For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this article. Note: Terms used in this article which are not defined within this section are defined in section 13.05.001 of this chapter.
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system
which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage
pipes within the walls of the building, and conveys it to the building
sewer, beginning two feet (2’) outside the inner face of the
building wall or foundation.
Waterborne wastes normally discharging from the sanitary
conveniences of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels),
office buildings, factories and institutions, free from storm and
surface water and industrial wastes.
The extension from the public sewer main to the nearest property
or easement line.
The waste from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of
food that has been shredded to such degree that all particles will
be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in
public sewers.
A combination of the water-carried wastes from residences,
business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments.
Any city-owned facility, devices and structures used for
receiving and treating sewage from the city sanitary sewer system.
All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing
of sewage.
A pipe or conduit for carrying sanitary sewage.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.203)
(a)
Sanitary sewer service.
(1)
Charges for sanitary sewer service for customers who are water customers of the city shall be based upon building use and water consumption, in accordance with the schedule of rates as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code for customers located inside the city.
(2)
Charges for sewer services for customers who are not water customers of the city shall be determined based upon an estimated consumption volume determined by the water superintendent for the city or an engineer acting for the city, and at a price in accordance with the appropriate rate schedule, plus an additional administrative charge as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code. The utility security deposit for sewer-only customers shall be as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code.
(b)
Sewer system connection and extension charge.
(1)
Charges for connection to the existing city sewer system inside the city limits shall be paid by the property owner in advance, in accordance with the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code.
(2)
Charges for extension of the city sewer system to serve a customer
inside the city limits shall be paid in advance by the property owner
based on the actual total cost of the extension as established by
the city's bidding process and the Texas Local Government Code, chapter
252, subchapter B, section 252.021.
(c)
Special commercial sewer service rate.
Commercial water users served by two-inch (2”) or larger water lines and meters [users] whose primary business is the manufacture of a product which uses water as a raw material in the manufacture of that product may elect to pay a monthly sewer charge as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code. “Primary business” shall mean that part of the water user's business derived from the sale of the product in which the water is used, which must produce more than fifty percent (50%) of the water user's gross income. The water user must apply for such special rate, furnishing the city a sworn statement stating that at least fifty percent (50%) of the user's income is derived from the sale of a product which uses water as a raw material in its manufacture. This subsection shall be effective as of September 1, 1980, and users entitled to the rate as of that day shall be entitled to credit for such period if application for the special commercial sewer service rate is made on or before December 1, 1980.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.201)
Billing procedures and payment for sewer services shall be in accordance with section 13.03.002 of this chapter.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.202)
The city sanitary sewers and sewage treatment shall be under
the control and management of the city council and the waterworks
department, and the waterworks department shall make and keep a complete
transcript of the records of the sanitary sewers and sewage treatment.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.204)
(a)
Sewer connections.
(1)
It shall be the duty of the waterworks department to issue all permits
for sewer connections.
(2)
Before making connection with any sewer, the builder or plumber shall
take out a plumbing permit with the office of the waterworks department.
The application for a plumbing permit shall give the exact location
of the property, the name of the owner and the name of the person
employed to do the plumbing work.
(b)
Maintenance or replacement of building sewer.
No person
shall break or remove any portion of any building sewer without taking
out a plumbing permit with the waterworks department. Such building
sewer will be subject to inspection by the plumbing inspector to assure
that a tight and well-constructed building sewer has been constructed
to prevent surface water from entering the city sewer system.
(c)
Authority to revoke prior to completion of work.
All
permits to connect with sewers shall be given upon the express condition
that the waterworks department may, at any time before the work is
completed or the sewer is connected to the city's sanitary sewer system,
revoke and annul the same, and no party interested shall have the
right to claim damage in consequence of such permits being revoked
or annulled.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.205)
No person shall injure, break or remove any portion of any manhole,
lamphole or any part of the city's sanitary sewer system, and when
any person shall desire to lay or drive any pipe in any of the streets
upon which sewers are laid they shall give at least twenty-four (24)
hours’ notice to the waterworks department.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.206)
No person shall connect any open gutter, rainwater conductor,
privy, vault or cistern with any public sewer, or with any private
sewer connecting with a public sewer.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.207)
All of the rules and regulations contained in this article applicable
to patrons within the city shall likewise be applicable to patrons
now being served without the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.208)
(a)
It shall be the policy of the city to supply sewer service to the
city's patrons through mains and lines owned and controlled by the
city and which shall be located behind curbs in a dedicated street,
alley or approved easement adjacent to the property being served.
