A.Â
This chapter establishes the procedures for making connections to
the public sewer in the City sanitary sewer system. It also establishes
specific limits for pollutant discharges which, by their nature or
by their interaction with sewage, will be detrimental to the public
health, cause damage to the public sewer or the water pollution control
facility, pollute the waters of the state or otherwise create a public
nuisance.
(1)Â
As part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES),
federal and state agencies [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)]
impose discharge limitations on the Meriden Water Pollution Control
Facility. The discharge limitations are monitored via a prescribed
(usually standard methods) testing/analysis and reporting program.
(2)Â
It is the nature of the program that the limitations imposed may
be modified and/or increased by mandate of the above agencies.
(3)Â
Therefore, any and all commercial and industrial (nondomestic) sanitary
sewer users may be required to meet any and all discharge requirements
imposed upon the Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility. This would
be in addition to the customer's existing discharge permit requirements.
(4)Â
Analysis verifying compliance with the above will be forwarded to
the Director of Public Utilities or designee.
(5)Â
Restaurants and commercial and industrial buildings shall be required
to complete a conceptual approval form and submit it for review and
approval to the Engineering Division. The Engineering Division staff
shall review the conceptual approval form and forward it to the Director
of Public Utilities or designee for review and approval. The form
is then sent to the Director of Public Works for final review and
approval. The completed conceptual approval form is then provided
to the DEEP by the applicant. The DEEP may or may not require a state
permit for the discharge. The applicant shall supply a copy of the
DEEP permit, if applicable, or a written confirmation from the DEEP
that no permit is required to the Director of Public Utilities or
designee. The Director of Public Utilities or designee may at his
discretion require additional or stricter requirements of the applicant.
(6)Â
The City shall maintain a fee structure to compensate cost incurred
to the WPCF due to the industrial monitoring and fats, oils, and grease
discharge programs. Fees will be levied for application and permit
review, permit revisions, review of records and reports, and on-site
compliance inspections of pretreatment facilities. The fees may be
adjusted annually as part of the WPCF budget and rate setting process.
(7)Â
The PUC may impose fines against any discharger who violates City
and/or state regulations and codes. If, in the opinion of the PUC,
the violation was flagrant or a reoccurring act of negligence, which
resulted in a substantial negative effect on the water pollution control
facility, the violator may be held financially liable for the biological
recovery and operation of the Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility.
B.Â
This chapter is intended to:
(1)Â
Inform the public as to the technical and administrative procedures
to be followed in obtaining connection to the City's sanitary
sewer system.
(2)Â
Prevent the introduction of pollutants into the sanitary sewer system
which will interfere with the collection and/or treatment system.
(3)Â
Prevent the introduction of pollutants into the treatment system
which will pass through the system, inadequately treated, into the
waters of the state or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible
with the system.
(4)Â
Improve the opportunity to recycle and reclaim wastewaters and sludges
from the system.
(5)Â
Prevent clogging or blockage of the public sewer system due to grease
build-up causing sewage to backup and flood streets, residences, and
commercial buildings, resulting in potential liability to the PUC.
(6)Â
Implement a procedure to recover costs incurred from cleaning and
maintaining the sewer and any liability incurred by the PUC for damage
caused by grease blockages resulting in flooding of streets, residences,
or commercial buildings.
C.Â
This chapter shall apply to the City and to persons outside the City
who are users of the public sewer. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the Director of Public Utilities or designee for the City shall otherwise
implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
A.Â
ACT or THE ACT
ACUTE TOXICITY TEST
(1)Â
(2)Â
AUTOMATED GREASE RECOVERY UNIT (AGRU)
BACKWATER VALVE
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP)
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)
BUILDING DRAIN
BUILDING SEWER LATERAL
CATEGORICAL STANDARDS
CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD)
CITY
COMPATIBLE POLLUTANT
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
COOLING WATER
DEEP
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES OR DESIGNEE
DOMESTIC SEWAGE
FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (FOG)
FLOATABLE OIL
FOG PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
FOOD PREPARATION ESTABLISHMENT (FPE)
GARBAGE
GRAB SAMPLE
GREASE DISPOSAL FACILITY
GREASE TRAP
HAULER
HOLDING TANK WASTE
INCOMPATIBLE POLLUTANT
INDOOR TRAP
INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT
NONRENDERABLE GREASE
OUTDOOR GREASE TRAP
PERMITTEE
PERSON
pH
PRETREATMENT or TREATMENT
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE
PUBLIC SEWER
PUC
RENDERABLE GREASE
RESTAURANT
SANITARY SEWER
SEPTAGE
SEWAGE
SEWAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM
SLUG
SOLUBLE OIL
STORM SEWER
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
TOXIC POLLUTANT
UOD
USER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY (WPCF)
WATERCOURSE
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the
"Clean Water Act," as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.
