The meaning of terms used in the article shall be as follows:
City.
Shall mean the City of Hallettsville, Texas, or any authorized person acting in its behalf.
Person, Establishment, or Owner.
Shall mean any and all persons, natural or artificial, including any individual, firm, company, industry, municipal or private corporation, association, governmental agency or other entity and agents, servants or employees.
Approving Authority.
Shall mean the city engineer (or other official designated by the city mayor) of the City of Hallettsville, or his duly authorized deputy, agent, or representative.
Sewage.
Shall mean a combination of the water-carried waste from residences, business building, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground surface and storm water as may be present.
Domestic Sewage.
Shall mean water-borne wastes normally discharging into the sanitary conveniences of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office buildings, factories and institutions, free of storm surface water and industrial wastes.
Normal Domestic Sewage.
Shall mean normal sewage for the City of Hallettsville in which the average concentration of suspended materials and 5-day B.O.D. is established at 200 milligrams per liter (MG/L) each, by weight, on the basis of the normal contribution of seventeen-hundredths (0.17) pounds per capita, per 100 gallons.
Garbage.
Shall mean solid wastes and residue from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food products and produce.
Properly Shredded Garbage.
Shall mean the wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such degree that particles shall be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half (1/2) inch in any dimension.
Sewer.
Shall mean a pipe or conduit for carrying sanitary sewage.
Public Sewer.
Shall mean a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties shall have equal rights and interest controlled by public authority.
Sanitary Sewer.
Shall mean a sewer that conveys sewage or industrial wastes or a combination of both, and into which storm, surface and ground waters or unpolluted industrial wastes are not intentionally passed.
Storm Sewer or Storm Drain.
Shall mean a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.
Sewage Works.
Shall mean all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage and industrial wastes and would include sewage, as well as the sewage treatment facilities.
Sewerage.
Shall mean the system of sewers and appurtenances for the collection, transportation and pumping of sewage and industrial wastes.
Sewage Treatment Plant.
Shall mean any city owned facility, devices, and structures used for receiving and treating sewage from the city sanitary sewer system.
pH.
Shall mean the logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration expressed in mols per liter. It shall be determined by one of the procedures outlined in “Standard Methods”.
B.O.D.
Shall mean the quantity of oxygen expressed in milligrams per liter by weight, utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory conditions for five days at a temperature of 20 degrees Centigrade. The laboratory determinations shall be made in accordance with procedures set forth in “Standard Methods”.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 1)
(a) 
Approval Required.
Review and acceptance of the approving authority shall be obtained prior to the discharge into the public sewers of any wastes and water having:
(1) 
A 5-day 20 degrees Centigrade biochemical-oxygen-demand-d (B.O.D.) greater than 200 milligrams per liter (MG/L).
(2) 
Suspended solids containing greater than 200 MG/L.
(b) 
Pre-Treatment.
Where required, in the opinion of the approving authority, to modify or eliminate wastes that are harmful to the structures, processes or operation of the sewage disposal works, the person shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment or processing facilities as may be determined necessary to render his wastes acceptable for admission to the public sewers.
(c) 
Grease, Oil and Sand Interceptors.
Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable waste, sand and other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwellings. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the approving authority and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for easy 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, water-tight and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gas-tight and water tight. Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times.
(d) 
Submission of Information.
Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment or processing facilities shall be submitted for approval of the approving authority prior to the start of their construction, if the effluent from such facilities is to be discharged into the public sewers.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 2)
(a) 
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, ground water, roof run-off, sub-surface drainage, down spouts, yard drains, yard fountains and ponds or lawn sprays into any sanitary sewer. Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers or to a natural outlet approved by the approving authority. Unpolluted processed water may be discharged upon prior written approval of the approving authority to a storm sewer or natural outlet or into the sanitary sewer system 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 gallons per minute, provided the waste does not contain materials or substances in suspension or solution in violation of the limits prescribed by this article.
In cases where, and in the opinion of the approving authority, the character of the sewage from any manufacturer or industrial plant building or other premises is such that it will damage the system or cannot be treated satisfactorily in the system, the approving authority shall have the right to require such user to dispose of such waste otherwise and prevent it from entering the system.
(b) 
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged either directly or indirectly any of the following described substances, materials, waters or waste:
(1) 
Any liquid having a temperature higher than 150°F (65 degrees Centigrade), except with approval of approving authority.
(2) 
Any water or wastes which contain wax, grease, oil, plastic, or other substances that will solidify or become discernibly viscous at temperatures between 32 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
(3) 
Any solids, liquids or gases which by themselves or by interaction with other substances may cause fire or explosion hazards, or in any other way be injurious to persons, property, or the operator of the sewage disposal works.
