A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this division is to establish the basis for reasonable charges for the cost of collection, transportation and treatment of wastewater.
B. 
Classes of charges. Three classes of wastewater charges shall be established as follows, and "wastewater" shall include wastewater from residential, multifamily, commercial, governmental and industrial classes:
1. 
Treatment rate;
2. 
Transmission and maintenance rate; and
3. 
Flat rate and shall be based on the effective total meter water consumption for the quarter.
C. 
Effective total metered water consumption. The term "effective total metered water consumption" shall mean:
1. 
For quarters one, three and four (billed in April, October and January), the treatment charge and transmission and maintenance charge shall be based on metered water volume for the three-month period beginning December 5 and ending March 5 of each year, which shall be reflected in the April billing unless consumption in any given quarter is lower than the metered water volume established on the April billing;
2. 
For the second quarter (billed in July), the treatment charge and transmission and maintenance charge shall be based on the actual metered water volume for that quarter (March 5 to June 5). In the event that December 5 or March 5 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the following or preceding business day shall be used in lieu of the fifth. If consumption for quarters three or four is lower than the established metered water volume for the December 5 through March 5 period, the metered water volume for that quarter will be used to establish the treatment charge and transmission and maintenance charge for that specific quarter.
Wastewater charges. For new residential and nonresidential class customers in the City of Onalaska that do not have an established sewer value or where the public water supply is not available, and a private water supply is used or where metered records are not available, water usage shall be calculated based on the average sewer value of account classes within the City of Onalaska from the April billing. New residential- or nonresidential-class customers who establish service midquarter will be charged the City average for first quarter or actual consumption, whichever is lower.
D. 
Wastewater charges. The charges for wastewater shall include a quarterly charge consisting of a treatment charge, transmission and maintenance charge and a flat-rate charge. The treatment charge and transmission and maintenance charge shall be based on the effective total metered water consumption.
E. 
Quarterly treatment rate charge.
1. 
A quarterly treatment rate charge shall be assessed each residential- and nonresidential-class customer. The quarterly treatment rate charge is intended to generate sufficient revenues to pay the cost of wastewater treatment by the City of La Crosse and to pay the amortization cost of improvements to the La Crosse Interceptor Sewer System.
2. 
The treatment rate shall be an amount established yearly by the Common Council of the City of Onalaska based upon information provided by the City of La Crosse, which shall be a sufficient amount to cover the annual cost of wastewater treatment and the amortization cost of improvements to the La Crosse Interceptor Sewer System.
3. 
The quarterly treatment rate charge shall be calculated as follows:
a. 
(Treatment rate ÷ 100 cubic feet) × effective total metered water consumption.
F. 
Quarterly transmission and maintenance charge and flat fee.
1. 
The quarterly transmission and maintenance and flat-fee charge is intended to generate sufficient revenues to pay for the cost of operation, maintenance and depreciation of the Onalaska Sanitary Sewer Collection System. The annual operating budget will be estimated prior to each calendar year's operation.
2. 
The transmission rate shall be an amount established yearly by the Common Council of the City of Onalaska, based upon the annual operating expense of Onalaska Sewer Utility.
3. 
The quarterly transmission and maintenance charge shall be calculated as follows:
a. 
(Transmission rate ÷ 100 cubic feet) × effective total metered water consumption.
4. 
The quarterly sewer flat fee shall be determined as follows based upon the size of the meter as established by the Common Council annually, on file in the office of the City Engineer.
5. 
The City shall reserve the right to require a meter for any user.
6. 
Charges for a portion of a billing period shall be prorated by the City.
G. 
Payment of quarterly sewer charges; lien; penalty.
1. 
Wastewater charges shall be payable upon receipt, subject to the provisions of this section.
2. 
Wastewater charges shall not be payable in installments.
3. 
Charges remaining unpaid for a period of 20 days or more from the date of the wastewater utility bill shall be assessed a late payment penalty charge of 3% of the amount billed, in addition to all other charges, penalties or interest, when the delinquent charge is extended upon the tax roll.
4. 
