[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Princeton
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted as Title 9, Ch. 2, of the City Code]
The following definitions are applicable to this article:
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter in five days at 20° C., expressed as milligrams
per liter. Quantitative determination of BOD shall be made in accordance
with procedures set forth in Standard Methods.
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system
which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage
pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building
sewer.
The extension from the building drain to the public sewer
or other place of disposal beginning outside the inner face of the
building wall.
The residue from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing
of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of food products
and produce.
The wastewater from industrial process, trade, or business,
as distinct from sanitary sewage, including cooling water and the
discharge from sewage pretreatment facilities.
Any and all persons, including any individual, firm, company,
municipal or private corporation, association, society, institution,
enterprise, government agency, or other entity.
The logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen-ion concentration.
The concentration is the weight of the hydrogen-ions, in grams per
liter of solution. Neutral water, for example, has a pH value of 7
and hydrogen-ion concentration of 10-7.
A sewer that carries liquid and water-carried wastes from
residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants, and institutions,
together with minor quantities of ground, stormwaters and surface
waters that are not admitted intentionally.
Any discharge of water or wastewater which in concentration
of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period
of duration longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average
twenty-four-hour concentration of flows during normal operation and
shall adversely affect the system and/or performance of the wastewater
treatment works.
The examination and analytical procedures set forth in the
most recent edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water,
Sewage and Industrial Wastes, published jointly by the American Public
Health Association, the American Water Works Association, and the
Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations.
A drain or sewer for conveying water, groundwater, subsurface
water or unpolluted water from any source.
Solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension
in, water, wastewater, or other liquids, and that is removable by
laboratory filtering as prescribed in Standard Methods for Examination
of Water and Wastewater and is referred to as "nonfilterable residue."
The spent water of a community. From the standpoint of source,
it may be a combination of the liquid and water-carried wastes from
residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants, and institutions;
together with any groundwater, surface water, and stormwater that
may be present, but not intentionally admitted.
An arrangement of devices and structures for treating wastewater,
industrial wastes, and sludge. Sometimes used as synonymous with "waste
treatment."
A natural or artificial channel for the passage of water,
either continuously or intermittently.
A document issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources which established effluent limitations and monitoring requirements
for the municipal wastewater treatment facility.
A.
Management. The management, operation, and control of the sewer system
for the City of Princeton is vested in the Common Council of the City
of Princeton. All records, minutes, and all written proceedings thereof
shall be kept by the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer of the City
of Princeton. The City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer of the City of
Princeton shall keep all of the financial records.
B.
Authority. The Sewer Utility of the City of Princeton shall have
the power to construct sewer lines for public use, and shall have
the power to lay sewer pipes in and through the alleys, streets, and
public grounds of the City of Princeton and generally, to do all such
work as may be found necessary or convenient in the management of
the sewer system. The Common Council shall have the power, by themselves,
their officers, agents or employees, to enter upon any land for the
purpose of making examination or supervise in the performance of their
duties under this article, without liability therefor. The Common
Council shall have power to purchase and acquire for the City of Princeton
all real and personal property which may be necessary for construction
of the sewer system, or for any repair, remodeling, or additions thereto.
C.
Condemnation of real estate. Whenever any real estate or any easement
therein, or use thereof, shall in the judgment of the Common Council
be necessary to the sewer system, and whenever for any cause an agreement
for the purchase thereof cannot be made with the owner thereof, the
Common Council shall proceed with all necessary steps to take such
real estate easement, or use by condemnation in accordance with the
Wisconsin Statutes and the Uniform Relocation and Real Property Acquisition
Policy Act of 1970, if federal funds are used.
D.
Title to real estate and personalty. All property (real, personal
and/or mixed), acquired for the construction of the sewer system,
and all plans, specifications, diagrams papers, books and records
connected therewith said sewer system, and all buildings, machinery,
and fixtures pertaining thereto, shall be the property of said City
of Princeton.
The rules, regulations, and sewer rates of the City of Princeton
of Green Lake County, Wisconsin, hereinafter set forth shall be considered
a part of the contract with every person, company or corporation who
is connected with the sewer system of the City of Princeton and every
such person, company or corporation by connecting with the sewer system
shall be considered as expressing his/her or their assent to be bound
thereby. Whenever any of said rules and regulations, or such others
as the City of Princeton, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, may hereafter
adopt are violated, the service shall be shut off from the building
or place of such violation (even though two or more parties are receiving
service through the same connection), and shall not be reestablished
except by order of the City of Princeton Common Council, and on payment
of all arrears, the expenses and established charges of shutting off
and putting on, and such other terms as the City of Princeton may
determine, and a satisfactory understanding with the party that no
further cause for complaint shall arise. In case of such violation,
said City of Princeton furthermore, may declare any payment made for
the service by the party or parties committing such violation, to
be forfeited, and the same shall thereupon be forfeited. The right
is reserved to the City of Princeton to change said rules, regulations,
and sewer rates from time to time as it may deem advisable and to
make special rates and contracts in all proper cases.
