The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be as defined herein. Terminology for analytical testing shall be that contained in "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants," published at Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 136.
Average concentration of a substance
means the total daily discharge weight of the substances divided by the total daily wastewater volume at the point of discharge.
Backwater valve
means any approved check valve or other approved device to prevent the flow of sewage from the public sewer into the building.
Building
means any structure erected for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattel or movable property of any kind.
Building drain
means house drain.
Building sewer
means house sewer.
Carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD)
means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter, expressed in parts per million by weight. CBOD concentrations shall be determined under standard analytical procedures specified in the publication "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" jointly prepared and published by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association, and the Water Environment Federation and/or other alternate procedures specified and required by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency and/or the State of California Environmental Protection Agency.
Cesspool
means a lined or partially lined underground pit into which raw sanitary sewage is discharged.
City
means the Town of Los Altos Hills.
City Engineer
means the City Engineer for the Town of Los Altos Hills.
Customer
means any person(s), business, organization, or other agency that obtains sewer service from the Town of Los Altos Hills.
Discharger
means any person who discharges, causes or permits the discharge of industrial waste into a City sewer or storm drain.means any person(s), business, organization, or other agency that obtains sewer service from the Town of Los Altos Hills.
Domestic waste or domestic sewer
means wastewater that is produced from non-commercial and nonindustrial activities and that results from normal human living processes.
Drainage system or drainage piping
means and includes all the piping within public or private premises, which conveys sewage, or other liquid wastes, to a point of disposal, but shall not include the mains, laterals, manholes, and pipe encasements of a public sewer system.
EPA
means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Exceptional wastes
mean aqueous wastes that may include, but are not limited to, (1) construction site dewatering where soil or groundwater contamination is present, (2) groundwater contaminated with organic solvents generated as a result of pump tests in preparation for a groundwater cleanup or water generated during sampling events, (3) aqueous wastes generated by either permanent or mobile hazardous waste treatment units used to treat hazardous waste at the generator's site, (4) and aqueous wastes generated as a result of site cleanup activities.
Food service facility
means any establishment that uses or generates grease when preparing food. "Food service facility" does not mean any facility that prepares food for off-site cooking and consumption, or any facility that does not use or generate grease in cooking or preparing food.
Grease
means and includes fats, oils, waxes, or other related constituents. Grease may be of vegetable or animal origin, including butter, lard, margarine, vegetable fats and oils and fats in meats, cereals, seeds, nuts and certain fruits. Grease may also be of mineral origin, including kerosenes, lubricating oil and road oil. Grease in the wastewater collection system is generally present as, but need not be, a floatable solid, a liquid, a colloid, an emulsion or in a solution.
Grease removal device
means an interceptor or other mechanical device designed, constructed and intended to remove, hold or otherwise prevent the passage of grease to the sanitary sewer.
Hazardous material
means any material that because of its quantity, concentration or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. "Hazardous materials" include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances, hazardous wastes and any materials which a handler has a reasonable basis for believing would be injurious to the health and safety or harmful to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. For purposes of this title, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) shall be considered hazardous materials.
House drain or building drain or main drain
means that part of the lowest 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 two feet outside the building wall that faces the public sewer.
House sewer or building sewer
means the extension from the house drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal, which is not less than two feet from any building or structure foundation or footing that faces the public sewer.
Industrial waste
means the waste and wastewater from any production, manufacturing or processing operation of whatever nature including institutional and commercial operations where wastewater is used for the removal of significant quantities of waste other than domestic waste from premises connected to the City's sanitary sewers.
Insanitary
means a condition, which is contrary to sanitary principles, or is injurious to health. Conditions to which the word "insanitary" shall apply include the following, but shall not be limited thereto:
(1) 
The discharge of sewage to the environment, except to an approved septic system, or to the soil without proper treatment.
(2) 
Any opening in a drainage system, except where lawful, which would permit the escape of gases or sewage or would permit persons to make physical contact with the sewage.
(3) 
Faulty septic tanks or drainfields permitting sewage to seep or stand on the surface of the ground or potentially contaminate an underground water system.
(4) 
Any connection, cross-connection, construction or condition, temporary or permanent, between a potable water system and any source or system containing unapproved water, any amount of sewage, or any substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover assemblies, or other assemblies through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
(5) 
The discharge of wastewater from swimming pools upon the ground.
Instantaneous maximum
means the highest concentration or other measure of pollutant magnitude taken at any discrete point in time.
Instantaneous minimum
means the lowest concentration or other measure of pollutant magnitude taken at any discrete point in time.
Interceptor
means a receptacle or trap designed and constructed to intercept, separate, and prevent the passage of prohibited substances into the sewer system.
Lot
means a single or individual parcel or area of land, legally recorded, on which is situated a building together with the yards, courts and unoccupied spaces legally required for the building and which is owned by or is in the lawful possession of the owner of the building.
New sources
mean sources of industrial waste that commence discharging subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
Organic solvent
means any solvent which contains carbon in its molecular structure.
Outside sewer
means sewer lines owned by the Town lying outside the City limits (Town limits).
Person
means any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation or public agency.
Plant
means the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant.
Point of discharge
means the point or points designated as such in the permit. Where no designation is made it means the point where the private sewer joins a public sewer.
Premises
means any lot, piece or parcel of land, any building or other structure or any part of any building or structure used or useful for human habitation or gathering or for carrying on a business or occupation.
Pretreatment system
means a treatment system at an industrial or commercial facility that is designed to treat water prior to entering the City's sewer system.
Public sewer
means any sewer, which is part of the municipal sewer system, including any sewer main within any public street or sewer easement and any outside sewer.
Sanitary sewage
means water-carried wastes from residences, business property, institutions and industrial property excluding ground, surface, and storm waters and industrial wastes.
Secondary containment
means the level of containment external to and separate from the primary containment.
Seepage pit
means a device comprised of one or more pits extending into porous strata, lined with openjointed masonry or similar walls, capped and provided with a means of access such as a manhole cover and into which wastewater disposal system effluent is discharged.
Septic tank
means a water-tight receptacle which receives the discharge of a drainage system or part thereof, designed and constructed so as to retain solids, digest organic matter through a period of detention, and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside of the tank through a system of open joint piping, or a seepage pit meeting the requirements of this code.
Sewage treatment plant
means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sanitary sewage and industrial wastes.
Sewage works
means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage. Sewage works also means sewerage works.
Sewer
means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
Sewer capacity rights
mean the flow (in gallons per day) of sewage that a customer is entitled to discharge from each connection on an average daily basis. Such rights shall be purchased by payment of sewer capacity fees at the time of connection to the public sewer system or when additional capacity is needed to serve the user.
Sewer connection fee
means moneys paid by the applicant to purchase capacity in the Town's sewer system. Fees shall be paid to: (1) buy into existing public sewer system facilities; and (2) fund the future construction of facilities needed for development. The sewer capacity fee paid represents the proportion of the existing system that will be used by the new customer and the proportion of costs of future projects that will be needed to serve the new customer.
Sewer contractor
means a contractor holding a valid business license to do sewer work in the Town of Los Altos Hills.
Sewer service
means the services and facilities, furnished or available to premises by the municipal sewer system, for collection, treatment and disposal of sewage.
Sewer system or sanitary sewer system
means all sewers, treatment plants and other facilities owned or operated by the City or by the City of Palo Alto, with whom the City is a partner, for carrying, collecting, treating, and disposing of sanitary sewage and industrial wastes.
Storm drains
mean the system of pipes and channels used to convey stormwater.
Unpolluted water
means water to which no constituent has been added, either intentionally or accidentally, that would render such water unacceptable for disposal to storm or natural drainage or directly to surface waters.
