[1]
State law reference: As to general powers of City relating to sewers, drains and use of streets pertaining thereto, see N.J.S.A. 40:63-1 et seq.
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise clearly indicates:
BUILDING CONNECTION OR HOUSE CONNECTION
The connection to the public sewer and the extension therefrom of the sewer to the property line at the right-of-way or the curb line of the street whichever is applicable, depending on the location of the public sewer.
BUILDING SEWERS OR HOUSE SEWER
The extension from the building plumbing system outlet to the building connection or other place of disposal.
COMBINED SEWER
A sewer receiving both surface run-off during or following a period of rainfall and resulting therefrom, and sanitary sewage.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Public Works in the Department of Public Works or his authorized deputy, agent or representative including the Superintendent of Public Works.
DRAIN
Any pipe or conduit, open or closed, which carries water or waterborne sewage in a drainage system.
GARBAGE
Solid wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
The liquid, gaseous, or solid wastes produced as a result of any industrial operation.
NATURAL OUTLET
Any outlet into a watercourse, ditch, swale, or body of surface or ground water.
PRIVATE SEWER
Any sewer not owned by the City.
PUBLIC SEWER
Any sewer owned and controlled by the City.
SANITARY SEWER
A sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface and ground waters are not intentionally admitted.
SEWAGE
A combination of water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, and storm waters as may be present.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
Any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.
SEWERAGE WORKS
All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage.
SEWER
Any sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
SEWER LATERAL
A sewer line connected to the sewer main for the purposes of serving a customer.
SEWER MAIN
Any sewer line, other than a sewer lateral including but not limited to sewer lines commonly called interceptors and feeders.
STORM SEWER
A sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage but excludes sanitary sewage and industrial wastes.
The provisions of Chapter 14, Subdivisions, of this Code when pertaining to sewers, sewer systems, water lines or mains, basements, drains, drainage right of ways and appurtenances thereto shall be applicable to this chapter by reference thereto.
[1]
Cross reference: As to Subdivision of Land, see Chapter 14 of this Code.
[R.O. 1957, 14:9-1]
Any unaccepted dedicated street shall not be accepted by Council as a public street until the construction of all sanitary and storm improvements have been fully completed pursuant to and under:
(a) 
The provisions of the Land Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 14 of this Code;
(b) 
Supervision and approval of the Department of Public Works in accordance with the standard plans and specifications of the City; and approval of the City Engineer;
(c) 
Upon recommendation of the Department of Public Works and if peculiar conditions make it impracticable or will exact undue hardship or for other good cause shown, the Council may waive the provisions of this section.
[1]
Cross reference: As to streets generally, see Chapter 13 of this Code.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-3, 4, 5, as amended Dec. 18, 1961]
(a) 
Every property adjoining or abutting upon any street or alley in which a public sewer is now or shall hereafter be located, shall be connected with such sewer.
(b) 
If the owner of any property, after thirty (30) days notice from the City to make connection of such property with a City sewer, shall fail to make such connection then the City may bring an action in equity against the owner compelling such connection or the City may make such connection and may collect the cost thereof from such owner by filing a municipal lien or an action to recover such costs as provided by law.
(c) 
Department of Public Works and the Division of Health or their designees must supervise the work of connection with sewers.
(d) 
No privy vault, cesspool, septic tank or similar receptacle shall at any time, now or hereafter, be connected with any sewer or building and house connections, where sanitary sewers are available.
(e) 
No effluent from vaults, cesspools or septic tanks shall be disposed of in the sewer or sewage system in the City.
(f) 
No surface, underground or rain waters shall be allowed to enter any sanitary sewer or house connection to a sanitary sewer.
(g) 
No person shall place or put into any of the sewers, appurtenances or laterals, oil, gasoline, kerosene or other petroleum product or any other matter which might be injurious to or which might interfere with the sanitary sewer systems, or cause pollution.
(h) 
No more than one (1) property shall be connected with a sanitary sewer through one (1) connection without a special permit from the Department of Public Works and Division of Health or their designees.
(i) 
No trap shall be placed on any connection between the sewer and the property.
(j) 
No combined sanitary and storm sewers will be permitted.
(k) 
All plumbing, drainage systems and appurtenances thereto, plumbing fixtures, and sewers together with connections thereto required under the provisions of the Plumbing Code of 1961, as amended, which is incorporated herein by reference shall be properly constructed and connected with the approved water and sewer systems.[2]
[2]
Cross reference: As to plumbing fixtures, see the Plumbing Code of 1961, as amended, § 2:2-22(d3).