(b)
All connections within the city limits shall be made in the following
manner:
(1)
Connection when sewer main available.
If the property
to be served is adjacent to a dedicated street, alley or easement
where there exists a city sewer main or line, the city, upon payment
by the applicant of the regular sewer tap charge, will construct such
lines that shall be necessary to serve such patron.
(2)
Connection when sewer extension is necessary.
(A)
If the property to be served is adjacent to a dedicated street, alley, or easement, and an extension of the city sewer main line is necessary, the city, upon payment of the regular sewer tap charge and payment as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code[, will construct such line that shall be necessary to serve such patron].
(B)
The term “regular sewer tap charge” shall mean charges
for the construction of a four-inch (4”) sewer tap and building
sewer line. Larger size sewer taps shall be installed at an additional
cost to the patron.
(C)
All lines constructed under the provisions of this section shall
be the property of the city and the city shall have full control and
jurisdiction over such lines.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.209)
The construction of sewer mains and lines within an addition
or subdivision, inside or outside the city, shall conform to the platting
requirements of the city subdivision ordinance and shall be approved
by the city planning commission.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.211)
(a)
Abandoned sewer taps.
“Abandoned sewer tap” shall mean a sewer tap that has been disconnected from the building sewer line. All such taps must be plugged in such a manner that will prevent ground or subsurface drainage from entering the sewer main. All such abandoned taps must be plugged at a depth below the ground surface of not less than one foot (1’) to prevent damage to the house lateral and sewer main. In the event service is restored at the same location, a service charge as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code shall be made. In all such cases where the abandoned sewer tap is not used to restore service at the same location, a “regular sewer tap charge” shall be made.
(b)
Service to vacant lots.
In no event shall sewer service
be furnished to any vacant lot, either by a sewer tap or by an extension
of the sewer main, unless or until sufficient proof is given to the
city that a building will be constructed on such vacant lot.
(c)
Separate tap required for each new residence or building.
(1)
For any service hereafter installed at each individual residence,
building or trailer house located on one (1) lot or plot of ground,
each shall have a separate sewer tap. The provisions of this subsection
shall not apply to garages, wash houses or utility buildings that
serve an individual residence, building or trailer house.
(d)
Multiple buildings served by single tap.
In existing
cases where more than one (1) building or house is served by a single
sewer tap, the entire amount of the monthly sewer charge shall be
billed to the building or house nearest the sewer tap and shall include
regular monthly sewer charges for each building or house being served
by such tap. Such procedure shall continue until such buildings are
served by separate sewer taps.
(e)
Tourist courts or trailer parks served by single tap.
Any number of rooms or trailers on one (1) plot of ground owned by
one (1) person, firm or corporation and constituting a bona fide tourist
court or trailer park shall be entitled to sewer service through one
(1) sewer tap. In all such cases, each room or trailer shall constitute
a separate unit, and the entire amount of the monthly charge shall
be billed to the person, firm or corporation owning such tourist court
or trailer park and shall include a regular monthly sewer charge for
each unit.
(f)
Apartments served by single tap.
Any number of apartments
on one (1) plot of ground and constructed in one (1) building shall
constitute a bona fide apartment unit and shall be entitled to service
through one (1) sewer tap. In all such cases, each apartment shall
constitute a separate unit, and the entire amount of the monthly sewer
charge shall be billed to the person, firm, or corporation owning
such apartment unit or units and shall include a regular monthly sewer
charge for each apartment.
(g)
Apartments with separate water meters served by single tap.
Where apartment units or apartment houses are served with one
(1) sewer tap and such apartment units or apartment houses are served
with separate water meters for each such apartments or houses, the
monthly sewer charge shall be billed to the person [in whose name]
such water service is registered, the same as to single-family dwellings.
(h)
Residence and garage apartment served by single tap.
Where a residence and garage apartment are served by a single sewer
tap and the garage apartment is used by a member of the same immediate
family occupying the residence, no separate charge shall be made for
sewer service to the garage apartment. The term “immediate family”
shall mean only those relatives or members of the property owner's
family who would normally reside in the owner's household.
(i)
Consent of council required.
No patron of the city sewer
system shall permit any person to tap any sewer line leading into
his premises without the consent of the city council.
