Service to any dwelling unit occupied as living quarters
for one (1) or more persons, which establishment or unit has sanitary
water or sewage facilities.
Either a kitchen sink, bathtub or shower, commode, washing
machine, floor drain, dishwashing vats and any other plumbing fixture
from which wastewater or sewage passes through and into the house
drain and into the house sewer, not including wash racks in garages
and filling stations; provided that when three (3) or less dishwashing
vats are connected as one (1) unit, with one (1) drain, same shall
be considered as one (1) fixture connection.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3A; 2004
Code, sec. 13.301)
(a)
No person, persons, firm or corporation shall have the right to connect
any property with the sewer system of the city, and no connection
with the sanitary sewer system of the city shall be made until the
owner of such property, or his agent duly authorized, shall have received
from the city a permit to do so, after having met the requirements
herein specified to obtain such permit. The owner of any property
desired to be connected with the sewer system of the city, or his
duly authorized agent, shall first make an application in writing
signed by such owner, or his agent, duly authorized in writing to
sign such application for and in the name of the owner, upon blanks
furnished by the city and delivered to the officer in charge of the
water and sewer department of the city, for a permit to connect any
such property with the city sewer system; such application shall contain
the precise location of the property to be drained; the type of structure
and the purpose for which same is used, give the name of the owner
of the property, and the number and class of plumbing fixtures to
be contained within the private system or property to be drained and
the name of the person or firm employed to do the plumbing work contemplated
to be done and connected with the sewer system. Such application shall
further contain an agreement on the part of such applicant owner of
the property sought to be connected and drained by the sewer system
of the city that he will promptly pay to the city the rental charges
then or thereafter to be prescribed by the city for the use of the
sewer system, at the times and in the manner prescribed now or hereafter
by the ordinances of the city; that he will abide by and observe the
rules and regulations governing the use of the city sewer system and
that he will be responsible for the rental charges accruing up to
the time that he gives actual notice in writing to the city of a change
in ownership of said property, or to discontinue service thereto.
(b)
Any such permit issued shall remain in force only so long as the
owner of the property, and the applicant therefor, shall comply with
the rules and regulations now or hereafter prescribed for the use
of the sewer system, and shall pay the rental charges as provided,
and upon the failure of such property owner in either or any respect
to fully comply with the provisions hereof, said permit shall be subject
to cancellation, and the city shall have the right to discontinue
sewer service to such property. This stipulation shall also be contained
in the application for a permit.
(c)
Before the application for a permit shall be received and permit
granted, there must be paid to the city, inspection fees and one (1)
month’s rental for sewer service in advance, said advance payment
to be applied in payment of the rental and service charge for the
first month following commencement of service, if the permit is issued
following the 15th day of any calendar month. If the permit is issued
on or prior to such day, charges for sewer service shall commence
on the first day of the month in which permit is issued.
(d)
Whenever any property for which a permit has been issued and sewer
service is being furnished changes ownership, the new owner shall
make application for a continuation of sewer service to such property,
and such application shall be made upon the same blanks and be subject
to the same terms and conditions and contain the same stipulations
as an original application, and such application shall be marked “application
for continuation of sewer service.”
(e)
When any person owning any property served by the sewer system in
the city shall change the plumbing in premises, other than single-family
dwellings, used exclusively as such, to be connected with the sewer
system, so as to increase the number of plumbing fixtures connected
with the city sewer system, such person shall make a new application,
upon the same blanks, terms and conditions as an original application
as herein set out.
(f)
When sewer service for any property has been discontinued for any
reason, same shall not again be continued until the owner of such
property shall have made application as is set out herein for an original
application.
(g)
No permit shall be deemed to authorize anything not stated in the
application.
(h)
A permit to make a connection with the sewer system or for a continuation
of sewer service will be issued only when the plumbing in the structure
or property to be connected and drained is in accordance with the
provisions for plumbing as are provided in the plumbing code for the
city, now in effect and hereafter adopted, and has been inspected
and approved by the city plumbing inspector.
(i)
There shall be no reduction or abatement of the sewer rental charge
for any property, so long as said property is connected with the sewer
system of the city.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3B; 2004
Code, sec. 13.302)
(a)
Every application for a connection to the city sewer system shall be accompanied by a tap fee in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code, which sum shall be paid directly to the city manager or his/her designee. No connection shall be permitted unless such fee has been paid.
