This chapter establishes availability, conditions of service, system improvement requirements and the operation and maintenance of the wastewater system.
(Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991)
A wastewater system comprehensive plan shall be developed by the Department in accordance with WAC 173-240-050. The plan shall be approved by the Mayor, adopted by the City Council and administered by the Director.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
Wastewater service is considered available if the property is situated within the wastewater service area defined in the wastewater system comprehensive plan and is adjacent to the wastewater system, and further provided that:
(a)
The treatment and wastewater system has the capacity and facilities to accommodate the additional flow, or the property which is part of a wastewater local improvement district (LID) or utility local improvement district (ULID) and has been assessed for sewer improvements.
(b)
The connection is consistent with the wastewater system comprehensive plan.
(c)
The connection is approved and permitted by the Department.
(d)
The connection is in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations and codes.
Any customer or potential customer within the wastewater service area and not adjacent to the wastewater system may be connected to the wastewater system subject to meeting the above requirements and establishing a local improvement district (LID) or utility local improvement district (ULID) and/or entering into a public utilities construction agreement with the City for system extension or improvements of the wastewater system for service to the premises. For the purpose of this section, "adjacent" shall mean sewer extended to and through the frontage or to and through the property to potential adjacent development.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
(a)
Properties Within Urban Growth Areas. Property that is outside existing City limits but within both the City's urban growth area and City's wastewater service area shall be permitted wastewater service only upon entering into an outside utility agreement with the City providing for:
(1)
Granting to the City a limited power of attorney to include owner's consent to annexation of the property as part of any notice of intent or petition for annexation presented to the City;
(2)
Consistency with any proposed extraterritorial comprehensive land use plan and development standards for the property adopted pursuant to RCW 35.13.117 for new development; and
(3)
Consistency with adopted City ordinances and policies for new development;
(4)
Consistency with the adopted City Wastewater Comprehensive Plan and Engineering Design and Construction Standards for new developments
(b)
Properties Outside Urban Growth Areas. For property located outside the City's urban growth areas, the property may only connect to the City's sewer system if:
(1)
The Health Officer certifies that an existing septic system has failed and is physically incapable of being repaired or replaced in a manner meeting applicable health standards;
(2)
The connection is shown to be necessary to protect basic public health and safety and the environment; and
(3)
The utility services provided by the connection are financially sustainable at rural densities and do not permit urban development pursuant to RCW 36.70A.110(4); and
(Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5306 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 5532, 12/17/2025)
Any premises within two hundred (200) feet of a City wastewater system where sewage originates and where the Health District local health officer has determined that a wastewater service connection is required in order to protect public health and safety shall be required to connect to the City wastewater system. The Health District local health officer shall serve the owner with a written notice requiring the connection. A copy of such notice shall be provided to the Department. Such connection shall be made within the time limit as provided for in the notice.
Where connection to City wastewater system is required, the connection shall be made in accordance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards. Whenever connection to the wastewater system is required, the property owner shall be required to remove any connections to cesspools, septic tanks, or other on-site wastewater disposal facilities and install a direct connection to the wastewater system.
All abandoned facilities shall be back-filled by the property owner as required by the Health District local health officer within thirty (30) days from the time of connection to the City's wastewater system or sooner if such facility constitutes a health hazard or public nuisance.
The Department is authorized and directed to begin billing and collecting at the time of connection for all wastewater system service charges or sixty (60) days after written notice is served by the Health District local health officer, whether or not the owner has completed connection to the City's wastewater system.
If the owner fails, neglects, or refuses to connect the property, building, or premises to the wastewater system within the time specified by the notice, the City may make such connection. The cost of the connection shall be assessed against the property and shall become a lien. The City is authorized, empowered, and directed to collect the cost of the connection by either foreclosure of the lien or by a suit against the owner.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
No person shall discharge materials from a mobile tank into the City wastewater system except at points designated by the Director. Discharge of materials transported from sources outside the wastewater area, and from commercial or industrial sources wherever located, may be prohibited at the discretion of the Director.
Prior to discharge of materials from a mobile tank, a Department manifest shall be completed and submitted to the Department, identifying source, quantity, and nature of the materials to be discharged.
A charge shall be made as provided in BMC § 15.06.060, Miscellaneous fees and charges. This charge may include, but not be limited to, discharges containing sewage or leachate from landfills, septic tanks, cesspools, chemical toilets, or similar sewage receptacles.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
All wastewater sewers and appurtenances shall be installed by the Department or a contractor licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in compliance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards and local, state and federal regulations.
