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(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)
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The Wastewater System Operator shall have control and general supervision of all public sewers and service connections in the city, and shall be responsible for administering the provisions of this chapter to the end that a proper and efficient public sewer is maintained. The authorized representative may delegate responsibilities to designated representatives.
(Ord. 89, passed 11-22-94)
(A) The Wastewater System Operator or other duly authorized employee of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, testing, repair, and maintenance pertinent to the discharges to the city’s sewer system in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Industrial users shall be required to provide information concerning industrial processes which have a direct bearing on the type and source of discharge to the collection system. An industry may withhold information considered confidential. However, the industry must establish that the information in question might result in an advantage to competitors and that the industrial process does not have deleterious results on the treatment process.
(C) The Wastewater System Operator or other duly authorized employee of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the city holds a duly negotiated easement for the purposes of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any portion of the wastewater facilities lying within the easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on the easement shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved.
(Ord. 89, passed 11-22-94)
(A) Upon determination that a user has violated or is violating applicable provisions of this chapter or a related permit, the city may issue a notice of violation. Within 30 days of notification, the violator shall submit to the city an adequate explanation for the violation and a plan for the correction and prevention of such occurrences, including specific actions required. Submission of such a plan in no way relieves the violator of liability for any violations occurring before or after the notice of violation.
(B) Any violation shall be punished by a fine as provided in § 51.99. Such fines may be added to the user’s next sewer service charge, and will hence be subject to the same collection regulations as specified § 51.68. Users desiring to dispute a fine must file a request for the city to reconsider within 30 days of the issuance of the fine. If the city believes that the request has merit, a hearing on the matter shall be convened within 30 days of receipt of the request.
(C) To collect delinquent sewer service charge accounts, the city may file a civil action or levy a lien against the violator. The violator shall also be responsible for payment of the city’s attorney fees and expenses incurred. The violator shall be liable for interest on all balances at a rate of 18% annually.
(D) Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the city for any
expense, loss, or damage occasioned by the city by reason of such violation, including attorney fees and court costs.
(Ord. 89, passed 11-22-94)
(A) Any violation of this chapter is subject to a fine not exceeding $700. Each day in which a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. 59, passed 5-14-85; Am. Ord. 89, passed 11-22-94)