of which type is installed, all connections between pipe joints must be made by suitable rubber gasket rings so as to assure a watertight joint. Four (4) inch diameter “sewer and drain pipe,” composed of high rubber content styrene resin is also permissible; provided, that a plastic solvent is used to “weld” the pipe joints together into one (1) continuous watertight installation. Plastic pipe must meet or exceed U.S. Commercial Standard CS-228-61. [Ord. 118 § 16, 1971].

13.20.170 Size and slope of building sewer.

The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the Utility Superintendent but in no event shall the diameter be less than four (4) inches. The slope of such four (4) inch pipe shall be not less than one-fourth (1/4) inch per foot unless approved by the Utility Superintendent. [Ord. 118 § 17, 1971].

13.20.180 Laying of building sewer.

No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three (3) feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with properly curved pipe and fittings. [Ord. 118 § 18, 1971].

13.20.190 When sewage may be lifted by artificial means.

In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved artificial means and discharged to the building sewer. [Ord. 118 § 19, 1971].

13.20.200 Excavations – Pipe laying and backfill.

All excavations required for the installation of a building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the Utility Superintendent. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with AST specification (C12-19) except that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected. [Ord. 118 § 20, 1971].

13.20.210 Joints and connections to be made gastight and watertight.

All joints and connections shall be made gastight and watertight. [Ord. 118 § 21, 1971].

13.20.220 Connection inspection.

The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Utility Superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Utility Superintendent or his representative. [Ord. 118 § 22, 1971].

13.20.230 Excavations to be guarded – Public property to be restored.

All excavations for building sewer installations shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the Town. [Ord. 118 § 23, 1971].

13.20.240 Certain liquids not to be discharged into public sewer.

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer. [Ord. 118 § 24, 1971].

13.20.250 Stormwater and unpolluted drainage.

Stormwater and all other polluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the Utility Superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process water may be discharged, upon approval of the Utility Superintendent, to a storm sewer or natural outlet. [Ord. 118 § 25, 1971].

13.20.260 Matter excluded from all sewers.

Sewage waste or any matter having the following characteristics shall, under no conditions, be discharged into, be placed where it might find its way into, or be allowed to run, leak or escape into any part of the sewer system.

A. Ashes, cinders, sand, earth, gravel, coal, rubbish or any matter which is chemically or physically stable for at least five (5) days at twenty (20) degrees centigrade, or which would form a deposit or obstruction or damage or reduce the capacity of the sewer into which it was placed.

B. Inflammable, explosive or poisonous liquids, gases or solids or any matter which after entrance into a sewer might reasonably be expected to form in any way such inflammable, explosive or poisonous liquids, gases or solids.

C. Matter of any nature, at a temperature above one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit.

D. Liquid matter of any nature containing suspended solids in excess of one thousand (1,000) parts per million (1,000,000).

E. Matter of any nature containing five (5) day biochemical oxygen demand in excess of three hundred (300) parts per million (1,000,000).

F. Animal or vegetable greases, oils or matter containing animal or vegetable grease or oil of any nature in excess of three hundred (300) parts per million (1,000,000) or any petroleum products.

G. Liquid matter with a hydrogen ion concentration below 5.5 or above 9.0.

H. Any matter which, in the opinion of the Utility Superintendent, might interfere with the satisfactory operation of any treatment plants or any portion of the sewer system.

Provided, however, with the written approval of the Utility Superintendent being first obtained, sewage, wastes, or other matter herein excluded may be discharged into the sewage system upon the payment to the Town of the additional costs for processing the same as hereinafter provided and set forth. [Ord. 118 § 26, 1971].

13.20.270 Matter excluded from sanitary sewers.

In addition, all surface drainage water shall be excluded from all parts of the sewer system designated as the sanitary sewer system. [Ord. 118 § 27, 1971].

13.20.280 Inspection of sewers and attachments.

The Utility Superintendent or employees of the Town bearing proper credentials shall have the right to enter upon any premises drained by any side sewer or connected with any public sewer at all reasonable hours to ascertain whether the provisions of the ordinances of the Town of Wilkeson and the City of Tacoma relative to sewerage have been complied with. If said sewer, or its attachments, are in conflict with the provision of any law or ordinance in regard thereto, the owner of said premises, or his agent, shall be notified to cause said sewer or its attachments to be so altered, repaired or reconstructed as to make them conform to the requirements of the laws and ordinances within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of such notice. [Ord. 118 § 28, 1971].

13.20.290 Testing of sewage waste.

The Utility Superintendent or other employees of the Town of Wilkeson, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall be permitted to enter upon any and all premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing of sewage waste in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and it is unlawful for any person to prevent or attempt to prevent any such entrance or obstruct or interfere with any such officer or employee while so engaged. [Ord. 118 § 29, 1971].

13.20.300 Septic tank contents.

It shall be unlawful for anyone to discharge the contents of any septic tank, cesspool or chemical toilet into the sewer system of the Town. [Ord. 118 § 30, 1971].

13.20.310 Determination of character of waste matter.

Before any matter of any nature may be discharged into the sewer system, which discharge might reasonably be considered a violation of this chapter, the controlling characteristic of such matter shall be determined to the satisfaction of the Utility Superintendent. The responsibility of initiating such determination, the costs involved, and of submitting the results of said determination for approval, lie solely with the party or parties desiring to discharge the matter into the sewer system. Verification of these results and the decision as to whether or not a permit shall be issued shall be the responsibility of the Utility Superintendent. The fact that any matter has been discharged into the sewer system prior to the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter or subsequent thereto without objection does not constitute a valid right to so discharge such matter. Upon discovery by the Utility Superintendent that any matter being discharged into the sewer does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, the Utility Superintendent may immediately stop the discharge of such matter into the sewer system. [Ord. 118 § 31, 1971].