The following rules and regulations for the government of licensed
plumbers, sewer users, and others, are hereby adopted and established:
A.
Plumbers. No plumber, pipe fitter, or other person will be permitted
to do any plumbing or pipe-fitting work in connection with the sewer
system without first receiving a license from the State of Wisconsin.
B.
Users.
(1)
Application for service.
(a)
Every person connecting with the sewer system shall file an
application in writing to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer in
such form as is prescribed for that purpose. Blank forms for such
application will be furnished at the office of the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer.
The application must state fully and truly all the uses which will
be allowed except upon further application and permission regularly
obtained from said City of Princeton. If the applicant is not the
owner of the premises, the written consent of the owner must accompany
the application. Persons connected to the sewer system of the City
of Princeton are referred to as "users."
(b)
The application may be for service to more than one building
or more than one unit of service through one service connection; and,
in such case, charges shall be made accordingly.
(c)
If it appears that the service applied for will not provide
adequate service for the contemplated use, the City of Princeton may
reject the application. If the City of Princeton shall approve the
application, it shall issue a permit for services as shown on the
application.
(2)
Costs included in connection. Prior to the issuance of any permit
for connection, all users must agree to pay for all connection costs
from the building or premises needing service to the main. These costs
include all work done in accordance with the lateral construction,
including but not limited to materials, trenching, connection, backfill,
compaction, surfacing, etc.
[Amended 10-24-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-21]
(3)
Tap permits. After sewer connections have been introduced into any
building or upon any premises, no plumbing shall make any alterations,
extensions, or attachments, unless the party ordering such tapping
or other work shall exhibit the proper permit for the same from the
City of Princeton.
(4)
User to keep in repair. All users shall keep their own service pipes
in good repair and protected from frost, at their own risk and expense,
and shall prevent any unnecessary overburdening of the sewer system.
(5)
User use only. No user shall allow others or other services to connect
the sewer system through his/her lateral.
(6)
User to permit inspection. Every user shall permit the City of Princeton,
or its duly authorized agent, at all reasonable hours of the day,
to enter their premises or building to examine the pipes and fixtures,
and the manner in which the drains, and sewer connections operate;
and they must at all times, frankly and without concealment, answer
all questions put to them relative to its use.
(7)
Utility responsibility. It is expressly stipulated that no claim
shall be made against said Sewer Utility or City of Princeton by reason
of the breaking, clogging, stoppage, or freezing of any service pipes;
nor from any damage arising from repairing mains, making connections
or extensions or any other work that may be deemed necessary. The
right is hereby reserved to cut off the service at any time for the
purpose of repairs or any other necessary purpose, any permit granted
or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding. Whenever it shall be
become necessary to shut off the sewer service within any district
of the said City of Princeton, the City shall, if practicable, give
notice to each and every consumer within such affected district of
the time when such service will be so shut off.
C.
Excavations.
(1)
Minimal inconvenience to public. In making excavations in streets
or highways for laying service pipe or making repairs, the paving
and earth removed must be deposited in a manner that will occasion
the least inconvenience to the public.
(2)
Excavation warning. No person shall leave any such excavation made
in any street or highway open at any time without barricades, and,
during the night, warning lights shall be maintained at such excavations.
(3)
Excavation restoration. In refilling the opening, after the service
pipes are laid, the earth must be laid in layers of not more than
nine inches in depth, and each layer thoroughly compacted to prevent
settling. This work together with the replacing of sidewalks, ballast
and paving, must be done so as to make the street as good, at least,
as before it was disturbed, and satisfactory to the City of Princeton.
No opening of the streets for tapping the pipes will be permitted
when the ground is frozen.
D.
Tapping the mains.
(1)
Authorization. No person, except those having special permission
from the City of Princeton, or persons in their service and approved
by them, will be permitted, under any circumstances to tap the mains
or collection pipes. The kind and size of the connection with the
pipe shall be that specified in the permit or order from said City.
