GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 53.01 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   B.O.D. (BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND). The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20°C, expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/l).

   BUILDING SEWER. The extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.

   COMBINED SEWER. A sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.

   GARBAGE. Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.

   INDUSTRIAL WASTES. The liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade, or business as distinct from sanitary sewage. The liquid waste or liquid-borne waste resulting from any commercial, manufacturing, or industrial operation or process.

   INSPECTOR. The person or persons duly authorized by the city, through its City Council, to inspect and approve the installation of building sewers and their connection to the public sewer system.

   NATURAL OUTLET. Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface or groundwater.

   pH. The logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

   PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE. The wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in the public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch in any dimension.

   PUBLIC SEWER. A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.

   SANITARY BUILDING DRAIN. The part of the lowest horizontal piping of the sanitary drainage system inside the walls of any building, which receives the discharge from soil or waste stacks and branches and conveys the same to a point three feet outside the building walls where it connects with its respective building sewer.

   SANITARY SEWAGE. The waste from water closets, urinals, lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, household laundries, basement drains, garage floor drains, bars, soda fountains, cuspidors, refrigerator drips, drinking fountains, stable floor drains, and all other water-carried wastes except industrial wastes.

   SANITARY SEWER. A sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

   SEWAGE. A combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with any ground, surface and stormwaters as may be present.

   SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT. Any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

   SEWAGE WORKS. All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage.

   SEWER. A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

   SLUG. Any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average 24-hour concentration or flows during normal operation.

   STORM DRAIN (STORM SEWER). A sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than unpolluted cooling water.

   SUPERINTENDENT. The Superintendent of the municipal sewage works of the city or his or her authorized deputy, agent, or representative.

   SUSPENDED SOLIDS. 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.

   WATERCOURSE. A channel in which flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

(1985 Code, § 6-7-1) (Ord. 5-1973, passed 11-13-1973; Ord. 9-1984, passed - -1984)

§ 53.02 GENERAL REGULATIONS; SEWER CONNECTION REQUIRED.

   It is unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the city, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste; or to discharge to any natural outlet within the city, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, any sewage or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter. Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage. The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city, is hereby required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect the facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line. Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of this section, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of § 53.03.

(1985 Code, § 6-7-2) (Ord. 5-1973, passed 11-13-1973; Ord. 9-1984, passed - -1984) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 53.03 PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS.

   (A)   Definitions. Terms as used in this section have the same meanings as those ascribed to the terms as defined in § 53.01.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-1)

   (B)   Connection to private system in absence of public sewer. Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provision of this chapter, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-2)

   (C)   Construction permit required; fee; inspection of work. Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent. The application for the permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information as are deemed necessary by the Superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $25 shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed. A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent. He or she shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice by the Superintendent.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-3)

   (D)   Design and layout requirements. The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the State Board of Health. No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities unless written approval by the county Health Officer or authorized assistant is filed with the Superintendent. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-4)

   (E)   Abandonment of private system. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system as provided in this chapter, a direct connection of the building sewer shall be made to the public sewer within 60 days in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned, cleaned of sludge, and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-5)

   (F)   Maintenance of private system. The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-6)

   (G)   Additional powers of Health Officer. No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the Health Officer.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-7)

   (H)   Violations; notice to abate. Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter shall be served by the City Council 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 the notice, permanently cease all violations. For the purposes of administering this section, the Superintendent, the Inspector, or a police officer shall promptly submit to the City Council a report of any person or activity which they believe to be in violation of this chapter, including a statement of the facts and circumstances necessary to substantiate the allegation. The City Council shall direct the Superintendent, Inspector, or police officer, within 48 hours following the expiration of the compliance period stated in the notice, to inspect or otherwise investigate the matter to determine that the violation has been corrected and has ceased.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-8)

   (I)   Penal liability. If the City Council finds that any person has continued any violation beyond the time limit provided for in the notice, the City Council shall issue or cause to be issued and served upon the violator a citation for violation of this chapter. Any violator on conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount as set forth in § 10.99. Each day in which any such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition, any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned the city by reason of the violation.

(1985 Code, § 4-1-9)

(Ord. 5-1973, passed 11-13-1973; Ord. 9-1984, passed - -1984; Ord. 12-1984, passed - -1984) Penalty, see § 10.99

CONNECTION, USE, AND DISCHARGE OF WASTES

§ 53.15 CONNECTION PERMIT AND FEE; COSTS OF INSTALLATION; INDEMNIFICATION OF CITY.

   (A)    No authorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Utility Department. The owner or his or her agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Inspector.

   (B)   There shall be six classes of building sewer permits based upon the size of metered water service. All charges shall be paid by the owner within the city to the Utility Department at the time the application is filed. The charges paid by all owners within the city and out of the city shall be as follows:

 

Meter Size
5/8-inch to 3/4-inch water meter	$3,350
1-inch water meter	$8,576
1 and 1/2-inch water meter	$19.296
2-inch water meter	$34,308
4-inch water meter	$137,216
6-inch water meter	$308,736

 

   (C)   Where the premises will discharge sewage in addition to its metered water service or from a source other than a metered water service, the building permit fee shall be the same as for a water meter size which generally produces a comparable volume and rate of discharge.

(1985 Code, § 6-7-3)

   (D)   All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

(1985 Code, § 6-7-4)

(Ord. 5-1973, passed 11-13-1973; Ord. 9-1984, passed - -1984; Ord. 8-1996, passed 5-15-1996; Ord. 2003-12, passed 12-29-2003; Ord. 2004-11, passed 11-10-2004; Ord. 2006-2, passed 8-30-2006; Ord. 2008-5, passed 12-10-2008; Ord. 2018-9, passed 11-14-2018) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 53.16 BUILDING SEWER DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.

   Building sewers must be designed, constructed, and installed in accordance with the following regulations.

   (A)   A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to 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 building sewer.

   (B)   Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the Inspector, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

   (C)   The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer, and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing, and backfilling the trench, shall all conform to the requirements of other applicable rules and regulations of the city. In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and W.P.C.F. Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply.

   (D)   Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an evaluation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by the building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.

   (E)   No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

   (F)    The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of other applicable rules and regulations of the city, or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and the W.P.C.F. Manual of Practice No. 9. All the connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the Superintendent before installation. A clean-out at the right-of-way shall be provided.

   (G)   The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Inspector when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Inspector or his or her representative.

   (H)   All excavations for building sewer installation 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 city.

   (I)   Grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, or other harmful ingredients; except that the interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Superintendent, and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

   (J)   Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his or her expense.

   (K)   When required by the Superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole together with the necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. The manhole, when required, 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 or her expense, and shall be maintained by him or her so as to be safe and accessible at all times. All costs for testing shall be at the owner’s expense.

(1985 Code, § 6-7-5) (Ord. 5-1973, passed 11-13-1973; Ord. 9-1984, passed - -1984; Ord. 2018-9, passed 11-14-2018) Penalty, see § 10.99