Article VI Use of Public Sewers

§ 181-25 Stormwater and unpolluted drainage.

No person(s) shall discharge or cause to be discharged any unpolluted waters such as stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.

Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to storm drains or to natural outlets approved by the Superintendent and/or Plumbing Inspector. Unpolluted industrial cooling water or process waters may be discharged, on approval of the Superintendent and/or Plumbing Inspector, to a storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet, and the discharge shall comply with Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 3, Subsection 413.

§ 181-26 Prohibited discharges.

No person(s) shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewers:

Any pollutants which create a fire or explosive hazard in the sewer system or treatment facility; including but not limited to: gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.

(1)

Any petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass through.

(2)

Any sludges or deposited solids resulting from an industrial pretreatment process.

Any waters or pollutants containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any waste treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the wastewater treatment plant, including but not limited to those which exceed the limitations set forth in a National Categorical Pretreatment Standard found in 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N, Parts 405 to 471, the local discharge permit issued pursuant to those as defined in standards issued from time to time under Section 307(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-500. A toxic pollutant shall include, but not be limited to, any pollutant identified pursuant to Section 307(a) of the Act and as listed at 40 CFR 401.15. Any slug of wastes as defined in Maine law.

Any water or pollutants having a pH lower than 6.0 or higher than 10.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the wastewater facilities.

(1)

The Town or its designee may authorize discharge of wastes with a pH greater than 10.0 provided that the caustic (hydroxide) alkalinity of the sample does not exceed 1000 mg/l.)

(2)

Any waste which, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, may result in the presence of toxic vapors, gases, or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause worker health or safety problems, or is sufficient to prevent entry into the sewers for maintenance and repair.

(3)

Any substance which may cause the facility's effluent or any other product of the facility, such as biosolids, sludges, or scums, to be unsuitable for disposal in a permitted landfill or for reclamation and reuse, or to interfere with the reclamation and reuse process. In no case shall a substance discharged to the facility cause the facility to be in noncompliance with sludge use or disposal criteria, guidelines, or regulations affecting sludge use or disposal developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, or Maine DEP Rules for Agronomic Utilization of Residuals, 06-096 CMR Chapter 419, 38 M.R.S.A. § 1304.

Any solid or viscous substances in such quantities or of such size as capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the wastewater facilities, such as but not limited to ashes, bones, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, disposable diapers, wood, unground garbage, seafood shells, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper or plastic dishes, cups, milk containers, floor waxes, chemical paint and finish removers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders.

Any waters or pollutants, including oxygen-demanding pollutants (BOD, etc.), which, released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause interference to the facility or pass through to the waters of the state.

Any heated waters or pollutants in amounts which will inhibit or interfere with biological activity in the wastewater treatment works, but in no case heated waters or pollutants in such quantities that the temperature at the wastewater treatment works influent exceeds 30° C. (86° F.).

(1)

Any waste which may create a fire explosion hazard in the facility, including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed cup flash point of less than 140° F. (60° C.) using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21.

In addition to the prohibitions listed above, all other the discharge limitations indicated in this chapter also apply.

§ 181-27 Limited discharges.

The following described substances, materials, waters or pollutants shall be limited in discharges to the public sewer to concentrations or quantities which will not harm either the sewers, the wastewater treatment process or equipment, will not have an adverse effect on the receiving stream or will not otherwise endanger lives, limb, or public property or constitute a nuisance. The Superintendent may set limitations lower than the limitations established in the regulations below if, in his opinion, such more severe limitations are necessary to meet the above objectives. The limitations or restrictions of waste or wastewaters discharged to the sanitary sewer which shall not be violated without approval of the Superintendent are as follows:

Wastewater having a temperature higher than 60° C. (140° F.).

Wastewater containing more than 25 milligrams per liter of petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oils or products of mineral oil origin.

Wastewater containing fats, oils and grease, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 milligrams per liter or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32° F. and 150° F. (0° C. and 65° C.).