(b)
If the sewer main and street are adjacent to the property where the
sewer line is to be connected, the city will install and maintain
a street service line running from the street sewer main to such property
owner’s curb and gutter or sidewalk line, or to owner’s
property line when no curb and gutter or sidewalk exists. The property
owner will install and maintain the remainder of the service line.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3C; Ordinance 707 adopted 6/10/03; 2004 Code, sec. 13.303; Ordinance adopting
2021 Code)
(a)
Abnormal sewage.
BOD (denoting biochemical oxygen demand).
Commercial customer class.
Industrial customer class.
Living unit.
Monitored group class.
Normal sewage.
Residential customer class.
Standard Methods.
Suspended solids.
Definitions.
Any sewage having suspended solids or BOD content which is,
in the judgment of the director of the waterworks department, significantly
in excess of, or below, that found in normal sewage, but is otherwise
acceptable into the city sanitary sewerage system.
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure as specified
in Standard Methods in five (5) days at twenty (20) degrees centigrade
expressed as parts per million by weight (milligrams per liter).
Those customers which have three (3) or more living units
served by a single water meter, or which have one (1) or more businesses
served by a single water meter.
Those customers whose sewage contains wastewater from a product
manufactured, processed or fabricated by the customer.
A residential unit providing complete, independent, living
facilities for one (1) family, including permanent provisions for
living, sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation.
Those customers determined by the director of the waterworks
department to be producers of wastewater that is, in his judgment,
abnormal sewage.
Sewage which, when analyzed, shows by weight a daily average
of not more than 260 mg/L of suspended solids and not more than 170
mg/L of BOD, and which is otherwise acceptable into the city sanitary
sewerage system.
Those customers which have not more than two (2) living units
served by a single water meter.
The Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
prepared and published jointly by the American Public Health Association,
the American Waterworks Association and the Water Environment Federation,
12th edition, Second Printing, March, 1966.
Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension
in water, sewage or other liquid and which are removable by laboratory
filtering.
(b)
Rates for sewer service in city.
(1)
Sewer rates and service fees within the city are as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2)
The monthly volume charges for residential class customers will be
based on the individual customer’s average monthly water use
during the preceding winter quarter months of December, January and
February, but in no event shall the volume used to compute this monthly
charge exceed 16,000 gallons. The volumes used to compute these charges
are based on the amount of water used by the residential class customer
as measured by a meter. Where no preceding winter quarter is available
from records, the director shall estimate a volume to be used for
this monthly volume charge, such estimated volume not to exceed 16,000
gallons.
(3)
Commercial and industrial class customers shall be charged a monitoring
charge and related charges according to the current rate schedule
established by the City of Fort Worth under its sanitary sewer contract
with the city.
(4)
All customers connected to the sanitary sewer system who have a source
of water supply that is in addition to or in lieu of the city water
supply shall have a meter approved and tested by the city waterworks
department on that source of water supply, and the volume charge as
set forth hereinabove shall be based upon the sum of the volumes delivered
by all sources of supply. Such method of volume determination will
not be applicable if the customer installs a meter approved by the
city waterworks department on the wastewater produced by the customer
before it enters the city sanitary sewer.
(5)
The city council authorizes the city manager or his/her designee
to adjust the rates established in this subsection, after notice to
the customer, to reflect the customer’s proportional share of
any increase or decrease in fees the City of Fort Worth charges the
city to provide sewer service.
(c)
Rates for sewer service outside city limits.
The rates for city sewer services outside of the city limits shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(d)
Rates for city facilities.
City municipal facilities/locations
that have sewer service shall be charged at the same commercial sewer
rates as other commercial accounts.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3D; Ordinance 672 adopted 8/28/01; Ordinance 707 adopted 6/10/03; Ordinance 957 adopted 1/11/11; Ordinance 1127, sec. 2 adopted 9/11/18; 2004
Code, sec. 13.304; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
(a)
All accounts for sewer services rendered shall be payable each month
in advance at the office of the city manager or his/her designee in
the city, upon the date as provided in the invoice rendered for such
service.