(4) 
Any solids, slurries or viscous substances of such character as to be capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works, such as ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshlings, entrails, lime slurry, lime residues, slops, chemical residues, paint residues, or bulk solids.
(5) 
Any garbage that has not been properly comminuted or shredded. If properly comminuted or shredded, then it may be accepted under provisions established in Section 11.501.
(6) 
Any noxious or malodorous substance, which either singly or by interaction with other substances is capable of causing objectionable odors, or hazard to life; or forms solids in concentrations exceeding limits established in Section 11.602, or creates any other condition deleterious to structures or treatment processes; or requires unusual provisions, alteration, or expense to handle such materials.
(7) 
Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.5 or having any corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazards to structures, equipment, or personnel of sewage disposal works.
(8) 
Any wastes or waters containing suspended or dissolved solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment or in the public sewage works.
(9) 
Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance such as plating or heat-treating wastes in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, to constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or to create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.
(10) 
Any cyanide greater than 0.5 MG/L as CN.
(11) 
Any arsenic greater than 0.05 MG/L.
(12) 
Any barium greater than 5.0 MG/L.
(13) 
Any boron greater than 1.0 MG/L.
(14) 
Any cadmium greater than 0.02 MG/L.
(15) 
Any chromium (Total) greater than 5.0 MG/L.
(16) 
Any copper greater than 1.0 MG/L.
(17) 
Any lead greater than 0.1 MG/L.
(18) 
Any manganese greater than 1.0 MG/L.
(19) 
Any mercury greater than 0.005 MG/L.
(20) 
Any nickel greater than 1.0 MG/L.
(21) 
Any selenium greater than 0.02 MG/L.
(22) 
Any silver greater than 0.1 MG/L.
(23) 
Any zinc greater than 5.0 MG/L.
(24) 
Any phenols greater than 12 MG/L.
(25) 
Any radioactive wastes greater than allowable releases as specified by current United States Bureau of Standards Handbooks dealing with the handling and release of radioactivity.
(c) 
Except in quantities, or concentrations, or with provisions as stipulated herein, it shall be unlawful for any person, corporation or individual, to discharge waters or wastes to the sanitary sewer containing:
(1) 
Free or emulsified oil and grease exceeding on analysis an average of 100 MG/L (833 pounds per million gallons) of either or both, or combinations of free or emulsified oil and grease, if, in the opinion of the approving authority it appears probable that such wastes:
(A) 
Can deposit grease or oil in the sewer lines in such manner to clog the sewers.
(B) 
Can overload skimming and grease handling equipment.
(C) 
Are not amenable to bacterial action and will therefore pass to the receiving waters without being affected by normal sewage treatment processes, or,
(D) 
Can have deleterious affects on the treatment process due to excessive quantities.
(2) 
Any radioactive wastes greater than the allowable releases as specified by current United States Bureau of Standards Handbooks dealing with the handling and release of radioactivity.
(3) 
Cyanides or cyanogen compounds capable of liberating hydrocyanic gas on acidification in excess of one-half (0.5) MG/L by weight as CN in the wastes from an outlet into the public sewers.
(4) 
Materials which exert or cause:
(A) 
Unusual concentration of solids or composition; as for example, in total suspended solids of inert nature, (such as Fuller’s Earth) and/or in total dissolved solids (such as sodium chloride, or sodium sulfate).
(B) 
Excessive discoloration.
(C) 
Unusual biochemical oxygen demand or an immediate oxygen demand.
(D) 
High hydrogen sulfide content, or
(E) 
Unusual flow and concentration shall be pretreated to a concentration acceptable to the city, if such wastes can, (i) cause damage to collection facilities, (ii) impair the processes, (iii) incur treatment cost exceeding those of normal sewage, or (iv) render the water unfit for stream disposal or industrial use. Where discharge of such wastes to the sanitary sewer are not properly pretreated or otherwise corrected, the approving authority may, (i) reject the wastes or terminate the service of water and/or sanitary sewer, (ii) require control of the quantities and rates of discharge of such wastes, or (iii) require payment of surcharges for excessive cost for treatment provided such wastes are amendable to treatment by normal sewage plant facilities operated by the city.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 3)
(a) 
Permit within 120 days after passage of this article, any person desiring to deposit or discharge any industrial waste mixture into the sewers or sewer works of the city, or any sewer connected therewith, or who is now so doing, shall make application to the approving authority for a permit therefor upon application forms to be obtained from him.
(b) 
Control Chambers.
