As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
following definitions:
The city administrator or his duly authorized representative.
The quantity of oxygen by weight, expressed in mg/l, utilized
in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory
conditions for five (5) days at a temperature of twenty degrees (20°)
centigrade.
The extension from the building drain to the public sewer
or other place of disposal (also called house lateral and house connection).
The City of Bellville, Texas, or any authorized person acting
in its behalf.
The measure of the oxygen-consuming capacity of inorganic
and organic matter present in the water or wastewater expressed in
mg/l as the amount of oxygen consumed from a chemical oxidant in a
specific test, but not differentiating between stable and unstable
organic matter and thus not necessarily correlating with biochemical
oxygen demand.
A manhole giving access to a building sewer at some point
before the building sewer discharge mixes with other discharges in
the public sewer.
A point of access to a course of discharge before the discharge
mixes with other discharges in the public sewer.
Animal and vegetable wastes and residue from preparation,
cooking and dispensing of food and from the handling, processing,
storage and sale of food products and produce.
Waste resulting from any process of industry, manufacturing,
trade, or business [or] from the development of any natural resource,
or any mixture of the waste with water or normal wastewater, or district
[as distinct] from normal wastewater.
The charge made on those persons who discharge industrial
wastes into the city’s sewerage system.
Means the same as parts per million, and is a weight-to-volume
ratio; the milligram-per-liter value multiplied by the factor 8.34
shall be equivalent to pounds per million gallons of water.
Any outlet into a watercourse, ditch, lake, or other body
of surface water or groundwater.
Wastewater excluding industrial wastewater discharged by
a person into sanitary sewers and in which the average concentration
of total suspended solids is not more than 200 mg/l and BOD is not
more than 200 mg/l.
The imposition of organic or hydraulic loading on a treatment
facility in excess of its engineered design capacity.
Includes a corporation, organization, government or governmental
subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership,
association, and any other legal entity.
The reciprocal of the logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen
ion concentration expressed in grams per liter.
A pipe or conduit carrying wastewater or unpolluted drainage
in which owners of abutting properties shall have the use, subject
to control by the city.
A public sewer that conveys domestic wastewater or industrial
wastes or a combination of both, and into which stormwater, surface
water, groundwater and other unpolluted wastes are not intentionally
passed.
Any discharge of water, wastewater, or industrial waste which
in concentration of any given constituent, or in quantity of flow,
exceeds for any period of duration longer than fifteen (15) minutes
more than five (5) times the average twenty-four (24) hour concentration
or flows during normal operation.
The examination and analytical procedures set forth in the
latest edition, at the time of analysis, of Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater, as prepared, approved and published
jointly by the American Public Health Association, the American Water
Works Association and the Water Environment Federation.
A public sewer which carries storm and surface waters and
drainage and into which domestic wastewater or industrial waste is
not intentionally passed.
Rainfall or any other forms of precipitation.
The water and wastewater superintendent of the city or his
duly authorized deputy, agent or representative.
Solids measured in mg/l that either float on the surface
of, or are in suspension in, water, wastewater, or other liquids,
and which are largely removable by a laboratory filtration device.
To deposit, conduit [conduct], drain, emit, throw, run, allow
to seep, or otherwise release or dispose of, or to allow, permit,
or suffer any of these acts or omissions.
A device designed to skim, settle, or otherwise remove grease,
oil, sand, flammable wastes or other harmful substances.
Water containing:
No free or emulsified grease or oil;
No acids or alkalis;
No phenols or other substances producing taste or odor in receiving
water;
No toxic or poisonous substances in suspension, colloidal state,
or solution;
No noxious or otherwise obnoxious or odorous gases;
Not more than ten (10) mg/l each of suspended solids and BOD;
and
Color not exceeding fifty (50) units as measured by the platinum-cobalt
method of determination as specified in Standard Methods.
Rejected, unutilized or superfluous substances in liquid,
gaseous or solid form resulting from domestic, agricultural or industrial
activities.
A combination of the water-carried waste from residences,
business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together
with any ground, surface, and storm water that may be present.
All facilities for collection, pumping, treatment and disposing
of wastewater and industrial wastes.
The charge on all users of the public sewer system whose
wastes do not exceed in strength the concentration values established
as representative of normal wastewater.
Any city-owned facilities, devices and structures used for
receiving, processing and treating wastewater, industrial waste and
sludges from the sanitary sewers.