(b)
Bills for sewer service shall be rendered monthly, and any person,
firm or corporation who shall fail to pay the sewer rental and charge
within fifteen (15) days after same shall have become due shall be
subject to have his service for his building, house or other structure
discontinued by the city. When the sewer service has been discontinued
and the sewer line disconnected from the property of any party for
failure to pay the rental and charges as herein stipulated, no connection
to any such building, house or structure and the sewer line therefrom
with the sewer system of the city shall again be made until the owner
of said property shall first make written application for said reconnection
on blanks furnished by the city manager or his/her designee, and pays
all sewer rental past due for service for any such building, house
or structure to the city, together with a current deposit and all
costs of disconnection and reconnecting any such sewer line with the
city sewer system; provided, in case of nonpayment of sewer charge
where user’s property is connected with the city water system,
the city shall have the right to discontinue water service, even though
charges made for water service have been paid.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3E; Ordinance 707 adopted 6/10/03; Ordinance 756 adopted 9/14/04; 2004 Code, sec. 13.305)
(a)
Before any residential garage may be connected to the city sewer,
same shall be equipped with a cast-iron sand trap, provided with a
removable receptacle inside of the trap to remove mud, sand and other
refuse washed into same. This provision does not apply where such
drain is located in such a manner as to receive drainage exclusively
from a washing machine used for laundry purposes.
(b)
Before any wash racks at all commercial garages and filling stations
may be connected to the city sewer system, same shall be equipped
so that wastewater therefrom shall discharge into a two (2) compartment
sand and grease trap made of concrete.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3F; 2004
Code, sec. 13.306)
(a)
At any time after the effective date of this article, it shall be
unlawful for any person or persons, firm or corporation owning, renting,
leasing, or controlling, in whole or in part, any premises situated
within any section of the city where sanitary sewer shall exist and
where the property line of such premises approaches or extends to
within one hundred feet (100') of any such sewer, to construct, use
or maintain, or permit to be constructed, used or maintained, on such
premises, any septic tank, privy, cesspool, water closet, urinal basin,
slop sink, slop drain, bathtub, or water waste drain from dwellings,
laundries, livery stables, garages, filling stations or other places,
or any receptacle whatever used or to be used for the purpose of receiving
or removing sewer matter, or slop of any kind, unless the same shall
be connected with the system of sanitary sewage of the city.
(b)
All defective septic tanks, cesspools and other structures, devices
or other class outdoor facilities used for the purpose of receiving
human sewage that may be on any premises, as of the effective date
of this article, the property line of which, at any point, extends
to within one hundred feet (100') of a city sanitary sewer, shall
be removed or abated after the giving of notice as herein provided
for removal and abatement of same.
(c)
The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy,
employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the city
and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is
now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary 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, within ninety (90) days after date of
official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within
one hundred feet (100') of the property line. All connections to the
public sewer system shall be made under the supervision of the city
and its representatives.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3G; 2004
Code, sec. 13.307)
It shall be unlawful:
(1)
To uncover the public sewer or branches thereof unless by consent
and under the supervision of the officer in charge of the water and
sewer department of the city.
(2)
For the owner or occupant of any building located on any lot reaching
within one hundred feet (100') of any city sanitary sewer, any portion
of which is used for any purpose during any portion of the day, to
fail to have at least one (1) water closet connection with the public
sewer.
(3)
For the owner or occupant of any building, located on any lot reaching
within one hundred feet (100') of any city sanitary sewer, in which
food is cooked or clothing is washed, to fail to have a suitable sink,
slop stone or hopper for the reception of water and connected with
the city sewer system.
(4)
To throw or allow to be thrown or deposited upon the surface of the
ground or in any hole or vault in or under the surface of the ground
on any lot within one hundred feet (100') of any city sanitary sewer,
any water which has been used for domestic or manufacturing purposes,
or any liquid or any solid filth, feces or urine.
(5)
To throw or deposit, or cause to be thrown or deposited, in any vessel
or receptacle connected with the city sewer system, any newspaper,
garbage, hair, fruit, ashes, vegetable peelings or refuse, rags, cotton,
cinders, or any other matter whatsoever, except feces and/or urine,
the necessary closet paper or liquid slops.
(6)
To fail or refuse to connect with the sanitary sewer all washstands
or slop stands in a house or yard, where a city sanitary sewer is
within one hundred feet (100') of the property line, or to allow any
slops, wash or wastewater of any kind to flow over or under the pavement
into the streets or alleys.
(7)
To enter in or upon the premises of the sewage disposal plant site
and to in any wise tamper with or injure in any manner whatsoever
the buildings, fixtures and equipment of the sewage disposal plant,
or any fixtures, equipment or supplies that may be stored on said
site.
(8)
To discharge to any natural outlet within the city or in any area
under the jurisdiction of the city any sanitary sewage, industrial
waste, or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has
been provided.
(9)
To construct or maintain within the city any septic tank, privy,
privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended for
the disposal of sewage.
(10)
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.
(11)
To discharge or cause to be discharged into any public sewer any
of the following described waters or wastes:
(A)
Any waste or water which contains more than 75 parts per million
of fats, oil or grease.
(B)
Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other inflammable or
explosive liquid, solid or gas.
