This Chapter sets forth uniform requirements for persons discharging domestic wastewater to the POTW to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, local ordinances, and this chapter. This Chapter shall apply to all persons discharging domestic wastewater to the POTW, and to any person needing to make a connection to the POTW. Persons that discharge non-domestic wastewater to the POTW may also be subject to the requirements of TMC Chapter 12.08C.
The purpose of this chapter includes, but is not limited to the following:
A. 
To protect the POTW by preventing the introduction of pollutants to the POTW that may interfere with its operation, or be incompatible with, or otherwise cause damage to the POTW;
B. 
To prevent the introduction of pollutants to the POTW that will pass through if inadequately treated prior to discharge into receiving waters;
C. 
To protect personnel who may be affected by wastewater and biosolids in the course of their employment and to protect the general public;
D. 
To enable the City to comply with its NPDES Permit conditions, federal and state requirements applicable to biosolids use and disposal, and any other federal or state laws and regulations to which the POTW is subject; and
E. 
To require persons regulated by this chapter, and TMC Chapter 12.08C to pay applicable rates and fees to reasonably distribute the cost to operate, maintain, and improve the POTW.
(Ord. 28761 Ex. B, 2021-05-25)
A. 
Administration. The control authority shall administer this chapter in accordance with the purposes set forth herein and applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and applicable City ordinances, policies, and procedures. In the event there is a conflict between this chapter and: (a) a provision contained within it; (b) a permit issued by the City; or (c) an applicable federal or state law or regulation, the requirement(s) that are more protective of human health and the environment shall apply.
B. 
Responsibility for compliance. It is the intent of this chapter to place the responsibility for complying with its requirements, and any control mechanism, authorization or approval granted pursuant to this chapter, upon the responsible person, as that term is defined in this chapter.
C. 
Appeals of decisions and determinations. Appeals of decisions or determinations made by the control authority pursuant to this chapter are governed by TMC Chapter 12.08A; provided that, appeals of enforcement actions taken pursuant to this chapter are governed by TMC Chapter 1.82.
D. 
Liberal construction. The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements in their interpretation and application and shall be liberally construed to serve the purposes of this chapter.
(Ord. 28761 Ex. B, 2021-05-25)
A. 
All domestic wastewater shall be discharged to the POTW or to an authorized septic system. This obligation applies to the owner of premises and to persons in possession, charge or control of the premises where a discharge of wastewater originates.
B. 
This Chapter does not create rights for any individual or group to require construction of public sewers, connection thereto, or otherwise to receive sewer from the City. The City reserves all rights to deny, limit, or curtail service.
(Ord. 28761 Ex. B, 2021-05-25)
ADU
Accessory Dwelling Unit
AUF
Assessable unit of frontage
BOD5
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BMPs
Best Management Practices
cf.
Cubic feet
ccf.
Hundred cubic feet
CWA
Clean Water Act
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
LID
Local Improvement District
NAICS Code
North American Industry Classification System Code
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
O&M manual
Operation and Maintenance manual
POTW
Publicly Owned Treatment Works
RCW
Revised Code of Washington
TMC
Tacoma Municipal Code
TSS
Total suspended solids
WAC
Washington Administrative Code
(Ord. 28761 Ex. B, 2021-05-25)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein unless a different meaning is otherwise plainly required. Words not defined herein shall have the meaning given in TMC Chapter 12.08C or TMC Chapter 12.08D. Words not defined in this Title shall have the meaning given in TMC § 1.82.010. Words not otherwise defined in this Title or TMC § 1.82.010 shall have the meaning given in such federal and state statutes, rules, or regulations that apply to the activity being regulated. Words not otherwise defined, shall be given their common and ordinary meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural include the singular, and words in the singular include the plural. The words “shall” and “will” are always mandatory and not merely directory and the word “may” is permissive. References to governmental entities (whether persons or entities) refer to those entities or their successors in authority.
A. 
12.08B.050.A.
“Accessory dwelling unit” or “ADU.”
A second subordinate dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family dwelling (hereinafter referred to as the “main dwelling”) and either within the same building as the main dwelling or in a detached building, with a provision for independent cooking, living, sanitation, and sleeping.
“Approval.”
The determination by the control authority that the proposed or completed work or activity conforms to this chapter.
“Availability.”
Those premises which are determined per the Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual to have a wastewater sewer available for connection to the premises.
B. 
12.08B.050.B.
“Best management practices” or “BMPs.”
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and education practices, maintenance procedures, and structural or managerial practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to POTW.
“Biosolids.”
Municipal sewage sludge resulting from the wastewater treatment process that is further treated so that it can be beneficially recycled for use as fertilizer.
