(A) Prohibited water. From and after the passage and publication of this subchapter, as provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons directly or indirectly, to drain, discharge, or cause to be drained or discharged any storm water, surface water, or ground water from cisterns, or from roof drains, basement drains, or sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system of the city.
(B) Nonconforming connections to be disconnected. From and after the passage and publication of this subchapter as provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, directly or indirectly, to continue the drainage of waters from cisterns, roof drains and sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system in the city, and all such person or persons, from and after the effective date of this subchapter shall forthwith disconnect all cisterns, roof drains, basement drains, and sump pumps now connected to the sanitary sewer system.
(C) Method of sump pump drainage. All dwellings and other buildings and structures which require, because of the infiltration of water into basements, crawl spaces and the like, 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 otherwise provided herein. A permanent installation shall be one which provides for year-round discharge capability to either the outside of the dwelling, building or structure, or to the storm sewer system. Unless directly connected to the storm sewer system by an underground tile or line system, or some other verifiable means, it shall consist of a discharge line which shall be constructed with rigid pipe (plastic, copper, galvanized or black pipe) one inch inside diameter minimum with a union or other approved coupling for easy disconnection for repair or replacement. The discharge line shall protrude to the outside to a permanently drilled hole or opening, and shall extend at least three feet outside of the foundation wall of the dwelling, building or other structure with a hose connection. The line leading from the sump pump shall have a connection on the outside of the dwelling, building or structure which shall prevent it from being pulled back in through the hole. There shall also be allowed an additional connection to be installed at the pump for connection of a secondary line to discharge into the sanitary sewer system, but such secondary discharge line capable of discharging directly into the sanitary sewer system shall be used only after a waiver has been obtained pursuant to division (E), and only according to the terms of the waiver.
(D) Enforcement. The Building Inspector and other authorized employees of the city, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall at reasonable times be permitted to enter upon all properties connected to the sanitary sewer system for the purpose of an inspection and observation, to determine whether the requirements of this subchapter are being complied with.
(E) Appeals to City Council.
(1) Wavers. The City Council shall have the power and duty of hearing and deciding requests for waivers from the applicability of the provisions of this subchapter where strict enforcement would cause undue hardship because of circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration. Before applying for a waiver, a property owner shall have discussed his or her hardship with the City Clerk.
(2) Procedure. Application for waivers pursuant to this subchapter shall be addressed in writing to the City Clerk. The applications shall at a minimum identify the property for which the waiver is being applied for, the name of the property owner/applicant, and describe in detail what characteristics of the subject property create an undue hardship. Upon receipt of the written application for waiver, the City Clerk shall place the matter on the City Council meeting agenda when the applicant can be in attendance. Within a reasonable time after the City Council meeting, the City Council shall make its order deciding on the matter and serve a copy of such order upon the applicant by mail. Upon approval of an application for a waiver, a property owner shall be allowed to temporarily pump directly into the sanitary sewer system during such fixed times as determined by the City Council, and only according to the terms of said waiver and provided the applicant agrees to pay an additional fee for sanitary sewer service as set forth elsewhere in this subchapter. The beginning and ending of such time of temporary pumping into the sanitary sewer system by a holder of a waiver shall be given by mailed notice to each owner or occupant of the premises for which the written waiver has been issued.
(3) Additional fees for property owners granted waivers. Upon approval of an application for waiver, the applicant agrees to pay an additional fee for sanitary sewer service at a rate to be set from time to time by the City Council.
(Ord. 59, passed 5-14-85)