(§ 1, Ord. 258. as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, §§ 1 and 2, Ord. 275 and §§ 4 and 5, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 340, eff. November 16, 1990, § 1, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The City Engineer shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this article, for conducting an industrial waste source control program, and for promulgating such orders, rules and regulations as are necessary to accomplish the purpose of this article in accordance with the requirements that are or may be promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Board for the San Francisco Bay Region or other duly authorized Boards or Agencies.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
It is unlawful for any person or organization to discharge or cause to be discharged any industrial wastes whatsoever directly or indirectly into the sewer system without first obtaining a permit for industrial wastes discharge. The City Council may establish an appropriate fee for such permits. Furthermore, it is unlawful for any person or organization to discharge any industrial wastes in excess of the quantity or quality limitations set for this article or by a permit for industrial wastes discharge.
(b) 
A discharger may request permission to discharge prohibited wastes or wastes containing concentrations of substances or characteristics in excess of those permitted by this article, hereinafter referred to as exceptional industrial wastes.
(c) 
The City Engineer may authorize a discharger by permit to discharge exceptional industrial wastes when the permit will not result in a violation of any of the prohibited effects described in Section 6-4.414, and the City is compensated for any costs it incurs including any expense in determining whether such discharge is compatible with the sewer system.
(d) 
The permit for any industrial wastes discharge may require pretreatment of industrial wastes before discharge, restrict peak flow discharges, prohibit discharge of certain wastewater components, restrict discharge to certain hours of the day, require payment of additional charges to defray increased costs to the City created by the wastewater discharge and impose such other conditions as may be required to effectuate the purpose of this article.
(e) 
No permit for industrial wastes discharge is transferable without the prior written consent of the City Engineer.
(f) 
Any person or organization desiring to change the quantity or quality of waste discharged to the sewer system or to discharge wastes or use facilities which are not in conformance with their industrial waste permit shall apply for and obtain an amended permit prior to any such discharge or use. An application for an amended permit must be filed with the City Engineer 60 days in advance of the proposed commencement of such discharge or use of such facilities.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by §§ 2 and 3, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980, § 2, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
An applicant for a permit for any industrial wastes discharge shall complete and submit an application form available at the City Engineer's office for each point of discharge. The City Engineer shall establish the contents of said form and may require additional information on the characteristics of the wastewater discharge beyond that required on the application form.
(b) 
The application shall be approved if the applicant has complied with all requirements of this article, furnished all requested information, and the Town determines that there are adequate devices, equipment, chemicals, and other facilities to convey, treat, and dispose of the industrial wastes.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In the event that an industrial wastes discharge permit holder should be affected by a newly promulgated waste discharge standard, such permit holder shall be granted a time schedule for the installation of technology required to meet the applicable pre-treatment standards and requirements; provided, however, that during such time for compliance existing provisions of this article shall not be violated.
(§ 3, Ord. 275, as amended by § 6, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
New sources of industrial waste discharge shall be in full compliance with the provisions of this article at the time of commencement of discharge.
(b) 
Discharges, the characteristics of which have been altered due to process changes by a discharger, shall be considered new sources and such discharges shall be in compliance with provisions of this article at the time of commencement of the altered discharge.
(§ 3,, Ord. 275, as amended by § 6(part), Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Holders of industrial waste discharge permits shall take necessary steps to inform appropriate personnel employed by such permit holders of the provisions of Sections 6-4.414 and 6-4.415.
Such personnel shall include workers and supervisors whose duties pertain in any manner to the production or removal of waste discharges regulated by this article.
Steps to inform such personnel shall include:
(a) 
Orientation of newly employed or assigned personnel;
(b) 
Annual orientation of all appropriate personnel; and
(c) 
Posting of work stations with signs indicating approved methods for disposition of wastes.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by §§ 2 and 4, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Any permit for industrial wastes discharge may be revoked, or suspended by the City Engineer for a period not to exceed 45 days, in addition to other remedies provided by law, when such action is necessary inorder to stop a discharge which presents a hazard to the public health, safety, welfare, natural environment, sewer system, or which violates this article.
(b) 
Any discharger notified of the Town's intent to revoke or suspend the discharger's permit shall immediately cease and desist the discharge of all industrial wastes or such portion of said wastes as will eliminate the wrongful discharge to the sewer system pending any hearing that the discharger may request as set forth in Section 6-4.414.
(c) 
The City Engineer shall reissue or reinstate any industrial wastes permit upon proof of satisfactory compliance with all discharge requirements.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by §§ 2 and 5, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Every industrial wastes discharger shall have, at its request, an informal hearing before the City Manager, before the industrial wastes permit application is denied, or the permit is revoked or suspended.
(b) 
The City Engineer shall give the industrial wastes discharge applicant or permit holder 10 days' written notice of intent to deny the application, or to revoke or suspend the discharger's permit. The notice shall set forth specifically the ground or grounds for the City Engineer's intention to deny, revoke, or suspend and shall inform the applicant or permit holder that they have 10 days from the date of receipt of the notice to file a written request for a hearing. The application shall be denied or the permit shall be revoked or suspended if a hearing request is not received within the 10 day period.
(c) 
If the applicant or permit holder files a timely hearing request, the City Manager shall set a time and place for the hearing within five working days from the receipt of the request. All parties involved shall have the right to offer testimonial, documentary, and tangible evidence bearing on the issues and to be represented by counsel. The decision of the City Manager, whether, to deny the application or revoke or suspend the permit shall be final.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Every establishment from which industrial wastes are discharged to the sewer system shall provide and maintain one or more outside manholes, access boxes, junction chambers or other sampling points approved by the City Engineer which will permit the separate sampling of sanitary and industrial wastes. The City Engineer may approve sampling points which will permit the separate sampling of industrial wastes only for establishments existing on the effective date of this article. Sanitary and industrial wastes shall be kept completely separated upstream of such sampling points. Establishments that are billed for sewer service on the basis of sewage effluent constituents shall provide a suitable means for sampling to determine billing constituents. Sampling points shall be so located that they are safe and accessible to Town inspectors at any reasonable time during working hours.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265; § 4, Ord. 275; § 6, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
The City Engineer or his or her authorized representative may conduct all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to assure compliance with applicable sections of this article or with United States Environmental Protection Agency or State of California regulations.
(b) 
Representatives of the City Engineer shall be authorized to enter, during normal working hours, any premises of any discharger in which an industrial waste source or treatment system is located or in which records are required to be kept to assure compliance with this article and applicable Federal, State of California and County of Santa Clara regulations.
(§ 5, Ord. 275, as amended by § 6, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
All persons operating vacuum or "cesspool" pump trucks or other liquid waste transport trucks desiring to discharge septic tank, seepage pit, interceptor or cesspool contents, industrial liquid wastes or other liquid wastes to the sewer system shall first acquire a trucker's discharge permit.
(b) 
Truck transported industrial wastes shall be discharged only at the locations specified by the City Engineer for the specific waste. The Town shall require payment for treatment and disposal costs or may refuse permission to discharge certain prohibited wastes in accordance with Utility Rule and Regulation No. 19, Special Sewer Division Regulations of the City of Palo Alto's Utility Rules and Regulations. Denial, suspension, or revocation of such permit shall be in accordance with Sections 6-4.406 and 6-4.407.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by §§ 2 and 6, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
No person shall discharge any substances directly into a manhole or other opening in a Town sewer, other than through an approved building sewer. No person shall discharge any domestic waste or industrial waste into storm drains.
(§ 1 (part). Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 2. Ord. 340, eff. November 16, 1990; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Any information submitted to the City Engineer pursuant to this article may be claimed as confidential by the submitter. Any such claim must be asserted at the time of submission in the manner prescribed on the application form or, in the case of other submissions, by stamping the words "confidential business information" on each page containing such information. Information submitted prior to the inclusion of this section in this article may be withdrawn and replaced by submittals stamped "confidential business information." If no such claim is made at the time of submission or within 90 days after the ordinance codified in this chapter becomes effective, the information may be made available to the public without further notice.