13.20.320 Pretreatment of sewage.

When at the time it becomes necessary or desirable to discharge into the sewer system any matter from any source which does not conform to the requirements previously outlined, it is hereby required that before such matter may be discharged into the sewer system, the producer thereof shall pretreat same at his own expense to a degree that will produce an effluent which does conform to the said requirements. Such pretreatment plants shall be understood to include grease traps, chemical or biochemical plants, sedimentation chambers and any other devices which effect a change of any nature in the characteristics of the matter being treated. Any and all such devices and equipment shall be subject to the approval of the Utility Superintendent, shall not be put into operation without a written permit of approval issued by the Utility Superintendent, shall be provided with all necessary features of construction to permit inspection of operations and testing of material passing through them and shall be open to the inspection of the Utility Superintendent at any time; provided, however, that the producer, in lieu of the treatment of said sewage, as hereinabove provided for, may, with the written approval of the Utility Superintendent being first obtained, discharge said sewage, waste or other matter into said sewage system, and be subject to the payment of the additional cost of the treatment thereof. [Ord. 118 § 32, 1971].

13.20.330 Grease, oil and sand interceptors.

Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Utility Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of the liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes, sand, and other harmful ingredients. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Utility Superintendent 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 temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight. [Ord. 118 § 33, 1971].

13.20.340 Maintenance of interceptors.

Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times. [Ord. 118 § 34, 1971].

13.20.350 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. 118 § 35, 1971].

13.20.360 When manhole required.

When required by the Utility Superintendent, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessible and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Utility 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. 118 § 36, 1971].

13.20.370 Measurements, tests, and analyses.

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in WMC 13.20.260, 13.20.290 and 13.20.310 shall be determined in accordance with “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage,” and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in WMC 13.20.360 or upon suitable examples taken in 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 to the point at which the building sewer is connected. [Ord. 118 § 37, 1971].

13.20.380 Protection from damage.

No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct. [Ord. 118 § 38, 1971].

13.20.390 Powers and authority of inspectors.

The office of Utility Superintendent is hereby created for the purpose of administering this chapter and such other duties found necessary. The Mayor shall appoint the Utility Superintendent, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Mayor. [Ord. 118 § 39, 1971].

13.20.400 Rates to be charged.

Beginning with the first month following completion and operation of the sewer system, in whole or in part, every residence, building, plant or other structure to whom sewer service is available, namely property required to be connected to public sewers pursuant to ordinance, rules, and regulations, whether or not a connection to the public sewers of the Town has been made, shall be charged a monthly rate thereof as set forth in the fee resolution. [Ord. 2004.18 § 1, 2004; Ord. 118 § 40, 1971].

13.20.410 Connection fee.

Every new connection of the sewer system of the Town of Wilkeson shall pay a connection fee which shall be computed as follows:

Connections to the original system may be made without a connection charge for a period of six (6) months following initial operation of the system.

Connection charges made after the first six (6) month period will be as set forth in the fee resolution, which shall provide for a six (6) inch diameter service sewer pipe to be installed from the existing adjacent sewer main to the property line and which shall include the inspection fee.

Such new connections, and any repairs or any work requiring excavation in the streets and other thoroughfares of the Town shall be done only by employees of the Town of Wilkeson, or by bonded contractors, and under direct supervision of the Utility Superintendent or his authorized representative. [Ord. 2004.18 § 1, 2004; Ord. 118 § 41, 1971].

13.20.420 Inspection fee.

An inspection fee as set forth in the fee resolution per connection will be charged for a period of six (6) months following initial operation of the system. After this period the inspection fee will be included in the connection fee. [Ord. 2004.18 § 1, 2004; Ord. 118 § 42, 1971].

13.20.430 Requirement for connections.

After completion of the initial sewer system, in whole or in part, all business or residences whose property is located within two hundred (200) feet of the sewer collection system are required to be connected within six (6) months from the date sewer service is available. [Ord. 118 § 43, 1971].

13.20.440 Notice of violations.

Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter, except WMC 13.20.390, shall be served by the Town with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations. [Ord. 118 § 44, 1971].

13.20.450 Penalty for violation.

Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in WMC 13.20.440 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any amount not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each violation. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense. [Ord. 118 § 45, 1971].

13.20.460 Enforcement of collections.

The sewer system of the Town of Wilkeson, having been by Ordinance No. 114 incorporated into and made a part of the water system of said Town, the enforcement of collections of all rates and charges set forth in this chapter, is the same as for the rates and charges for water consumption, including application of the lien laws, and the cutting off of water service to force payment of sewerage charges as provided by the laws of the State of Washington (RCW 35.21.290 and 35.21.300). [Ord. 118 § 46, 1971].

13.20.470 Violators liable to Town.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the Town for any expense, loss or damage occasioned by the Town by reason of such violation. [Ord. 118 § 47, 1971].

13.20.480 Water-sewer fund.

All revenues from sewer or water systems will remain in a water-sewer fund to discharge obligations or to finance expansion until sewer service is available to the entire Town. [Ord. 118 § 48, 1971].