(l) 
Septic tanks or other private means of disposal shall not be permitted or approved where a public sewer is available. Such means of disposal shall be discontinued when public sewers are made available. Compliance with the abandonment procedure shall occur within thirty (30) days after any notice to abandon. The manner of abandonment must be in accordance with good health standards and as approved by the Department of Public Works and Division of Health and their designees.
(m) 
Each property owner shall maintain the sewer laterals on his premises and those leading directly from his premises.
(n) 
It shall be unlawful to permit anything other than sewage to flow into any public sanitary sewer.
(o) 
It shall be unlawful and a nuisance for any person to permit any excavation, low area or cellar upon property in his possession to be filled or covered with stagnant water in an offensive and noisome state.
(p) 
The construction, installation, connection, maintenance, repair, and use of all sanitary and storm sewers, laterals, tributary, drainage systems, easements, drains and any excavations thereof must comply with all of the provisions, requirements, regulations, conditions, plans and specifications as set forth in this Code and under any of the ordinances of the City.[3]
[3]
State law reference: As to City's power to regulate and provide for construction, improvement, maintenance and repair of sewer connections, see N.J.S.A. 40:63-52 et seq.
[1]
As to privy vaults and cesspools, see the Sanitary Code, Article 10
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-2, as amended Apr. 3, 1961; amended 5-8-2023 by Ord. No. MC 2023-12]
(a) 
No person shall make any connection with any sewer or sewer connection unless he received a written permit from the Director of Public Works or his designee.
(b) 
The applicant shall pay to the Director of Public Works or their designee a sewer connection fee as referenced in §2:10-6C(a)(2)(D).
Excavations and openings of streets, sidewalks, curbs, lanes, courts, driveways or other public places as to the protection, refilling, backfilling, resurfacing, repaving and restoring thereto shall comply with all of the provisions of Chapter 13, Streets, of this Code which are incorporated herein by reference.
[1]
State law reference: As to City's control of streets, see N.J.S.A. 40:67-1 et seq.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6]
(a) 
No wastes other than normal domestic sewage from toilets, baths, showers, wash bowls, sinks (hereinafter referred to as domestic sewage) or other receptacles shall be discharged into the sewers or laterals tributary thereto unless a written application verified under oath is filed by any person starting to use existing connections and by any person seeking new connections with the sewers or laterals tributary thereto.
(b) 
Such applications shall be filed with the Department of Public Works and any connection effected must receive the approval or prior approval of the Department of Public Works and the Division of Health.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6 (c)]
(a) 
All applications for permission to discharge or continue to discharge any sewage or wastes other than domestic sewage into the sewers or laterals tributary thereto shall contain complete information as follows:
(1) 
Existing equalizing or pre-treatment facilities;
(2) 
Total daily flow in gallons;
(3) 
Period of time during which daily flow is discharged, namely, hours of day and days per week;
(4) 
Peak rate of flow;
(5) 
Character and concentration with respect to:
(A) 
Suspended solids — total and volatile;
(B) 
Dissolved solids — total and volatile;
(C) 
5-day B.O.D. (Biochemical Oxygen Demand);
(D) 
Chlorine Demand;
(E) 
Temperature;
(F) 
pH (hydrogen - ion concentration);
(G) 
Oil and grease;
(H) 
Sulphides;
(I) 
Free acidity;
(J) 
Alkalinity, total and caustic;
(K) 
Maximum size of solids;
(L) 
Data with respect to any chemical constituent.
(b) 
Applicant must furnish any additional information and data requested by the City to complete such application.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6 (d)]
Readily accessible means shall be provided by the owner, tenant or occupant of the premises to allow the Department of Public Works and Division of Health to make periodic examinations and determinations of the volume, character and concentration of wastes being discharged into the sewers or laterals tributary thereto.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6 (e)]
(a) 
After the approval of the Department of Public Works and the Division of Health has been obtained, a waste may be permitted to enter the sewers or laterals tributary thereto if it meets the following conditions:
(1) 
No mineral acidity with a pH less than 5.0.
(2) 
No caustic alkalinity with a pH greater than 10.0.
(3) 
Must not contain any explosive substance.
(4) 
Must not contain any flammable substance.
(5) 
Temperature must not exceed 150° F.
(6) 
No grease or oil that will solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32° and 150° F.
(7) 
Insoluble substances shall not exceed a daily average of 500 ppm (parts per million).
(8) 
Total solids (soluble and insoluble) shall not exceed a daily average of 5,000 ppm.
(9) 
No gases or vapors, either free or occluded, in concentrations toxic or dangerous to humans, animals or aquatic life.
(10) 
Chlorine demand shall not exceed an average greater than 20 ppm.
(11) 
5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.) shall not exceed an average greater than 550 ppm.
(12) 
Shall not contain sulphides exceeding 2 ppm.