(b) 
Information and date provided to the City Engineer pursuant to this section which is effluent data shall be available to the public without restriction.
(c) 
All other information which is submitted to the City Engineer shall be available to the public.
(d) 
A discharger may be prohibited from discharging a substance unless its composition is made known to the City Engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265; § 6, Ord. 275; § 6, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Each discharger shall provide adequate protection to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes regulated by this article. Where directed by the City Engineer, the discharger shall install retention basins, dikes, storage tanks, or other facilities designed to eliminate, neutralize, offset or otherwise negate the effects of prohibited materials or wastes which may be discharged in violation of this article.
(b) 
Discharger shall notify the City Engineer immediately when accidental discharges of wastes in violation of this article occur so that counter measures may be taken to minimize damage to the sewer system treatment plant, treatment processes and the receiving waters. Such notifications shall not relieve any discharger of liability for any expenses including but not limited to costs for counter measures, loss or damage to the sewer system, and / or treatment plant, or treatment process, or for any fines imposed on the Town on account thereof, or for damages incurred by any third party.
(c) 
In the event of accidental discharge in violation of this article, discharger shall furnish the Town, within 15 days of the date of occurrence, a detailed written statement describing the causes the accidental discharge and the measures being taken to prevent future occurrence. Such information shall be used for the purpose of achieving compliance and shall not be used for prosecution of the accident discharge violation.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The City Engineer may require the discharger to conduct a reasonable sampling and analysis program of the discharger's industrial waste frequency and type required by the City Engineer to demonstrate compliance with the industrial waste requirements of this article. The City Engineer may require the industrial discharger to have samples analyzed, at the discharger's expense, by a laboratory approved by the State of California Department of Health for such analysis. If compliance is demonstrated, samples shall not be required more frequently than quarterly.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Wastes discharged into the sewer system shall not have characteristics which by themselves or by interaction with other wastes may:
(a) 
Endanger public health and safety;
(b) 
Cause damage to the sewer system;
(c) 
Create nuisance such as odors or coloration;
(d) 
Result in extra cost of collection, treatment or disposal;
(e) 
Inhibit or disrupt any wastewater treatment process;
(f) 
Prevent, hinder, delay, or impede compliance with effluent quality requirements established by regulatory agencies, or exceed the same;
(g) 
Cause wastewater quality to fall outside reclamation feasibility limits.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Wastes prohibited from discharge to the City's sewer system are as follows:
(a) 
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.). The average B.O.D. concentration of discharged wastes shall not exceed 400 mg/liter.
(b) 
Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D.). The average C.O.D. concentration of discharged wastes shall not exceed 1,000 mg/liter.
(c) 
Dyes. Wastes showing excessive coloration shall not be discharged into the sewer system. Excessive coloration shall be defined as any coloration in a waste which, for any wave length, displays less than 60% of the light transmissibility of distilled water under the following conditions:
(1) 
After filtration through a 0.45 micron membrane filter;
(2) 
In the pH range of 5.5 to 10.0;
(3) 
Through a one centimeter light path;
(4) 
A maximum spectrum bank width of 10 millimicrons;
(5) 
Through the wave length range from 400 to 800 millimicrons.
(d) 
Explosives. No solids, liquids, or gases which by themselves or by interaction with other substances may create fire or explosion hazards, including wastestreams with a close cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) shall be discharged. Discharge of any explosive substance shall be unlawful. Flammable substances including, but not limited to, acetone, alcohols, benzene, gasoline, xylene, hexane and naphtha, shall not be discharged into the sewer system except where present in contaminated groundwater discharges being discharged under an exceptional waste permit issued by the Town. Where groundwater discharges contain such contaminants, the discharger shall monitor the sewer atmosphere for explosivity and flammability using a properly calibrated meter designed for the purpose. The frequency of such monitoring shall be defined in the permit. Whenever a lower explosive level is threatened to be exceeded, the discharger shall immediately notify the City Engineer of the potential hazard in the sewer within 15 minutes of making the determination of threatened explosivity. The discharger shall follow verbal notification with a written explanation of the cause of the explosive hazard within five working days, with corrective actions taken to alleviate the situation and measures taken to prevent a reoccurrence. The discharger shall not recommence discharges without prior written approval of the City Engineer or designated representative. Where flammable substances are used in processes, separate collection and disposal outside the sewer system shall be provided.
(e) 
Grease and Oil. Grease and/or oil shall not be discharged into the sewer system if the average concentration of floatable oil and/or grease (defined as that which is subject to gravity separation at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and at a pH of 4.5) exceeds 20 mg/liter, nor shall the total and/or grease concentration exceed 200 mg/liter. In addition, the discharge of petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral origin in amounts that cause interference or pass through, as defined by EPA regulations, shall be prohibited.
(f) 
Hydrogen Ion Concentration. The pH of wastes discharged to the sewer system shall at all times be within the range of 5.5 to 10.0.
(g) 
Noxious, Hazardous or Malodorous Substances. No industrial waste shall be discharged which alone or in combination with other wastes may create a public nuisance, hazard, make human entry into the sewers abnormally hazardous, or which constitutes a discharge of hazardous substances as defined by Title 22, Part II of the California Code of Regulations; or statutes of the United States government. Dischargers shall be required to certify at least every six months that their waste does not constitute a hazardous waste, as defined by EPA regulations, and that during the previous six months no discharge of hazardous substances of waste has occurred. Should any discharge of a hazardous waste occur, the discharger shall verbally notify the EPA, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the City Engineer as soon as possible, but in no event later than 24 hours after such discharge.
Appropriate records of hazardous waste disposal manifests, inventories of stored virgin and used hazardous materials and other documentation as required by state and federal law shall be kept and made available for inspection and/or copying at the request of the City.
Mercaptans and dissolved sulfides shall not be discharged in concentrations exceeding 0.1 mg/liter.
(h) 
Organic Solvents. Organic solvents shall not be discharged.
(i) 
Radioactivity. The discharge of radioactive wastes into the sewer system shall conform to the requirements of California Radiation Control Regulations Title 17, California Administrative Code, Chapter 5, Subchapter 4, and as subsequently amended.
(j) 
Solids.
(1) 
Inert solids. The discharge of inert solids including but not limited to sand, glass, metal chips, bone, plastics, etc., into the sewer is prohibited. Settling chambers or treatment works shall be installed where necessary to prevent the entry of inert solids into the sewer system.
(2) 
Solid Particles. Industrial wastes shall not contain particulate matter that will not pass through a one-half inch screen; this subsection shall not apply to sanitary sewage from industrial establishments.
(3) 
Suspended Solids. The average concentration of suspended solids shall not exceed 3,000 mg/liter nor shall the maximum concentration of suspended solids exceed 6,000 mg/liter.
(4) 
Total Solids. The average concentration of total solids shall not exceed 1,500 mg/liter and the maximum concentration of total solids shall not exceed 5,000 mg/liter.
(k) 
Stored Liquid Wastes. Liquid wastes that have been collected and held in tanks or containers shall not be discharged into the sewer system except at locations authorized by the City Engineer to collect such wastes. Wastes of this category include but are not limited to:
(1) 
Chemical toilet wastes;
(2) 
Industrial wastes collected in containers or tanks;
(3) 
Pleasure boat wastes;
(4) 
Septic tank pumpings;
(5) 
Trailer, camper, housecar or other recreation vehicle wastes.
(l) 
Stormwater. No stormwater, roof or yard drainage, foundation or underdrainage shall be discharged into the sewer system, nor shall any plumbing or piping be connected in such a manner as to make possible the discharge of stormwater.
