For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Words and terms used in this chapter which are not included in this section shall be interpreted in accordance with standard reference books, such as dictionaries and engineering texts and technical papers, as expanded by accepted local usage. In the event of conflict between any portion of a definition in this section and any other reference, the definition herein shall govern insofar as interpretations and applications of the provisions of this chapter are concerned.
BOD. Biochemical Oxygen Demand of a liquid sample. The BOD of the sample is the concentration, in parts per million, of oxygen which will be utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter in the sample, when subjected to a standard laboratory procedure test for five days at a temperature of 200° C.
BUSINESS UNIT. A physically separated, identifiable non-dwelling unit serviced by one water meter.
CITY. City of Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Florida.
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER. A non-governmental customer that is neither a residential customer nor an industrial customer.
CONNECTION CHARGE. A charge which a developer shall be required to pay for the privilege of connecting to an overall city utility system. There shall be a separate connection charge for each system, as described in the appropriate article of this chapter. The connection charge is not a revenue of the system. It is a reimbursement to the city of the developer’s share of the costs incurred by the city in providing the major portions of the overall system, as identified by a master plan for the system. Connection charges shall be paid at the time a property first connects to the city’s utility systems. In most cases, these will be one-time charges. However, if a property owner subsequently applies for a Building Permit for new or revised construction on his property, there may be additional connection charges. At the time of application for the new building permit, the city shall compute what the total connection charges would be if the revised property were applying for initial connections to the systems. If the computed charges are higher than the total connection charges previously paid, then the property owner shall be required to pay new connection charges, equal to the difference. If the computed charges are equal to, or less than, those previously paid, there will be no requirement for new charges, or a refund.
CONSTRUCTION CHARGE. A one-time charge which a developer might be required to pay for the privilege of connecting to a sub-portion of a city utility system, located between the owner’s property and the portion of the system identified in a city master plan. When required, a construction charge shall be intended as reimbursement of the developer’s share of the costs
of constructing the applicable sub-portion of the utility system. In each case, the magnitude and distribution of the construction charge shall have been previously established in one or more developer’s agreement between the city and a previous developer, who paid the costs of constructing the sub-portion. Construction charges received by the city from the future developers are used by the city to reimburse the original developer for that portion of the construction costs considered to be for oversized facilities, as defined in this section.
CUSTOMER. The owner of the property or an individual or corporate entity authorized by the owner to open the utility account.
DEVELOPER. Owner of a development, as defined in this section. If an agent of the owner has the full legal authority to negotiate with the city for connection to the city’s utility services, then the agent shall be considered as the developer.
DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT. A written agreement entered into between the city and a developer, if funding of the construction of some of the mains of a utility service to serve a development entails the use of special procedures. If used, it shall be negotiated between the developer and the City Manager, or his representative, and shall be accepted by the city by resolution of the City Commission. As a minimum, a developer’s agreement shall be required whenever all of the following conditions apply:
(1) The development cannot proceed unless there is some construction of new mains for a public utility system.
(B) The developer is to contribute some or all of the cost of the construction of those mains, either by constructing them himself and then giving title to the city, or by paying some or all of the construction costs incurred by others.
(C) The mains being constructed:
(1) Either are in a portion of the system identified in a master plan, and the value of the developer’s contribution to construction costs will be larger than the required connection charge;
(2) Or include one or more oversized facilities in a sub-portion of the utility system to be situated between the individual lots of the development and the portion of the system identified in the master plan.
(D) The city has determined that future developments will benefit from the current construction and, because of the current developer’s excess contribution, he will be entitled to some reimbursement from the future developments, either from their required connection charges or from special construction charges established in the developer’s agreement.
DEVELOPMENT. A parcel of land, regardless of size or location, which is proposed for development to the extent that utility services will be required, and for which one or more of the proposed lots will not be able to receive adequate utility service unless one or more new utility mains and/or service laterals are constructed.
DWELLING UNIT. Any collection of one or more rooms which includes at least one bathroom and which normally either is used to provide overnight lodging for only the owner and his immediate family, or is offered as a unit for overnight lodging of others. If a collection of rooms is capable of being offered to the public both as a single unit and as several individual units, then each of the individual units shall be considered a dwelling unit.
ENGINEER. For purposes of this chapter, ENGINEER shall mean either the consulting engineering firm engaged by the city for engineering services related to utilities, or an employee of that firm who is registered to practice engineering in the state.
EPA. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency responsible for regulation of sewage treatment and disposal, and for issuance of federal grants to aid in construction of sewage facilities.
