(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant, or user of any premises to direct into or allow any stormwater, surface water, ground water, or water from air conditioning systems to drain into the sanitary sewer system of the city. This includes water from any roof, surface or ground sump pump, foundation drain, or swimming pool. Dwellings and other buildings and structures which require a sump pump system to discharge excess water shall have a permanently-installed discharge line which shall not at any time discharge water into the sanitary sewer system except as provided herein.
(B) A permanent installation shall be one which provides for year-around discharge capability to either the outside of the dwelling, building, or structure, or is connected to the city storm sewer system or discharges to the street. It shall consist of a rigid discharge line without valving or quick connections for altering the path of discharge and include a check valve if connected to the city storm sewer line.
(1) Inspection. Every person owning improved real estate that discharges into the city sanitary sewer system shall allow an employee of the city or their designated representative to inspect the buildings to confirm that there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharge into the sanitary sewer system. Properties found to be in compliance will receive a certificate of compliance at the time of inspection.
(2) Non-compliance. Within 30 days of initial inspection, any person, firm, or corporation having a roof, surface or ground sump pump, foundation drain, or swimming pool and/or discharging into the sanitary sewer system shall disconnect and/or remove same. Any disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer shall be closed or repaired in an effective and workmanlike manner in accordance with § 50.13. Any person refusing to allow his or her property to be inspected shall immediately become subject to the surcharge hereinafter provided for. Any property found to violate this section shall make the necessary changes to comply with this section within 30 days of the initial inspection.
(3) Future inspections. At any future time, the city may conduct random inspections if the city has reason to suspect that an illegal connection exists on a property to ensure compliance with this section.
(4) New construction. A sump pump and rigid pipe discharge connection to the outside shall be required on all new construction within the city where a ground water drainage system is part of the construction plans.
(5) Temporary winter variance (November 1 through March 1). The City Council shall have the power and duty of hearing and deciding requests for temporary variances from the applicability of the provisions of this section where strict enforcement would cause undue hardship because of circumstances unique to the individual property or cause a safety problem. This does not apply to monetary hardship. Application for a temporary waiver should be addressed in writing to the City of Monticello, Director of Public Works. The applications shall identify the property for which the variance is being applied for, the name of the property owner/applicant, and describe in detail what characteristics of the subject property create undue hardship or concern. Within 30 days after application, the city shall make its order deciding on the matter and serve a copy of the order upon the applicant by mail. Upon receipt of an application for variance, the city will allow the property owner to temporarily discharge directly into the sanitary sewer system. Employees of the city will divert the discharge and seal the connection of the discharge to the sanitary sewer using a meter seal. The cost for the connection to the sanitary sewer and subsequent removal will be noted in the fee schedule ordinance. Additionally, the applicant will be responsible for the cost to transport and treat the added flow to the sanitary sewer at the established city rate. The total flow for the period of the variance will be monitored by the city.
(6) Single-family unit surcharge. A surcharge of $75 per month is hereby imposed and added to every sewer billing to property owners who are not in compliance with this section within 30 days of initial inspection. This surcharge is in addition to any other penalties that may be incurred under this subchapter. Should a single-family unit property owner found to be in compliance with this section and during a subsequent inspection found to have reconnected an illegal source to the sanitary sewer, the surcharge as listed in the fee schedule ordinance will be applied for all months between the previous two inspections.
(7) Non single-family unit surcharge. A surcharge as listed in the fee schedule ordinance is hereby imposed and added to every sewer billing to property owners who are not in compliance with this section within 30 days of initial inspection. This surcharge is in addition to any other penalties that may be incurred under this subchapter. Should a non single-family unit property owner found to be in compliance with this section and during a subsequent inspection found to have reconnected an illegal source to the sanitary sewer, the surcharge as listed in the fee schedule ordinance will be applied for all months between the previous two inspections.
(Prior Code, § 7-2-15) (Ord. 271, passed 6-12-1995) Penalty, see § 50.99