“Biochemical oxygen demand, 5-Day” or “BOD5.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
C. 
12.08B.050.C.
“City.”
The City of Tacoma, Washington, a municipal corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Washington. The phrase “within the city” means within the City boundaries as now or hereafter constituted.
“Clean Water Act” or “CWA.”
Both the federal Water Pollution Control Act, as may be amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and the state Water Pollution Control Act at Chapter 90.48 RCW, as may be amended.
“Cleanout.”
A section of pipe that extends from the underground private side sewer to the ground surface which is used to access the private side sewer for the purposes of cleaning and inspecting the private side sewer.
“Condominium.”
Real property, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions. Real property is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners and unless a declaration and a survey map and plans have been recorded pursuant to RCW 64.34.
“Contributing jurisdiction.”
A municipality other than the City that contributes wastewater to the POTW.
“Control authority.”
The City’s Environmental Services Department, its Director and its authorized representatives.
“Control mechanism.”
An industrial wastewater discharge permit, a special approved discharge authorization, a letter, a written authorization to discharge, or any other written notice of discharge requirements issued by the control authority.
“Customer.”
The person responsible for paying wastewater rates.
D. 
12.08B.050.D.
“Days.”
Unless otherwise indicated, “days” means calendar days.
“Direct connection.”
Any piped connection to the private side sewer that conveys stormwater or surface water to the POTW. Examples of direct connections include roof drains, sump pumps, footing drains, area drains, yard drains, and driveway drains.
“Director.”
The City’s Director of the Environmental Services Department who is designated to supervise the implementation and enforcement of this chapter or the Director’s duly authorized representative.
“Domestic user.”
Any person who contributes, causes, or allows the contribution of wastewater to the POTW that is of a volume and chemical makeup similar to that of a residential dwelling unit.
“Domestic wastewater.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C s.
E. 
12.08B.050.E.
“Educational flyer.”
The document prepared by the City that provides educational information to property owners regarding the condition of side sewers and private ownership and maintenance responsibilities.
F. 
12.08B.050.F.
G. 
12.08B.050.G.
“Groundwater.”
Water in a saturated zone or stratum beneath the surface of the land or below a surface water body.
H. 
12.08B.050.H.
“Holding tank waste.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
I. 
12.08B.050.I.
“Illicit connection.”
Any unauthorized connection to the POTW.
“Industrial user.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Industrial waste” or “non-domestic waste.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Industrial wastewater discharge permit.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Inflow and infiltration” or “I&I.”
Refers to groundwater or stormwater entering a POTW. Inflow refers to stormwater entering such system at points of direct connection such as footing/foundation drains, roof drains, downspouts, drains from window wells, outdoor basement stairwells, drains from driveways, groundwater/basement sump pumps, and even streams. Infiltration refers to groundwater that enters a POTW through cracks and/or leaks in the sanitary sewer pipes.
“Interference.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
J. 
12.08B.050.J.
K. 
12.08B.050.K.
L. 
12.08B.050.L.
M. 
12.08B.050.M.
“Market conditions.”
The range of charges and prices for products and services similar to TAGRO products and TAGRO services that are offered by vendors operating in the same marketplace as the City.
“Multiple-family residence.”
Any premise consisting of two or more living units served through a single water meter.
N. 
12.08B.050.N.
“Noncontact cooling water.”
Water that does not mix, communicate with, or come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, or finished product, and to which the only pollutant added is heat.
“North American Industry Classification System Code” or “NAICS code.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“NPDES permit.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
O. 
12.08B.050.O.
“Owner.”
Any individual, corporation, or entity that holds the title to real property as shown by the Pierce County Assessor’s records.
P. 
12.08B.050.P.
“Pass through.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Person.”
Any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, society, corporation, group, government, governmental agency or other legal entity, and their legal representatives, agents, or assigns. The definition includes all federal, state, and local government entities.
“pH.”
The negative logarithm of the effective hydrogen-ion concentration or hydrogen activity in gram equivalents per liter used in expressing both acidity and alkalinity on a scale whose values run from 0 to 14, with 7 representing neutrality. Values lower than 7 are more acidic, and higher values are more alkaline.
“Pollutant.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“POTW.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“POTW treatment plant.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Premises.”
A continuous tract of land, building, or group of adjacent buildings under a single control with respect to use of water and responsibility for payment therefor. Subdivision of such use or responsibility shall constitute a division into separate premises as herein defined, except where more than one dwelling is being served through the same water meter, in which case, each of said dwellings shall constitute a separate premises and shall be subject to the same separate charges as if separate single-family dwellings.
“Pretreatment.”