Involves two separate but simultaneously performed static, acute
screening tests. In each test* organisms basic to the aquatic food
chain are exposed to an aliquot of effluent/discharge to determine
the effect(s) of an effluent/discharge on the receiving stream and/or
microbial activity within the water pollution control facility. [*Test
performed on Daphnia pulex (larvae) and Pimephales promelas (fathead
minnows).]
The acute toxicity test will be a prime factor used in determining
the extent of pretreatment required of industrial/commercial users.
Sample collection, handling, and analytical techniques used to determine
the acute toxicity of the discharge shall be as prescribed in "Methods
for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Freshwater and Marine
Organisms" (EPA/600/4-85/013), unless otherwise specified in writing
by the DEEP or in the regulations of Connecticut state agencies.
An indoor grease trap used to separate grease from wastewater
by active mechanical or electrical means. See definition of "grease
trap."
A backwater valve is a one-way flow control valve installed
in a drainage system, that under normal conditions allows the wastewater
to drain out of the system; however, if a reversed flow of drainage
water should occur, the valve will be forced closed and protect the
interior of the building from sewage backup.
The practices and procedures of a user of the public sewer
that are designed to prevent or minimize obstruction, damage, or excessive
maintenance of the sanitary sewer.
The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms while stabilizing
decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions for five days.
The determination of BOD shall be performed in accordance with the
procedures prescribed in the latest edition of Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of building plumbing
which receives the discharge from water fixtures and other sanitary
pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building
sewer lateral beginning five feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face
of the building wall.
The extension from the building drain to the public sewer
or other place of disposal; it may also be called a "house connection."
National categorical pretreatment standards or pretreatment
standards.
The oxygen equivalent of the organic matter that can be oxidized
as measured by using a strong chemical oxidizing agent in an acidic
medium.
The City of Meriden.
Biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH and fecal
coliform bacteria, plus any additional pollutants identified in the
water pollution control facility's NPDES permit, where the water
pollution control facility is designed to treat such pollutants and,
in fact, does treat such pollutants to the degree required by the
NPDES permit.
A mixture of aliquot samples obtained at regular intervals
over a time period. The volume of each aliquot is proportional to
the discharge flow rate for the sampling interval. The minimum time
period for composite sampling shall be four hours.
Process water in general used for cooling purposes to which
the only pollutant added is heat and which has such characteristics
that it may be discharged to a natural outlet in accordance with federal
and state laws and regulations.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection of
the State of Connecticut.
The authorized agent or representative of the Water Pollution
Control Authority who is responsible for the operation and management
of the sewer collection system and/or the associated water pollution
control facility.
Sewage that consists of water and human excretions or other
waterborne wastes incidental to the occupancy of a residential building,
including residential water softening equipment, or a nonresidential
building but not including manufacturing process water, cooling water,
wastewater from water-softening equipment, commercial laundry wastewater,
blowdown from heating or cooling equipment, water from cellar or floor
drains, or surface water from roofs, paved surfaces or yard drains.
Any fats, oils, and grease generated from the food preparation
process. All are sometimes referred to as "grease."
Oil, fat or grease in a physical state such that it will
separate by gravity from sewage by treatment in an approved pretreatment
facility.
The authorized agent or representative of the Water Pollution
Control Authority who is responsible for the operation and management
of the sewer collection system and/or the associated water pollution
control facility.
Facilities who are required to obtain a FOG discharge permit
including those who are: a) regulated by the Meriden Health Department
and classified as a Class 3 or Class 4 food service establishment,
as defined by the State Health Code; or b) engaged in similar cooking
methods that have the potential to produce fats, oils, and grease.
A Class 3 food service establishment may be exempt from obtaining
a FOG discharge permit if it does not employ frying, sauteing, baking,
or roasting of meats, use of rotisseries, grills, smokers, or other
methods that have the potential to generate fats, oils, or grease.
The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking or serving of foods.
A sample which is taken from a waste stream on a one-time
basis with no regard to the flow in the waste stream and without consideration
of time.