A natural or man-made channel in which a flow of water occurs,
either continuously or intermittently.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1201)
(a)
No person may discharge to public sewers any waste which by itself
or by interaction with other wastes may:
(b)
All discharges shall conform to requirements of this article.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1202)
(a)
No discharge to public sewers may contain:
(1)
Cyanide greater than 1.0 mg/l;
(2)
Fluoride other than that contained in the public water supply;
(3)
Chlorides in concentrations greater than 250 mg/l;
(4)
Gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive
liquid, solid or gas; or
(5)
Substances causing an excessive chemical oxygen demand (COD).
(b)
No waste or wastewater discharged to public waters may contain:
(1)
Strong acids, iron pickling wastes, or concentrated plating solutions,
whether neutralized or not;
(2)
Fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of
one hundred (100) mg/l or containing substances which may solidify
or become viscous at temperatures between thirty-two (32) and one
hundred fifty (150) degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 65 degrees centigrade);
(3)
Objectionable or toxic substances exerting an excessive chlorine
requirement to such degree that any such material received in the
composite wastewater at the wastewater treatment works exceeds the
limits established by the approving authority for such materials;
and
(4)
Obnoxious, toxic, or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in quantities
sufficient to violate the provisions hereof.
(c)
No waste, wastewater or other substance may be discharged into public
sewers which has a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.5, or any other
corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures,
equipment and personnel at the wastewater facilities.
(d)
All waste, wastewater, or other substance containing phenols, hydrogen
sulfide, or other taste- and odor-producing substances shall conform
to concentration limits established by the approving authority. After
treatment of the composite wastewater, concentration limits may not
exceed the requirements established by state, federal or other agencies
with jurisdiction over discharge to receiving waters.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1203)
(a)
No discharges may contain concentrations of heavy metals greater than amounts specified in subsection (b) hereafter.
(b)
The maximum allowable concentrations of heavy metals stated in terms
of milligrams per liter (mg/l), determined on the basis of individual
sampling in accordance with Standard Methods, are:
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Arsenic
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0.05 mg/l
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Barium
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5.0 mg/l
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Boron
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1.0 mg/l
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Cadmium
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0.02 mg/l
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Chromium (total)
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5.0 mg/l
|
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Copper
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1.0 mg/l
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Lead
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0.1 mg/l
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Manganese
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1.0 mg/l
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Mercury
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0.005 mg/l
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Nickel
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1.0 mg/l
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Selenium
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0.02 mg/l
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Silver
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0.1 mg/l
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Zinc
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1.0 mg/l
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(Note: In determining the concentration parameters to
be included in this section, current state, federal and other appropriate
agency rules, regulations and orders should be consulted, including
Texas Water Quality Board Order No. 70-0828-5, regulating the discharge
of hazardous metals into or adjacent to state waters.)
(c)
No other heavy metals or toxic materials may be discharged into public
sewers without a permit from the approving authority specifying conditions
of pretreatment, concentrations, volume and other applicable provisions.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1204)
(a)
No person may discharge garbage into public sewers unless it is shredded
to a degree that all particles can be carried freely under the flow
conditions normally prevailing in public sewers. Particles greater
than one-half inch (1/2") in any dimension are prohibited.
(b)
The approving authority is entitled to review and approve the installation
and operation of any garbage grinder equipped with a motor of three-fourths
(3/4) horsepower (0.76 hp metric) or greater.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1205)
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1206)
No person may discharge liquid or vapor having a temperature
higher than one hundred fifty degrees (150°) Fahrenheit (65°
centigrade), or any substance which causes the temperature of the
total wastewater treatment plant influent to increase at a rate of
ten degrees (10°) Fahrenheit or more per hour, or a combined total
increase of plant influent temperature to one hundred ten degrees
(110°) Fahrenheit.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1207)
(a)
No person may discharge radioactive wastes or isotopes into public
sewers without the permission of the approving authority.
(b)
The approving authority may establish, in compliance with applicable
state and federal regulations, regulations for discharge of radioactive
wastes into public sewers.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1208)
(b)
(c)
No person may discharge into public sewers any substance that may:
(1)
Deposit grease or oil in the sewer lines in such a manner as to clog
the sewers;
(2)
Overload skimming and grease-handling equipment;
(3)
Pass to the receiving waters without being effectively treated by
normal wastewater treatment processes due to the nonamenability of
the substance to bacterial action; or
(4)
Deleteriously affect the treatment process due to excessive quantities.