(2)
Pipe taps. Pipes should always be tapped on the top half, and not
within six inches (15 cm) of the joint, or within 24 inches (60 cm)
of another lateral connection.
E.
Installation of house laterals.
(2)
Inspections. All building sewers under construction will be inspected
by a designated representative of the City of Princeton. The building
sewers and/or private interceptor main sewers shall be inspected upon
completion of placement of the pipe and before backfilling, and tested
before or after backfilling. Any sewer that is backfilled prior to
inspection shall be re-excavated to allow said inspection.
F.
Septic tank and holding tank disposal.
(1)
Permit required. No person in the business of gathering and disposing of septic tank sludge or holding tank sewage shall transfer such material into any disposal area or sewer manhole located within the City of Princeton boundaries unless a permit for disposal has been first obtained from the City of Princeton. Written application for this permit shall be made to the City of Princeton and shall state the name and address of the applicant; the number of its disposal units; and the size, model, and license number of each unit. Permits shall be nontransferable except in the case of replacement of the disposal unit for which a permit shall have been originally issued. The permit may be obtained upon payment of a fee as prescribed by Chapter 182, Fees. The City of Princeton may impose such conditions as it deems necessary on any permit granted.[2]
(2)
(3)
Insurance. Any person or party disposing of septic tank or holding
tank sludge agrees to carry public liability insurance in an amount
not less than $100,000 to protect any and all persons or property
from injury and/or damage caused in any way or manner by any act,
or failure to act, by any of his/her employees. The person(s) shall
furnish a certificate certifying such insurance to be in full force
and effect.
(4)
Materials to be disposed.
(a)
Any materials dumped into the treatment system shall be of domestic
origin only and any person holding a permit as provided by this section
shall comply with the provisions of any and all applicable ordinances
of the City of Princeton, and shall not deposit or drain any gasoline,
oil, acid, alkali, grease, rags, waste, volatile or inflammable liquids,
or other deleterious substances into any manhole nor allow any earth,
sand, or other solid material to pass into any part of the sewage
system.
(b)
The person(s) or party disposing waste agrees to indemnify and
save harmless the City of Princeton from any and all liability and
claims for damages arising out of or resulting from work and labor
performed.
(c)
The person(s) or party disposing waste shall furnish bond to
the City of Princeton in an amount of $1,000 to guarantee performance.
Said performance bond shall be delivered to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer
prior to the issuance of the permit hereunder.
A.
Revenue.
(1)
It shall be the policy of the City of Princeton to obtain sufficient
revenues to pay the cost of:
(a)
The annual debt retirement payment on any bonded indebtedness;
(b)
Any required cash reserve account payment; and
(c)
Operation and maintenance of the sewage works, including a replacement
fund (i.e., a cash account to be used for future expenditures for
obtaining or installing equipment, accessories or appurtenances which
are necessary to maintain the capacity and performance of the sewage
works during the service life for which such works were designed and
constructed), through a system of user charges as defined in this
section. The system shall assure that each user of the sewage works
pays a proportionate share of the cost of such works.
(3)
User charges; billing.
(b)
The minimum monthly billing shall be sufficient to pay the annual
debt retirement and FMHA Reserve Account costs. A portion of the debt
service and reserve account may be budgeted by levying an ad valorem
tax in accordance with the Wisconsin Statutes. The unit price per
volume shall be sufficient to pay the annual cost of operation and
maintenance, including any replacement fund, of the sewage works.
Users will be notified annually of the portion of user charges or
ad valorem taxes attributable to wastewater treatment services. Water
meter readings shall be used to determine the actual water volume
used. The unit price portion of the third quarter (i.e., July to September)
sewer bill will be based on the average volume of water used during
the previous second, first and fourth quarter, except that no "zero"
usage quarter will be averaged. All other quarterly sewer bills will
be based on actual water used. If a portion of the water furnished
to any customer is not discharged into the sewer system, the quantity
of such water will be deducted in computing the charge for sewer service,
provided a meter has been installed to measure such water. The customer
must, at his/her cost, make necessary changes in the water piping
and install couplings so that a meter can be set. A charge for the
actual cost of providing a meter shall be paid by the customer.
(4)
Methodology. The methodology of determining the user charges is given
in Appendix A, incorporated herein by reference.[1] The Utility shall provide the initial estimates of water
volumes, number of meters, costs, etc., to calculate the first year's
user charges. The user charges, and this article, shall be reviewed
not less than biannually. Such review shall be performed by the City
Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer. User charges shall be adjusted, as
required, to reflect actual volumes of water used and actual costs.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is on file in the City offices.