(m) 
Temperature. Temperature of wastewater at the point of discharge shall not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, except for periods of time limited to 30 minutes and for flows limited to 30 gallons per minutes, a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit may be permitted.
(n) 
Toxicity. Toxic discharges include, but are not limited to, heavy metals, cyanides, phenols. bactericides, antibiotics and insecticides.
(1) 
The following is a nonexclusive list of toxic substances and the maximum concentrations allowed for each discharge of 50,000 gallons per day or less. For discharges greater than 50,000 gallons per day the maximum concentration shall be one-half the values in the table with the exception of silver, for which the limit shall remain 0.25 mg/liter regardless of flow:
Toxicant
Maximum Concentration Allowable
Arsenic
0.1 mg/liter
Barium
5.0 mg/ liter
Beryllium
1.0 mg/liter
Boron
1.0 mg/liter
Cadmium
0.1 mg/liter
Chromium, hexavalent
1.0 mg/liter
Chromium total
2.0 mg/liter
Cobalt
1.0 mg/liter
Copper
2.0 mg/ liter
Cresols
2.0 mg/liter
Cyanides
1.0 mg/liter
Formaldehyde
5.0 mg/liter
Lead
0.5 mg/liter
Manganese
1.0 mg/liter
Mercury
0.05 mg/liter
Nickel
1.0 mg/liter
Phenols
1.0 mg/liter
Selenium
2.0 mg/liter
Silver
0.25 mg/liter
Zinc
2.0 mg/liter
(2) 
Fluoride. The average and maximum concentration allowable of fluoride for discharge into the sewer system shall be 65 mg/liter.
(3) 
Silver. The maximum concentration allowable for silver set forth in this section shall not be applicable to photographic materials processing. Silver limitations for photoprocessors are set forth below in Section 6-4.421.
These limitations set forth in this section are subject to change in the future as the requirements placed on the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant become more stringent and as the process for establishing the industrial waste limitations is refined.
(o) 
Unpolluted Water. Unpolluted water, including, but not limited to cooling water, or process water shall not be discharged through direct or indirect connection to a Town sewer unless a permit is issued by the Town. The Town may approve the discharge of such water only when no reasonable alternative methods of disposal is available. If a permit is granted for the discharge of such water into a Town sewer, the user shall pay the applicable charges and fees and shall meet such other conditions as required by the Town.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 3, Ord. 340, eff. November 16, 1990; § 3, Out. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The City Engineer may establish standards for any industrial wastes not specifically referred to in this article. Said standards shall be published and shall be made available to any person requesting a copy of said standards.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
When a discharge causes an obstruction, damage, or any other impairment to Town facilities, the Town may assess a charge against the discharger to reimburse the Town for costs incurred to clean or repair said facility.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980)
Any person who intentionally or negligently violates any provision of this article or any provision of any permit issued pursuant to said article shall be civilly liable to the Town in a sum not to exceed $6,000 for each day in which such violation occurs. The City may petition the Superior Court pursuant to Government Code Section 54740 to impose, assess, and recover such sums. The remedy provided in this section is cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to the penalty provisions of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code and all other remedies available to the Town.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
At least annually at the beginning of the Town's fiscal year, notice shall be provided in the largest local daily newspaper listing those industrial users that are found to have significantly violated the provisions of this article during the previous 12 months. For the purposes of this provision, a significant violation is: A violation which remains uncorrected 45 days after notification; a violation that is a part of a pattern of noncompliance over the 12 month period; a violation that involves a failure to accurately report noncompliance; a violation that results in a permit revocation or suspension; results in damage to public facilities; or a violation that results in civil penalties.
(§ 7, Ord. 275, as amended by § 6, Ord. 276, eff. October 1, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In the event of conflicts between the discharge requirements established in this article and future EPA discharge requirements, the most restrictive limitation shall apply.
(§ 1 (part, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1982; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The owner of every new commercial and industrial building or portion thereof for which a building permit is issued on or after July 1, 1992 must cause such building to be constructed so that industrial waste is segregated, by means of separate plumbing, from domestic waste prior to converging with other wastestreams in the sanitary sewer system. For the purposes of this section only, the term new shall mean and apply to all of the following: newly constructed buildings; building additions that require plumbing for industrial waste; and remodeling of existing buildings to accommodate expansion of or change to a use that requires plumbing for industrial waste.
(§ 1, Ord. 258, as amended by § 2, Ord. 265, eff. October 31, 1980; § 4, Ord. 353, elf. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
All photoprocessors shall comply with either subsection (a)(2) or subsection (a)(3) of this subsection. Persons who fully comply with subsection (a)(3) shall not be required to obtain an industrial waste discharge permit pursuant to Section 6-4.403 unless required to do so pursuant to other sections of this chapter, but shall be required to meet all applicable wastewater discharge limits and requirements.
(1) 
Definitions.
Photographic Materials Processing.
For the purposes of this section, photographic materials processing means developing silver-bearing film, including x-ray film, or photographic paper.
Photoprocessor.
For the purposes of this section, photoprocessor means any person who owns a photographic materials processing system, or conducts photographic materials processing, including a business that does photographic materials processing or any person who engages in photographic materials processing.
Regeneration.
For the purposes of this section, regeneration means the treatment of washwater, fix, or bleach fix for re-use.
Spent Solutions.
For the purposes of this section, spent solutions mean spent fixer, bleach fix, stabilizer from washless systems, silver-bearing cleaning solutions and functionally similar solutions other than wash-water.
Washwater.
For the purposes of this section, washwater means water that has been used to rinse fix or bleach fix from photographic film or paper.
(2) 
Silver Removal System. Persons who comply with this subsection shall install and operate in their facilities a silver removal system, in a manner which shall insure consistent compliance with the following effluent standards:
(i) 
The maximum allowable discharge concentration of silver shall be 1.0 mg/liter for photoprocessors that submit documentation satisfactory to the City Engineer evidencing utilization of one or more of the following technologies:
a. 
Washless minilab equipment; or
b. 
A water recirculating system that reduces washwater consumption by a minimum of 60%. The reduction shall be based on manufacturers' minimum recommended washwater rates; and achievement of such reduction shall be documented by the photo-processor to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
(ii) 
The maximum allowable discharge concentration of silver shall be 0.5 mg/liter for all silver removal facilities not covered by subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section.
(iii) 
All spent solutions and washwater that are not sent off site shall be treated to insure consistent compliance with the effluent standards set forth in this subsection. Silver removal from washwater shall be conducted in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the treatment of spent solutions.
(iv) 
The photoprocessor shall sample the discharge at a frequency determined by the superintendent, based upon the flow rate from the facility. However, in no event shall sampling be done less frequently than once a month. A duplicate of each sample collected shall be kept for the use of Town inspectors. A sampling port shall be installed in accordance with specifications set forth in the wastewater discharge permit.
(v) 
Every person owning or operating a silver removal system shall cause such system to be serviced at least once per year by the manufacturer, equipment distributor, or qualified consultant who shall certify that all equipment in the system is functioning in accordance with the manufacturer's standards for such equipment. A record of system service shall be maintained at the facility where the system is located, and be available for inspection by Town inspectors upon request.
(vi) 
Every person intending to comply with the provisions of this subsection, shall submit a compliance plan to the City Engineer on or before April 1, 1991. The compliance plan shall contain a description of the silver removal system and any regeneration systems to be used to meet the discharge limits set forth in this subsection. The compliance plan shall include, but not be limited to, equipment specifications, waste volume estimates, and proposed procedures for sampling and testing. No person shall commence operating a silver removal system after June 30, 1991 without having submitted a compliance plan to the superintendent at least 45 days prior to commencing operation of such system.