No connections shall be made to new sewer mains until all acceptance documentation has been received and approved by the Department. Required documentation includes record drawings, deeds of conveyance, easement(s) and any warranty bond(s).
All wastewater system extensions shall be installed along the entire frontage of the premises or plat to be served. The Department may, at its option, require installation of sanitary sewers larger than the minimum sizes specified in the Engineering Design and Construction Standards to provide for adequate capacity within the wastewater system. The Department is authorized to enter into cost sharing agreements to contribute to the cost for larger sanitary sewers or other improvements based upon the wastewater system comprehensive plan.
Upon completion of a new wastewater system extension, owners of premises adjacent to or within two hundred (200) feet of the wastewater system who are being supplied with City wastewater services through a private sewer or connection shall make application for a new utility service agreement and shall install a separate service connection to the new sanitary sewer. Service from private system shall be discontinued ninety (90) days following completion of the new main.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
All service connections shall be installed by the Department or by a contractor licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in compliance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards.
The service connections shall be extended at right angles from the wastewater system to a point adjacent to the property line and shall be maintained by and kept within the exclusive control of the City.
Whenever an applicant requests wastewater service to a premises with no fronting sewer main, a standard sewer main shall be required to be installed as a prerequisite to connection to the wastewater system.
Every individual parcel connected to the wastewater system shall be required to install a separate service connection to the wastewater main, and the premises so supplied will not be allowed to provide service to any other premises. However, these restrictions shall not apply to existing connections unless improvements are done to the parcel and a separate sewer lateral can be installed for twenty-five (25) percent or less than the total improvement cost of the project, or in the judgment of the Director, such existing connection should be discontinued. When a single parcel of land having more than one (1) residential structure served by a single connection is subdivided, the installation of new connections shall be required for the structures on the newly established lots. The application for service will be filed prior to the approval of the subdivision. Separate services will be consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 5427 § 8, 2021)
All connections from the wastewater main to the property line shall be and remain the property of the City and will not be removed unless service to the premises is discontinued or abandoned. Connections shall not be removed or in any way disturbed except by, or as approved by, the Department.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
When required by the Department, the property owner shall install and maintain at their expense a manhole in the side sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastewater strength and flow. The manhole shall be located as approved by the Department and constructed in accordance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards.
Once each year, the Wastewater Manager shall assign a "typical" waste strength to each Commercial I through VII class as defined in BMC § 15.01.020, except for a "verified strength," for purposes of determining user charges.
Users in the verified strength class will have their strength determined by direct periodic composite sampling and analysis. Composite samples shall be collected and analyzed at the owner's expense.
To be eligible to be charged as a verified strength user, the owner must have the discharge(s) to the wastewater system structured in such a way that sampling of the discharge(s) can be reasonably achieved without contamination or dilution by other discharges. If special provisions are required to achieve discharge sampling, such provisions shall be made at the owner's expense.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5321 § 3, 2017; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
Preliminary treatment may be required by the City if the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) or total suspended solids (TSS) of the sewage, industrial waste, or wastewater exceeds two hundred (200) parts per million (1,000,000) by weight, exceeds local limits, or contains prohibited discharges as defined herein, or exceeds other applicable standards or regulations. High conductivity discharges will be carefully evaluated for discharge into the City's sewer system. Saltwater discharges can cause corrosion, exacerbate odor problems in the treatment plant, interfere with analysis of samples, and could affect the City's ability to reclaim the wastewater for other uses. Such preliminary treatment facilities shall be approved by the Department and constructed, operated, and maintained by the owner at the owner's expense.
The daily maximum pollutants allowed into the wastewater system from any service shall not exceed the following limits:
Arsenic | 0.10 mg/L |
Cadmium | 0.10 mg/L |
Chromium (total) | 1.0 mg/L |
Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.25 mg/L |
Conductivity | 6.00 mS/cm |
Copper (total) | 0.75 mg/L |
Lead | 0.25 mg/L |
Mercury (total) | 0.010 mg/L |
Molybdenum | 1.0 mg/L |
Nickel | 0.60 mg/L |
Selenium | 0.10 mg/L |
Silver (total) | 0.20 mg/L |
Zinc | 2.0 mg/L |
Cyanide (total) | 0.64 mg/L |
Cyanide (free) | 0.20 mg/L |
Ammonia | 50.0 mg/L |
Benzene | 0.07 mg/L |
Ethyl benzene | 1.70 mg/L |
Toluene | 1.40 mg/L |
TPH | 50.0 mg/L |
pH | 6.0 - 10.0 |
Any commercial user that exceeds any of the above limits shall have an appropriately sized, properly installed, regularly maintained and sufficiently documented type of treatment device in place to help reduce the strength of their sewer discharge.
