A.
When service connections to municipal infrastructure are required utilizing wastewater lines as required in § 300-27, a notice advising the owner or agent in charge of any buildings of such requirement shall be mailed via certified, registered mail. Such notice shall state the address in question, the location of the nearest infrastructure line and the estimated cost if municipal crews are utilized. The notice shall further state that the owner shall have 30 days within which to initiate the service connections or be considered to be in violation with this chapter.
B.
It is unlawful to fail or refuse to make the wastewater lines connection,
installation or construction required pursuant to NMSA 1978 § 3-18-22.
The owner, agent in charge or occupant of any building on a lot or land adjoining a street or alley where no wastewater lines are laid but where water pipes are laid shall construct and install and connect to an approved septic tank as reviewed, inspected and approved in this chapter. This requirement does not eliminate the need for water line service connection if such infrastructure is available as delineated in § 300-27.
A.
Permit required. Before commencement of construction of a private
sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit
signed by the New Mexico Environment Department, Wastewater Resources
Manager and the Planning and Zoning Department. The application for
such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City which the
applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other
information as are deemed necessary by the Building Inspector, Wastewater
Resources Manager and the Planning and Zoning Department. A permit
and inspection fee shall be paid to the City at the time the application
is filed. The fee shall include an inspection fee of $30. Reinspection
shall be subject to the inspection fee of $50 for each inspection
conducted to any system.
B.
Inspection. A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not
become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction
of the Wastewater Collection Foreman or his designee. He shall be
allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction. The applicant
for the permit shall give a one-day notice to the Wastewater Collection
Foreman when the work is ready for final inspection and before any
underground portions are covered. The Wastewater Collection Foreman
or his designee shall be on site for inspection.
C.
Design requirements. The type, capacities, location and layout of
a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all requirements
and recommendations of the New Mexico Environment Department. No permit
shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface
soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than
32,670 square feet (3/4 acre). No septic tank or cesspool shall be
permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.
D.
Conversion to public wastewater lines. As provided in § 300-27, property served by a private sewage disposal system shall directly connect to the public wastewater lines. Such connections shall be in compliance with this Part 2, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be completely drained, filled with clean soil, sand or gravel and abandoned. The Wastewater Collection Foreman, his legal designee and the Wastewater Resources Manager, prior to service within the municipal collection system, shall inspect all connections and abandoned facilities. All maintenance costs shall be maintained by the owner.
E.
Operation; maintenance. The owner shall operate and maintain private
sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times at no
expense to the City, from the wastewater main collection line to the
residence and/or structures.
F.
Chapter not to limit other reasonable requirements. No statement
contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any
additional reasonable requirements that may be imposed by the Wastewater
Collection Foreman, Planning and Zoning Official, Wastewater Resources
Manager or official from any State of New Mexico agency or department
having jurisdiction over such systems.
A.
Permits required. No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any
connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public
wastewater lines or appurtenances thereof without first obtaining
a written permit from the Planning and Zoning Department and Utility
Departments.
B.
Permit categories; applications; fees. There shall be two permit categories for residential service and three categories for commercial service and for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In all cases, the owner or his agent shall make application on a form furnished by the City. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information which may be necessary in reviewing the plans for permit by the Planning and Zoning Department. A permit and inspection fee for a residential, other or industrial wastewater lines permit shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed, as provided in § 300-54.
C.
Costs; indemnification. All costs incidental to the installation
and connection of the new infrastructure lines shall be borne by the
owner. The owner shall indemnify the City against any loss or damage
that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation
of the municipal infrastructure.
D.
Separate wastewater lines required. Separate and independent wastewater
lines shall be required for every building.
E.
Use of old building wastewater lines. Upon failure of old building
wastewater lines, the owner(s) shall replace such lines with lines
of modem design, minimum of four-inches in diameter, as appropriate
and approved by the Planning and Zoning Department and the Wastewater
Manager, at the owner's expense.
F.
