ARTICLE 13.200 SEWER SYSTEM

It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the City of Sundown, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said city, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste.

It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the City of Sundown, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said city, any sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this article.

Except as hereinafter provided, 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.

The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley or right-or-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within ninety (90) days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within one hundred (100) feet of the property line.

Toilet facilities on public property are exempt from the requirement in subsection (d) to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer only if the said facilities are located over 200 feet from a public sewer line and if a septic tank is installed in accordance with state requirements. Any septic tank installed must be at least 500 feet from a public or private water well. Written approval must be received from the City of Sundown before the said facilities and septic tank may be installed.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-2)

§ 13.203 Private Sewage Disposal.

Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of Section 13.202(d), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article.

Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city administrator. 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 superintendent. A permit and inspection fee, as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time the application is filed.

A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.

The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the Department of Public Health of the State of Texas. No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface oil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than six thousand (6,000) square feet. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or natural outlet.

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in Section 13.202(d), a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this article, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.

(f)

The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

(g)

No statement contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-3; Ordinance adopting Code)

§ 13.204 Construction Requirements.

No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the city administrator or his designate.

There shall be two (2) classes of building sewer permits: (1) for residential and commercial service, and (2) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the city administrator or his designate. A permit and inspection fee for a residential or commercial building sewer permit and a fee for an industrial building sewer permit, as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code, shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time the application is filed.

All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by they owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.

Old-building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the superintendent, to meet all requirements of this article.

(f)

The building sewer shall be cast iron soil pipe, ASTM specification A74-42 or equal; vitrified clay sewer pipe, ASTM specification 013-44T or equal; or other suitable material approved by designated city personnel. Joints shall be tight, and waterproof. Any part of the building sewer that is located within 10 feet of a water service pipe shall be constructed of cast iron soil pipe with leaded joints. Cast iron pipe with leaded joints may be required by the superintendent where the building sewer is exposed to damage by tree roots. If installed in filled or unstable ground, the building sewer shall be of cast iron soil pipe, except that non-metallic material may be accepted if laid on a suitable concrete bed or cradle as approved by the superintendent.

(g)

The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter be less than four (4) inches. The slope of such 4-inch pipe shall be not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch per foot.

(h)

Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three (3) feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight alignment in so far as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with properly covered pipe and fittings.

(i)

In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved artificial means and discharged to the building sewer.

(j)

All excavations required for the installation of a building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the city administrator or his designate. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with ASTM specification C12-19 except that no backfill shall be placed until the work, has been inspected.

(k)

All joints and connections shall be made gastight and watertight.

Cast iron pipe joints shall be firmly packed with oakum or hemp and filled with molten lead, Federal Specification QQ-L-156, not less than one (1) inch deep. Lead shall be run in one pouring and calked tight. No paint, varnish, or other coatings shall be permitted on the joining material until after the joint has been tested and approved.

All joints in vitrified clay pipe or between such pipe and metals shall be made and approved hot-poured joining material or cement mortar as specified below.

Material for hot-poured joints shall not soften sufficiently to destroy the effectiveness of the joint when subjected to a temperature of one hundred sixty (160F) degrees Fahrenheit nor be soluble in any of the wastes carried by the drainage system. The joint shall be first caulked tight with jute, hemp, or similar approved material.

Cement joints shall be made by packing a closely twisted jute or oakum gasket of suitable size to fill partly the annular space between the pipes. The remaining space shall be filled and firmly compacted with mortar composed of 1 part Portland cement and 3 parts mortar sand. The material shall be mixed dry; only sufficient water shall be added to make the mixture workable. Mortar which has begun to set shall not be used or retampered. Lime putty or hydraltedlime may be substituted to the extend of not more than 25 percent of the volume of the Portland cement that may be added.

Other joining materials and methods may be used only by approval of the superintendent.

(l)

The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the “Y” branch, if such branch is available at a suitable location. If the public sewer is twelve (12) inches in diameter or less, and no properly located “Y” branch is available, the owner shall at his expense install a “Y” branch in the public sewer at the location specified by the superintendent. Where no properly located “Y” branch is available, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer, with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about forty-five (45) degrees. A forty-five (45) degree all may be used to make such connection, with the spigot end cut so as not to extend past the inner surface of the public sewer. The invert of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be at a higher elevation then the invert of the public sewer. A smooth, neat point shall be made, and the connection made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete. Special fittings may be used for the connection only when approved by the superintendent.

(m)

The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the superintendent or his representative.

(n)

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as 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.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-4; Ordinance adopting Code)

§ 13.205 Use of the Public Sewers.

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.

Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, upon approval of the superintendent, to a storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet.

Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewer:

(1)

Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Far.

(2)

Any water or waste which may contain more than 100 parts per million, by weight, of fat, oil or grease.

(3)

Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.

(4)

Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.

(5)

Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works.

(6)

Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.0, or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and personnel of the sewage works.

(7)

Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.

(8)

Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant.

(9)

Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.

Grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, and other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the superintendent, and shall be located as to be readily and easily assessible for cleaning and inspection.

Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight, and equipped with easily removable covers which when bolted in place shall be gastight and watertight.

§ 13.207 Powers and Authority of Inspectors.

Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times.

(f)

The admission into the public sewers of any watery or wastes having: (1) a 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand greater than 500 parts per million by weight, or (2) containing more than 600 parts per million by weight of suspended solids, or (3) containing any quantity of substances having the characteristics described in subsection (e), or (4) having an average daily flow greater than 5% of the average daily sewage flow of the city, shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent. Where necessary in the opinion of the superintendent, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to, (1) reduce the Biochemical oxygen Demand to 500 parts per million and the suspended solids to 600 parts per million by weight, or (2) reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for in subsection (c), or (3) control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes. Plans, specifications, and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the superintendent and of the Water Pollution Control Commission of the State of Texas, and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until said approvals are obtained in writing.

(g)

Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation, by the owner at his expense.

(h)

When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense, and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.

(i)

All measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in subsections (c) and (f) shall be determined in accordance with “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage,” and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in subsection (h), or upon suitable samples taken at said control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.

(j)

No statement contained in this article shall be constructed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefore by the industrial concern.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-5)

§ 13.206 Willful Damage.

No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-6)

The superintendent and other duly authorized employee of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing, in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(1986 Municipal Code, Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-7)

§ 13.208 Violations and Penalty.

Any person found to be violating any provision of this article except Section 13.206 shall be served by the city with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.