A regional collection/transfer/disposal site approved in
accordance with the law for the disposal of FOG. This means a Department
of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) approved publicly/privately
owned treatment works that is for the separation and disposal of FOG
by incineration or other methods. Pursuant to § 22a-174-33 of
the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies related to Title V source,
an in-state regional incinerator must have an operating permit that
lists FOG as a source of fuel.
The term "grease trap" is used collectively in this chapter
to mean both AGRUs and outdoor grease traps.
Any person who collects the contents of a grease trap and
transports it to a grease disposal facility. A hauler may also provide
other services related to grease trap maintenance.
Any waste from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets,
campers, trailers and septage hauling trucks.
All pollutants other than compatible pollutants as previously
defined. See "compatible pollutants."
An AGRU. See definition of "grease trap."
All wastewater from industrial processes, trade or business
and is distinct from domestic sewage.
A permit issued pursuant to § 402 of the Act (33
U.S.C. § 1342).
Fats, oils, and grease generated from food preparation or
serving that has come in contact with water or other contaminants
shall prevent this FOG from being rendered. See "renderable grease."
A structure or device designed for the purpose of removing
and preventing FOG from entering the public sanitary sewer system.
These devices are often below-ground units built as two- or three-chamber
baffled tanks.
The permittee represents the FPE and is authorized by the
issuance of a FOG discharge permit to initiate, create, originate,
or maintain a wastewater discharge from the FPE. Where applicable,
the permittee shall be the owner or the owner's local designee.
Any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company,
corporation, association, joint-stock company, trust, estate, governmental
entity or any other legal entity or its legal representatives, agents
or assigns. The masculine gender shall include the feminine; the singular
shall include the plural where indicated by the context.
The logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen-ion concentration.
The concentration is the weight of hydrogen ions, in grams, per liter
of solution.
The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination
of pollutants or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties
in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to or in lieu of discharging
or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a water pollution control
facility. The reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical,
chemical or biological processes, except as prohibited by 40 CFR 403.6(d)
and provisions in this chapter.
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of
food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will
be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in
public sewers, with no particle greater than 1/2 inch (1 .27 centimeters)
in any dimension. Properly shredded garbage shall not include wastes
from food preparation establishments.
A common sanitary sewer controlled by a governmental agency
or public utility.
The Public Utilities Commission of the City of Meriden as
it is constituted by its Charter, with the powers and duties granted
it by the Charter and ordinances of said City.[1]
The uncontaminated FOG from the food preparation process
that can be used as a source of material that is free of impurities
and can be recycled into products such as, but not limited to, animal
feed or cosmetics.
A business or place which prepares foods for sale in other
than its original unopened container.
A sewer which collects and conveys domestic sewage from residences,
public buildings, commercial establishments, industries and institutions.
A sanitary sewer may also collect and convey permitted industrial
wastewater and unintentionally admitted groundwater, stormwater and
surface water.
The liquids and solids which are removed from a tank used
to treat domestic sewage.
Human and animal excretions and all domestic and such manufacturing
wastes as may tend to be detrimental to the public health or otherwise
contravene stream standards as established by the DEEP.
The structures and equipment required to collect and convey
sewage to the WPCF.
Any sudden or excessive discharge which exceeds permitted
levels either in terms of pollutant concentration or instantaneous
flow rate in such a manner as to adversely affect the sewage collection
system and/or the water pollution control facility.
Oil which is of either mineral or vegetable origin and disperses
in water or sewage at temperatures between 0° C. and 65° C.
For the purposes of this chapter, emulsified oil shall be considered
as soluble oil.
A sewer which collects and conveys stormwater or groundwater.
The solid matter, measured in milligrams per liter, which
may be in suspension, floatable or settleable and is removable by
laboratory filtering as prescribed in the latest edition of Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
Any pollutant or combination of pollutants listed as toxic
in regulations promulgated by the Administrator of the EPA under the
provisions of § 307(a) of the Act or other acts.
Ultimate oxygen demand. Equivalent of 1.5 times the biochemical
oxygen demand plus 4.6 times the ammonia (NH3). Used as control parameter
for WPCF effluent, as established in NPDES permit.
Any person who contributes, causes or permits the contribution
of sewage into the City's sewer system.
An arrangement of devices for the treatment of sewage and
sludge.
A natural or artificial channel for the passage of water,
either continuously or intermittently.