Existing or insufficient easements. It shall be the responsibility
of the owner of the lot or lots to be connected to provide adequate
easement(s) to the City in order to provide for the proper installation
of utility lines. A minimum of a fifteen-foot easement will be required.
G.
Design requirements; compliance with Codes. The size, slope, alignment,
and materials of construction of building wastewater lines and the
methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing,
backfilling and compacting the trench shall all conform to the requirements
of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations
of the City and state. A minimum of a four-inch-size service connection
must be made to a minimum of an eight-inch wastewater collection line.
H.
Safety and protective measures for excavations. All excavations for
municipal wastewater line installation shall be adequately guarded
with barricades and lights 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.
A traffic control plan shall be presented with all applications for
sanitary wastewater lines construction to be conducted within a public
right-of-way.
I.
Connection of surface runoff or groundwater to public wastewater
lines. No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, areaway
drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to building
wastewater lines or building drains, which in tum are connected directly
or indirectly to municipal wastewater lines.
J.
Gravity flow or lift. Whenever possible, the building wastewater
lines 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 wastewater lines, sanitary sewage
carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved mechanical
pump and discharged to the sanitary wastewater lines.
K.
Connection procedures generally. The connection of the building wastewater
lines into the municipal wastewater lines shall conform to the requirements
of the current Uniform Building Code and Uniform Plumbing Code or
other applicable rules and regulations of the City or the procedures
set forth in appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and the New
Mexico Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction. All
such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. The Wastewater
Resources Manager, before installation, must approve any deviation
from the prescribed procedures and materials.
L.
Final inspection. The applicants for the municipal wastewater connection
permit shall notify the Wastewater Resources Manager when the building
wastewater lines are ready for inspection and connection to the municipal
wastewater lines. The connection shall be made under the supervision
of the Wastewater Collection Foreman, Wastewater Manager or his representative.
A.
Prohibited discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged
any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface
drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process
waters into any sanitary wastewater lines.
B.
Prohibited substances. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged
any of the following described liquids or wastes to any and all sanitary
wastewater lines:
(1)
Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive
liquid, solid or gas, volatile or nonvolatile substance.
(2)
Any waters or wastes, containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids
or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with
other wastes, that may injure or interfere with any wastewater facility,
constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance
or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the wastewater treatment
works, including but not limited to cyanide in excess of two mg/l
such as cadmium, in the waste as discharged to the public wastewater
lines.
(3)
Any herbicides and pesticides.
(4)
Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5, or higher than 9.5,
or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or
hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the wastewater facility.
(5)
Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable
of causing obstruction to the flow in wastewater lines or other interference
with the proper operation of the wastewater facility such as, but
not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal,
glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, ungrounded garbage, whole
blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshing, entrails and paper dishes,
cups, milk containers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders.
(6)
Any amount of the following heavy metals:
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Antimony
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Arsenic
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Barium
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Beryllium
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Bismuth
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Boron
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Cadmium
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Chromium (Hexa)
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Chromium (Tri)
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Cobalt
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Copper
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Iron
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Lead
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Manganese
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Mercury
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Molybdenum
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Mercury
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Nickel
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Rhenium
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Selenium
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Silver
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Strontium
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Tellurium
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Tin
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Uranium
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Zinc
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(7)
Dilution of toxic materials and heavy metals in lieu of removal is
not acceptable.
C.
Discharges subject to regulation. No person shall discharge or cause
to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters
or wastes if it appears likely, in the opinion of the Wastewater Resources
Manager, that such wastes can harm the wastewater facility or equipment,
have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger
life, limb, or public property or constitute a nuisance. In forming
an opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the Wastewater
Resources Manager will consider such factors as the materials of construction
of the wastewater lines, nature and capaCity of the wastewater treatment
works and other pertinent factors. The substances which must be considered
include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1)
Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150° F.
(65° C.).
(2)
Any water or waste containing fats, grease, wax or oils, whether
emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/liter or containing substances
which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32°
F. and 150° F. (0° C. and 56° C.).
(3)
Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. The Wastewater Collection
Foreman will not allow installation and operation of any garbage grinder
larger than those normally manufactured and sold for residential and
noncommercial use without specific review and approval.
