A. 
This chapter shall apply to the City of Framingham and to persons outside Framingham who are users of Framingham's sewer services. These wastewater regulations provide for use of the public wastewater systems, measurement of wastewater usage, control of the quantity and quality of wastewater discharged, wastewater pretreatment, equitable distribution of costs, control of cross-connections, emergency restrictions, issuance of approvals, specifications and practices for infrastructure construction, and penalties and other procedures in cases of violation of these wastewater regulations. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Mayor, the Director, and/or designees, shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of these wastewater regulations.
[Amended 4-5-2024]
B. 
This chapter may also be referred to as the "City of Framingham's Wastewater Use Regulations."
A. 
A set of wastewater regulations established to regulate use of public and private sewers; the installation and connection of building sewers; and the discharge of wastewater into the public wastewater facilities and providing penalties for violations thereof.
(1) 
The federal government has enacted and amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act now known as the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) and the City of Framingham desires to remain in compliance therewith; and
[Amended 4-5-2024]
(2) 
The City of Framingham desires to ensure that the use of the public wastewater system operated by it will conform to the best sanitary engineering practices.
B. 
Pursuant to MGL c. 83, § 10, to be enforced in Superior Court under MGL c. 83, § 13, these wastewater regulations hereby establish the policies and procedures to be used by the City to regulate and permit the use of public and private sewers, the installation and connection of building sewers, and the discharge of waters and wastes into the public sewer system, and providing penalties for violations thereof, in the City of Framingham, County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
C. 
These wastewater regulations shall be deemed to be consistent with all applicable state regulations.
The purpose of these wastewater regulations is to protect public health and to provide for the maximum possible beneficial public use of Framingham's wastewater facilities through regulation of construction and control of water and sewer use and wastewater discharges; to provide for equitable distribution of the costs to operate, maintain and improve Framingham's wastewater facilities; and to provide procedures for complying with the requirements contained herein.
The provisions of these wastewater regulations are severable. If any provision of these wastewater regulations or any specific application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect in the absence of the invalid provision or application.
Every user of Framingham's wastewater system shall be subject to Framingham regulations, as they apply, and to any charges, rates, fees, and assessments which are or may be established by the City of Framingham. Every user of Framingham's wastewater system shall also be subject to applicable federal, state, MWRA, and local regulations. In instances where various regulations contain different requirements, the most stringent requirements shall be met.
The City reserves the right to amend these wastewater regulations in any manner and to establish more stringent limitations or requirements as is deemed necessary or appropriate.
No provision of these wastewater regulations shall be deemed to contravene or render ineffective any valid Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) or Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulation pursuant to MGL c. 111, §§ 159 through 174.
These wastewater regulations and other activities related to the implementation of these regulations require the submission of applications, certifications, and other information. Applications are available through the Framingham Department of Public Works (DPW) and all requirements shall be completed to the satisfaction of the DPW prior to the commencement of the activity. DPW approvals and applications are in addition to applications and permits that may be required by other federal, state, MWRA, and local laws or regulations.
A. 
A person shall not discharge or operate without having the appropriate valid approval for the discharge.
B. 
The DPW may refuse to approve any discharge which it believes can reasonably be expected to result in significant harm to health, safety, the environment, the DPW's wastewater system, or a tributary to the DPW's wastewater system, or may pass through, interfere with, or otherwise be incompatible with the wastewater treatment process or sludge disposal.
C. 
The DPW shall enforce, pursuant to Article VIII of these wastewater regulations and other applicable local, state, and federal laws, the terms and conditions of an approval issued under these wastewater regulations.
D. 
The DPW may modify an approval as deemed necessary or appropriate or as required by state or federal law.
E. 
An applicant may request reconsideration of the terms and conditions in an issuance, renewal, or modification of an approval issued by the DPW, and an applicant may request reconsideration of the denial of a permit by the DPW, pursuant to § 554-8.2F of these wastewater regulations. With regards to sewer use discharge permits, which are issued jointly by the DPW and the MWRA, requests for reconsideration shall be subject to the requirements and procedures as set forth in the MWRA's Enforcement and Administrative Penalties Regulations, 360 CMR 2.00.
F. 
An approval shall not be assigned or transferred without prior written consent of the DPW. After consent of an assignment or transfer of an approval, the applicant shall provide a copy of the approval documentation to the assignee or transferee.
G. 
These wastewater regulations shall not be construed to require the DPW to permit itself or those in its employ for activities done to carry out the DPW's responsibilities under any federal or state laws, regulations, or requirements.
H. 
All construction activities shall be subject to a plan review by the DPW. Upon completion of the construction, as-built plans, sketches, drawings, and other information shall be submitted to the DPW.
All fees and charges payable under the provisions of these wastewater regulations shall be computed in accordance with the schedule of rates on file with the Department. Such fees and charges shall be established by the Mayor and made payable to the City of Framingham.