For the purpose of conductivity, exceeding the limit of 6.0 mS/cm shall mean continuous average equal to or exceeding 6.0 mS/cm for any thirty (30) day period.
Failure to comply with the installation of the required treatment device within ninety (90) days of notification shall be cause of the discontinuance of the water service to the premises.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5321 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
When a premises discharges wastewater into a force main or pressure main or wherever a situation exists involving an unusual danger of backflow, a backwater valve shall be required and shall be installed in a manner accessible for maintenance per Engineering Design and Construction Standards. The installation and effective operation of the backwater valve shall be the sole responsibility of the owner connecting to the wastewater system. The installation shall meet the requirements of the Engineering Design and Construction Standards.
(Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991)
When a property owner demolishes or removes a building which was connected to the wastewater utility collection system, the owner shall be required to expose and plug the side sewer at the property line in accordance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards. A sewer cap permit is required to perform this work.
(Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991)
The Department shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the wastewater system and appurtenances under its jurisdiction and located within the public right-of-way, dedicated utility easements, and City owned property. The Department shall not be responsible for servicing private systems connected to the wastewater system, except as provided in this chapter.
When maintenance, repair, or replacement of wastewater system is required due to user activity resulting in unsafe, nonconforming, or unauthorized conditions as set forth in this chapter, any expense incurred by the City to abate such condition shall be the responsibility of the owner(s), in accordance with the current assessments, rates, fees, and charges set forth in Chapter 15.06 BMC, including any related cost and cost of collection.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
The Department may restrict the use of the wastewater system through regulation or control of the use whenever an emergency exists affecting the wastewater system, or for the purpose of making repairs, extensions, or any other necessary work. Whenever reasonable, and in cases where it has advance knowledge, the Department will provide notice of such emergency using appropriate methods of communication, setting forth any limitations on the use of the wastewater system that may be deemed necessary for public health and safety.
The City shall not be held responsible for any damage to private property resulting from interruption, failure of the wastewater system, or failure of the property owner to comply with the provisions of this code.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
The Department shall be responsible for the integrity, safety, and continuity of the wastewater system. As a condition of the utility service agreement the property owner shall grant the Department the authority to make inspections at any reasonable time if the Department or other appropriate agency has reasonable cause to believe there exists on premises a nonconforming, illegal, unauthorized, or unsafe condition or to verify no such condition exists. The Director may enter onto such property to inspect the condition or to perform any duties imposed upon the Department by this code, provided the Department shall first make reasonable efforts to contact the owner or person responsible for such property.
The Department shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry and abate the conditions. Such remedies may include, but not be limited to, securing property owner's corrections; revocation, suspension, or discontinuation of service, permits, or authorizations; removal, reconstruction, replacement, or alteration of unauthorized condition; or all other powers and remedies that may be available under this title and regulations and procedures adopted hereunder. Any expense incurred by the City to abate such condition shall be the responsibility of the owner(s), in accordance with the current assessments, rates, fees, and charges set forth in Chapter 15.06 BMC, including any related cost and cost of collection.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
Whenever any private wastewater system connected with the City's wastewater system becomes obstructed, broken, or in need of repair, the owner shall make all repairs within five (5) days after notification by the Health District local health officer or Director. If the owner fails to make repairs within the five (5) day period, the Director may terminate the wastewater service by termination of the water service to the property being serviced by the subject property. When two (2) or more houses or buildings are connected to the same private sewer, the owners shall be jointly and severally liable for work done by the City.
If the repairs are not constructed and completed in accordance with the provisions of this code and/or in compliance with the approved permit, and/or in accordance with the current Engineering Design and Construction Standards, and if the contractor or person doing the work shall refuse to properly construct and complete such work, notice of such failure or refusal shall be given to the owner of the property, for whom the work is being done, as herein provided. The Director may abate the condition, by either causing the correction to be completed in the proper manner, or by termination of the water service until the correction is made. Any expense incurred by the City to abate such condition shall be the responsibility of the owner(s), in accordance with the current assessments, rates, fees, and charges set forth in Chapter 15.06 BMC, including any related cost and cost of collection.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
When excessive discharge periodically overloads the capacity of the side sewer supplying service to any premises, the Director shall determine the size of the side sewer from the main necessary to give proper sewer service without damage to the system or causing sewer overflow. The City shall notify the property owner of the required change in the size of the side sewer installation. The replacement of the side sewer shall be at the expense of the property owner. Failure on the part of the property owner to comply with the request within thirty (30) days shall be cause for the termination of wastewater service by termination of the water service to the property being serviced by the subject property.
(Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991)
All side sewer cleaning contractors and/or plumbers and owners engaged in cleaning existing side sewers (as distinguished from plumbing and septic tank facilities) shall notify the Department prior to beginning such operations.
(Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
When an existing structure is removed and a new structure is constructed on the same parcel of property, a new utility service agreement is required. Any existing side sewer will need to meet the current Engineering Design and Construction Standards. The sewer lateral shall be videoed and approved by the Director for reuse. Any existing side sewer determined to be substandard must be replaced as directed by the Director, at the owner's expense.
(Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 4454 § 1, 1994; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the following:
(a)
Tampering. It shall be unlawful for any person, unless duly authorized by the Department, to disturb, interfere with, or damage any wastewater system, including pipe, machinery, or tools, or buildings, improvements, or other appurtenances belonging to, connected with, or under the jurisdiction of the Department.
(b)
Prohibited Discharges. It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit in any manhole, lamp hole, flush tank, or sewer opening:
(1)
Any garbage, rubbish, dead animals, or any substance which will obstruct, or have a tendency to obstruct, the flow of any sewer system.
(2)
Discharges containing toxic, poisonous, or flammable solids, liquids, or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage collection or 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 plants.
(3)
Any strong acid waste, strong alkaline waste or other waste with corrosive properties capable of causing damage or hazard to the structures, equipment, or personnel of the City.
(4)
Any waste that:
(i)
Contains polar and nonpolar fats, oils and greases in amounts that cause a visible sheen on the discharge or in the public sewer system;
(ii)
Causes a build-up of grease in any public sewer facility;
(iii)
Causes an obstruction of the public sewer system;
(5)
Overflows from unpolluted water storage facilities.
(6)
Clear water from refrigeration, reverse-cycle heat pumps, and cooling or air-conditioning equipment installed hereafter, except for the periodic draining and cleaning.
(7)
Steam exhaust or blow-off, or any heated water until the temperature thereof has been reduced to less than one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit.
(8)
Waste containing suspended solids and/or inorganic materials of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials in the sewer system or at the wastewater treatment plant.
(9)
Any obnoxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.
(10)
Any septic tank wastes or portable holding tank waste.
(11)
Any new stormwater discharges.
(12)
Any discharge of food waste through a commercial disposal unit into a grease interceptor. Any existing sites that are found to have food waste disposal units will have ninety (90) days to remove the units after notification.
(13)
Any catch basins that collect wastewater runoff from dumpsters serving food service establishments that flow into the stormwater system or wastewater system. Such flow will need to be redirected to flow into a grease interceptor and connect into a sanitary system, unless another plan is approved by the Director. Maximum surface area allowed to flow into the collection system will be two hundred (200) square feet.
(14)
Any single service discharge that exceeds the following daily maximum pollutant limits:**
Arsenic | 0.10 mg/L |
Cadmium | 0.10 mg/L |
Chromium (total) | 1.0 mg/L |
Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.25 mg/L |
Copper (total) | 0.75 mg/L |
Lead | 0.25 mg/L |
Mercury (total) | 0.010 mg/L |
Molybdenum | 1.0 mg/L |
Nickel | 0.60 mg/L |
Selenium | 0.10 mg/L |
Silver (total) | 0.20 mg/L |
Zinc | 2.0 mg/L |
Cyanide (total) | 0.64 mg/L |
Cyanide (free) | 0.20 mg/L |
Ammonia | 50.0 mg/L |
Benzene | 0.07 mg/L |
Ethyl benzene | 1.70 mg/L |
Toluene | 1.40 mg/L |
TPH | 50.0 mg/L |
** Businesses that follow BMPs (best management practices) for their industry can petition the City for a higher limit. This will be limited to businesses contributing less than one (1) percent of the total flow to the City's wastewater system and treatment plant.
(Ord. 4309 § 2 (in part), 1991; Ord. 4454 § 1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 5009 § 1, 2007; Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)
Low pressure sewers may be constructed in an area where, in the opinion of the Director, it is impractical to construct gravity sewers and the cost will not be a factor. Low pressure sewers shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Engineering Design and Construction Standards. The pump and enclosures shall be owned and operated by the City. The owner shall be financially responsible for and shall own and operate all the electrical installation and all piping and conveyance facilities to the property line.
(Ord. 5250 § 1 (in part), 2014; Ord. 5374 § 1 (in part), 2019)