(A) Connection to the main sewers or laterals must be made into a “Y” branch. Where no branch is available within a reasonable distance, a “Y” branch shall be inserted in the sewer line. In no case shall connection to any sewer of 12-inch diameter or less be made except into a “Y” branch fitting. Where a sewer is tapped, a commercial saddle type clamp shall be used. Sewers shall not be tapped below the centerline of the pipe, and all tapes shall be inspected and meet with the approval of the City Engineer. No connection of downspouts, roofs and foundation drains or other clean water sources shall be allowed to any city sewer collection lines. Any such connections that are found to exist shall be immediately disconnected from the sewer system at the owner’s expense.
(B) Service laterals from a structure to the main sewer line shall be maintained by the owner of the structure in such a manner as to prevent infiltration of groundwater into the collection system and leakage from the system into the surrounding ground.
(C) Infiltration and inflow:
(1) All property owners identified by the city as contributors to excessive or improper infiltration or inflow into the treatment works shall be advised of their infiltration and inflow problems.
(2) All such situation properties shall have 180 days for cleaning and testing and an additional 180 days for repairs as provided in § 52.030 Testing of Sewer Laterals. Additionally, a hardship may be applied for in accordance with § 52.030 Testing of Sewer Laterals, which may provide additional days.
(3) All such situation properties requiring cleaning and testing shall have 180 days to complete the work. Each property owner shall notify the city that the cleaning and testing has been completed, and the results of the testing in accordance with § 52.030 Testing of Sewer Laterals.
(4) All such situation properties requiring repair or corrective action shall have 180 days to complete the work. Each property owner shall notify the city that corrective actions have been taken, and the action taken shall be specified in the notification to the city.
(5) A property owner failing to notify the city of corrective actions by the end of the 180 days for repairs shall be subject to termination of service, without further notice, and water service, if provided by the city, shall be immediately discontinued and shut off until the violation shall have been corrected in accordance with federal, state and city regulations.
(6) In the event any instance of excessive or improper infiltration or inflow into the treatment works of the city shall continue beyond the 360-day period (the sum of 180 days to clean and test plus 180 days to take corrective action) unless an extension of hardship has been issued, it is hereby declared that such continuing infiltration or inflow is a public nuisance that the city shall have the right to abate such public nuisance, and to enter upon any private property within the city for such purpose and shall assess the cost of such abatement as a lien against the property upon which such continuing infiltration and inflow occurs and shall assess the cost of such abatement to the property upon or from which infiltration and inflow occurs. Such assessment shall be levied by the filing of a statement of such costs together with the description of the property or properties to be assessed, together with the names of the owner(s) thereof with the City Recorder, whereupon the City Recorder shall forthwith enter names of the owner(s) thereof with the City Recorder, whereupon the City Recorder shall forthwith enter such assessment as a lien against such property in the city lien docket. An administration fee or a percentage of the cost, whichever is greater, shall be charged and collected by the city in addition to all costs of abatement. (Note: If liens fall under ballot measure five, assess penalty in some other form.)
(Prior Code, § 52.018) (Ord. 926, passed 8-7-1978; Ord. 959, passed 7-16-1979; Ord. 1047, passed 4-2-1984; Ord. 1334, passed 3-5-2018; Ord. 1353, passed 12-21-2020; Ord. 101623, passed 11-6-2023; Ord. 120423, passed 12-18-2023)