Within six months from the date of passage of this article any person discharging or desiring to discharge an industrial waste mixture into the sewers or sewer works of the city, or any sewer connected therewith, shall provide and maintain in a suitable, accessible position on his premises, or such premises occupied by him, an inspection chamber or manhole near the outlet of each sewer, drain, pipe, channel, or connection which communicates with any sewer or sewer works of the city or any sewer connected therewith. Each such manhole or inspection chamber shall be of such design and construction which will prevent infiltration by ground and surface waters or introduction of slugs of solids by installation of screens with maximum openings of one inch, but of such sufficient fineness to prevent the entrance of objectionable slugs of solids to the sanitary sewage system and shall be so maintained by persons discharging wastes so that any authorized representative or employee of the city may readily and safely measure the volume and obtain samples of the flow at all times. Plans for the construction of control manholes or inspection chambers, including such flow measuring devices as may or may not be required, shall be approved by the approving authority prior to the beginning of construction.
(c) 
Measurement of Flow.
The water consumption during the previous month, as determined from the meter records of the water department, shall be the valid basis for computing the sewage flow, unless actual sewage flow is measured by a recording meter for a type approved by the approving authority. The persons shall install and maintain such device in proper condition to accurately measure such flow. Upon failure to do so, the water consumption shall be the basis for charges.
When water is contained in a product or is evaporated or is discharged as unpolluted waste in an uncontaminated condition to surface drainage, an application may be made for a reduction in the volume of waste discharged to the public sewer, provided supporting data satisfactory to the approving authority is furnished. This data shall include a flow diagram, destination of water supply and/or waste, supported by sub-metering data installed on such process piping at the expense of the person.
(d) 
Sampling of Wastes.
Sampling of the effluent of waste discharges may be accomplished manually or by the use of mechanical equipment to obtain a composite sample which would be representative of the total effluent. Samples shall be taken at such intervals as determined by the approving authority as necessary to maintain a control over the discharges from the establishment. The method used in the examination of all bacteriological wastes to determine suspended/solids, B.O.D. and prohibited wastes shall be those set forth in Section 11.501.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 4)
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenances or equipment which is part of the municipal sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct; and upon conviction punished in accordance with Statutes setting out penalty for such offense.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 5)
(a) 
The basic sewer rates are as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code.
(b) 
When the total concentration of the B.O.D. and the suspended solids added together exceed four hundred (400) milligrams per liter (MG/L) at the point entering the city’s system, a surcharge shall be added to the basic sewer service charge which surcharge is computed by multiplying: (1) the total combined pollutants expressed in MG/L in excess of 400 MG/L by, (2) .035¢, and this product is then multiplied by, (3) the gallons of water purchased expressed in 1,000’s of gallons.
(c) 
The determination of B.O.D. and suspended solids shall be by an independent laboratory selected by the city.
(d) 
Samples shall be taken in accordance with the provisions covered under Section 11.504, item (d), of this article.
(e) 
When any such tests made at the discretion of the city shows that a surcharge shall be added to the basic sewer service charge, then the owner shall be billed as provided for in the fee schedule found in the appendix of this code. When a surcharge is in effect, a test will be made at least once every thirty (30) days. When such tests made at the discretion of the city reveal that the surcharge is no longer applicable, then no costs will be made to the owner for such test or tests.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 6)
Industrial waste surcharges provided for in this article shall be included as a separate item on the regular bill for water and sewer charges and shall be paid monthly in accordance with the existing practices. Surcharges shall be paid at the same time that the water, sewer and sanitation charges of the person become due and payment for water, sewer and sanitation services shall not be accepted without payment also for sewer service charges and surcharges.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 7)
Failure to pay monthly bills for water and/or sanitary sewer services when due, or failure to pay the established sewer charge for industrial waste when due, or repeated discharge of prohibited waste to the sanitary sewer, shall be sufficient cause to disconnect any and all services to the water and/or sanitary sewer mains of the City of Hallettsville, and the same penalties and charges now or hereafter provided for by the Ordinances of the City of Hallettsville for failure to pay the bill for water service when due shall be applicable in like manner in the case of failure to pay the established surcharge for industrial waste discharged to the sanitary sewer mains as established in Section 11.506.
(Ordinance 38787, adopted 2/2/87, Section 8)
(a) 
The approving authority bearing 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 provisions of these regulations. Any person found to be violating any provision of this article 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. Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit shall be guilty of violation of the service contract and shall be summarily disconnected from the sanitary sewer and/or water service. Such disconnection and reconnection would be at the total expense of the customer.
(b) 
When acids and chemicals, damaging to sewer lines or treatment processes are released to the sewer causing rapid deterioration of these structures, or interfering with proper treatment of sewage, the approving authority is authorized to immediately terminate services by such measures as are necessary to protect the sewer lines or treatment processes.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 9)
(a) 
If any person, firm, or corporation shall violate any of the provisions of this article, they shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction in the municipal court, shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision found in Section 1.106 of this code. Each day of such violation shall be deemed a separate offense.
(b) 
Any person violating any of the provision of this article shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned by the city by reason of such violation.
(Ordinance 387-87, adopted 2/2/87, Section 10)