Any waters or wastes containing heavy metals, solvents, and similar objectionable or toxic substances to such degree that any such material discharged to the public sewer exceeds the limits established by the District, the Division, or the National Categorical Pretreatment standards, as promulgated by the EPA, for such materials.

Any waters or wastes containing odor-producing substances exceeding limits which may be established by the District.

Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. Garbage grinders may be connected to sanitary sewers from homes, hotels, institutions, restaurants, hospitals, catering establishments or similar places where garbage originates from the preparation of food in kitchens for the purpose of consumption on the premises or when served by caterers.

Wastewater containing any hexavalent chromium, aluminum, iron, tin, fluorides, arsenic, phenols, chlorides, sulfates or mercury or the following metals, in concentrations exceeding those listed in Appendix A.

Any radioactive wastes or isotopes which exceed limits established by applicable state or federal regulations or standards.

Wastewater containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the wastewater treatment processes employed or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the wastewater treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters.

Any water or wastes which are reactive or, by interaction with other water or wastes in the public sewer system, release toxic, flammable, or explosive gases, form suspended solids which interfere with the collection system, or create a condition deleterious to structures, treatment process, and residuals management.

Any pathogenic or infectious or physically dangerous medical or biological waste or any wastewater which results from the management or treatment of such wastes.

Any hazardous waste or any wastewater which results from the management or treatment of hazardous waste.

Any filter backwash not specifically authorized to be discharged by a permit issued to the discharger by the District; any filter backwash that is not treated to meet the requirements established herein, unless specifically permitted by the District.

Any wastewaters which contain PCBs, dioxins, phenanthrene chlorinated naphthalenes; fluoranthene, hexachlorobutadiene or pesticides, including, but not limited to, dieldrin, chlordane, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenol)-ethane (4-4 DDT), demeton, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endrin, guthion, heptachlor, malathion, methoxychlor, mirex, parathion, acrolein, aldrin, tetrachlorodiphenylethane (TDE), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenol) ethane (DDE), hexachlorocyclo-hexane, lindane, benzene-cis-hexachloride and benzene-transhexachloride (BHC), hexachlorocyclo-pentadiene, and toxaphene, unless specifically permitted by the District.

Detergents, surface-active agents, or other substances that cause excessive foaming in sewers, the wastewater treatment process or associated facilities.

Phosphorus containing products or wastes which contain greater than 0.5% phosphorus by weight. Common examples of prohibited phosphorus containing compounds include (but shall not be limited to) floor treatment and cleaning agents.

Wastewater which, by interaction with other water or pollutants in the public sewer system, releases obnoxious gases, forms suspended solids which interfere with the public sewer system or creates a condition deleterious to the wastewater facilities.

Any wastes having color not removable by the treatment works.

Any wastes having average BOD in excess of 400 milligrams per liter per day.

Any wastes having average COD in excess of 600 milligrams per liter per day.

Any wastes having average SS in excess of 400 milligrams per liter per day.

Any wastes having dissolved solids in such quantity and character as incompatible with the wastewater treatment works.

§ 181-28 Town options for prohibited wastes.

If any waters or pollutants are discharged or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in §§ 181-26 or 181-27 of this chapter, and which, in the judgment of the Superintendent, may have a deleterious effect upon the wastewater facilities, processes, equipment or receiving waters or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Superintendent may:

Reject the waters or pollutants;

Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers;

Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or

Require payment to cover the added costs of handling and treating the wastes.

§ 181-29 Pretreatment or flow equalization.

If the Superintendent requires or permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the pretreatment or equalization plants and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the Superintendent and subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and the municipal discharge permit. All such pretreatment or flow-equalization facilities shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.

§ 181-30 Grease and sand interceptors.

Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing floatable grease in excessive amounts as specified in § 181-27C or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Superintendent and shall be located outdoors as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. In the maintaining of these interceptors, the owner shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal by appropriate means of the captured material and shall maintain records of the dates and means of disposal which shall be relayed to the Superintendent for review. Any removal and hauling of the collected materials not performed by the owner must be performed by currently licensed waste disposal firms.

