(A) General criteria for sanitary sewer extensions. Applications for extension of sanitary sewer service will generally be approved after the Director has determined that the extension will meet the following applicable criteria:
(1) An adequate receiving sewer is available.
(2) The proposed extension of a gravity line can be constructed to the necessary grade for permitting proper rate of gravity flow and at the same time provide adequate service to the abutting property.
(3) The proposed extension will meet all other specifications and requirements of the overall sanitary sewer system and terms of this chapter can and will be met.
(4) The proposed extension will be feasible from the standpoint of installation costs and revenue production in that the costs are reasonable and bear a proper relationship to anticipated revenues to be derived therefrom.
(B) Sanitary sewer extension into developed areas. Where a majority of property owners with property abutting along a street, road, alley, public way, or easement make application for an extension of a sanitary sewer or sewers to serve their premises, the Department of Engineering and Utilities may cause such installation to be made under one of the following plans for payment thereof:
(1) Benefitted property owners pay into an escrow fund an amount equal to the total estimated cost of installation, prior to beginning of construction. At completion of construction, when actual costs are known, the escrow account shall be adjusted either up or down, whichever case may apply, and the actual cost turned over to the Department of Engineering and Utilities.
(2) The installation be made on an assessment basis under one or more of the available Kentucky Revised Statutes for such public improvements. Provided, however, that the extension applied for is capable of receiving the discharge from affected premises by gravity flow and that all local and state plumbing and sanitation requirements can be met, as well as those contained in this chapter. Such determination shall be made by the Director or person or persons designated by him or her.
(3) (a) Sanitary sewer collector line(s) may be extended to structures existing within the corporate limits of Ashland prior to November 1, 1988, on a cost sharing basis between the property owner and the city. Under this cost sharing plan, the city will provide at no cost to the property owner, all city labor costs and all city equipment costs where it is possible to have city work forces complete the installation of sewer collector line(s). The city will also share the material and out-of-pocket costs on a 50/50 basis to a maximum of $1,500 for each primary structure receiving a sewer service connection, provided the sewer collector line(s) can be installed by city work forces.
(b) Should the construction of said sewers require installation by an outside (non-city) contractor, the city would share the contract on a 50/50 basis to a maximum of $2,500 for each primary structure receiving a sewer connection.
(c) The installation of wastewater grinder pumps are a permitted use under the city’s cost sharing plan subject to the following provisions:
1. The wastewater grinder pump and related equipment shall be specified and selected by the Director.
2. The city and/or its subcontractor shall be responsible for the installation of all waste grinder pumps.
3. Once installed and approved by the Director, all grinder pumps shall be transferred to the property owner by written agreement, for ownership, operation and maintenance. All grinder pumps shall be warranted for one year from the date of installation.
(C) Sanitary sewers extensions into undeveloped areas.
(1) A subdivider or developer of a defined undeveloped area may file an application for installation of sanitary sewers in such area. There shall be filed with the Department a plat of the area, approved and accepted by the city as a new development showing all streets, roads, and alleys. Either on the plat or in a separate submission, information shall be furnished to show which parts have been zoned or designated for industrial, commercial, or residential development.
(2) From information furnished, the Director will make or cause a study to be made, at the applicant’s expense of the various elements of construction necessary to make the extensions a workable part of the existing sewage works. Included in this study will be an estimate of cost of all direct and related charges of the extension or extensions. Upon completion of the study, if the Director determines that the project is feasible, it may cause the construction to be accomplished under either of the following plans as agreed to by the city and the subdivider or developer:
(a) 1. Full cost of the installation to be borne by the subdivider or developer under whatever terms may be included in a contract by and between the city and the subdivider or developer.
2. Installations under this procedure may be planned and constructed by either party to the contract, provided that, should the subdivider or developer make or contract for the installation, it shall be his responsibility to see that the work conforms to the city’s currently effective specifications for sanitary sewer construction. In order to ensure compliance with the said specifications, it shall be his or her responsibility to pay the cost of providing a sufficient inspection during construction. Completed facilities must meet the required performance tests, including maximum infiltration limits and a complete reproducible set of record drawings, prior to acceptance by the city.
(b) Full cost of the installation to be paid for on an assessment basis under one or more of the available Kentucky Revised Statutes. Under this plan, construction would necessarily be accomplished or contracted for by the city. The applicable connection charge shall be in addition to the actual construction cost, and all sewers and related items up to the property lines or on any city easement shall be the city’s property.
(D) Sanitary sewer extensions outside Ashland corporate limits.
(1) The installation, construction, or extension of sewers outside the corporate limits of the city and the connection or extension of sewers into the city’s sewerage system, by or from properties located outside such limits shall be prohibited, except as recommended by the Director of Engineering and Utilities and approved by the Board of Commissioners of the city by duly enacted ordinance.
(2) (a) If the city, through its Department of Engineering and Utilities, accepts applications for and per its construction of sanitary sewer facilities beyond its corporate limits under the same terms and conditions as stated herein for installation within its corporation boundaries, each sewer user shall enter into a written contract with the city agreeing to pay a continuing charge for sanitary sewer service pursuant to the city’s adopted fee schedule. A sewer connection charge for each connection outside the corporate limits, as established by ordinance, shall be paid in addition to cost of constructing required facilities.
(b) The Ashland City Commission reserves the right and privilege to grant or withhold approval of such extensions except in the approved 201 planning area as required by EPA grant conditions.
(E) City’s maintenance responsibilities.
(1) Within the corporate limits of Ashland, the city shall operate and maintain all sewer mains and pump stations that have been dedicated to, and accepted by, the Ashland City Commission. The city’s maintenance responsibilities shall be limited to that portion of sewer line located within the dedicated and accepted street right-of-way. The city shall also maintain sewer lines located within all recorded utility easements.
(2) In cases where street rights-of-way have been dedicated for public use but not accepted by the city, the city shall consider the entire street right-of-way as the utility easement where city maintained sewer lines exist. Any repairs within said street right-of-way shall be restored to their original condition. In areas outside the corporate limits of Ashland, the city shall operate and maintain all sewer lines approved by the Ashland City Commission. No sewer lines, pump stations or related appurtenances shall be constructed in any undedicated street until such street has been approved and accepted by the proper authorities having jurisdiction.
(F) Owner’s maintenance responsibility.
(1) It shall be the owner’s, or applicant’s, responsibility to furnish, install and maintain the private sewer lateral from the building to the point of connection to the city’s sewer system. However, in the event of a blockage in the private sewer lateral, it shall be the owner’s responsibility to remove said blockage and rod the lateral line to the city’s main collector or trunk line, if possible. It is clearly the owner’s sole responsibility for all maintenance on private property.
(2) In cases where privately installed sewer mains have been constructed in a substandard manner and do not comply with city specifications, that portion(s) of sewer main shall be considered private lines and the city shall not be responsible for any maintenance. A list of private sewers, where they are known, shall be kept on file in the office of the Director of Engineering and Utilities.
(Ord. 62-2012, passed 8-16-12)