If a charge and/or late penalty remains unpaid for a period of 20 days after the date of the utility bill, such charge and penalty shall become a lien upon the real property to which it applies, as provided in § 66.0809, Wis. Stats., and other applicable provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes, as from time to time amended or renumbered.
5. 
Delinquent charges and penalties shall be automatically extended upon the next available tax roll as a delinquent tax against the real property, and all proceedings relating to the collection, return and sale of property for delinquent real estate taxes shall apply to such charges.
6. 
The City reserves the right to disconnect services pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § PSC 185.37, Wis. Stats., as may be amended.
H. 
Billing schedule. Billing intervals shall be established by the City. If it has been impossible to read the water meter and as a result been overestimated, there shall be no rebate on the sewer bill. No credits shall be given on such estimated bills unless proof is submitted of correctable error and a solution is possible.
I. 
Unknown water leaks. If a leak unknown to the user is found in an appliance or the plumbing, the City use shall be adjusted based on the City's current leak adjustment policy. No such adjustment shall be made for sewer after the customer has been notified and has had an opportunity to correct the condition.
J. 
Special treatment charges. Each user which discharges wastewater other than domestic or discharges toxic pollutants which cause an increase in the cost of managing the collection or treatment systems as determined by the City shall pay for such increased costs.
K. 
Distribution of costs. The costs of operation and maintenance of all flow not directly attributable to users, e.g., infiltration and inflow, shall be distributed among all users on the basis of the flow volume of users.
L. 
Records. The City shall keep the records necessary to comply with applicable state or federal requirements.
A. 
Prohibited discharge. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or any other unaltered water to any sanitary sewer.
B. 
Authority to restrict industrial wastewaters. The City reserves the right to refuse or limit the amount or character of any or all industrial wastewaters from an industry or combination of industries as may be necessary to ensure adequate treatment and proper operation of the public sewer collection system. All users must meet City of La Crosse sewerage rules, regulations, and ordinances for discharge to the La Crosse Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City of La Crosse has the authority to sample discharged sewerage.
C. 
Prohibited substances. No person shall discharge or deposit or cause to allow to be discharged or deposited into the wastewater collection system any wastewater or substances which contain the following:
1. 
Liquids, solids or gases which, by reason of their nature or quantity, may be sufficient, either alone or by interaction with other substances, to cause fire or explosion or be injurious to the wastewater collection system or personnel engaged in the operation, maintenance or repair or monitoring of the same. At no time shall two successive readings on the explosion meter, at the point of discharge into the wastewater collection system, be more than 5% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the meter, nor shall any single reading exceed 10% of the LEL.
2. 
Solid or viscous wastes which will or may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer require excessive cleaning or maintenance or otherwise interfere with the proper operation of the wastewater collection system.
3. 
Garbage that has not been ground or comminuted to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely in suspension under flow conditions normally prevailing in the public sewers, with no particle greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension.
4. 
Noxious or malodorous solids, liquids or gases which, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life, or are or may be sufficient to prevent entry into the wastewater collection system for the purpose of monitoring, maintenance or repair.
5. 
Any waste which will cause corrosion or deterioration of the collection system. All wastes discharged into the wastewater collection system must have a pH value in the range of six standard units to nine standard units at the point of discharge into the wastewater collection system. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, compounds and substances which will react with water to form acidic or alkaline products.
6. 
Wastewater or materials containing fat, wax, oil or grease of a concentration exceeding 100 mg/l, whether emulsified or not, or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 0° C. and 65° C. (32° F. and 150° F.) at the point of discharge into the wastewater collection system.
7. 
Radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration that they do not comply with regulations or orders issued by the appropriate authority having control over their use and which will or may cause damage or hazards to the wastewater collection system or personnel engaged in the operation, maintenance or monitoring of the same.
8. 
Any wastewater or materials not removable by the wastewater treatment process which will cause discoloration of the wastewater treatment plant effluent or treatment residues.
9. 