The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater prior to, or in lieu of, discharging or otherwise introducing such pollutants to the POTW. The reduction or alteration may be obtained by physical, chemical, or biological processes, process changes, or by other means, except as prohibited by 40 CFR Part 403.6(d).
“Private side sewer” and “side sewer.”
The sewage conveyance pipe owned by the property owner that extends from approximately two feet outside of a building or structure to the connection at the POTW. In most circumstances, a portion of the private side sewer/side sewer extends into public streets or alleys connecting to the public sewer main.
“Public record.”
Shall have the meaning given pursuant to RCW 42.56.010.
Q. 
12.08B.050.Q.
R. 
12.08B.050.R.
“RCW.”
The Revised Code of Washington as now or hereafter amended.
“Real estate professional.”
The person(s) responsible for representing a buyer/seller or potential buyer/seller in the purchase transaction of a real property.
“Receiving water(s).”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08D.
“Residential ratepayer.”
A citizen who lives in a private residence within the City limits of Tacoma and has a wastewater utility account in their name.
“Responsible person.”
Shall have the meaning as set forth in TMC § 1.82.010, the Uniform Enforcement Code.
“Runoff.”
Water originating from rainfall or other precipitation that is found in drainage facilities, rivers, streams, seeps, ponds, lakes, and wetlands as well as shallow groundwater. It also means the portion of rainfall or other precipitation that becomes surface flow or interflow.
S. 
12.08B.050.S.
“Sell” or “transfer of title.”
The sale or transfer of an entire real property estate or the fee interest in that real property estate and does not include the sale or transfer of a partial interest, including a leasehold.
“Sanitary sewers.”
Those portions of the POTW that collect and convey wastewater to a treatment plant.
“Side sewer and sanitary sewer availability manual.”
Refers to the most recent version of the Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual as adopted or amended by the City Council.
“Single-family residence.”
1. 
Any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, for use by not more than one family; or
2. 
Any unit within a multi-family complex which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, for use by not more than one family that are served by a separate water meter.
“Slug load.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Source control.”
Actions, activities, and the implementation of BMPs to prevent or reduce the introduction of contaminants to the POTW or stormwater drainage system. Examples include, but are not limited to: segregating or isolating waste; enclosing, covering, or containing the activity to prevent contact with stormwater; developing and implementing inspection and maintenance programs; sweeping; and taking management actions such as training employees on pollution prevention.
“Stormwater.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08D.
“Stormwater drainage system.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08D.
“Supplemental fees.”
Means charges that may be assessed to a responsible person by the control authority to recover the costs it incurs to address and respond to a violation of TMC Chapter 12.08B, including, but not limited to: (i) personnel costs, both direct and indirect; (ii) costs to investigate, contain, and abate the discharge, including cleaning up any contamination caused by the discharge that may be present within the POTW, at the point of discharge, or in the receiving environment; (iii) costs to respond to a discharge causing pass through, interference, or damage to biosolids; (iv) costs to document and enforce a violation of TMC Chapter 12.08BD; (v) costs to hire a contractor(s) or consultant(s) to respond to such violations; (vi) laboratory costs and analytical expenses; (vii) costs for equipment, materials, and supplies; (viii) mobilization, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal costs; (ix) attorney’s’ fees, when authorized; (x) costs required for printing or mailings; and (xi) costs to collect unpaid supplemental fees.
T. 
12.08B.050.T.
“TAGRO products.”
Materials manufactured at least partly from biosolids from the City’s wastewater treatment plants. TAGRO products may include, but are not be limited to: TAGRO Cake, TAGRO Liquid, TAGRO Mix, TAGRO Potting Soil, TAGRO Mulch, and TAGRO Top Soil.
“TAGRO services.”
The loading, delivery, and application of TAGRO products by the City.
“Tamper” or “tampering.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
“Total suspended solids” or “TSS.”
Shall have the same meaning as that term is given pursuant to TMC Chapter 12.08C.
U. 
12.08B.050.U.
“User.”
An industrial user, and any property owner, business owner, multi-family residential property owner, tenant, residential homeowner or homeowner’s association/representative group, or any other individual, company, or vessel residing and/or conducting business within Tacoma that discharges wastewater or stormwater directly or indirectly to the POTW.
V. 
12.08B.050.V.
W. 
12.08B.050.W.
“Wastewater” or “wastestream.”
Liquid and water-carried industrial wastes, holding tank waste, and domestic wastes from residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial, and manufacturing facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated.
“Wastewater services.”
The service provided by the POTW of collecting, conveying, treating, and disposing of wastewater.
X. 
12.08B.050.X.
Y. 
12.08B.050.Y.
Z. 
12.08B.050.Z.
(Ord. 28761 Ex. B, 2021-05-25)