(d)
No person may discharge any substance into public sewers which:
(f)
No person may discharge into public sewers solid or viscous substances which may violate subsection (a) of this section if present in sufficient quantity or size, including but not limited to:
(1)
Ashes;
(2)
Cinders;
(3)
Sand;
(4)
Mud;
(5)
Straw;
(6)
Shavings;
(7)
Metal;
(8)
Glass;
(9)
Rags;
(10)
Feathers;
(11)
Tar;
(12)
Plastics;
(13)
Wood;
(14)
Unground garbage;
(15)
Whole blood;
(16)
Paunch manure;
(17)
Hair and fleshings;
(18)
Entrails;
(19)
Paper products, either whole or ground by garbage grinders;
(20)
Slops;
(21)
Chemical residues;
(22)
Paint residues; or
(23)
Bulk solids.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1209)
(b)
Unless authorized by the state commission on environmental quality, no person may deposit or discharge any waste included in subsection (a) of this section on public or private property in or adjacent to any:
(c)
The approving authority shall verify prior to discharge that wastes
authorized to be discharged will receive suitable treatment within
the provisions of law, regulations, ordinances, rules and orders of
federal, state and local governments.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1210)
(a)
If discharges or proposed discharges to public sewers may (i) deleteriously
affect wastewater facilities, processes, equipment, or receiving waters,
(ii) create a hazard to life or health, or (iii) create a public nuisance,
the approving authority may require:
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1211)
(a)
If pretreatment or control is required, the approving authority shall
review and approve design and installation of equipment and processes.
(b)
The design and installation of equipment and processes must conform
to all applicable statutes, codes, ordinances and other laws.
(c)
Any person responsible for discharges requiring pretreatment, flow-equalization,
or other facilities shall provide and maintain the facilities in effective
operating condition at his own expense.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1212)
(b)
Any person responsible for discharges requiring a trap shall at his
own expense and as required by the approving authority:
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1213)
Any person responsible for discharges through a building sewer
carrying industrial wastes shall, at his own expense and as required
by the approving authority:
(1)
Install an accessible and safely located control manhole;
(2)
Install meters and other appurtenances to facilitate observation,
sampling and measurement of the waste; and
(3)
Maintain the equipment and facilities.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1214)
(a)
Sampling shall be conducted according to customarily accepted methods,
reflecting the effect of constituents upon the sewage works and determining
the existence of hazards to health, life, limb and property. (Note:
The particular analyses involved will determine whether a twenty-four
(24) hour composite sample from all outfalls of the premises is appropriate
or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but
not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are obtained from twenty-four
(24) hour composites of all outfalls. Where applicable, a sixteen
(16) hour, eight (8) hour or some other period may be required. Periodic
grab samples are used to determine pH.)
(b)
Examination and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes
required by this section shall be:
(c)
BOD and suspended solids shall be determined from composite sampling.
(d)
The city may select an independent firm or laboratory to determine
from BOD [sic], and suspended solids.
(e)
The city is entitled to select the time of sampling at its sole discretion
so long as at least annual samples are taken.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1215)
(a)
Persons making discharges of industrial waste shall pay a charge
to cover the cost of collection and treatment.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1216)
(a)
If the volume or character of the waste to be treated by the city
does not cause overloading to sewage collection, treatment, or disposal
facilities of the city, then, prior to approval, the city and the
person making the discharge shall enter into an agreement which provides
that the discharger pay an industrial waste charge to be determined
from the schedule of charges.
(b)
If the volume or character of the waste to be treated by the city
requires that wastewater collection, treatment, or other disposal
facilities of the city be improved, expanded, or enlarged in order
to treat the waste, then, prior to approval, the city and the person
making the discharge shall enter into an agreement which provides
that the discharger pay in full all added costs the city may incur
due to acceptance of the waste.
(c)
The agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include but not be limited to:
(1)
Amortization of all capital outlay for collecting and treating the
waste, including new capital outlay and the proportionate part of
the value of the existing system used in handling and treating the
waste;
(2)
Operation and maintenance costs, including salaries and wages, power
costs, costs of chemicals and supplies, proper allowances for maintenance,
depreciation, overhead and office expense.
