The meaning of terms used in this article shall be as follows:
Approving authority.
The director of public works (or other official designated by the city administrator) of the city 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 (5) days at a temperature of twenty (20) degrees Celsius. 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 to the building sewer, beginning three (3) feet outside the inner face of the building wall.
Building sewer.
The extension from the building drain to the other place of disposal.
City.
The city or any authorized person acting on its behalf.
Domestic sewage.
Waterborne wastes normally discharging into the sanitary conveniences of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office buildings, factories and institutions, free of stormwater, 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 grease 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 two hundred fifty (250) parts per million each, by weight, on the basis of the normal daily contribution of twenty-one hundredths pounds per capita, per day.
Parts per million.
A weight to weight ratio; the parts per million value multiplied by the factor eight and three hundred forty-five thousandths (8.345) shall be equivalent to pounds per one million (1,000,000) gallons of water.
pH.
The logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration expressed in mols per liter. It shall be determined by one (1) of the procedures outlined in Standard Methods.
Properly shredded garbage.
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that has been shredded to such degree that all 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 such ground, surface and storm water as may be present.
Sewage service charge.
The charge in addition to the sewage service charge which is made on those persons whose wastes do not exceed in strength the concentration values established as representative of normal sewage.
Sewage treatment plant.
Any city-owned facility, devices, 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 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 Sewage, as prepared, approved and published jointly by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Foundation.
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 wastes are greater in strength than the concentration values established as representative of normal 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: emulsified grease or oil, acids or alkalis, phenols or substances imparting taste and odor in receiving water, toxic or poisonous substances in suspension or colloidal state or solution, and noxious or otherwise obnoxious odorous gases. It shall contain not more than ten (10) parts per million each of suspended solids and BOD. The color shall not exceed fifty (50) parts per million.
Watercourse.
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-26)
(a) 
Excessive BOD or suspended solids.
Review and acceptance of the approving authority shall be obtained prior to the discharge into the public sewers of any wastes and waters having:
(1) 
A five-day [twenty] degrees Celsius biochemical oxygen demand greater than two hundred fifty (250) parts per million.
(2) 
Suspended solids containing greater than two hundred fifty (250) parts per million.
(b) 
Pretreatment facilities.
Where required, in the opinion of the approving authority, to modify or eliminate wastes that are harmful to the structures, processes or operations 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 wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall be required for private living quarters or dwellings. All interceptors shall be 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, watertight and equipped with an easily removable cover which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight. Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained and cleaned by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times. Cleaning of interceptors must be done by persons licensed to clean and haul the sewage and in a timely manner as not to deposit grease or oil in the sewer lines in such manner to clog the sewers. In addition, the owner is responsible for supplying the city with a manifest for each and every load of sewage cleaned from the interceptor.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-27; Ordinance adopted 8/22/08)
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.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-28)
(a) 
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, downspouts, yard drains, yard fountains and ponds or lawn sprays into any sanitary sewer. Stormwater 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 process water may be discharged upon prior approval of the approving authority to a storm sewer or natural outlet or into the sanitary sewer system by an indirect connection where such discharge is cooled, if required, and flows into the sanitary sewer at a rate not in excess of three (3) gallons per minute, provided the waste does not contain materials or substances in suspension or solution in violation of the limits prescribed by this section. 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 such user to dispose of such waste otherwise and prevent it from entering the system. No new sanitary sewers or connections shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system unless the approving authority has approved the design and construction of the sewers or connections. Any new connections to the sanitary sewer system from inflow sources shall be prohibited.
(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 one hundred fifty (150) degrees Fahrenheit (sixty-five (65) degrees Celsius).
(2) 
Any water or wastes which contain wax, grease or oil, plastic or other substance that will solidify or become discernibly viscous at temperatures between thirty-two (32) degrees to one hundred fifty (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 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 fleshings, entrails, 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 13.04.001.
(6) 
Any noxious or malodorous substance which, either singly or by interaction with other substances, is capable of causing objectionable odors, or hazards to life, or forms solids in concentrations exceeding limits established in section 13.04.002, or creates any other conditions 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 the 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 [plant] 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 plant.