(4)
Any waters or wastes containing strong acid, iron, pickling wastes
or concentrated plating solutions cannot be discharged into the wastewater
facility unless completely neutralized and approved by the Wastewater
Resources Manager for discharge.
(5)
Any waters or wastes containing reducing substances of an organic
or inorganic nature, toxic and nontoxic, which exert an immediate
chlorine demand cannot be discharged into the wastewater facility
if discharge of agents will prevent the achievement of an adequate
chlorine residual in the effluent of the wastewater treatment works.
(6)
Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste- or odor-producing
substances in concentrations exceeding limits established by the Wastewater
Resources Manager after treatment of the composite sewage to meet
the requirements of the state, federal or other public agencies of
jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters.
(7)
Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentrations
as may exceed limits established by the Wastewater Resources Manager
in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
(8)
Materials which exert or cause:
(a)
Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but
not limited to, fuller's earth, lime slurries and lime residues)
or of dissolved solids such as, but not limited to, sodium chlorine
and sodium sulfate.
(b)
Excessive discoloration such as, but not limited to, dye wastes
and vegetable tanning solutions.
(c)
Unusual chemical oxygen demand, or biochemical oxygen, or chlorine
requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load
on the wastewater treatment works.
(d)
Slugs or shocks constituting an unusual volume of flow or concentration
of wastes, which will disturb the normal functioning of the wastewater
facility.
(9)
Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to
treatment or reduction by the wastewater treatment works employed
or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the effluent
cannot meet the requirements of agencies having jurisdiction over
discharge to the receiving waters.
D.
Wastewater Resources Manager discretion.
(1)
If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged,
to the public wastewater lines and such waters contain the substances
or possess the characteristics enumerated in this section, and which
in the judgment of the Wastewater Resources Manager may have a deleterious
effect upon the wastewater facilities or receiving waters, or which
otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance,
the Wastewater Resources Manager may:
(2)
If the Wastewater Resources Manager permits the pretreatment or equalization
of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants and equipment
shall be subject to the review and approval of the Wastewater Resources
Manager and the State of New Mexico Environment Department and subject
to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances, and laws.
E.
Tasting industrial waste. Testing of industrial waste will be performed
at least twice a year or whenever found necessary by the Wastewater
Resources Manager. The person discharging the waste shall be liable
for payment of all costs arising from the testing of the industrial
waste.
F.
Grease, oil and sand interceptors. Grease, oil and sand traps shall
be provided when they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid
wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes,
sand or other harmful ingredients, except that such traps shall not
be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. Grease
and oil traps shall be installed in all new filling stations, garages,
restaurants, and other new facilities, as determined by the Wastewater
Resources Manager, wherein heavy discharge of grease and oil is to
be expected. When, in the judgment of the Wastewater Resources Manager,
discharge pretreatment into the wastewater lines system is required,
an approved-type grease interceptor or sand interceptor, or both,
complying with the provisions of this section or the adopted Uniform
Plumbing Code shall be installed in the wastewater lines line leading
from sinks, drains and other fixtures or equipment where grease or
sand may be introduced into the drainage or sewage system in quantities
that can cause line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment or private
sewage disposal. Every private or public wash rack and/or floor or
slab used for cleaning vehicles, equipment or machine parts shall
be adequately protected against stormwater or surface water and shall
drain or discharge into a sand trap of an approved design for the
specific use. The Wastewater Resources Manager, in accordance with
the Uniform Building Code or the Uniform Plumbing Code, shall approve
the size, type and location of each grease trap or sand trap or separator.
These interceptors for grease or sand and similar solid heavy wastes
shall be so designed and located as to be readily accessible for servicing
maintenance, and inspection and shall at all times be in working and
operating condition. Grease traps and sand traps shall be properly
serviced and maintained by authorized personnel and documentation
filed for inspection at any time by the City Enforcement Officer.