(13) 
Must not contain more than 100 ppm of antiseptic substances.
(14) 
Must not contain phenols in excess of 0.005 ppm.
(15) 
Must not contain any toxic or irritating substance which will create conditions hazardous to public health and safety.
(16) 
Must not contain any grease or oily substances exceeding a daily average of 25 ppm.
(17) 
Must not contain poisons in sufficient quantities to endanger all higher forms of life or interfere with biological processes.
(18) 
Must not contain any substance which the City funds to be harmful.
[1]
Cross reference: As to water pollution and discharge permit, see Chapter 8, Sections 8:4-5 to 8:4-9.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6 (g), as amended May 20, 1963]
(a) 
Under no circumstances shall any of the following substances be discharged into any sewer or lateral:
(1) 
Gasoline, naphtha, petroleum products or any substance which may create an explosion hazard in the system.
(2) 
Oils, fats, or grease except as may result from household, hotel or restaurant operation.
(3) 
Surface or rain water from yards, areas, courts, cellars, drains, roofs, any floor or paved or unpaved area.
(4) 
Rubbish, ashes, cinders or garbage, except such kitchen wastes as have been ground or chopped by mechanical devices or appliances.
(5) 
Milk, brewery or distillery waste in any form.
(6) 
Any substance which will cause a:
(A) 
Chemical reaction, either directly or indirectly with the materials of construction to impair the strength or durability of any sewer structure.
(B) 
Mechanical action that will destroy or damage the sewer structure.
(C) 
Restriction of hydraulic capacity of sewer structure.
(D) 
Restriction of normal inspection or maintenance of sewer structure.
(E) 
Placement of unusual demands on the sewage treatment equipment or process.
(F) 
Limitation of effectiveness of sewage treatment process.
(G) 
Danger to public health and safety.
(H) 
Obnoxious conditions inimical to the public interest.
(b) 
This Section shall not prevent the disposal of ground or chopped human skin tissue, not in excess of one (1) gallon per day, from a Pathologist's Cutting Station in a hospital for the care and treatment of human beings.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-6 (f)]
(a) 
The right is reserved by the City to stop and prevent at any time the discharge into the sewers or laterals of any waste which may injure the sewers or adversely affect sewage treatment or which is not in conformity with the requirements and standards made by the City.
(b) 
The City reserves the right at any time, without notice and without recourse to sever the connection and cause the removal of any sewer or drain through which such waste may be discharged.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-8 (a)]
(a) 
All improper construction work performed on sanitary or storm drains or appurtenances shall be reconstructed.
(b) 
All materials which do not conform to the specifications and requirements set forth in this Code shall be removed from the excavation, construction or work site.
(c) 
The materials so removed shall be replaced with materials conforming with this Code.
(d) 
Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of Subsections (a) (b) and (c) herein, shall perform and supply such required work and materials at his own cost and expense.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-8 (b)]
(a) 
The proper location for the connection to the sewer will be given at the time the permit is issued and no deviation from the location shall be made.
(b) 
No opening shall be cut into the sewer without special permission from the Director of Public Works or his designee.
The current revised specifications for construction materials, connections and other engineering specifications of sewers and excavations prepared by the Director of Public Works or his designee are hereby adopted and by this reference made a part of this Code with the same force and effect as though set out in full herein. At least three (3) copies of the specifications are on file and open for public inspection and use in the offices of the Clerk and the Director of Public Works.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-8]
All excavations for trenches shall be made in a manner satisfactory to the Director of Public Works or his designee and in accordance with his specifications.
[R.O. 1957, 14:10-8 (d)]
House connections to sanitary sewers shall be made in a manner satisfactory to the Director of Public Works' or his designee in accordance with his specifications.
The applicant in accepting a permit under this article agrees to enter into a written agreement with the City so as to save, defend and keep harmless the City from and indemnify it against any and all actions, suits, demands, payments, losses, costs, damages and charges incurred by the reason of any damages to property, injuries to persons or any loss of life resulting from any negligence of the applicant, his agents, servants or employees, contractors or sub-contractors occurring in the prosecution of the work covered by the permit or from any other matter, cause or thing relating thereto.
[MC 1972, § 1, Dec. 18, 1972]
Wherever in the opinion of the City Engineer an engineering necessity requires a sanitary sewer user in an adjoining municipality to connect with a sanitary sewer located within the City, he shall estimate the net flow increase occasioned by such connection, shall certify its necessity, the increased costs to the City of Plainfield and the charges to be made to the appropriate Finance Officer of the City of Plainfield. Such Finance Officer shall thereupon render statements for and receive such payment for the use of such sewer facilities of the City from the appropriate municipal officials of adjoining municipalities.