(d)
Amortization shall be completed in a twenty (20) year period and
payment shall include all debt service costs.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1217)
Industrial waste charges shall be calculated by the “Suggested
Industrial Waste Charge Formulas” kept on file in the office
of the city secretary.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1218)
(a)
The city shall adjust charges at least annually to reflect changes
in the characteristics of wastewater based on the result of sampling
and testing.
(b)
Increases in charges shall be retroactive for two (2) billing periods
and shall continue for six (6) billing periods unless subsequent tests
determine that the charge should be further increased.
(c)
The city shall review at least annually the basis for determining
charges and shall adjust the unit treatment cost in the formula to
reflect increases or decreases in wastewater treatment costs based
on the previous year’s experience.
(d)
The city shall bill the discharger by the month and shall show industrial
waste charges as a separate item on the regular bill for water and
sewer charges. The discharger shall pay monthly in accordance with
practices existing for payment of sewer charges.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1219)
A person discharging industrial wastes into public sewers prior
to the effective date of this article may continue without penalty
so long as he:
(1)
Does not increase the quantity or quality of discharge without permission
of the approving authority;
(2)
Has discharged the industrial waste at least twelve (12) months prior
to the effective date of this article; and
(3)
Applies for and is granted a permit no later than thirty (30) days
after the effective date of this article.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1220)
(a)
The city may grant a permit to discharge to persons meeting all requirements
of the savings clause provided that the person:
(1)
Submits an application within thirty (30) days after the effective
date of this article on forms supplied by the approving authority;
(2)
Secures approval by the approving authority of plans and specifications
for pretreatment facilities when required;
(4)
Provides a sampling point subject to the provisions of this article
and approval of the approving authority.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1221)
(a)
The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city
bearing proper credentials and identification are entitled to enter
any public or private property at any reasonable time for the purpose
of enforcing this article.
(b)
Anyone acting under this authority shall observe the establishment’s
rules and regulations concerning safety, internal security and fire
protection.
(c)
Except when caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain
safe conditions, the city shall indemnify the company against loss
or damage to its property by city employees and against liability
claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted
against the company and growing out of the sampling operation.
(d)
The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city
bearing proper credentials and identification are entitled to enter
all private properties through which the city holds a negotiated easement
for the purposes of:
(1)
Inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, or repair;
(2)
Maintenance of any portion of the sewerage system lying with the
easements; and
(3)
Conducting any other authorized activity.
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All activities shall be conducted in full accordance with the
terms of the negotiated easement pertaining to the private property
involved.
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(e)
No person acting under authority of this provision may inquire into
any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil refining, ceramic,
paper, or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing
on the kind and source of discharge to the public sewers.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1222)
(a)
The city may terminate water and wastewater disposal service and
disconnect an industrial customer from the system when:
(1)
Acids or chemicals damaging to the sewer lines or treatment process
are released to the sewer causing rapid deterioration of these structures
or interfering with proper conveyance and treatment of wastewater;
(2)
A governmental agency informs the city that the effluent from the
wastewater treatment plant is no longer of a quality permitted for
discharge to a watercourse, and it is found that the customer is delivering
wastewater to the city’s system that cannot be sufficiently
treated or requires treatment that is not provided by the city as
normal domestic treatment; or
(3)
The industrial customer:
(A)
Discharges industrial waste or wastewater that is in violation of
the permit issued by the approving authority;
(B)
Discharges wastewater at an uncontrolled, variable rate in sufficient
quantity to cause an imbalance in the wastewater treatment system;
(C)
Fails to pay monthly bills for water and sanitary sewer services
when due; or
(D)
Repeats a discharge of prohibited wastes to public sewers.
(b)
If service is disconnected pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, the city shall:
(1)
Disconnect the customer;
(2)
Supply the customer with the governmental agency’s report and
provide the customer with all pertinent information; and
(3)
Continue disconnection until such time as the industrial customer
provides additional pretreatment or other facilities designed to remove
the objectionable characteristic from his or her industrial wastes.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1223)
The city shall serve persons discharging in violation of this
article with written notice stating the nature of the violation and
providing a reasonable time limit for satisfactory compliance.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1224)
No person may continue discharging in violation of this article
beyond the time limit provided in the notice.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1225)
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1226)
In addition to sanctions provided for by this article, the city
is entitled to exercise sanctions provided for by the other ordinances
of the city for failure to pay the bill for water and sanitary sewer
service when due.
(1994 Code, sec. 11.1227)
