As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Federal water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean
Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251, et seq.
The discrete amount of water and/or sewer service to be provided
by the County. An allocation of capacity is an assurance of water
and wastewater service from the County.
American Public Health Association.
A person, partnership, corporation, firm or governmental
agency undertaking or proposing the construction of water and/or sewer
improvements or other related improvements, who is primarily responsible
for the improvements, and who is acting directly or through the owner
of the property to be served, or its agents or employees.
As determined by Charles County Government, the County's
evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, technical merits,
operation and maintenance considerations, expeditions availability
for spare parts and/or repairs, and the County's standardization
of equipment, materials, products and/or construction methods.
Drawings that show actual location of pipe and valves as
constructed including dimensional ties to physical structures.
American Society of Civil Engineers.
In the case of a corporation, the president, secretary, treasurer,
or a vice president of the corporation in charge of a principal business
function, or any person who performs similar policy or decision-making
functions for the corporation.
In the case of a partnership or proprietorship, a general partner
or proprietor.
In the case of a federal, state, or local government facility,
a director or highest official appointed or designated to oversee
the operation and performance of the activities of the government
facility, or their designee.
The individuals described in Subsections A through C above may designate another authorized representative if the authorization is in writing, the authorization specifies the individual or position responsible for the overall responsibility from which the discharge originates or having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company and the written authorization is submitted to the County.
If the authorization under Subsection D above is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, or overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Subsection D above must be submitted to the County prior to or together with any reports to be signed by an authorized representative.
The project shall have attained a certificate of substantial
completion, have all appropriate interior plumbing in place and approved,
and be ready to receive water/or sewer service.
Treatment of wastewater: The positive difference between the
rated capacity of a waste treatment plant and the rolling annual average
daily flow through the system, less any allocations granted but not
yet used. Where applicable, the rated capacity of pump stations and
interceptors shall also be taken into account. The most restrictive
volume prevails for use computation where rated capacities of various
components of the collection system differ.
Supply of water: The positive difference between the applicable
state water appropriation(s) for the water system or the rated capacity
of the system, whichever is less, and the rolling annual average daily
demand through the system, less any allocations granted but not yet
used. This capacity shall include proportional adjustments which reserve
amounts of water sufficient to meet maximum daily demand, provide
fire protection and water system maintenance. Where applicable, the
rated capacity of water treatment, distribution and storage facilities
shall also be taken into account. The most restrictive volume prevails
for use estimating purposes where rated capacities for various components
of the water system differ.
Available capacity = rated capacity - (current flows + current
commitments).
The volume of water used in the year divided by 365.
The average day demand volume divided by a one-day period
expressed in gallons per minute (gpm) or million gallons per day (mgd).
The flow, as determined by the County, expressed in gallons
per day that residential unit typically uses.
American Water Works Association.
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure for five days
at 20° C., expressed in terms of weight and concentration [milligrams
per liter (mg/l)].
A standard test used in assessing wastewater strength.
The percentage of available capacity less discretionary reserved
bulk allocation.
In plumbing, shall mean the part of the lowest horizontal
piping of a drainage system that receives the discharge from the drainage
pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building
sewer. The latter begins five feet outside the inner face of the building
wall.
The extension from the building drain to the public sewer
or other place of disposal beginning five feet outside the inner face
of the building wall.
The intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion
of an industrial user's treatment facility.
Any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated
by EPA in accordance with Sections 307 (b) and (c) of the Act (33
U.S.C. § 1317) which apply to a specific category of users
and which appear in 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N, Parts 405 through
471.
Code of Federal Regulations.
The amount of oxygen required to oxidize the organic compounds
in a water sample to carbon dioxide and water. A standard test used
by wastewater treatment plants to characterize the plant's influent.
Sewer pipeline designed and constructed to convey wastewater
from lateral or branch sewers to the outfall or trunk sewer.
The Code of Maryland Regulations.
Any single property or structure connected to the public
water or sewer main for which a connection fee is paid and a utility
permit issued.
Includes all labor, materials, equipment and incidental work
required to accomplish the project improvements as shown on the approved
project plans.
Any agreement entered into by the County for the procurement
of supplies, services, construction, or any other items and includes:
Awards and notices of award;
Contracts of a fixed-price, cost reimbursement, cost-plus-a-fixed-fee,
fixed-price incentive, or cost-plus incentive fee type;
Contracts providing for the issuance of job or task orders;
Leases;
Letter contracts;
Purchase orders;
Supplemental agreements with respect to any of these;
Orders;
Grants; and
Developer agreements.