EPA INDUSTRIAL USER. An industrial customer of the city’s sewer system meeting one of the following criteria, as defined in Federal Regulations 40 CFR 35.905;
(1) Any non-governmental, non-residential customer meeting both of the following:
(a) Performs an activity identified in the Federal Standard Classification Manual, 1972, OMB (as amended and supplemented) in either Division A, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing; or Division B, Mining; or Division D, Manufacturing; or Division E, Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, Sanitary Services; or Division I, Services.
(b) Discharges into the city’s system non-domestic/ non-sanitary sewage either which exceed 25,000 gallons per day (gpd) of total flow, or which contain an equivalent weight of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) or Suspended Solids (SS) in excess of the BOD or SS found in 25,000 gpd of sanitary wastes containing 300 PPM of BOD and 300 PPM of SS.
(2) Any non-governmental customer that discharges into the city’s system sewage which contain toxics or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in sufficient quantity (either singly or by interaction with other wastes) to contaminate the sludge of any municipal systems or to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process; or which constitutes a hazard to humans or animals, or creates a public nuisance, or creates any hazard in or has an adverse effect on the waters receiving any discharge from the city’s system.
(3) Non-applicable.
EPA MAJOR CONTRIBUTING INDUSTRY. A customer of the city’s sewer system that is an “EPA Industrial User” and that meets one of the following additional criteria, as defined in Federal Regulations 40 CFR 128.124:
(1) Average work day discharge equal to or greater than 50,000 gpd.
(2) Average work day discharge greater than 5% of the average daily flow treated by the treatment plant receiving the city’s flows (presently the City of Hollywood Wastewater Treatment Plant).
(3) Discharge contains a toxic pollutant in toxic amounts, as defined in standards issued under Section 307(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-500).
EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL CONNECTION (ERC). A unit of measure used to identify the annual average water consumption or sewer generation for an average customer in each of the various categories of customer of the city’s utilities. One ERC is defined to be 300 gallons per day.
ERC values for various structures shall be calculated based on the design flow established by the Broward County Code of Ordinance Chapter 27 Article V, Section 201(a)(3), as may be amended from time to time. The design flow for sewer generation shall be considered equal to water consumption. ERC values for industrial customers shall be determined by the city on a case-by-case basis.
FIRE FLOW. The rate of flow and pressure necessary to provide an adequate capability to fight a fire. Wherever possible there should be two or more primary feeders from a point of supply which may be tapped with a line size capable of delivering the fire flow needed to that specific area of the city wherein the outlet is located. The magnitudes required for an adequate capability are dependent upon many factors. It is the intention that the city’s water distribution system be capable of delivering a fire flow equal to the flow calculated in accordance with the “Fire Suppression Rating Schedule”, by insurance service office in effect at the time of installation.
FIXTURE UNIT. A measure of the instantaneous rate of flow normally required by a particular type of plumbing fixture. The sum of the fixture units of all plumbing fixtures in a building is a measure of the total water used by that building. From time to time, the city will analyze available consumption data and establish a list of fixture unit values for various types of plumbing fixtures. The current values authorized for use in connection with this chapter are:
Type Fixture | Fixture Units |
Bathtub (with or without overhead shower) | 2 |
Bidet | 1 |
Dental unit or cuspidor | 1 |
Dental lavatory | 1 |
Drinking fountain | ½ |
Dishwasher domestic | 2 |
Floor drains | 3 |
Lavatory Small P.O. | 1 |
Lavatory Large P.O. | 2 |
Lavatory, barber, beauty parlor | 2 |
Laundry tray (1 or 2 compartments) | 2 |
Shower stall, domestic | 2 |
Showers (group) per head sinks | 3 |
Combination sink-and-tray | 3 |
Kitchen sink, domestic | 2 |
Flushing rim sink (with valve) | 8 |
Pedicure chair | 2 |
Pot. scullery, etc., sink | 4 |
Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set of faucets | 1 |
Urinal, wall | 4 |
Urinal stall, washout | 4 |
Water closet, tank operated | 4 |
Automatic clothes washer, (commercial) | 4 |
FRONTAGE. If a parcel of land abuts only one public right-of-way, and the property line at that right-of-way is composed only of one or more straight lines, then the total length of the abutting property line is the frontage of the property. If a portion of the abutting property line is composed of an arc, then
the frontage of that portion shall be measured along lines tangent to the arc. If a parcel abuts two different rights-of-way, then the frontage shall be the shorter of the two. The frontage of a parcel having any other relationship to rights-of-way is defined to be equal to the square root of the total square foot area of the parcel.
GPD. Gallons per day.
GPM. Gallons per minute.
INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMER. A customer that obtains a utility service for the purpose of manufacturing, producing, assembling or processing one or more products, and; either the average quantity of service required for that purpose exceeds 20,000 gallons per day; or the type of sewage generated by that purpose, prior to any pretreatment, is such that without pretreatment the conditions of division (2) of EPA INDUSTRIAL USER, as defined herein, would be applicable.
