For the purpose of this division, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Approving authority.
The city water and sewer superintendent (or other official designated by the city manager), or his duly authorized deputy, agent, or representative.
BOD.
The quantity of oxygen, expressed in parts per million by weight, utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory conditions for five days at a temperature of 20° C. The laboratory determinations shall be made in accordance with procedures set forth in Standard Methods.
Building drain.
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning three feet outside the inner face of the building wall.
Building sewer.
The extension from the building drain to the sewer or other place of disposal.
City.
The City of Cuero, Texas, or any authorized person acting in behalf of the city.
Domestic sewage.
Waterborne wastes normally discharging into the sanitary conveniences of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office buildings, factories and institutions, free of storm and surface water and industrial wastes.
Garbage.
Solid wastes and residue from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of food products and produce.
Industrial waste.
Waterborne solids, liquids or gaseous wastes resulting from and discharged, permitted to flow or escaping from any industrial, manufacturing or food processing operation or process, or from the development of any natural resource, or any mixture of these with water or domestic sewage as distinct from normal domestic sewage.
Natural outlet.
Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or ground water.
Normal domestic sewage.
Normal sewage for the city, in which the average concentration of suspended materials and five-day BOD is established at 250 parts per million each, by weight.
Parts per million.
A weight to weight ratio; the parts-per-million value multiplied by the factor 8.345 shall be equivalent to pounds per million gallons of water.
Person, establishment, or owner.
Any and all persons, natural or artificial, including any individual, firm, company, industry, municipal or private corporation, association, governmental agency, or other entity and its or their servants, agents, and employees.
pH.
The logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration expressed in molecules per liter. It shall be determined by one of the procedures outlined in Standard Methods.
Properly shredded garbage.
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to a degree that particles shall be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch in any dimension.
Public sewer.
A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties shall have equal rights and interest, controlled by public authority.
Sanitary sewer.
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.
Sewage.
A combination of the water-carried waste from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with the ground, surface and storm water as may be present.
Sewage service charge.
The charge made on all users of public sewer system whose wastes do not exceed in strength the concentration values established as representative of normal sewage.
Sewage treatment plant.
Any city-owned facility, device, and structures used for receiving and treating sewage from the city sanitary sewer system.
Sewage works.
All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage and industrial wastes, and would include sewage, as well as the sewage treatment facilities.
Sewer.
A pipe or conduit for carrying sanitary sewage.
Sewerage.
The system of sewers and appurtenances for the collection, transportation and pumping of sewage and industrial wastes.
Standard Methods.
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.
Storm sewer or storm drain.
A sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.
Stormwater runoff.
That portion of the rainfall that is drained into the sewers.
Surcharge.
The charge in addition to the sewage service charge which is made on those persons whose waste loadings exceed those of normal domestic sewage.
Suspended solids.
Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by a laboratory filtration device. Quantitative determination of suspended solids shall be made in accordance with procedures set forth in Standard Methods.
Unpolluted water or waste.
Water or waste containing none of the following: free or emulsified grease or oil; acids or alkalis; phenols or other substances imparting taste and odor in receiving water; toxic or poisonous substances in suspension, colloidal state or solution; and noxious or otherwise obnoxious odorous gases. It shall contain not more than ten parts per million each of suspended solids and BOD. The color shall not exceed fifty parts per million.
Watercourse.
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 1; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.70)
(a) 
Review and acceptance of the approving authority shall be obtained prior to the discharge into [from] downspouts, yard drains, yard fountains and ponds or lawn sprays into any sanitary sewer. Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to the 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 the 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 in this division.
(b) 
In cases where, 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 the user to dispose of the waste otherwise and prevent it from entering the system.
(c) 
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° C), except with the approval of approving authority.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
Any solids, slurries, or viscous substances of the character as to be capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works, including ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, lime slurry, lime residues, slops, chemical residues, paint residues, or bulk solids.
(4) 
Any garbage that has not been properly comminuted or shredded. If properly comminuted or shredded, then it may be accepted in subsection (c)(1) [sic] of this section above.
(5) 
Any noxious or malodorous substance which, either singly or by interaction with other substances, is capable of causing objectionable odor or hazard to life, or forms solids in concentrations exceeding limits established in subsection (c)(2) [sic] of this section above, or creates any other condition deleterious to structures or treatment processes, or requires unusual provisions, alteration, or expense to handle the materials.
(6) 
Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 10.5 or having any corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazards to structures, equipment, or personnel of sewage disposal works.
(7) 
Any wastes or waters containing suspended or dissolved solids of the character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle the materials at the sewage treatment or in the public sewage works.
(8) 
Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance, including 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].