The party of the second part to the contract; the individual,
partnership, firm or corporation undertaking the execution of the
work under the terms of the contract and acting directly or through
his/her, their, or its agents or employees.
Charles County, Maryland, a body corporate and politic.
The engineer employed by the County who is in responsible
charge and has direct supervision of water and sewer engineering.
Includes the plans and supporting documentation required
to issue a permit for the construction of public water and sewer infrastructure
by the department.
A written tabulation indicating the centerline station, elevation
of the centerline or offset line marker, invert of the pipeline, and
the excavation depth to invert from the top of marker.
The Department of Planning and Growth Management, the Department
of Public Works, and/or the Department of Fiscal and Administrative
Services, as appropriate.
A person, partnership, corporation, firm or governmental
agency undertaking or proposing the construction of water and/or sewer
improvements or other related improvements, and who is primarily financially
responsible for the improvements.
Water mains connecting the transmission mains to the service
connections. The distribution mains provide area-wide fire protection.
Generally, the distribution mains will be in a grid or branched configuration.
A grant of a right of use of the property of an owner for
a certain purpose at the will of the grantee.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or, where appropriate,
the regional water management division director, or other duly authorized
official of said agency.
The total off-site cost for the water and/or sewer improvements,
less the off-site cost required for on-site flows.
The excess capacity cost divided by the excess capacity in
gallons, times the meter factor.
Any source of discharge, the construction or operation of
which commenced prior to the publication by EPA of proposed categorical
pretreatment standards, which will be applicable to such source if
the standard is thereafter promulgated in accordance with Section
307 of the Act.
The signing and dating of a final subdivision plat by the
chair of the Planning Commission.
A user of the reclaimed effluent where service is guaranteed
without interruption. An example would be for fire protection.
A sewer which conveys sewage from a pumping station to a
treatment plant at a higher elevation or to a higher elevation in
the sewer system from which gravity flow may resume.
An assessment made upon a front foot basis, payable to the
County, on all properties, improved or unimproved, binding upon a
street, road, lane or right-of-way in which a water main or sewer
main has been built.
The body or board authorized by law to enact ordinances or
adopt resolutions for the particular county.
Gallons per day.
A sample which is taken from a waste-stream without regard
to the flow in the waste-stream and over a period of time not to exceed
15 minutes.
A sewer which connects a house or other building to a collector
sewer.
The construction, installation, and/or repairing of water
and sewerage facilities.
The introduction of pollutants into the POTW from any nondomestic
source regulated under Section 307 (b), (c), or (d) of the Act.
The maximum concentration of a pollutant allowed to be discharged
at any time, determined from the analysis of any discrete or composite
sample collected, independent of the industrial flow rate and the
duration of the sampling event.
Sewer pipeline (fifteen-inch and larger diameter) designed
and constructed to convey wastewater from a series of outfall or trunk
sewer to a wastewater treatment plant.
A discharge, which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge
or discharges from other sources, inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its
treatment processes or operations or its sludge processes, use or
disposal, and therefore is a cause of a violation of the County's
NPDES permit or of the prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal
in compliance with any of the following statutory/regulatory provisions
or permits issued thereunder, or any more stringent state or local
regulations: Section 405 of the Act; the Solid Waste Disposal Act,
including Title 11, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA); any state regulations contained in any state
sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the Solid
Waste Disposal Act; the Clean Air Act; the Toxic Substances Control
Act; and the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act.[1]
A registered, licensed journeyman plumber, working under
the supervision of a master plumber in the installation of plumbing
work.
Sewer pipeline designed and constructed to convey wastewater
from the house/dwelling/building to the collector sewer.
A structure providing access to a buried sewer, valve, conduit,
etc.
A registered, licensed master plumber who is authorized to
install and supervise the installation of plumbing work.
The largest volume of water used in one day during the year.
The volume of water used during the maximum day divided by
a one-day time period expressed in gpm or mgd.
A factor determined by the County which is used as the basis
for determining the demand for water based on meter size.
Milligrams per liter.
As set forth in the Charles County subdivision regulations
as may be amended.[2]
The regulatory condition which occurs when inadequate capacity
exists for further allocation of capacity. No allocation will be made
for systems under moratorium by the County.
The definition for "new source" contained in the General
Pretreatment Regulations, Part 403, Section 403.3(k), is hereby incorporated.
Water used for cooling which does not come into direct contact
with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, or finished
product.
