(A) It is the policy of the City of Asheboro to utilize and construct conventional gravity sewer systems in combination with pumping stations and wet wells. All new development proposals shall adhere to this design requirement. In the sole discretion of the City Council, a waiver from this requirement may be granted by the City Council when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the governing board that a low pressure sewer system should be used to solve wastewater disposal problems for an existing development because, in the sole judgment of the City Council, a gravity sewer system with pumping stations is not a feasible solution to the wastewater disposal problem.
(B) The provisions of this chapter pertaining to the municipal sanitary sewer system have been enacted in order to create a regulatory framework that addresses the requirements of a conventional gravity sewer system. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the provisions of this chapter shall be applied to the fullest extent possible to properly authorized low pressure sewer systems that are operated and controlled by the city. If a conflict develops between the provisions of this section and any other provision in this chapter, the regulation prescribed by this section shall be the controlling authority in cases where a low pressure sewer system is at issue.
(C) Within an existing development that has been approved by the City Council for a low pressure sewer system, the owner of a lot may connect to the city maintained low pressure sewer system only after applying for and receiving a sewer service connection permit from the City of Asheboro Engineering Department. In order to properly apply for such a permit, the property owner must complete an application packet developed by the city and available in the Engineering Department. This packet shall include, by way of illustration and not limitation, an application form and an easement agreement granting a sewer easement to the city over an area described by metes and bounds on a plat of survey procured at the applicant's expense. This executed easement is needed in order to provide city personnel and/or contractors with lawful authorization to enter the lot to install and maintain the needed infrastructure. Once all of the requested information is completed, executed, submitted and accepted by the Engineering Department, a sewer service connection permit will be issued. The city, and only the city or its contractors, will perform the installation of the grinder pump station as a turnkey job.
(D) The sewer service connection permit will not be issued until a fee of $8,000 is paid to the city in order to reimburse the city for costs associated with the city's installation of a grinder pump station and other infrastructure needed to connect the applicant's structure to the low pressure sewer system. After the installation is complete, a $20 maintenance fee will be added as a surcharge to the customer's monthly water/sewer bill, and this monthly surcharge is to be paid in addition to any other charges that appear on the customer's bill in accordance with the provisions found in other sections of this chapter. The monthly revenue realized from the surcharge imposed on every customer served by the low pressure sewer system will be placed in a Grinder Pump Maintenance Reserve Fund that shall be used exclusively for paying costs associated with the repair and maintenance of the low pressure sewer system.
(E) In addition to the sewer main, the section of the low pressure sewer system that will be maintained by the city includes the small diameter force main from the street right-of-way line to the grinder pump wet well, the grinder pump, valves and valve boxes on the small diameter force main, the grinder pump electrical panel, and associated appurtenances. However, the gravity service line from the structure to the grinder pump wet well, electrical connections to the grinder pump panel, and any generators connected to the grinder pump power supply are not included with the city-provided maintenance program. These non-covered items are the sole responsibility of the property owner.
(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, customers shall be subject to the following rules and regulations pertaining to negligence or misuse of the system/infrastructure:
(1) The customer shall bear the full cost of repairs to the grinder pump and the associated infrastructure that is attributable to negligence or misuse on the part of the customer. Negligence or misuse includes, by way of illustration and not limitation, the placing of the following items in the sewer system:
(a) Glass;
(b) Metal;
(c) Gravel, sand (including aquarium stone), and coffee grinds;
(d) Seafood shells;
(e) Socks, rags, or cloths;
(f) Plastic;
(g) Sanitary napkins or tampons;
(h) Disposable diapers;
(i) Kitty litter;
(j) Explosives;
(k) Flammable materials;
(l) Lubricating oil, grease, cooking oil, paint;
(m) Strong chemicals;
(n) Gasoline or diesel fuel; and
(o) Stormwater runoff.
(2) When a customer engages in negligence or misuse of the grinder pump, and the city or its contractor has to repair the resulting damage, the full cost of such repairs shall be billed to the customer as a charge on the next monthly water/sewer bill. Such a charge is subject to collection in the same manner as any other charge invoiced on a customer's bill for services rendered by the city's water/sewer utility.
(Ord. 36 ORD 6-10, passed 6-24-10; Am. Ord. 17 ORD 6-15, passed 6-29-15; Am. Ord. 36 ORD 6-22, passed 6-28-22)