An external grease interceptor (min 1,000 gallons for 50 or less seating capacity and 250 gallons for every 25 seats thereafter) shall be required to receive the drainage from fixtures and equipment with grease-laden waste. In all fixed food service establishment kitchens, the required mop sink, floor drains in the food preparation areas, and prewash and wash compartments of the pot sink shall be connected to the grease interceptor. Food waste and dishwasher grinders shall not discharge into the building drainage system through a grease interceptor. Compliance with all applicable codes established by Building Official and Code Administrators (BOCA) shall be required.

§ 181-31 Industrial waste permit required.

All discharges of industrial wastewater are required to obtain a permit from the Superintendent. All permits and applications for permits shall be in a form determined by the Superintendent and shall include an application fee established by the Town Council. In cases where the Town incurs administrative or outside professional costs in preparing such applications, such costs shall be charged directly to the applicant. Each permit shall have an annual expiration date. Such permits shall require compliance with all federal and state pretreatment standards and may include other requirements imposed by the Superintendent.

§ 181-32 Industrial waste monitoring.

When required by the Superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial pollutants shall install a suitable structure, together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances, in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes. Such structure, when required, shall be accessible, safely located and constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Superintendent. The structure shall be installed by the owner at his expense and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and pollutants to which reference is made in this chapter shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association, and shall be determined at the structure as required in Subsection A of this section, or upon suitable samples taken at said structure. In the event that no special structure has been required, suitable samples shall be taken at the upstream and downstream manholes in the public sewer nearest to the point at which the building sewer is connected.

All industries discharging into a public sewer shall perform such monitoring of their discharges as the Superintendent may reasonably require, including installation, use and maintenance of monitoring equipment, keeping records and reporting the results of such monitoring to the Superintendent. Such records shall be retained by the owner for a minimum of three years and made available upon request by the Superintendent to the Portland Water District, DEP or EPA.

All sampling and testing shall be carried out by the qualified person at the owner's expense. The method and location of sampling and quality of testing is subject to approval of the Superintendent. Any users of public sewers discharging or causing to be discharged into such public sewers any industrial wastes shall provide the Superintendent with samples, when requested.

§ 181-33 Industrial waste monitoring.

The Town shall develop, and the Superintendent and/or Plumbing Inspector shall enforce pretreatment regulations for existing and new sources of pollution that are discharged or proposed to be discharged into the municipality-owned wastewater treatment facilities as set forth in the rules of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR Parts 129 and 403.

§ 181-34 Exclusion of industrial waste.

The Superintendent, with approval of the Town Manager, shall have authority to temporarily exclude any industrial waste, whether pretreated or not, from the municipal sewers whenever, in his or her opinion, such actions necessary for the purpose of determining the effects of such wastes upon the public sewers or wastewater facilities. The Superintendent shall notify the affected user prior to taking such actions and shall afford the user a reasonable time for response. The Superintendent shall have the authority to take actions necessary to halt the discharge of pollutants from any user to the POTW which reasonably appears to present an imminent endangerment to the wastewater facility or to the health or welfare of persons. Such actions shall be preceded by a notification, oral or written, to the user.

§ 181-35 Additional information required.

The Superintendent may require a user of sewer services to provide information needed to determine compliance with this chapter. These requirements may include:

Wastewater discharge rates and volumes (average, minimum, peak) over a specified time period.

Chemical analyses of wastewaters.

Information on new materials, processes and products affecting wastewater volume and quality.

Quantity and disposition of specified liquids, sludge, oil, solvent or other materials important to sewer to sewer use control.

An engineering drawing, by a licensed professional engineer of sewers, of the user's property, showing sewer and pretreatment facility location and details of wastewater pretreatment facilities.

Details of systems to prevent and control the losses of materials through spills to the public sewer.

§ 181-36 Special arrangements.

No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the Town and any industrial sewer user whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the Town for treatment, subject to payment therefor by the industrial sewer user, provided that such agreements do not contravene any requirements of existing federal or state laws and/or regulations promulgated thereunder and are compatible with any user charge system in effect.