Heated wastewater in amounts which will cause or is likely to cause deterioration or hazard to the wastewater collection system, personnel engaged in monitoring, maintenance or repair, or inhibit biological activity resulting in loss of treatment efficiency. In no case shall wastewater with a temperature exceeding 40° C. (104° F.) be introduced into the wastewater collection system.
10. 
Any unpolluted water, including, but not limited to, cooling water, rainwater, stormwater, river water or groundwater, which will increase the hydraulic load on the wastewater collection system, except in cases where no prudent and reasonable alternative exists as determined by the City.
11. 
Wastewater at a flow rate or containing such concentrations of pollutants released in a single extraordinary discharge episode such that would cause a wastewater collection system upset and subsequent loss of treatment efficiency or result in the accumulation or production of inert or biological sludges in excess of normal operating removal capability or adversely affect treatment residues, sludges or scums.
12. 
Wastewater discharges, except as authorized by the City, shall not contain in excess of the following:
Parameter
Limitation, Whichever is Greater
(Maximum for any operating day)
Biochemical oxygen demand
500 mg/l or 500 lbs/day
Suspended solids, total
500 mg/l or 250 lbs/day
The City, upon review, may approve discharges in excess of the limits set forth, providing that such discharge has little or no adverse impact on the wastewater treatment operation.
13. 
No holding tank wastes shall be discharged into the wastewater collection system unless a permit has been secured from the City or its representative. Unless allowed by the City under the terms and conditions of a permit, a separate permit must be secured for each separate discharge. This permit will state the specific location of discharge, time of day discharge is to occur, the volume of the discharge and the wastewater origin, constituents and characteristics.
14. 
Fluid or solid substances in quantities or of such size or nature as to cause obstruction to the flow in sanitary sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the wastewater treatment plant, such as, but not limited to, unground garbage, ashes, cinders, clay, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, paper dishes, cups or milk containers, either whole or ground by garbage grinders, or any soluble substance that would create a viscosity of liquid greater than 1.1 in any portion of the treatment works.
15. 
Any fluid or solid containing chromium, copper, zinc, cyanide and similar objectionable or toxic substances which exceed the limits which are established for such materials. Unless more restrictive limits are established by a state or federal regulatory agency having jurisdiction, the following concentrations in milligrams per liter (mg/l) shall not be exceeded on a grab sample basis:
Prohibited Substances
Concentration Limitations
Arsenic
0.50
Barium
4.00
Cadmium
0.01
Chromium
0.6
Copper
1.0
Cyanide
0.05
Lead
0.2
Mercury
0.002
Nickel
2.0
Selenium
0.004
Silver
0.1
Zinc
1.0
16. 
Any fluid of solid containing phenols or other taste- or odor-producing substances in such concentrations exceeding limits which may be established by the City Engineer as necessary or as are established by the state, federal or other public agencies having jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters. Unless other limits are established by a state or federal regulatory agency having jurisdiction, the concentration of phenol shall not exceed 0.005 mg/l on an instantaneous basis.
17. 
Any waste containing more than 100 mg/l of antiseptic substances.
18. 
Materials which exert or cause:
a. 
Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, fuller's earth, clays, lime slurries and lime residues) or of dissolved solids detrimental to the treatment processes.
b. 
Excessive discoloration (such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions) or excessive odors.
c. 
Unusual chemical oxygen demand or chlorine requirements in quantities in excess of that found in domestic sewage.
d. 
Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting "slugs" as defined in Section 9.02.15.
e. 
BODs in excess of 5,000 mg/l on an instantaneous basis or 500 mg/l on an average daily (workday) basis.
f. 
Total solids in excess of 20,000 mg/l on an instantaneous basis or 2,000 mg/l on an average daily (workday) basis.
g. 
Suspended solids in excess of 10,000 mg/l on an instantaneous basis or 1,000 mg/l on an average daily (workday) basis.
19. 
Fluids or solids containing substances which are not amenable to treatment by the sewage treatment processes employed or are untreatable to such degree that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction.
20. 
"Disposable" wipes and/or rags.
D. 
Compliance standards. No person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged or deposited any waters or wastes that do not conform to the following:
1. 