(j)
Persons authorized to make taps.
No plumber or other
person, except the city water department, or other persons acting
under the direction of the city council, shall be allowed to tap any
city sewer main or line.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.212)
The provisions of this article shall not abridge any existing
refunding contract between the city and any person, but such contract
shall remain in full force and effect.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.213)
It shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made
any sewer connection except as provided in this article and the city
plumbing regulations.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.214)
The building sewer two feet (2’) outside the building
shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this article
and the city plumbing regulations covering methods and materials for
building sewer construction. Such building sewers will be subject
to inspection and approval by the city's plumbing inspector as required
by this article and the city plumbing code. The waterworks department
shall refuse to connect to the sanitary sewer system any building
sewer not meeting the requirements of such regulations as to workmanship
and materials. To assure such quality of workmanship, the plumbing
inspector shall have performed such water or infiltration tests as
necessary to assure a tight and well-constructed building sewer.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.215)
It shall be unlawful for any reason [person] to do any of the
acts designated in this article except as provided by this article,
or to uncover any city sewer for any purpose, or to make connection
therewith, unless by consent and under the supervision of the waterworks
department or its authorized representative, whose duty it shall be
to insure full compliance with the provisions of this article and
the city plumbing code pertaining to connections.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.216)
It shall be the duty of the waterworks department to compel
all persons owning or occupying property with occupied buildings thereon,
situated in any portion of the city where a sanitary sewer has been
laid, [to connect with the sanitary sewer,] provided that no person
shall be compelled to make such connection unless or until such sanitary
sewer has been laid within one hundred fifty feet (150’) of
such property, and having suitable city water service available to
make closet connections with the sanitary sewer of the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.217)
It shall be the duty of the waterworks department to notify
the owner or occupant of every building situated where there has been
laid a sanitary sewer, and where there is sufficient water service
from the city's waterworks, to make closet connections with the city's
sanitary sewer, and any such owner or occupant of any building so
situated who shall fail to make at least one (1) water closet connection
with the city's sanitary sewer within thirty (30) days after receipt
of such water closet suitably arranged for the use of a urinal, shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.218)
(a)
No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any stormwater,
groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, downspouts, yard drains,
yard fountains, and ponds, or lawn sprays into any sanitary sewer.
Water from swimming pools, unpolluted industrial water, such as [water
from] boiler drains, blow-off pipes or cooling water from various
equipment, shall not be discharged into sanitary sewers if a closed
storm sewer is available. If a closed storm sewer is not available,
it may be discharged into the sanitary sewer by an indirect connection
whereby such discharge is cooled if required and flows into the sanitary
sewer at a rate not in excess of three (3) gallons per minute, provided
that the waste does not contain materials or substances in suspension
or solution in violation of the limits prescribed by this article
or other sections of this chapter.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.219)
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse or fail to connect
all wash stands in his house or yard with the city's sewer, or to
allow any slops, wash or wastewater of any kind to flow over the pavement,
or under the pavement, or into any open gutter or into the street.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.220)
Where, in the opinion of the city council and the city engineer,
the property is subject to flooding or the sanitary sewer is subject
to being surcharged due to infiltration or stormwaters, or the premises
are subject to being flooded by an overcharged sewer due to its elevation
in relation to the main sewer line, then the owner or user of the
premises shall be denied a connection to the sanitary sewer unless
the owner agrees to install a check or backflow valve in his house
sewer and agrees to indemnify fully the city and save it whole and
harmless from and against any and all damages, costs, or expense of
every kind, character and nature, whether real or asserted, accruing
upon or about the building due to surcharge of the sanitary sewer.
Such agreement shall be executed by the owner of the property and
filed in the deed records of the county, and shall be a covenant running
with the land and shall be binding on the owner, his successors or
assigns.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.221)
Failure to pay monthly bills when due or failure to pay the
established pro-rata fee or charge for sanitary sewer installations,
as provided in this chapter, when due, or repeated discharge of prohibited
wastes into the sanitary sewer, shall be sufficient cause to disconnect
any and all services from the water mains of the city waterworks,
and the same penalties and charges provided for within this Code of
Ordinances shall apply.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.222)
The city officials and authorized employees of the city acting
as its duly authorized agent and bearing proper credentials and identification
shall be permitted to gain access to such properties as may be necessary
for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling
and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article or other
regulations of the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 11.223)