Every person intending to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall submit an annual report to the superintendent on or before February 1, 1992 and annually thereafter. The annual report shall contain the following information for the preceding calendar year:
a. 
Type and description of silver removal processes and any regeneration systems employed;
b. 
Amount of spent solutions generated;
c. 
Amount of washwater generated;
d. 
Dates of equipment servicing;
e. 
Description of any major changes in equipment or operation; and
f. 
All wastewater sampling data.
(3) 
Off-site Disposal. Persons who comply with this subsection shall ship or cause to be shipped off-site, for recovery or appropriate disposal, all spent solutions or shall regenerate all spent solutions on-site.
Storage, shipment and disposal of spent solutions shall be in accordance with all State, Federal and local requirements.
Every person who complies with this subsection shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, records that detail the purchase date and quantity of all new fixer, bleach-fix, stabilizer and functionally similar solutions kept or used by such person. Such person shall also maintain, or cause to be maintained, detailed disposal records that include the date, type and amount of waste solution disposed of: the name, address and identification number of the shipper; and the ultimate destination of each batch of waste solution shipped off-site. Such person shall also maintain, or cause to be maintained, a record of the amount of spent solutions regenerated on site.
All records required to be kept pursuant to this subsection shall be kept for a period of three years at the photoprocessing site, and shall be available for immediate inspection upon request therefor by Town inspectors during normal business hours.
Beginning on or before February 1, 1992, and annually thereafter, every photoprocessor intending to comply with this subsection shall submit to the superintendent a summary of the required records maintained by such photoprocessor relating to purchase and disposition of photographic solutions. The summary shall be on a form provided by the superintendent. Along with the summary, every photoprocessor shall submit a statement certifying that it is in compliance with this subsection and that the required records are available for inspection.
Photoprocessors that comply with this subsection need not meet the silver discharge limitations set forth in subsections (a)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, nor the silver discharge limitations set forth in Section 6-4.415(n) with respect to the photographic materials processing portion of their operations; provided, however, that those photoprocessors generating a total of 100 gallons or more per month of spent solutions shall be required to meet the silver limitations of subsections (a)(2) of this section with respect to washwater, even if all spent solutions are shipped off site.
(b) 
Compliance Schedule. The dates by which compliance with either subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section shall be achieved shall be as follows:
(1) 
All photoprocessors generating less than 20 gallons per month of spent solutions shall meet the subject requirements on or before September 31, 1991.
(2) 
All other photoprocessors shall meet the subject requirements on or before June 30, 1991.
(§ 4, Ord. 340, eff. November 16, 1990; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Persons who use amalgams containing silver shall install amalgam traps on all equipment that might carry amalgam waste to the sanitary sewer system. Each trap shall be cleaned or replaced according to manufacturer guidelines and in a manner that prevents any captured waste from entering the sanitary sewer system.
(§ 5, Ord. 340, eff. November 16, 1990; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
No person shall discharge, dispose of or add to the sanitary sewer system or to the storm sewer any substance containing greater than 5% copper by weight, to control roots or for any other purpose.
(§ 5, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
No person shall dispose of any grease, or cause any grease to be disposed, by discharge into any drainage piping, by discharge into any public or private sanitary sewer, by discharge into any storm drainage system or by discharge to any land, street, public way, river, stream or other waterway.
(§ 6, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
The owner of every newly constructed, remodeled or converted commercial or industrial facility with one or more grease generating activities, including food service facilities with new or replacement kitchens, for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 1992, shall install or cause to be installed a grease interceptor for each grease generating activity, of a size equal to or greater than the minimum size meeting the definition of grease interceptors, as set forth in Section 108 of the then currently adopted edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
(b) 
The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease, including food service facilities, serviced by a sewer collection line found to have a grease blockage, a history of grease blockage or accelerated line maintenance resulting from grease disposal shall install or cause to be installed, upon notification by the City Engineer, a grease removal device.
(c) 
The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease, including food service facilities, for which installation of grease removal devices is not required pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, shall install or cause to be installed a grease removal device for each grease generating activity on or before January 1, 1997.
(d) 
All grease removal device(s) shall be installed on the premises where grease is used or generated and shall be sized in conformance with the Uniform Plumbing Code. The contents of all grease removal devices shall be removed periodically as necessary to prevent violations of this chapter. At a minimum, the contents shall be removed every six months. All grease removal devices shall be kept in good repair, and shall be maintained in continuous operation. A log of all grease removal activities shall be maintained at the facility showing the date of removal, the amount removed and the disposition of the removed contents. The log shall be retained for a period of three years, and shall be available for inspection by the City Engineer upon request.
(§ 7, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following words and phrases shall be as defined herein
Commercial vehicle washing facility
means a commercial facility where vehicle washing is a primary business activity. Commercial vehicle washing facilities include, but are not limited to, mobile washing rigs.
Fleet washing facility
means a facility for washing vehicles, at a location where a business maintains six or more vehicles.
Ground surfaces
mean and include dirt, gravel or other unpaved surfaces.
Vehicle
means a mode of transporting people or things. Vehicles include, but are not limited to, automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, tractors, airplanes and boats.
Vehicle fluid
means a liquid used in or drained from a motor vehicle. Vehicle fluids include, but are not limited to, gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, brake fluid, radiator fluid, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid and coolant.
Vehicle service facility
means a commercial or industrial facility that conducts one or more of the following operations with respect to vehicles or components of vehicles: vehicle repair, fuel dispensing, vehicle fluid replacement, engine and parts cleaning, body repair, vehicle salvage and wrecking or vehicle washing.
(b) 
On and after October 1, 1992, all vehicle service facilities shall be operated in accordance with the following standards:
(1) 
No person shall dispose of, nor permit the disposal, directly or indirectly, of vehicle fluids, hazardous materials or rinsewater from parts cleaning operations into storm drains.
(2) 
All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall ensure that any vehicle fluid, hazardous material or rinsewater from parts cleaning operations that comes into contact with any floor, pavement or ground surface is cleaned up immediately from such surface.
(3) 
No person shall dispose of vehicle fluids or rinsewater from parts cleaning operations into the sanitary sewer system except pursuant to an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this chapter.
(4) 
No vehicle service facilities shall contain floor drains, excepting only such floor drains as are connected to wastewater pretreatment systems for which an industrial waste discharge permit has been obtained in accordance with this chapter.
(5) 
No tanks, containers or sinks used for parts cleaning or rinsing shall be connected to the storm drain system, or to the sanitary sewer system except pursuant to an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this chapter.
(6) 
No person shall perform vehicle fluid removal outside a building, or on asphalt or ground surfaces, whether inside or outside a building, except in such a manner as to ensure that any spilled fluid will be in an area of secondary containment.
(7) 
Leaking vehicle fluids shall be contained or drained immediately.
(8) 
No person shall leave unattended drip pans or other open containers containing vehicle fluid, unless such containers are in use or in an area of secondary containment.
(9) 
No person shall discharge wastewater from vehicle washing operations or wash racks to the sanitary sewer system except pursuant to an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this chapter. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the proper reuse of wastewater.
(10) 
No person shall discharge into the storm drain water from vehicle washing operations, except from rinsing of vehicle exterior surfaces, with water only, for appearance purposes. This exception does not apply to commercial vehicle washing facilities or fleet washing facilities.
(11) 
Vehicle service facilities shall be cleaned using only those methods of cleaning that ensure that no materials are discharged to the storm drain or to the sanitary sewer system, except for wastewater which is discharged to the sanitary sewer system pursuant to an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this chapter; provided, however, that a permit shall not be required for facilities that use the following three-step sequence for cleaning floors:
(i) 
Clean up spills with rags or other absorbent materials;
(ii) 
Sweep floor using dry absorbent material;
(iii) 
Mop Floor. Mop water must be discharged to the sanitary sewer via a toilet sink.