A user of reclaimed effluent where service is not guaranteed
and with interruption possible. An example would be for irrigation.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
A water and/or sewerage system located outside the boundaries
of a subdivision which has capacity to serve other County customers
or which is located on-site and has capacity to serve other off-site
County customers.
A water and/or sewerage system located within the boundaries
of a subdivision which is used to support only the development within
the boundaries of the subdivision.
Means a sewage treatment unit, collection system, disposal
area, and related appurtenances.
Sewer pipeline designed and constructed to convey wastewater
from a series of collector sewer to the interceptor sewer.
A discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the United
States in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction
with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is a cause of a
violation of any requirement of the County's NPDES permit, including
an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation.
The largest volume of water used in one hour. The peak hour
demand usually occurs during the day of maximum daily demand.
The peak hour demand volume divided by 60 minutes, expressed
in gpm; or multiplied by 24 hours, expressed in mgd.
Any individuals, partnership, firm, company, corporation,
association, joint-stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity
or any other legal entity, or legal representatives, agent or assigns.
This definition includes all federal, state, and local governmental
entities.
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, expressed
in standard units.
The official approved plans, profiles, typical cross sections,
working drawings and supplemental drawings, or exact reproduction
thereof which show the location, character, dimension, and details
of the work to be done, and which are to be considered as a part of
the contract supplementary to these specifications and which are identified
as such.
Dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash,
sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, medical wastes, chemical
wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked
or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, municipal, agricultural
and industrial wastes, and certain characteristics of wastewater (e.g.,
pH, temperature, TSS, turbidity, color, BOD, COD, toxicity, or odor).
Publicly owned treatment works.
The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination
of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties
in wastewater prior to, or in lieu of, introducing such pollutants
into the POTW. This reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical,
chemical, or biological processes; by process changes; or by other
means, except by diluting the concentration of the pollutants unless
allowed by an applicable pretreatment standard.
Any substantive or procedural pretreatment requirement, other
than a national categorical pretreatment standard, imposed on an industrial
user by the EPA, state, or the County.
Prohibited discharge standards, categorical pretreatment
standards, and local limits.
Absolute prohibitions against the discharge of certain substances; these prohibitions appear in § 291-36B of this chapter.
The term shall mean either the construction, reconstruction,
relocation or extension of County public water and/or sewer facilities
or any combination thereof. As it relates to allocation, the term
shall mean a development, subdivision, unsubdivided property, parcel,
individual lot or unit, regardless of whether the use is residential,
commercial, industrial or institutional/government.
Construction cost plus at least 10%.
A treatment works, as defined by Section 212 of the Act (33
U.S.C. § 1292), which is owned by the County. This definition
includes any devices or systems used in the collection, storage, treatment,
recycling, and reclamation of sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid
nature and any conveyances which convey wastewater to a treatment
plant.
An existing street or a platted street dedicated for the
use of the general public, graded and paved or to be graded and paved
in order that every person has the right to pass and to use it at
all times for the purposes of travel, transportation or parking to
which it is adapted and devoted.
Has the meaning set forth in the Charles County Subdivision
Regulations.[3]
The Charles County Department of Public Works.
TREATMENT OF WASTEWATERThe lesser of the volume recorded on the NPDES permit or the design volume of the treatment facility.
SUPPLY OF WATERThe lesser of the pumping capacity for an eighteen-hour period or the state groundwater appropriation permit.
PUMP STATIONSFacilities including pumps and equipment for pumping fluids from one place to another. They are used for a variety of infrastructure systems, such as the removal of sewage to processing sites.
WATER BOOSTER STATIONSSupply water to elevated water storage tanks where the water then flows via gravity to customers. Also used to increase operating system pressures in areas where gravity is not suitable for system demands.
WATER STORAGE FACILITYStore water during low-demand periods for distribution during high-demand periods.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, A federal law enacted
on October 21, 1976, to address the increasing problems the nation
faced from our growing volume of municipal and industrial waste; part
of pretreatment.
Wastewater produced by a WWTP which has been treated to control
pollutants and distributed for reuse.
A buried transmission pipeline which transports the reclaimed
effluent originating from a WWTP.
A representative of the Department.
A discretionary percentage of the bulk allocation amount
annually allocated by the County. This reserve is apportioned by the
Commissioners. The County Commissioners must stipulate specific projects
and discreet amounts of capacity in accordance with the priority system
for reserved bulk allocations established under this policy.
The total flow of water into the distribution system for
the preceding 12 months, divided by the number of days counted.
The total flow of wastewater through a treatment plant for
the preceding 12 months divided by the number of days counted.