Pretreatment standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Sections 307(b) and (c) of the Clean Water Act[1] or standards established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. No sewage, water or waste, including commercial and industrial waste, shall contain any substance which is determined to be in violation of any state or federal pretreatment standards, the WPDES permit requirements or which may be determined by the City to be unduly harmful or deleterious to the wastewater collection system, environment, public health and welfare, or interfere with the operation of the system.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 33 U.S.C. § 1317(b) and (c)
E. 
Action upon prohibited discharge. If wastewaters containing any substances described in Section 9.02.32C are discharged or proposed to be discharged into the public sewer system of the City of Onalaska or any sewer system tributary thereto, the City and City Attorney may take any action necessary to:
1. 
Prohibit the discharge of such wastewater.
2. 
Require a discharger to demonstrate that in-plant modifications will reduce or eliminate the discharge of such substances in conformity with this section.
3. 
Require pretreatment, including storage facilities, or flow equalization necessary to reduce or eliminate the objectionable characteristics or substances so that the discharge will not violate these rules and regulations.
4. 
Require the person making, causing or allowing the discharge to pay any additional cost or expense incurred by the City for handling and treating excess loads imposed on the treatment system.
5. 
Take such other remedial action as may be deemed to be desirable or necessary to achieve the purpose of this section.
F. 
Discharge permit. New and existing industrial users subject to categorical standards or required to pretreat industrial wastes wishing to connect or continue discharging into any part of the Onalaska wastewater collection system must obtain a discharge permit therefor.
1. 
All of said industrial users connected to, proposing to connect to or discharging to any part of the City wastewater collection system must obtain a wastewater discharge permit within 90 days of and after the effective date of enactment of any pretreatment standard applicable to the respective industrial category or subcategory under which said industrial user is classified.
2. 
Users seeking a wastewater discharge permit shall complete and file with the City an application on the form prescribed by the City and accompanied by the applicable fee as established in the City Fee Schedule. In support of this application, the user shall submit the following information:
a. 
Name, address and SIC number of the applicant;
b. 
Volume of wastewater to be discharged;
c. 
Wastewater constituents and characteristics, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Section 9.02.32C of this Title, as determined by a reliable analytical laboratory;
d. 
Time and duration of discharge;
e. 
Average and peak wastewater flow rates, including daily, monthly and seasonal variations, if any;
f. 
Site plans, floor plans, mechanical and plumbing plans and details to show all sewers and appurtenances by size, location and elevation;
g. 
Description of activities, facilities and plant processes on the premises, including all materials and types of materials which are, or could be, discharged;
h. 
Each product produced by type, amount and rate of production;
i. 
Number and type of employees and hours of work; and
j. 
Any other information as may be deemed by the City to be necessary to evaluate the permit application.
The City will evaluate the data furnished by the user and may require additional information. After evaluation and acceptance of the data furnished, the City may issue a wastewater discharge permit, subject to terms and conditions provided therein.
G. 
Permit conditions.
1. 
Wastewater discharge permits shall be expressly subject to all provisions of this section and all other regulations and fees established by the City. The conditions of the wastewater discharge permits shall be uniformly enforced in accordance with this section and applicable state and federal regulations. Permit conditions will include the following:
a. 
The average and maximum wastewater constituents and characteristics.
b. 
Limits on rate and time of discharge or requirements for flow regulation and equalization.
c. 
Requirements for installation of inspection and sampling facilities and specifications for monitoring programs.
d. 
Requirements for maintaining and submitting technical reports and plant records relating to wastewater discharges.
e. 
Daily average and daily maximum discharge rates or other appropriate conditions when pollutants subject to limitations and prohibitions are proposed or present in the user's wastewater discharge.
f. 
Compliance schedules.
g. 
Other conditions to ensure compliance with this section.
2. 
Permits shall be issued for a specified time period, not to exceed three years. A permit may be issued for a period of less than one year or stated to expire on a specific date. The terms and conditions of the permit may be subject to modification and change by the City during the life of the permit, as limitations or requirements as identified in Section 9.02.32C are modified and changed. The user shall be informed of any proposed changes in their permit at least 30 days prior to the effective date of change. Any changes or new conditions shall include reasonable time schedule for compliance.