(12) 
All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall ensure that spill prevention and cleanup equipment and absorbent materials are kept in stock at all times and are readily available for use.
(13) 
No acid-containing batteries shall be stored except within secondary containment.
(14) 
All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall ensure that all employees of such facilities are trained, upon hiring and annually thereafter, regarding best management practices in accordance with guidelines issued and published by the Superintendent.
(15) 
All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall post or cause to be posted signs on all storm drains located on the property of the facility notifying personas that the discharge of wastes into the storm drain is illegal.
In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this section and other provisions of this chapter, this section will apply.
(§ 9, Ord. 353, eff. June 19, 1992; § 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The Director of Public Works shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this article which pertain to:
(a) 
Use of public sewers;
(b) 
Connection of private house sewers to public sewers;
(c) 
House sewers which connect to public sewers.
The Health Officer of Santa Clara County shall be responsible for the enforcement of provisions, which pertain to the correction, or abatement of insanitary conditions, which present an immediate hazard to life and health.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The aforesaid officers and their authorized agents shall have the right of entry, during usual business hours, and at any time when, upon reasonable cause, they believe there is an immediate hazard to life, health or property, to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the performance of their duties.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Whenever any construction or condition regulated by this article is deemed by the responsible officer to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or a menace to life, health or property or is in violation hereof, the responsible officer shall order any person using or maintaining any such condition or responsible for the use or maintenance thereof to discontinue the use of or maintenance thereof or to repair, alter, change, remove or demolish same as the officer may consider necessary for the proper protection of life, health or property.
Every such order shall be in writing, addressed to the owner, agent or person responsible for the premises in which such condition exists and shall specify the date or time when such order shall be complied with, which time shall allow a reasonable period in which such order can be complied with by the person receiving such order but shall never exceed the maximum period for which such construction can be safely used or maintained in the judgment of said officer. Refusal, failure or neglect to comply with any such notice or order shall be considered a violation of this article.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The existence of any construction or condition of plumbing or sewers on any premises within the Town of Los Altos Hills which is found to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, or a menace to life, health or property and a hazard thereto, is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be corrected or abated as hereinafter provided. Without limiting the foregoing declaration, a public nuisance is hereby declared to include any sewer or plumbing or other construction or contrivance from which sanitary sewage or gases or moisture therefrom is emitted or escapes in quantity sufficient to or to threaten to pollute the air or soil so as to attract or proliferate insects or rodents or to spread disease or to contaminate water supplies or to otherwise endanger the life or health of persons or domestic animals or livestock.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In the event the Health Officer of Santa Clara County determines, or upon reasonable cause, believes, that the hazard to life, health or property is so immediate and urgent that time does not permit the giving of notice, the Health Officer of Santa Clara County shall forthwith cause said public nuisance to be abated or corrected. The work of abatement or correction may be done by employment of a contractor, or by Town forces, in the discretion of the responsible officer, and the official may call upon the Department of Public Works or other department of the Town to perform such work.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
It is unlawful for any person to carry on, or engage in the business of installing sewers unless such person holds a valid business license issued by the Town of Los Altos Hills, as a sewer contractor. The installation of sewers as defined herein shall not be classed as plumbing.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Except as hereinafter provided, it is unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In addition to Sections 6-4.102, 6-4.103 and 6-4.104, the owner of any property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose, which abuts on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is located a public sanitary sewer of the Town, is hereby required at the owner's expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with said public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so provided that said public sewer is within 200 feet of the property line, except that any owner receiving such notice may apply in writing to the City Manager before expiration of said 90 day period for a permit to delay the installation of such a sewer service not to exceed one year if the owner can furnish sufficient evidence to the City Manager that:
(a) 
Connection to the sewer at this time would be impractical due to personal hardship; and
(b) 
The premises are now served by a septic tank; and
(c) 
By written report of the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, the septic tank is operating efficiently now and that its continued operation would not create a hazard to public health.
Upon receipt of such evidence to the City Manager's satisfaction, the said extension of time for completing the connection may be granted in writing. Such a delay shall not be subject to further extensions.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
When permitted, the house sewer or private sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system. Such private sewage disposal system shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with requirements of the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health and shall be approved by the City Engineer. There shall be no expense to the Town for the operation and maintenance of private sewage disposal facilities.
When, in the opinion of the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, there is insufficient lot area or inadequate soil condition for adequate sewage disposal for the building or land use proposed, no building permit shall be issued and no private sewage disposal system shall be permitted. No permit shall be issued for any facilities where there is an available public sewer within 200 feet, measured along streets, alleys, or public right-of-way upon which a lot abuts. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge into any public sewer or natural outlet.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
No person whose premises are not now connected with the public sewer system shall connect any premises or cause any premises to be connected with the municipal sewer system without first obtaining a construction permit from the City Engineer to do so.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written construction permit approved by the City Engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Every applicant for a construction permit to install, add to, alter, relocate, or replace sewerage facilities, or any part thereof, shall state in writing on the application form provided for that purpose, the work proposed to be done and the location, ownership, occupancy and use of the premises in connection therewith. The City Engineer may require plans, specifications, or drawings and other such information as deemed necessary.
At the time that a construction permit is issued, the applicant shall pay the established permit fee.
Any person who shall commence sewerage work for which a construction permit is required by this article without first having obtained a construction permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a construction permit, pay double the construction permit fee fixed by this article for such work. This provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the City Engineer that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a construction permit therefor before the commencement of work. In all such cases a construction permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such construction permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
No construction permit shall be issued to any person to do, or cause to be done, any construction or work regulated by this article except tot a person holding a valid, unexpired and unrevoked Town business license as a sewer contractor, except when as otherwise herein provided.
A construction permit required by this article may be issued to any person to do any construction or work regulated by this article within the lot limits of a single-family dwelling provided such person is the owner of the lot and building, such building is occupied or designed to be occupied by the owner, and that said owner shall personally purchase all materials and shall personally perform all labor in connection therewith. This does not give anyone other than a licensed contractor permission to do any work within the public right-of-way.
No sewerage work for which a construction permit is required shall be commenced until a construction permit to do such work shall have first been obtained.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The issuance or granting of a construction permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this article. No construction permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this article shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which it authorizes is lawful.
The issuance of a construction permit shall not prevent the City Engineer from thereafter requiring the submittal of additional plans and specifications or correction of errors in said plans and specifications or from preventing construction operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this article or of any other regulations of the Town.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Every construction permit issued by the City Engineer under the provisions of this article shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 120 days from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such construction permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new construction permit shall first be obtained to do so.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
(a) 
Authority to Assess Connection Fees. Any customer (new or existing) of the public sanitary sewer system who installs new or additional fixtures, processes, or equipment, or otherwise causes an increase in wastewater discharge into the Town sewer, is required to pay to the Town a sewer connection fee (this connection fee or charge is in addition to the connection fee or charge for rights of capacity and use in the facilities of City of Palo Alto or City of Los Altos). No connection shall be made to the sewer system, and no increase in wastewater discharge volume shall occur from an existing connection, until the Town has approved such discharge and applicable sewer connection fee has been paid. Fees shall be paid in accordance with the following:
Residential Users. One standard residential connection fee shall be assessed for maximum 60 fixture units calculated per Plumbing Code. The sewer connection fee for a residential unit or service unit with more than 60 fixture units (FU) shall be calculated per the following formula:
Sewer connection fee = Total FU divided by 60 times one standard residential connection fee.
Sewer connection fees shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council.