The listing of available capacity for water and sewer systems owned and operated or maintained by the County Commissioners. These are found in this policy as Appendix I, which is updated periodically.[4]
System expansion fee.
That portion of line which the connecting developer is using
that is constructed with private funds.
Any sewage from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets,
campers, trailers, and septic tanks.
Substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment
facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial
and permanent loss of natural resources.
Human excrement and gray water (household showers, dish-washing
operations, etc.).
The area served by, or potentially served by, a single collection
system under the control of a single utility, or, in a very large
system, subareas delineated by the County as shown on the adopted
Water and Sewer Plan Maps.
Shall include all plants, systems, facilities or properties
used or useful or having the present capacity for future in connection
with the collection, carrying away, treating, neutralizing, stabilizing
or disposal of sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes, and any
integral part thereof, including sewage treatment plants, disposal
fields, lagoons, ditches, outfall sewers, force mains, pipes, pipe
lines, conduits, equipment, appurtenances, and all properties, rights,
easements, and franchises relating thereto and deemed necessary or
convenient by the department for the operation thereof.
Standard Industrial Classification.
A user:
Subject to categorical pretreatment standards, or
That:
Discharges an average of 25,000 gpd or more of process wastewater
to the POTW (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling, and boiler blow-down
wastewater);
Contributes a process waste stream which makes up 5% or more
of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW
treatment plant; or
Is designated as such by the County on the basis that it has
a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation
or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.
Upon a finding that a user meeting the criteria in Subsection
A(2)(b) above has no reasonable potential for adversely affecting
the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard
or requirement, the County, may at any time, on its own initiative
or in response to a petition received from a user, and in accordance
with procedures in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(6), determine that such user should
not be considered a significant industrial user.
Any discharge at a flow rate or concentration which could cause a violation of the prohibited discharge standards in § 291-36B(1) of this chapter.
The directions, provisions and requirements pertaining to
the method and manner of performing the work or to quantities and
qualities of materials and workmanship to be furnished in accordance
with the latest Charles County Standards and Specifications for Construction
Manual.
All refuse materials, other than gaseous and liquid wastes,
from all public and private establishments and residences.
Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, which provides
scheduled or systematic collection of solid wastes and their transportation
to and treatment or other disposition at a solid waste acceptance
facility. A "solid waste disposal system" includes all solid waste
acceptance facilities used in connection with the system.
The latest Charles County Standards and Specifications for
Construction Manual or reproductions thereof which pertain to the
standard method of construction of water and sewerage facilities and
which are approved by the Department.
A classification pursuant to the Standard Industrial Classification
Manual issued by the United States Office of Management and Budget.
The date of substantial completion of a project or specified
part of a project is the date accepted by County, following submission
of a certificate of substantial completion by the developer when the
construction is sufficiently completed, in accordance with the approved
plans, so that the project or specified part of the project can be
utilized for the purpose for which it was intended.
Financial instrument which guarantees funds to satisfactorily
complete construction of the required water and/or sewer improvements.
The person designated by the County to supervise the operation
of the POTW, and who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities
by this chapter.
The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of,
or is suspended in, water, wastewater or other liquids, and which
is removable by laboratory filtering.
The excess capacity cost per gallon multiplied by the average
residential flow.
Total suspended solids. Shall mean solids that either float
on the surface of or are in suspension in water, wastewater, or other
liquids, and which are largely removable by laboratory filtering.
The quantity of material removed from wastewater in a laboratory test.
United States Code.
A source of indirect discharge.
Liquid and water-carried industrial wastes and sewage from
residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing
facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which
are contributed to the POTW.
The surrounding area in which the wastewater pump station
serves.
That portion of the POTW which is designed to provide treatment
of municipal sewage and industrial waste.
(Formerly known as the Sewer Capacity Waiting List.) The
list of potential users for water and sewer service within the County;
generated from the applications for allocation submitted by project
owners, or their agents. Being on the water and sewer allocation eligibility
list does not guarantee water or sewer service to the project owner.
The area served by, or potentially served by, a single distribution
system under the control of a single utility, or, in a very large
system, subareas delineated by the County as shown on the adopted
Water and Sewer Plan Maps.
Shall include all plants, systems, facilities or properties
used of useful or having the present capacity for future use in connection
with the supply or distribution of water and any integral part thereof,
including water supply systems, water distribution systems, reservoirs,
dams, wells, intakes, mains, laterals, pumping stations, standpipes,
filtration plants, purification plants, hydrants, meters, valves and
equipment, appurtenances, and all properties, rights, easements and
franchise relating thereof and deemed necessary or convenient by the
Department for the operation thereof.