(C)
Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.
(D)
Any solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to
flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of
the sewage works.
(E)
Any waters or waste 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.
(F)
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.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3H; 2004
Code, sec. 13.308)
The property owner or plumber, or both, shall be held responsible
for any injuries the plumber shall cause to the sewer or street in
making such connections.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3I; 2004
Code, sec. 13.309)
No person or corporation shall connect any open gutter, septic
tank, cesspool, privy, vault or cistern with any public sewer or any
private sewer connected with the public sewer.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3J; 2004
Code, sec. 13.310)
No person or corporation shall deposit any garbage, offal, dead
animals, filth or any substance having a tendency to obstruct the
flow of sewage in any manhole, flush tank or sewer opening.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3K; 2004
Code, sec. 13.311)
It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to obstruct
or in any way injure any of the pipes, drains, works, or machinery
belonging to or connected with the sewer system of the city, or to
place any substance whatever into any sink, water closet, bathtub,
vessels, drains, or other receptacles belonging to or connected with
said sewer system which may obstruct or injure same.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3L; 2004
Code, sec. 13.312)
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to lay pipes for water,
gas, steam or any purpose, in any street or alley upon which sewers
are laid, shall give at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice
to the city officer in charge of the water and sewer department before
opening the street or alley, and the manner of excavating the trenches
and laying the pipe and backfilling over the same shall be subject
to the approval of the officer in charge of the water and sewer department.
All such work shall be planned and executed in accordance with the
provisions of the plumbing and other ordinances of the city so that
no injury shall occur to any street, public sewer or drain or to any
house or other sewer drain connected therewith.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3M; 2004
Code, sec. 13.313)
Proper barriers and lights must be maintained on the banks of
the house or other sewer trench to guard the public against accidents
during the progress of work. In backfilling, no stone shall be used
and the earth shall be carefully rammed or flooded so as to keep the
pipe in proper position and to avoid settling.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3N; 2004
Code, sec. 13.314)
The owner or occupant of any building not located within the
city shall be allowed to make connection with the sewer system after
obtaining a permit as provided herein, and such work of connection
shall be subject to the regulations and inspections herein provided
for and the owner or occupant of any building thus connected shall
be required to pay the inspection, installation and the service charges
herein exacted.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3O; 2004
Code, sec. 13.315)
It shall be unlawful to connect any old house plumbing to the
city sanitary sewer system unless same conforms in all respects to
all requirements of the plumbing code of the city and shall be approved
by the plumbing inspector.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3P; 2004
Code, sec. 13.316)
All connections of house sewer lines into the main and lateral
sewer lines shall be in accordance with the specifications as is provided
in the plumbing code of the city.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3Q; 2004
Code, sec. 13.317)
No permit for a basement drain shall be granted until the owner
of the building has executed and signed a written agreement releasing
the city from any damage that may result from the basement being flooded
by the stoppage of sewers, which agreement shall be filed with the
city manager or his/her designee.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3R; Ordinance 707 adopted 6/10/03; 2004 Code, sec. 13.318)
No rainwater or downspout pipes, range boiler pipe, or other
pipe used to convey water or other substances of like character, except
the pipes necessary to plumbing systems, shall be connected to the
sewer system.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3S; 2004
Code, sec. 13.319)
All drains from four feet outside of the building to the main
sewer must be of vitrified clay or cement pipe with bells, or extra-heavy
cast-iron pipe laid to a uniform grade. Joints of clay pipe shall
have bell holes provided or hemp gaskets put in and joints well cemented
with two parts of well-screened sand and one part of best portland
cement, and cast-iron pipe shall be caulked and [with] molten lead
and oakum. No vitrified clay or cement pipe shall be used for sewer
connections unless it is at least 12 inches underground. Extra-heavy
cast iron shall be used where the depth of such pipes is less than
twelve inches underground.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3T; 2004
Code, sec. 13.320)
All sewer, soil and waste pipe drains shall have a continuous
fall of not less than one-quarter of an inch to a foot is [if] obtainable.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3U; 2004
Code, sec. 13.321)
It shall be the duty of the officer in charge of the sewer department,
or his duly authorized agents, to enter all premises as may be necessary
in the enforcement of this article and he is hereby so empowered,
and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to interfere
with any inspection being made by the city plumbing inspector, or
the officer in charge of the sewer department, or his authorized agents,
in carrying out the provisions of this article.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3V; 2004
Code, sec. 13.322)
(a)
Application for extension.