LINE. See MAIN.
MAIN. The terms MAIN, LINE and PIPE shall be used interchangeably. The following are some of the types referred to in this chapter:
(1) Gravity Main: A pipe in a sewer system in which flow is caused by force of gravity.
(2) Force Main: A pipe in a sewer system in which flow is caused by the force of one or more pumps.
(3) Distribution Main: Any pipe in a water system by which water is carried from the treatment plant to one or more water service laterals.
(4) Looped Main: A water distribution main which has both of its ends connected to one or more other distribution mains.
MASTER PLAN. A planning document adopted by the city as a guide to expansion of the major portions of a utility system, in order to satisfy projected future needs for service. The city water and sewer systems each have a separate master plan.
(A) The water master plan depicts the sizes and locations of existing and proposed supply and treatment facilities and the approximate sizes and locations of a looped grid of major distribution mains, approximately a mile apart in each direction. Although not depicted in the master plan, it is intended that the city water system also include a system of looped smaller distribution mains interior to each loop depicted in the master plan.
(B) The City of Pembroke Pines has an agreement with the City of Hollywood whereby Pembroke Pines pays Hollywood to receive, treat, and dispose of all Pembroke Pines sewage. The Pembroke Pines Sewer Master Plan depicts a network of major pumping stations and force mains for transmission of sewage to Hollywood. Although not depicted in the master plan, it is intended that the city sewer system also include subsystems of gravity sewers and small pumps and force mains, with each subsystem collecting the sewage from approximately a square mile, and introducing it into the transmission system depicted in the master plan.
METER CHARGE. A charge paid to the city by a developer or property owner as reimbursement to the city for the costs of furnishing and installing the meter and all other facilities at a water service connection, either at the time of initial installation or whenever a change in size or capacity is performed. If the city authorizes a developer to construct a service connection, then acceptance by the city of the completed work shall constitute payment in full of the meter charge, without regard to the magnitude of actual costs incurred by the developer or published schedules of charges.
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNIT. A residential customer that pays a single monthly service charge but provides utilities to two or more residential dwelling units.
OVERSIZED FACILITY. A pipe or pumping facility which satisfies all of the following:
(1) It is constructed in order to serve a new development and is located in a sub-portion of a city utility system which connects the individual lots of the development to a portion of the system indicated in the master plan.
(2) The developer has contributed to its construction, either by constructing it himself or by making total or partial reimbursement of the costs of construction by others.
(3) The city has determined that adequate service to future nearby developments will not be
possible unless the current facility is constructed larger than would be required to serve only the current development. In determining the size that would be required to service only the current development, the city shall use generally accepted design criteria and shall apply all of the provisions of this chapter, such as required minimums, looped distribution mains, fire flows, and the like.
pH. A number, determined by standard laboratory test, which serves as a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liquid.
PLAN REVIEW CHARGES. Charges paid by a developer to defray costs incurred by the city in reviewing utility plans submitted by the developer. Construction plans for all water and sewer facilities to be constructed by the developer between the service connections of his individual lots and the existing city water and sewer mains must be submitted with the application for connection to the city’s utility systems. At that time, the developer shall pay a plan review charge as provided in Ordinance No. 1111, as amended from time to time, as his share of all “normal” plan review costs incurred by the city. “Normal” plan review costs are defined to be all costs associated with: pre-submittal meetings with the city staff and the engineer, the first review of the final plans submitted with the application, the preparation of a letter to the developer itemizing any required plan modifications identified in the first review, and the inspection of a first resubmittal, to verify that the previously identified modifications have been made. “Abnormal” review costs are defined to be any and all review costs that are incurred by the city subsequent to a determination that the first resubmittal has not complied with all requirements identified during the initial plan review. If the city incurs any abnormal plan review costs, the developer shall be required to pay an additional plan review charge in an amount equal to the one-for-one reimbursement of the actual abnormal costs incurred by the city. The additional plan review charge shall be due and payable at the time a final set of construction plans is approved.
PLUMBING. All piping, fittings, and appurtenances on the property owner’s side of the service connection, not including the service connection. All plumbing is to be constructed, owned and maintained by the property owner.
PRE-TREATMENT. Any chemical, biological or physical treatment (other than use of a grease trap) applied to sewage by a customer in order to
reduce an actual or potential adverse impact upon the sewer system or public health and safety.
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER. A customer that utilizes utility services for one or more dwelling units.