(9) 
Any waters or wastes containing concentrations of heavy metals greater than the following, stated in milligrams per liter:
Element
mg/l
Arsenic
0.05
Barium
5.0
Boron
1.0
Cadmium
0.02
Chromium
5.0
Copper
1.0
Lead
0.1
Manganese
1.0
Mercury
0.005
Nickel
1.0
Selenium
0.02
Silver
0.1
Zinc
5.0
(10) 
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.
(d) 
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 parts per million (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 the wastes:
(A) 
Can deposit grease or oil in the sewer lines in the 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.
(D) 
Can have deleterious effects 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) 
Cyanide or cyanogen compounds capable of emanating hydrocyanic gas on acidification in excess of one-half part per million by weight as CN in the wastes from any outlet into the public sewers.
(4) 
Materials which exert or cause:
(A) 
Unusual concentrations of solids or composition, as for example, in total suspended solids of inert nature (including fuller’s earth) and in total dissolved solids (including sodium chloride or sodium sulfate).
(B) 
Excessive discoloration.
(C) 
Unusual biochemical oxygen demand or an immediate oxygen demand.
(D) 
High hydrogen sulfide content.
(E) 
Unusual flow and concentration shall be pretreated to a concentration acceptable to the city, if the wastes can cause damage to collection facilities, impair the processes, incur treatment cost exceeding those of normal sewage, or render the water unfit for stream disposal or industrial use. Where discharges of the wastes to the sanitary sewer are not properly pretreated or otherwise corrected, the approving authority may reject the wastes or terminate the service of water and sanitary sewer, require control of the quantities and rates of discharge of the wastes, or require payment of surcharges for excessive cost for treatment, provided the wastes are amenable to treatment by normal sewage plant facilities operated by the city. This division also prohibits heavy metals and toxic materials, which include but are not limited to:
Antimony
Beryllium
Bismuth
Cobalt
Molybdenum
Rhenium
Strontium
Tellurium
Uranyl
ion
Herbicides
Fungicides
Pesticides
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 2; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.71)
(a) 
Discharge permit required.
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 chamber.
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 the 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 manhole or inspection chamber shall be of the 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 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 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 of a type approved by the approving authority. The persons shall install and maintain the device in proper condition to accurately measure the 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 waste, supported by sub-metering data installed on the process piping at the expense of the person.
(d) 
Sampling of wastes.
Sampling of the effluent of waste discharge 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 intervals 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, BOD and prohibited wastes shall be those set forth in section 12.05.091 of this division.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 4; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.72)
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.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 5; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.73)
(a) 
The sewage service charge for any person, firm, owner or corporation discharging industrial wastes into the system is 25% of the total cost of water purchased by the owner for that billing period provided that the city meter is the only source of water used by the owner, and provided that the BOD or the suspended solids in the wastewater does not exceed the normal concentration of 250 parts per million. In those cases where the owner uses water other than city water, then the owner shall be required to install at his own expense a city water meter to measure the volume of water used. The sewage service charge will then be computed on the basis of the city water rate as if the volume of water was purchased from the city.
(b) 
When the total concentration of the BOD and the suspended solids added together exceeds 500 parts per million at the point entering the city’s system, a surcharge shall be applied to the base sewage service charge by multiplying the base charge by the factor obtained from dividing the total of the actual measured BOD and suspended solids added together by 500. The surcharge will be applied only when the factor exceeds one.
(c) 
The determination of BOD 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 12.05.093(d) of this division.
(e) 
When any tests made at the discretion of the city shows that a surcharge shall be applied, continued or increased over the base rate, whichever is applicable, then the owner shall be billed at the rate set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code for each test to cover the costs of sampling, mailing and handling, plus the laboratory fees. When a surcharge is in effect, a test will be made at least once each 30 days. When the tests made at the discretion of the city reveals that the surcharge is no longer applicable, then no costs will be made to the owner for the test or tests.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 6; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.74; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code)
(a) 
Industrial waste surcharges provided for in this division 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 of sewer service charges and surcharges.
(b) 
Failure to pay monthly bills for water and sanitary sewer services when due, or failure to pay the established sewer charge for industrial wastes 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 sanitary sewer mains of the city, and the same penalties and charges now or hereafter provided for by the ordinances of the city 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 12.05.095 of this division.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, secs. 7, 8; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.75)
(a) 
The approving authority bearing credentials and identification shall be permitted to gain access to the 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 division 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 water service. The disconnection and reconnection would be at the total expense of the customer.
(b) 
Where 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 the measures as are necessary to protect the facilities.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 9; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.76)
The failure on the part of the city to enforce any section, clause, sentence or provision of this division shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the city to later enforce any section, clause, sentence or section of this division.
(1966 Code, ch. 19.0, art. II, sec. 11; Ordinance 74-23 adopted 10/3/74; 1994 Code, sec. 52.77)