Property owners of the establishment will be held liable in a court
of competent jurisdiction for their negligence or the negligence of
their lessees in maintaining and servicing the grease trap or sand
trap, or both, creating sewage problems in a public wastewater line
or to other City customer services.
G.
Maintenance of preliminary treatment and flow-equalizing facilities.
Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided
for any industrial liquid wastes, the owner, at his expense, shall
maintain them continuously in satisfactory and effective operation.
H.
Waste meters; manholes. When required by the Wastewater Resources
Manager, the owner of any property serviced by sanitary lines carrying
industrial liquid wastes shall install a suitable control manhole,
together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the
sanitary wastewater lines to facilitate observation, sampling and
measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly
and safely located, constructed in such a manner as to prevent infiltration
of groundwater and surface water and constructed in accordance with
plans approved by the Wastewater Resources Manager and the Planning
and Zoning Department. The manhole shall be installed by the owner,
at his expense, and shall be maintained by him to be safe and accessible
at all times.
I.
Methods of testing; location of test site. All measurements, tests
and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes shall be
determined in accordance with the latest edition of "Standard Methods"
and shall be determined at the control manhole provided or upon suitable
samples taken at such manhole. The control manhole shall be located
so that sampling of the industrial waste will be performed before
discharge into the public wastewater lines system.
J.
Sampling and analysis methods. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily
accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the wastewater
treatment works and to determine the existence of hazards to life,
limb, and property. The particular analyses involved will determine
whether a twenty-four-hour composite of all outfalls of premises is
appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally,
but not always, COD, BOD, and settleable solids analyses are obtained
from twenty-four-hour composites of all outfalls, whereas pHs are
determined from periodic grab samples.
K.
Access for sampling. The Wastewater Resources Manager shall be allowed
access to the properties of all wastewater lines users as necessary
to sample, test and measure all wastewater discharges. Failure to
allow such access may, at the City's discretion, be the basis
for discontinuance of wastewater lines and/or water service to the
property to which access is denied.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater,
surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated
cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary
wastewater lines.
It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet, including
irrigation ditches or storm drains within the City, or in any that
are under the jurisdiction of the City, any sewage or wastewater or
other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided
in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter.
A.
All persons are prohibited from introducing any foreign material,
including, but not necessarily limited to, crankcase oil, wastepaper
and sand into the wastewater lines system, as well as any item or
material which could be considered volatile or toxic.
B.
All owners of service stations, restaurants, schools, cafeterias,
bars and clubs, hospitals, or any commercial establishment wherein
grease, oil, or other like substances may be introduced into the drainage
system in quantities that could affect sewage flow and sewage treatment
shall, as prerequisite to commencing business, provide a grease interceptor.
This grease interceptor shall be sized and designed for the appropriate
business. The Wastewater Collection Foreman, prior to installation,
will review the specifications and design of the interceptor.
C.
All car washes, laundries, excluding dry cleaners, or any commercial
establishment wherein any solid material may be introduced into the
drainage system in quantities that could affect sewage flow and sewage
treatment shall, as a prerequisite to commencing business, provide
a sand interceptor. This sand interceptor shall be sized and designed
for the appropriate business. The Wastewater Collection Foreman, prior
to installation, will review the specifications and design of the
sand interceptor.
D.
Sand and grease interceptors shall be cleaned out as often as necessary
to provide maximum efficiency. A schedule for such cleaning shall
be presented to the Code Enforcement Officer each year prior to approval
or renewal of a business registration or other license.
E.
The effective date of this section shall be six months from the date
of adoption of this chapter, after which time all applicable businesses
will have to be in compliance.
Except as provided by NMED, and after approval by the Planning
and Zoning Department and the Wastewater Resources Manager, it shall
be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic
tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal
of sewage.
Residential, commercial and industrial properties situated outside
the City limits, but within any extraterritorial zone, may be connected
via building wastewater lines to available wastewater lines or future
wastewater lines upon application and agreement to abide by the provisions
of this chapter.