B.Â
"May" is permissive; "shall" is mandatory.
A.Â
The owner(s) of all houses, buildings or properties used for human
occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes situated within
the City and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which
there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary
sewer of the City may, at the option of the City and at the expense
of the owner(s), be required to install a building sewer to connect
his (their) building drain to the public sewer in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter within 90 days after the date of official
notice to do so.
B.Â
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or repair any privy,
privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended for
the disposal of sewage if public sewers are available.
A.Â
No unauthorized person(s) shall uncover, make any connections with
or opening into, use, alter, repair or disturb any public sewer or
appurtenance thereof.
B.Â
Any person proposing a new discharge into the public sewer system
or a substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants that
are being discharged into the public sewer system shall notify the
Director of Public Utilities or designee at least 45 days prior to
the proposed change or connection.
C.Â
A person intending to connect a building drain from his property to the public sewer shall first obtain a permit to connect from the Engineering Division. The application shall be made on forms provided by the Engineering Division and it shall be accompanied by a sketch or plan showing the proposed installation in sufficient detail to enable the Engineering Division to determine that the proposed installation meets the requirements of this regulation and other applicable specifications, codes and laws. The application shall be signed by the qualified contractor (see Subsection P of this section) who has been chosen to perform the work of installing and connecting the building drain to the public sewer. Upon approval of the application and plan, a permit shall be issued to have the work performed by the stated contractor. In the event that the premises changes ownership before the work is completed, or if another contractor is chosen to perform or finish the work, the original permit becomes void and a new permit must be obtained by the parties in interest. The PUC may, in its discretion, allow service pipes or sewer service to consumers other than the owners of the premises served, upon the filing by such consumers of the application required by this subsection.
D.Â
Prior to obtaining a permit to connect, the applicant or his authorized
representative shall provide adequate documentation to the Engineering
Division to indicate how the connection is proposed. The Engineering
Division and/or the PUC shall review the application to determine
if the proposal is acceptable or if changes are required. It shall
be unlawful for any person who has received such a permit to do any
acts in a manner other than that prescribed in such permit or to connect
with any such sewer at any hub or slant pipe other than the one approved
in such permit.
E.Â
A connection to the public sewer will be made only after the building's
plumbing has been approved by the City Building Inspector in order
to ensure the minimum standards are met for the installation. A fresh
air vent shall be required for the building, and all plumbing shall
be in good working order. No trench containing a building drain or
connection to the sanitary sewer shall be backfilled until the Engineering
Division has completed an inspection of and approved the work. The
water level in the trench shall be maintained at a level below the
sewer connection before the cap is removed and while the connection
is being made and until such time as it has been inspected, approved
and backfilled. The contractor shall notify the Engineering Division
48 hours before starting any work authorized under this permit.
F.Â
Permits to connect to the public sewer may be revoked and annulled
by the Director of Public Utilities or designee for such case and
at such times as he may deem sufficient and the City held harmless
as a consequence of said revocation or the cause thereof. All other
parties in interest shall be held to have waived the right to claim
damages from the City or its agents on account of such revocation.
G.Â
All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection
of the building sewer from the building to the sanitary sewer main,
including the wye connection, shall be borne by the owner(s). The
owner(s) shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may
directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building
sewer.
H.Â
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every
building, except that where one building stands at the rear of another
on an interior lot and no public sewer is available or can be constructed
to the rear building through an adjoining alley, courtyard or driveway,
the building sewer that provides service for the building which fronts
on the public sewer may be extended to the rear building and the whole
considered as one building sewer, but the City does not and will not
assume any obligation or responsibility for damage caused by or resulting
from any such aforementioned connection. Whenever a lateral is shared
between two or more properties and/or buildings, a maintenance agreement
must be written and filed on the public land records via the City
Clerk's office for all properties involved with said maintenance
agreement.
I.Â
Where outdoor grease traps are in use, separate wastewater lines
shall be provided to convey the sanitary wastewater directly to the
public sanitary collection system. Wastewater from the kitchen and
clean-up areas shall be conveyed to the grease trap and then to the
public sanitary collection system.. In no case shall sanitary wastewater
be allowed to enter a grease trap.
J.Â
Existing building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings
only when the proposal is approved by the Engineering Division.