3. 
Wastewater discharge permits are issued to a specific user for specific process or operation. A wastewater discharge permit shall not be reassigned or transferred or sold to a new owner, new user, different premises or a new or changed operation or process.
4. 
Any user who violates the following conditions of their permit or of this section or of applicable state and federal regulations is subject to having their permit revoked. Violations subjecting a user to possible permit revocation include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. 
Failure of a user to accurately report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of their discharge;
b. 
Failure of the user to report significant changes in operations or wastewater constituents and characteristics;
c. 
Refusal of reasonable access to the user's premises for the purpose of inspection or monitoring; or
d. 
Violation of conditions of the permit.
5. 
Permit fees shall be established by the City to provide revenues for the costs associated with the administration and compliance monitoring of the industrial pretreatment program and are found in the City Fee Schedule. The fees provide only for the direct cost of industrial monitoring and administration and do not provide for the recovery of operations, maintenance and repairs or replacement costs of the wastewater treatment system. Permit fees, at intervals of no less than one year, shall be evaluated and amended as necessary to reflect current costs. Permit fee schedules shall be available from the City.
H. 
Preconstruction approval. Where pretreatment or equalization of wastewater flows prior to discharge into any part of the wastewater collection system is required, plans, specifications and other pertinent data or information relating to such pretreatment or flow-control facilities shall first be submitted to the City for review and approval at least 60 days prior to initiation of construction. Such approval shall not exempt the applicant from compliance with any applicable code, ordinance, rule, regulation or order from any governmental authority. Any subsequent alterations or additions to such pretreatment or flow-control facilities shall not be made without due notice to and prior to approval of the City.
I. 
Proper maintenance of pretreatment facilities. If pretreatment or control of waste flows is required, such facilities shall be maintained in good working order and operated as efficiently as possible by the owner or operator at their cost and expense, subject to the requirements of these rules and regulations and all other applicable codes, ordinances and laws.
J. 
Inspections and sampling. Whenever it shall be necessary for the purposes of these rules and regulations, the City or duly appointed representatives, upon presentation of credentials, may enter upon any property or premises at reasonable times for the purpose of:
1. 
Copying any records required to be kept under the provisions of this section.
2. 
Inspecting any monitoring equipment or method.
3. 
Sampling any discharge of wastewater to the wastewater collection system.
The City, or said representatives, may enter upon the property at any hour under emergency circumstances.
K. 
Accidental discharge protection. Each industrial user shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes regulated by this section. Facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the owner or operator's expense. Detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the City for review at least 60 days prior to the construction of the facility. Review and approval of such plans shall not relieve the industrial user from the responsibility to modify their facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
L. 
Notification of accidental discharge. If, for any reason, a facility does not comply with or will be unable to comply with any prohibition or limitation in this section, the facility responsible for such discharge shall immediately notify the City so that corrective action may be taken to protect the wastewater collection system. In addition, a written report addressed to the City detailing the date, time and cause of the accidental discharge, the quantity and characteristics of the discharge and corrective action taken to prevent future discharges shall be filed by the responsible industrial facility within five days of the occurrence of the noncomplying discharge.
M. 
Discharge reports.
1. 
Every industrial user subject to categorical standards or required to pre-treat industrial waste shall file periodic self-monitoring discharge reports at such intervals as are designated by the City. The City may require any other industrial users discharging into the wastewater collection system to file such periodic self-monitoring reports depending upon the volume and character of discharge. The self-monitoring report shall include but, in the discretion of the City, shall not be limited to:
a. 
Nature of process;
b. 
Volume and rates of flow;
c. 
Mass emission rate of pollutants;
d. 
Production quantities;
e. 
Hours of operation; and
f. 
Concentrations of controlled pollutants or other information which relate to the generation of waste.
2. 
Such reports may also include the chemical constituents and quantity of liquid materials stored on-site even though they are not normally discharged.