(5)
Inability to read meters. Where it is not possible to obtain a water
meter reading, or in cases where no water meter exists, the customer
shall be assigned an average water volume by the City, based on previous
meter readings, and this shall be so stated on the bill. The difference
shall be adjusted when the meter is again read.
(6)
Sewer rates.
(a)
There shall be charged to each user of the sewer system a sewer
charge as follows:
[Amended 2-27-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03; 7-28-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-03]
[1]
A minimum monthly charge based on the size of water meter in
service as per the following schedule:
|
Size of Meter
|
Monthly Charge
| |
|---|---|---|
|
5/8 inch and 3/4 inch meters
|
$18.93
| |
|
1 inch meters
|
$47.33
| |
|
1 1/2 inch meters
|
$75.73
| |
|
2 inch meters
|
$113.60
| |
|
4 inch meters
|
$302.94
|
[2]
A variable charge based on the amount of water consumed, as defined in Subsection A(3)(a)[2], of $6.19 per 1,000 gallons per month.
(b)
All charges for sewerage service shall be made monthly and shall
be payable on the first day of each month. A three-percent penalty
will be added to those bills not paid on or before the 20th day of
the month, with a thirty-cent minimum penalty charge. A failure to
receive a bill shall not excuse nonpayment. Sewerage service charges
shall be a lien on the property served in accordance with the Wisconsin
Statutes.
(c)
The rates fixed by this section shall be effective commencing
August 15, 2015, and may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 2-27-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03; 7-28-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-03]
(7)
Excess revenues. Excess revenues collected from a user class will
be applied to operation, maintenance, and replacement costs attributable
to that class for the next year.
(8)
Preexisting agreements. The user charge system takes precedence over
preexisting agreements inconsistent with the governing regulations
of the Wisconsin Fund grant program.
A.
Mandatory connection.
(1)
The owner of each parcel of land adjacent to a sewer main on which
there exists a building usable for human habitation or in a block
through which such system is extended, shall connect to such system
within 10 days of notice in writing from the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer.
Upon failure to do so, the City of Princeton may cause such connection
to be made and bill the property owner for such costs. If such costs
are not paid within 30 days, such notice shall be assessed as a special
tax lien against the property, all pursuant to § 281.45,
Wis. Stats.; provided, however, that the owner may within 30 days
after the completion of the work file a written opinion with the City
Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer stating that he/she cannot pay such
amount in one sum and ask that it be levied in not to exceed five
equal annual installments and that the amount shall be so collected
with interest at the rate of 15% per annum from the completion of
the work, the unpaid balance being a special tax lien, all pursuant
to § 281.45, Wis. Stats.
(2)
In lieu of the above, the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer, at his/her option, may impose a penalty for the period that the violation continues, after 10 days' written notice to any owner failing to make a connection to the sewer system in an amount of forfeiture as prescribed by § 1-3 of Chapter 1, Article I, Construction and Penalties, for the period in which the failure to connect continues, and upon failure to make such payment said charge shall be assessed as a special tax lien against the property, all pursuant to § 281.45, Wis. Stats.[1]
(3)
This section ordains that the failure to connect to the sewer system
is contrary to the minimum health standards of the City of Princeton
and fails to assure preservation of public health, comfort and safety
of said City of Princeton.
B.
Maintenance of services.
(1)
The utility shall maintain sewer service within the limits of the
City of Princeton from the street main to the property line, and including
controls between the same, without expenses to the property owner
where it can be shown that the damage or blockage is the result of
the sole negligence of the City of Princeton. If the sewer lateral
is damaged as a result of negligence or carelessness on the part of
the property owner, the sewer line will be repaired at the expense
of the property owner. All sewer services from the point of maintenance
by the system to and throughout the premises must be maintained free
of defective conditions, by and at the expense of the owner or occupant
of the property. Nothing in this subsection will require the City
of Princeton to pay for routine cleaning of the sewer lateral between
the sewer main and the property owner's residence or building.
(2)
When any sewer service is to be relaid and there are two or more
buildings on such service, each building shall be disconnected from
such service and a new sewer service shall be installed for each building.
C.
Penalty for improper use.
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully injure the sewer
system, or any building, machinery, or fixture pertaining thereto,
or, to willfully and without authority of the City of Princeton, bore
or otherwise cause to leak, any tunnel, aqueduct, reservoir, pipe,
or other thing used in the system for holding, conveying or collecting
sewage.