K.Â
The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a building
sewer and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe,
jointing, testing and backfilling and trenching and connection of
the building sewer to the public sewer shall all conform to the requirements
of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations
of the City. In the absence of Code provisions or in amplification
thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in the appropriate
specification of the American Society for Testing and Materials and
WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply. No connections shall be
made with any public sanitary or stormwater sewer otherwise than by
drainpipe, which shall be six inches in diameter. Every drain connecting
premises with the City sanitary sewer shall be laid to a uniform grade
and line, with a fall throughout its length toward the public sewer
of not less than one foot per 100 feet.
L.Â
Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building
at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which
any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public
sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted
by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer. Duplex
lift systems shall be provided for commercial and industrial buildings.
M.Â
No person(s) shall make connection of roof downspouts, foundation
drains, areaway drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater
to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly
or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.
N.Â
All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately
guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from
hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed
in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory
to the City.
O.Â
No building sewer shall be constructed within 25 feet of a water
supply well. If a building sewer is constructed within 25 to 75 feet
of a water supply well, it shall be constructed in accordance with
all applicable guidelines and regulations.
P.Â
Any sanitary sewer lateral to be laid to connect a building to a
City sanitary sewer main shall not extend beyond the projected side
property lines of the parcel unless otherwise approved by the Public
Utilities Commission and shall not exceed 100 feet without a cleanout.
A cleanout is also required at a change of piping direction.
Q.Â
All building sewers shall be installed by a drainlayer who possesses
a valid license issued under Chapter 393 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, as amended. In addition thereto, no person shall make any
connection with any public sanitary or stormwater sewer in the City
unless he is licensed and obtained all necessary permits, and no person
shall employ any unlicensed person to do such work.
R.Â
Every person so licensed shall file with the Engineering Division
a surety bond, payable to the City, in the sum of $4,000, conditioned
that the licensee will indemnify and save harmless the City from all
loss, cost or damage arising out of or in connection with any work
done under such license.
S.Â
All building sewers from the sewer main to the building shall be,
in general, installed and maintained by and at the expense of the
property owner(s) whose property is being serviced. Whenever the Director
of Public Utilities or designee is informed or learns that a cavity,
depression or other abnormality in the public street is or may be
caused by disrepair in the public sewer or building sewer, the Director
of Public Utilities or designee will ascertain if the public sewer
or building sewer is the cause. If it is determined that such cavity
or other abnormality is caused or contributed to by disrepair of the
public sewer, the Director of Public Utilities or designee shall proceed
to make the necessary repairs. However, if it is determined by the
Director of Public Utilities or designee that such cavity, depression
or other abnormality is caused by the building sewer, the property
owner(s) shall be notified of such finding and shall engage a licensed
drainlayer to make the necessary repairs under the supervision of
the Director of Public Utilities or designee and at no expense to
the City.
T.Â
Whenever the Director of Public Utilities or designee is informed
or learns of a sewer stoppage, the Director of Public Utilities or
designee shall ascertain if the public sewer is clear. Any stoppages
found therein will be relieved as quickly as possible. If the public
sewer is found to be clear, the property owner(s) having made a complaint
of sewer stoppage shall be so notified and shall then engage a licensed
plumber, reputable cleaner or licensed drainlayer to clear any stoppages
in the building sewer.
U.Â
The PUC may at any time order a water meter for sewer service placed
on any water service connection if it deems it in the best interest
of the City to do so, and any property owner, upon notification by
the PUC, shall allow a representative of the Water Division to enter
upon his premises to install such a meter. Upon application by the
consumer, a meter shall be placed on any service previously unmetered.
The consumer shall provide a proper place for the installation of
a meter immediately inside the building wall, which shall be of easy
access at all times for reading and repair. The Director of Public
Works, or his representatives, shall determine the size of the meter
installed on any service and may determine when any meter shall be
repaired or replaced.
(1)Â
Water meters for sewer service shall not be supplied to a new account
until a proper and adequate water meter setter has been provided by
the owner immediately inside the building wall which shall be of easy
access at all times for meter reading and repair, the required fee
for the proper size meter has been paid to the Water Division by the
owner, and the Water Division has installed and sealed the required
meter. The PUC shall act as an appeals board to determine when and
if a frost-proof meter pit shall be required rather than a meter location
within the building.
(2)Â
The fee for the installation of new meters shall be determined through
the Water Division.
V.Â
Backwater valves must be installed on all plumbing fixtures (including
washing machines, toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, etc.) that are
below the elevation of the nearest upstream sanitary sewer manhole
cover.