(b) 
Minimum Connection Fee. The minimum sewer connection fee shall be imposed for a primary single-family dwelling unit with fixture units in the range from one to 60 fixture units per Plumbing Code. Secondary dwelling units on a single residential parcel shall not require payment of an additional connection fee, provided that the sum of the fixture units for all dwelling units on the parcel does not exceed 60 fixture units. If the total number of fixture units on a single residential parcel exceeds 60, then the formula stated in subsection (a) of this section shall apply.
(c) 
Sewer Connection Fee Credits. In determining sewer connection fees for a facility, the Town shall credit applicants with the capacity previously paid for and purchased for the property. If documentation is not available regarding purchased capacity, the Town shall determine the likely purchased capacity. No other credit shall be granted.
(d) 
Connection Fee Nonrefundable. All sewer connection fees as herein provided are nonrefundable.
(e) 
Capacity Rights and Transferability. Sewer system capacity rights and the right to connect to the public sewer shall run with the property and shall not be transferred to, or used for any property other than the property for which sewer connection fees were paid, unless the City Engineer specifically authorizes such a transfer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005; § 1, Ord. 524, eff. December 18, 2010)
All pipes, fittings and other appurtenances relative to a sewerage system shall be inspected by the City Engineer to insure compliance with all the requirements of this article.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit, to notify the City Engineer orally or in writing that said work is ready for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than 48 working hours before the work is to be inspected (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded).
It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to make sure that the work will stand the test prescribed before giving the above notification.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Upon completion of the work, the City Engineer may require the house sewer to be subjected to appropriate tests, such as a water test or video test/inspection. The pressure for a water test shall be that imposed by a five foot head of water. The house sewer shall be plugged before the test at a point just before conversion is made to public sewer or place of disposal. Under the test the water pressure shall remain constant for not less than 15 minutes without any further addition of water or indication of leaks.
The video camera and recording equipment used for video testing shall be suitable for the intended purpose and shall be equipment that is in common use at the time of the test. A complete and continuous taped record and written log of the inspection shall be made. The taped record shall be of such quality as to provide a clear, sharp image when played back on a conventional television set. The taped record shall conform to the owner's video recorder requirements. The image shall show sufficient detail to determine cracks in the pipe, offset joints, leaking joints, and other flaws in the installation of the sewer main. The videotaping shall be done with no flow in the sewer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The equipment, material, power or labor necessary for the inspection and test, shall be furnished by the person doing the work authorized by the permit. All videotaping shall be done in the presence of a Town Engineer or construction inspector. Upon completion of the videotaping, the tape shall be replayed for the Town Engineer or construction inspector. Any tapes not meeting the quality standards stated in Section 6-4.439 will be rejected and the taping process repeated.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All excavations required to be made for the installation of a sewerage system, or part thereof, within or without a building shall be kept open until the piping has been tested, inspected and approved.
If any sewerage system, or part thereof, is covered or concealed before being regularly inspected, tested and approved, as herein prescribed, it shall be exposed upon the direction of the City Engineer.
All excavations shall be backfilled in accordance with the requirements of the Town's Standard Specifications and Standard Details.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All materials used and all joints made in or entering into the construction of sewerage systems, or parts thereof, shall be watertight and free from defects. The materials and joints specified in this Code are the minimum approved standards and durability and of such design as to provide a substantial watertight system free from irregularities in flow lines.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Each length of ductile iron soil pipe and each ductile iron fitting used in a sewerage system shall be stamped or indelibly marked with the weight or grade thereof and the maker's mark or name.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Vitrified clay pipe and fittings shall meet the minimum requirements of the current specifications for extra strength unglazed clay pipe of the American Society for Testing Materials, Designation: A74-66 or the United States Department of Commerce Standard for Service Weight Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings, Designation Commercial Standard DS188-66 as amended.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All ductile iron pipes shall meet the minimum requirement of ANSI Standard A21.50 and A21.51 (AWWA C150 and C151), and shall be polyethylene lined and seal-coated in conformance with the requirements of ANSI Standard A21.4 (AWWA C104). Thickness Class shall be Number 50 for six inch through 36 inch diameter pipe, and Number 51 for four inch and smaller diameter pipe. The pipe shall be wrapped with black 8-mil-thick polyethylene conforming to the requirements of AWWA C105.
The outside coating shall be minimum of 1 mil bituminous paint according to ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51 Section 51-8.1. Prior to lining, the exterior and interior of the spigot end, including the spigot face, shall be coated with a minimum of 8 mils of epoxy.
Before lining the inside of the socket, including a portion of the gasket cavity and a portion of the pipe barrel shall be coated with a minimum of 8 mils of epoxy.
Fittings shall be ductile iron, at least Class 54 thickness, and in accordance with the requirements of either ANSI/AWWA C153/A21.53 or ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10. Mechanical joints shall conform to ANSI/AWWA C111/A21.11.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
HDPE (used for trenchless pipe replacement/enlargement only) shall be SDR-17 or lower extra high molecular weight, high density polyethylene PE 3408, Type III, Grade P34, Cell Class PE345434C, D or E (inner wall shall be light in color). All pipe and fittings shall conform to ASTM D3350 and ASTM F714-85. Certification shall be signed by an authorized agent of the manufacturer. A report of test results shall be furnished if requested by the Town. The date that the pipe was manufactured shall be included in the certification.
All pipe and fitting material shall meet the requirements for Type III, Class B, Category 5, Grade P34 material as described in ASTM D1248. The pipe shall contain no recycled compound except that generated in the manufacturer's own plant from resin of the same specification from the same raw material pipe. Pipe and fittings shall be homogeneous throughout and free of: (1) serious abrasion, cutting or gouging of the outside surface extending to more than 10% of the wall thickness in depth; (2) visible cracks; (3) kinking caused by excessive or abrupt bending; (4) flattening; (5) holes; (6) blisters; and (7) foreign inclusions or other injurious defects. They shall be uniform in color, opacity, density, and other physical properties. The average outside and wall thickness of pipe and fittings shall be in accordance with ASTM D2122.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Each cleanout shall consist of a wye of the same material as the building sewer in which it is installed and fitted with a watertight removal plug of the same material as the building sewer pipe. Each cleanout shall extend a minimum of three inches above grade and shall consist of an extension of ductile iron soil pipe from the cleanout wye to the ground surface and fitted with a ductile iron ferrule and brass plug.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Backwater valves shall have cast iron bodies, with bearing parts of non-corrosive metal or material, be so constructed as to insure a positive mechanical seal and remain closed except when discharging wastes. Backwater valves shall be so designed as to no cause a restriction of flow or deposit of solids. Valve accesscover shall be installed in an approved manner so as to be readily accessible at all times.
Gate valves, when used on drainage work, shall be fullway type with working parts of non-corrosive metal. Sizes four inches or more in diameter shall have cast iron bodies, and sizes of less than four inches, cast iron or brass bodies.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Repairs to sewerage systems shall be made with such materials and by such methods as is provided for by this article for new work, insofar as it is practical to do so.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All workmanship shall be of such character as to fully secure the results sought to be obtained in all sections of this code.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All pipes passing under or through walls, shall be protected from breakage. All pipes passing through or under cinders, concrete, or other corrosive materials, shall be protected from external corrosion in an approved manner.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The provisions of this article are not intended to prevent the use of any material or any method of construction not specifically prescribed herein, provided any such alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the City Engineer. The City Engineer may approve any such alternate provided it is found that the proposed design satisfactory and complies with the intent of this article, and that the material or method of work offered is for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that here prescribed in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety. The City Engineer shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding the sufficiency of any such proposed material or type of construction.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when it has been tested in accordance with Section 6-4.439 and determined by the City Engineer to meet all requirements of this article.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The building sewer shall be vitrified clay sewer pipe, polyvinyl chloride pipe, or, in special circumstances, lined ductile iron pipe or other suitable material approved by the City Engineer. Joints shall be tight and water proof. Water service pipes or any underground water pipes shall not be run or laid in the same trench with such building drain and building sewer, provided both of the following conditions are met:
(a) 
The bottom of the water service pipe, at all points, shall be at least 12 inches above the top of the sewer line; and
(b) 
The water service pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of the common trench.