(2)
It shall be unlawful for any person to introduce sewage into the system which shows an excess of BOD or suspended solids concentration of over 200 mg/l (normal domestic sewage); a surcharge shall be based on the excess of BOD or suspended solids at the rate prescribed by Chapter 182, Fees. The City of Princeton reserves the right to test the sewage at any point within the connection system of the user or consumer. A user may not use dilution as a means to achieve a lower concentration of BOD or suspended solids. Users discharging toxic pollutants shall pay for any increased operations and maintenance (O & M) or replacement costs caused by the toxic pollutants.[2]
(3)
No user shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following
described liquids or solid wastes to any sanitary sewer:
(a)
Any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff or surface
drainage.
(b)
Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable
or explosive liquid, solid or gas.
(c)
Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass,
rags, feather, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, or any other solid
or sticky substance capable of causing obstruction of the flow in
sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage
works.
(d)
Any water or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance
in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment
process, constituting a hazard to humans or animals or create any
hazard in the receiving treatment facility.
(e)
Any water or wastes containing suspended solids of such character
and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle
such material at the sewage treatment plant.
(f)
Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating
a public nuisance.
(g)
Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.
(h)
Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150°
F.
(i)
Any water or wastes which may contain more than 100 parts per
million by weight of fat, oil, or grease.
(j)
Any water or wastes having pH lower than 5.5 or higher than
9.0 having any corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard
to structures, equipment, and personnel of the sewage works.
(4)
Damage recovery. In addition to any other penalty provided in this
article or other law, the City of Princeton shall have the right of
recovery from any responsible persons of any expense incurred by the
City for penalties imposed on the City due to a violation of the City
for penalties imposed on the City due to a violation of this article
or other law, correction of conditions impairing the proper operation
of the sewer system and the repair or replacement of any sewer pipe
or other property of the sewer system damaged in any manner by any
negligent or intended act or omission by such person or by others
under their control.
(5)
Penalties. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article or rules or regulation of the Water and Sewer Department of the City of Princeton; or who shall connect a service pipe without first having obtained a permit therefor; or who shall violate any provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes, Wisconsin Administrative Code, or any other materials which are incorporated by reference, shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a forfeiture as prescribed by § 1-3 of Chapter 1, Article I, Construction and Penalties, for each and every offense, and the costs of prosecution. This, however, shall not bar the City from enforcing the connection duties set out in Subsection A above for mandatory connection.[3]
(6)
Septic tanks prohibited. The maintenance and use of septic tanks
and other private sewage disposal systems within the area of the City
of Princeton serviced by its sewer system are hereby declared to be
a public nuisance and a health hazard. From and after original publication
of this article, the use of septic tanks or any private sewage disposal
system within the City limits of the City of Princeton serviced by
the sewerage system shall be prohibited.
(7)
Vacating of premises and discontinuance of service. Whenever premises
served by the system are to be vacated, or whenever any person desires
to discontinue service from the system, the system must be notified
in writing. The owner of the premises shall be liable for any damages
to the property or such damage which may be discovered having occurred
to the property of the system other than through the fault of the
system or its employees, representatives or agents.
(8)
Charges are a lien on property. All sewer services, charges, and
special assessments shall be a lien on a lot, part of a lot, or land
on which sewer services were supplied. All sums which have accrued
during the preceding year and which are unpaid by the first day of
October of any year shall be certified to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer
to be placed on the tax roll for collection as provided by the Wisconsin
Statutes. Additional collection may be pursued through Municipal Court
action or other collection measures.[4]
(9)
Unit of service definition.
(a)
A "unit of service" shall consist of any residential, commercial,
industrial, or charitable aggregation of space or area occupied for
a distinct purpose such as a residence, apartment, flat, store, office,
industrial plant, church, or school. Each unit of service shall be
regarded as one consumer. Suites in houses, or apartments with complete
housekeeping functions (such as cooking facilities), shall be classed
as apartment houses. Thus, houses and apartments having suites of
one, two or more rooms with toilet facilities, but without a kitchen
for cooking, are classed as rooming houses.
(b)
When a consumer's premises has several buildings for which
services are eligible and such buildings are used in the same business
and connected by the user, the City shall set a separate rate for
such complex.
(10)
Adoption of other rules. There is hereby adopted all the rules
and regulations of the State Plumbing and Building Codes and the administrative
rules of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources insofar as the same
are applicable to the City of Princeton. All extensions of the system
will comply with Administrative Rules NR 108 and NR 110, Wis. Adm.
Code.