Water Environment Federation.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.,
42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et
seq.; and P.L. 92-532, respectively.
[4]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
Water and Sewer Facilities Rules and Regulations are adopted in accordance with the provisions of Title 9, Environmental Article, of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 edition as amended), and the Code of Charles County Maryland, Division 1, Code of Public Local Laws, Chapter 97.
A.
Wherever there exists in any street or alley a water and sewer main
available for public use, owners of all houses on properties abutting
such street or alley shall install adequate plumbing systems as hereinafter
provided, and shall connect the same with said water and sewer system
wherever topographically possible; provided that no house more than
500 feet from the water or sewer main shall be required to connect
with it, unless the Maryland Department of Environment shall deem
such connection necessary.
B.
Wherever there exists in any street or alley a water main and not
a sewer main available for public use but the owners of houses on
said street or alley do have an adequate private sewerage disposal
system, owners of all such houses on properties abutting such street
or alley shall install adequate plumbing systems as hereinafter provided,
and shall connect the same with said water main wherever topographically
possible; provided that no house more than 500 feet from the water
main shall be required to connect with it, unless the Maryland Department
of Environment shall deem such connection necessary.
C.
Wherever there exists in any street or alley a water main and not
a sewer main available for public use and the owners of houses on
said street or alley do not have plumbing or an adequate sewerage
disposal system, owners of all houses on properties abutting such
street or alley shall connect to the water main with a water fixture
outside the foundation or footings of any habitable building wherever
topographically possible; provided that no house more than 500 feet
from the water main shall be required to connect with it, unless the
Maryland Department of Environment shall deem such connection necessary.
D.
Fixtures required. Whenever a building is connected to a public water
system and a public or private sewer, there shall be installed for
each family in said building, or on the premises, not less than one
water closet and one sink or washbasin, both of which shall be properly
connected with said public or private sewer. All new residences shall
have, in addition, at least one bathtub or shower for each family.
E.
No officer, agent or employee of the County can bind it by an agreement
or representations except when authorized so to do, in writing, by
action of the County Commissioners.
F.
The Department of Planning and Growth Management with the consent
of the County Commissioners reserves the right to make such changes
to this chapter, from time to time, as in its opinion, may be desirable
or beneficial for the more efficient operation and control of the
systems, and to amend or to change the rates or charges in such manner
and at such times as, in its opinion, may be advisable.
G.
This chapter shall become effective at once and shall be applicable
to all properties connected, or as soon as they respectively become
connected with and have the right to use County water and sewage systems.
Pursuant to § 9-699 of the Environmental Article of
the Annotated Maryland Code, a person who violates this chapter is
guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not
exceeding $100 or imprisonment in jail not exceeding 30 days or both.
The water service areas and sewerage service areas included in Charles County, and subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioners, are delineated on Appendix A and A-1 attached to this chapter[1] and are updated through the adopted Water and Sewer Comprehensive
Plan.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendixes are included as attachments to this chapter.
A.
The requirements established in this chapter shall not apply to any
construction proposed pursuant to a valid permit issued prior to September
17, 2011.
B.
The requirements established in this chapter shall not apply to pending
permit applications provided these permit applications are issued
permits within 60 days of September 17, 2011, and that some manifest
commencement of work is undertaken within six months of the date of
the issued permit.
A.
The County may grant a written variance from any design requirement
of this chapter, if there are exceptional circumstances applicable
to the site, such that strict adherence to the design provisions of
this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship and not fulfill the
intent of this chapter. A written request for variance shall state
the specific variances sought and reasons for their granting; however,
all designs still must adhere to good engineering practices.
B.
Variances should be directed to the County Engineer. Persons may
appeal decisions to the Director of Planning and Growth Management.
A.
The County shall have the authority by virture of this chapter to
charge fees for all types of water- and/or sewer-related permits,
water and/or sewer service connections, all plan reviews or other
reviews, inspection, variances, administration costs, reinspection
fees, minimum inspection fees, additional inspection fees due to permit
extensions, fees in lieu, service reconnection fees, service tests,
and/or other costs associated with water and/or sewer permits, fee
amounts shall be determined as specified in the County's fees
and charges schedule.
B.
The County shall also have the authority to charge for reimbursement
if the County or their agent has had to respond to a site for water,
sewer, road, drainage, or other public safety issues. Reimbursements
will be based on actual costs incurred by the County, including any
administrative costs and/or penalties.