Lined ductile iron, polyvinyl chloride pipe, or other suitable pipes may be required by the City Engineer due to special circumstances, such as the building sewer being exposed to damage by tree roots. If installed in filled or unstable ground, the building sewer shall be of lined ductile iron pipe.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer and the size shall be not less than that at the house drain and in no event shall the diameter be less than four inches. The slope of such four inch pipe shall be not less than one-quarter inch per foot. If the slope must be less than one-quarter inch per foot, the building sewer must be not less than six inches in diameter. The slope of such six inch pipe shall be not less than one-eighth inch per foot.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the lowest floor being served. No building sewer shall be laid parallel and within the soil bearing area of the footing of any bearing wall, which might be weakened thereby. The depth shall be sufficient to afford a minimum of 30 inches cover for non-metallic pipe. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight alignment. Where direct alignment is not practical, one change in alignment not to exceed twenty-two and one-half (22.5) degrees may be made in the portion of the house sewer within the lot boundaries. Approved curved pipe and fittings shall be used. Any additional change in alignment shall be served by a cleanout.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved electromechanical means and discharged to the building's sewer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
All joints and connections shall be made gas-tight and watertight.
Joints in vitrified clay pipe shall be of the flexible compression type meeting the minimum requirements of the current specification of the American Society for Testing Materials, Designation C425-66T, as currently amended.
Joints in polyvinyl chloride pipe shall be of the mechanical compression type using an elastomeric gasket joint, furnished with the pipe by the pipe manufacturer.
Couplings connecting dissimilar pipe shall be of the mechanical compression type, such as "band seal," "calder," "ceramic-weld" or approved equal.
Cement joints will not be permitted. Other jointing materials and methods may be used only on approval of the City Engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made in the following manner:
If the diameter of the building sewer is equal to the diameter of the public sewer, connection shall be made at a wye branch in the public sewer at a location specified by the City Engineer.
When the diameter of the building sewer is less than the diameter of the public sewer and no properly located wye branch is available, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer and shall be fitted with a special saddle connection. The saddle connection shall be equipped with complete annular shoulder to prevent it from slipping into the public sewer, it shall protrude into the wall, but shall not exceed past the inner surface of the public sewer. The saddle adapter shall be securely fastened in place by a minimum of four complete turns of 10 gauge galvanized iron or copper wire wrapped entirely around the saddle and the public sewer. A smooth neat joint shall be made and the annular space between the spigot of the saddle and the edges of the hole in the public sewer shall be filled with cement mortar, and the entire connection made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete.
Other special fittings may be used for connection only when approved by the City Engineer.
The top pipe of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be at the same or at a higher elevation than the top pipe of the public sewer.
Exception. Interceptor sewers of reinforced concrete pipe 18 inches or larger in diameter may not have direct connections. The building sewer shall then be connected to an eight inch main laid parallel to the interceptor and connected at the nearest manhole.
The portion of the building sewer in the street shall be at right angles to the right-of-way lines and at least three feet below the curb grade. Provided that when it is necessary to install a building sewer in the street less than three feet below the curb grade, the same must be covered with at least six inches of concrete to protect the same from breakage, or shall be of cast iron pipe.
The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the City Engineer when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the City Engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Cleanouts shall be placed in every building sewer at the connection with the building drain and shall be installed at uniform intervals not to exceed 100 feet.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
If the lowest fixture or outlet in any building is below the rim elevation of the nearest manhole, cleanout, or riser upstream from the connection to the public sewer, a backwater valve or overflow device of an approved type shall be installed in the building sewer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Connection between the public sewer system and a swimming pool shall be subject to the following requirements
When the wastewater from a swimming pool is to be disposed of through a public sewer, a four inch cast iron P trap shall be installed on the lower terminus of the building drain and the tail piece from the trap shall extend a minimum of three inches above the finished grade and below the finished floor grade. The connection between the filter waste discharge piping and the P trap shall be made by means of an indirect connection.
Plans and specifications for any deviation fro m the above manner of installation shall first be approved by the City Engineer before any portion of any such system is installed.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The establishment, use, maintenance, or continuation of a connection to the public sewer system that has not been approved and permitted in accordance with requirements of this chapter is strictly prohibited. This prohibition is expressly retroactive and applies to connections which may have been made at any time in the past.
If the Town becomes aware of an unauthorized connection to the public sanitary sewer system, the Town may require, at its sole discretion, any or all of the following abatement actions:
(a) 
That the discharge to the connection cease immediately or within the time specified by the Town;
(b) 
That the unauthorized connection be temporarily or permanently disabled, with a seal or other means approved by the Town, within a time specified by the Town;
(c) 
That the Town be granted access as needed to monitor discharge from the unauthorized connection.
In addition to implementing abatement actions described above, the user shall pay all Town costs related to locating and abating the unauthorized discharge. The user shall also pay all Town costs related to any process upset or interference, or exceedence of permitted discharge limits.
The Town may, at its discretion, require that the user pay all costs of collection, treatment, and disposal of estimated wastewater discharged from the unauthorized connection, in rates in effect at the time that the connection is detected. In addition to the normal sewer service charges, the user will pay an additional 50% surcharge. The Town shall determine the estimated quantity of wastewater discharged for purposes of billing.
If the user elects to apply for a permit to connect the unauthorized sewer connection to the public sewer within 12 months of detection, the user shall pay double all fees, including permit and connection fees, at the rates in effect at the time the connection is permitted, provided that the Town approves and permits such a connection.
The foregoing does not preclude the Town's pursuit of other remedies permitted under the law, including legal action and monetary fines.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
For the privilege of using the sewage collection and treatment system, the user shall pay service charges to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the sewer collection and treatment system, including replacement. Sewer service charges shall take into account the demands placed on the system by users. Sewer service charges shall be adopted from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Except as hereinafter provided, sewer service charges shall be based on the estimated cost of collecting and treating wastewater discharged into the public sewer system and the capital cost of replacing the process elements and facilities of the wastewater treatment plant and the existing sanitary sewer system.
The basis for determining the cost for treating and collecting wastewater will be the "service unit" which will be considered for the purpose of this article to be the basic charge for each premises computed on the basis of treating wastewater for the typical single-family residence. The unit cost permit service unit for sewer service fees shall be as specified from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The rates of the sewer service charges shall be reviewed each year in preparation for the annual budget by the City Council to assure the collection of sufficient revenue to defray all expenses incurred in the maintenance and operation of the sewage treatment and collection facilities of the Town.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Sewer main facilities may be extended by an applicant in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the City Engineer. The applicant shall deposit an amount which when added to any previous deposits on the same application is equal to all estimated inspections costs. Engineering costs plus an administrative charge equal to 5% of the total cost of installation shall be deposited before the applicant begins such work.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
Where a main is to be extended to serve a parcel, said main shall extend the full frontage of said parcel unless it is determined by the City Engineer that the main is not likely to be extended to serve any other property.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
The inside diameter of every sewer main to be installed shall be not less than eight inches except as may be determined by the City Engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)
In the event the applicant installs sewer main extension facilities, the applicant shall furnish the Town of Los Altos Hills a surety company bond in an amount equal to at least one-half of the City Engineer's estimate of the installation costs to guarantee faithful performance by the applicant, and a surety company bond in an equal amount to guarantee claims of persons employed by the applicant and claims of persons who furnish materials, supplies and implements bused by the applicant on such work.
(§ 1, Ord. 440, eff. October 15, 2005)