(10) 
Any cyanide greater than one (1) part per million, as CN.
(11) 
Any phenols greater than twelve (12) parts per million.
(12) 
Any iron greater than five (5) parts per million.
(13) 
Any tin greater than one (1) part per million.
(14) 
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.
(15) 
Concentrations of each of the following hazardous metals, stated in terms of milligrams per liter (mg/l), for discharge into the city collection system greater than as follows:
 
Not To Exceed
Metal
Average
Daily Composite
Grab Sample
Arsenic
0.1
0.2
0.2
Barium
1.0
2.0
4.0
Cadmium
0.05
0.1
0.2
Chromium
0.5
1.0
5.0
Copper
0.5
1.0
2.0
Lead
0.5
1.0
1.5
Manganese
1.0
0.01
0.01
Mercury
0.01
0.01
0.01
Nickel
1.0
2.0
3.0
Selenium
0.05
0.1
0.2
Silver
0.05
0.1
0.2
Zinc
1.0
2.0
6.0
(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 one hundred (100) parts per million (two hundred fifty (250) pounds per million gallons) of either or both or combination of free emulsified oil and grease if, in the opinion of the approving authority, it appears 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 effects on the treatment process due to the 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 capable of liberating 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 (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; or
(D) 
High hydrogen sulfate content.
(d) 
Unusual flow and concentration shall be pretreated to a concentration acceptable to the city, if such wastes can:
(1) 
Cause damage to collection facilities;
(2) 
Impair the process;
(3) 
Incur treatment costs exceeding those of normal sewage; or
(4) 
Render the water unfit for stream disposal or industrial use.
Where discharges of such 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/or sanitary sewer, require control of the quantities and rates of discharge of such wastes, or require payment of surcharges for excessive cost for treatment provided such wastes are amenable to treatment by normal sewage plant facilities operated by the city.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-29)
(a) 
Permit.
Any person desiring to deposit or discharge any industrial wastes mixture into the sewers or sewer works of the city, or any sewer connected therewith, shall make application to the approving authority for a permit therefor upon application forms to be obtained from him.
(b) 
Control chambers.
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 as will prevent infiltration by ground and surface waters or introduction of slugs or solids by installation of screens with maximum openings of one (1) inch but of such sufficient fineness to prevent the entrance of objectionable slugs or 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 measures 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 of a type approved by the approving authority. The owner 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, [showing the] destination of water supply and/or waste, supported by submetering data installed on such process piping at the expense of the private owner.
(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 intervals to be established by the contractual agreement between the owner and the approving authority, or 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, BOD and prohibited wastes shall be those set forth in section 13.04.001.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-30)
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligibly [negligently] break, damage, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance 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.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-31)
Persons or owners discharging industrial wastes which exhibit none of the characteristics of wastes prohibited in section 13.04.004, other than excessive BOD or suspended solids, but having a concentration for a duration of fifteen (15) minutes greater than four (4) times that of “normal” sewage as measured by suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and/or a concentration during a twenty-four-hour period average of suspended solids or BOD content in excess of “normal” sewage as defined in section 13.04.001 as “normal” domestic sewage, shall be required to pretreat the industrial wastes to meet the requirements of “normal” sewage; however, such wastes may be accepted for treatment if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) 
The wastes will not cause damage to the collection system.
(2) 
The wastes will not impair the treatment process.
(3) 
The donor of the wastes enters into a contractual agreement with the city providing for a surcharge over and above published water and sewer rates.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-32)
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 of sewer service charges and surcharges.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-33)
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, 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 case of failure to pay the established surcharge for industrial waste discharged to the sanitary sewer mains as established in section 13.04.007.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-34)
(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, observance, measurement, sampling and analysis, in accordance with provisions of these regulations. Any person found to be violating any provision of this section shall be served by the city with written notice stating the nature of the violation and will be subject to punishment as provided in section 1.01.009 of this code for each violation.
(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 such measures as are necessary to protect the facilities.
(1987 Code, sec. 27-35)