Any person, firm or corporation
desiring to construct or extend or make any extensions of any main
or sub-lateral lines to be attached to any of the main sewer lines
or manholes installed shall be required to file an application with
and to secure a permit from the officer in charge of the city sewer
system authorizing said officer in charge, [sic] four copies of plans
and specifications of the proposed extensions and any subsequent changes
thereto, and before any action is taken thereon, same shall be submitted
to the department of state health service for its approval, and upon
receiving said approval, said plans and specifications shall be approved
by the consulting engineer of the city. Said application shall contain
the provisions that said applicant agrees that permission is thereby
given to the agents of the department of state health services, and
the city, to inspect all of the work during its progress as often
as may be desired; and the applicant further shall agree that the
plumbing work installed in all structures to be connected to said
extensions shall comply with all applicable ordinances of the city
and state laws and that the extensions or lines being constructed,
with all easements therewith, shall, after the completion thereof,
be conveyed to the city, without cost and without reservations of
any kind.
(b)
Plans and specifications.
All plans and specifications
for sewer improvements and extensions shall include the following:
(1)
Profiles of all sewers proposed.
(2)
Details of construction of manholes, flush tanks and substructure.
(3)
Shall be drawn to a scale of not greater than three hundred feet
(300') to the inch nor less than one hundred feet (100') to the inch.
(4)
Lines and figures shall be clearly and distinctly made thereon and
extensions to be built to be shown by solid lines: _____. Existing
sanitary sewers shall be shown by the following symbol: ......., and
combined sewers by a dot and dash: -.-.-.-.-; all topographical symbols
to be the same as those of the United States Geological Survey.
(5)
Elevations of the surface of the streets are to be placed outside
the street lines in the upper right angle, or opposite their respective
positions in the street. The elevations of sewer inverts should be
shown at street intersections, ends of lines and wherever a change
of grade occurs. The elevations of surface shall be shown to the nearest
1/10 foot; those of the sewer invert to the nearest 1/100 foot. The
sizes and gradients of all proposed and existing sewers shall be marked
along the line of the sewer.
(6)
All sewer appurtenances and unusual features, such as manholes, lampholes,
flush tanks, siphons, pumps, etc., shall be designated on the plans
by suitable symbols and referenced by a legend near the title.
(7)
Profiles of sewer lines shall be prepared and drawn to such a scale
as to show clearly the structural features of the sewer. For ordinary
use the following scales are suggested: vertically ten feet (10')
to one inch (1"); horizontally one hundred feet (100') to one inch
(1"). Both scales must be clearly shown upon each sheet. Upon these
profiles shall be shown all manholes, flush tanks, lampholes, siphons
and stream crossings, with elevations of stream bed and normal water.
Figures showing the sizes and gradients of sewers, surface elevations,
sewer inverts, etc., should be shown with the same frequency as required
for the map.
(8)
When grades lower than those given in the recommended practice are
used, an explanation and reasons for the use of such grades should
be included in the engineer’s report. On each sheet of profiles
must be given, under the title, an index of the streets appearing
on that sheet. Profile sheets shall be numbered consecutively.
(9)
The detail plans shall be drawn to such a scale as to show suitably
and clearly the nature of the design and all details, such as manholes,
frame covers, iron pipes, valves, gates, etc.
(10)
Title. Each drawing shall have legibly printed thereon the name of
the town or persons for whom the drawing is made, the name of the
engineer in charge, the date, the scale and such references and the
title as are necessary for the complete understanding of each drawing.
(c)
As-built drawings.
The applicant shall furnish built-in
drawings in as many copies as may be required by the city when the
work is completed.
(d)
Inspection of new extensions.
All new extensions to the city sewer system, and appurtenances thereto, shall be inspected and approved by the officer in charge of the sewer system, and the consulting engineer of the city, or his duly authorized representative, before backfilling any part thereof. Any person, firm or corporation violating this provision shall be subject to a penalty in accordance with the general penalty provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code, and shall be compelled to uncover said extension or any part thereof, so that same may be fully inspected as provided therein.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3W; 2004
Code, sec. 13.323)
In case of any willful or continued violation of the terms,
conditions and provisions of this article, the city, in addition,
to imposing the penalties above provided, may institute any appropriate
action or proceedings in any court having jurisdiction to restrain,
correct or abate such violation; and the definition of any violation
of the terms, conditions and provisions of this article as a misdemeanor
shall not preclude the city from invoking the civil remedies given
it by laws of the state, but same shall be cumulative and subject
to the prosecution as hereinabove prescribed for such violation.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 3X; 2004
Code, sec. 13.324)