SANITARY SEWAGE. That type of sewage normally originating from dwelling units. That is, sewage generated by bathrooms, preparation and serving of food for family consumption, and laundry in family-size loads. Sewage introduced into the city sewer system by a commercial or industrial customer shall be considered to be sanitary sewage only if its potential as a hazard to public health and safety or as an adverse impact upon the sewer system and/or the sewer treatment processes is similar to, or less severe than that caused by sewage normally originating from dwelling units. The following are some, but not necessarily all, of the criteria which shall be used in identifying sanitary sewage. If any one of these criteria is exceeded, then the sewage in question automatically shall be considered as not being sanitary sewage. The potential as a hazard or adverse impact of any characteristic not listed herein shall be determined by the city on a case-by-case basis.
Characteristics | Maximum (or Minimum) For Sanitary Sewage (ppm) |
Characteristics | Maximum (or Minimum) For Sanitary Sewage (ppm) |
BOD | 300 |
Suspended Solids | 300 |
Grease, Fat or Oil | 100 - Instantaneous |
20 - Daily Average | |
Chlorine Demand | 15 |
Surfactants (MBAS) | 2 |
Nitrogen, Total | 35 |
Phosphorus, Total | 10 |
Sulfides | |
Dissolved Oxygen | (Mini 0.2mum 1 ppm) |
pH | 9.5 Maximum |
(5.5 Minimum) | |
Temperature | 150° F. |
Heavy Metals, Phenols, and Other Toxic or Poisonous Substances | Zero |
SECURITY DEPOSIT. A deposit which must be made by each customer to receive any utility service. The purpose of the deposit is to ensure payment of the final bill charges on the account, and/or penalties and payment of any reimbursements to the city for the cost of any repairs to city-owned property which are determined by the city to be the responsibility of the
customer. Whenever any such amounts are due to the city and have not been paid within the prescribed time, service will be shut-off until all amounts due are paid. The required security deposit will be applied towards the final bill charges when the account is closed.
SERVICE CONNECTION. A point at or near the property line at which the property owner’s plumbing is connected to the city’s service lateral. The term SERVICE CONNECTION also includes all city-owned fittings and appurtenances at the point of connection. A water service connection includes the city-owned meter box or vault, together with all of its contents, and any valve and valve box installed immediately adjacent to the public side of the meter box or vault. A sewer service connection includes the fitting to which the owner’s plumbing is connected, the clean-out and plug, and any markings or devices installed as an aid to locating the service connection.
SERVICE LATERAL. A pipe which connects a service connection to a water distribution main or sewer main.
SEWAGE. Liquid wastes and waterborne solid wastes originating from residential commercial or industrial establishments, together with such ground water, surface water or storm drainage as may unintentionally enter into the sewer system.
SEWER OR SEWER SYSTEM. A network of gravity mains, pump stations and force mains used to transport sewage from points of origin to a treatment/disposal plant.
SEWER RESERVED CAPACITY CHARGE. A one-time charge which a developer or property owner shall be required to pay when a property first is connected to the city’s sewer system, in addition to the required sewer connection charge and the sewer construction charge, if required. Commencing in 1975, the city has been required to pay to the city annual “Capital Charges” to reimburse Hollywood for Pembroke Pines’ share of costs to construct Hollywood’s sewer transmission and treatment facilities. The “Capital Charge” includes payment for facilities sufficient to provide the city not only with the then
current needs of the city, but also projected future needs. The sewer reserve capacity charge paid to the city by developers and property owners is intended to reimburse the city for their share of the city’s capital charges payments to Hollywood during the period from January 1, 1975, to the date the property begins to receive city sewer services. The amount of the sewer reserve capacity charge is defined to be: (Number of Months from January 1, 1975, to the date service begins) times (Number of ERC’s in the Development, as defined herein) times (1.75).
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE. A detached single-family home. Also, each one of several single family homes which are attached to each other, or are in the same structure, but which each are billed individually for utility services.
SS or SUSPENDED SOLIDS. Solid particles floating or suspended in a liquid that are removable by laboratory filtration.
STORM DRAIN OR STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM. A system of conduits, open channels and/or sloped ground intended to restrict and/or direct the flow of run-off resulting from rainfall. All run-off from any source, including building roofs and surfaces, shall be directed to a storm drain. There shall be no intentional connections between any storm drain and any sewer, and both type systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained in such a manner as to minimize the likelihood of any unintentional introduction of run-off or ground water into a sewer, and vice versa.
TAPPING CHARGE. A charge paid to the city by a developer or property owner as reimbursement to the city for the costs of furnishing and installing a water or sewer service lateral, and the necessary fittings and valves at the main, either at the time of initial installation or whenever a change in size or capacity is performed. If the city authorizes a developer to construct a service lateral, then acceptance by the city of the completed work shall constitute payment in full of the tapping charge, without regard to the magnitude of actual costs incurred by the developer or published schedules of charges.
(Ord. 1040, passed 6-23-93; Am. Ord. 1326, passed 1-19-00; Am. Ord. 1754, passed 6-19-13; Am. Ord. 1978, passed 11-17-21)