[Adopted 8-28-2000 by Ord. No. 1707]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GARBAGE
Solid wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of produce.
HOUSE CONNECTION
That part of the sewer system extending from the house plumbing system to the house sewer lateral.
HOUSE SEWER LATERAL
That part of the sewer system that runs from the sewer main to the curbline and including all necessary fittings.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
The liquid wastes from industrial processes as distinct from sanitary sewage.
MAIN SEWER
The sewers laid longitudinally along the center line or other part of the streets or other rights-of-way and to which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights and which is controlled by public authority.
NATURAL OUTLET
Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or ground water.
pH
The logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.
PLUMBING SUBCODE OFFICIAL
A person licensed and authorized to inspect plumbing pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38 to 26:1A-44 and N.J.S.A. 26:3-20.
PLUMBING SYSTEM
The sanitary and storm drainage facilities together with their venting systems and plumbing fixtures, the public or private water supply system and the fire protection system within or adjacent to any building, structure or conveyance, to a point of connection to a public or private sewerage system, public or private water supply, or other acceptable terminal.
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension.
PUBLIC SEWER
A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.
SANITARY SEWAGE
That domestic sewage with storm and surface water excluded, such as sewage discharging from the sanitary conveyance of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office and commercial buildings, factories and institutions.
SANITARY SEWER
A sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface and ground waters are not intentionally admitted.
SEWAGE
Any liquid wastes containing animal, chemical or vegetable matter in suspension or solution.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
Any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.
SEWAGE WORKS
All facilities for collecting, pumping and disposing of sewage.
SEWER
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SEWER INSPECTOR
The Sewer Inspector or Borough Engineer of the Borough or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.
STORM SEWER OR STORM DRAIN
A sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering.
WATERCOURSE
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Maintenance of the public sewer, and all connections to the public sewer and all work performed on the public sewer system shall be performed by the Sewer Inspector, Department of Public Works or by a contractor approved by the Borough. The contractor shall be governed by the terms of the ordinances of the Board of Health and the Borough relating to sewer installation and maintenance and shall comply with plans and specifications of the Borough Engineer and the Sewer Inspector on file with the Borough Clerk. The contractor shall be required to post a performance bond suitable to the Mayor and Council. The amount of work done by the contractor will depend on the number of applications for connections to the public sewer received and accepted by the Borough.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Where there is no house sewer lateral available, the property owner shall apply to the Department of Public Works for a permit to construct a new house sewer lateral from the sewer main to the curb. The full cost of the required construction, including the cost to obtain the house sewer lateral and road opening permits (including fees), shall be the responsibility of the property owner. A minimum fee of $150 will be charged for the house sewer lateral permit. Where, because of the nature and extent of the work to be done, the minimum permit fee is not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of the Borough, the Sewer Inspector shall fix the fee at a higher figure to fully cover the costs and expenses of inspection of the house sewer lateral connection.
[Added 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Where an existing house sewer lateral must be repaired or replaced, the property owner shall apply to the Department of Public Works for a permit to repair/replace the house sewer lateral. The full cost of the required construction, including the cost to obtain the house sewer lateral and road opening permits (including fees), shall be the responsibility of the property owner. A minimum fee of $150 will be charged for the house sewer lateral permit. Where, because of the nature and extent of the work to be done, the minimum permit fee is not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of the Borough, the Sewer Inspector shall fix the fee at a higher figure to fully cover the costs and expenses of inspection of the house sewer lateral connection.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection, maintenance and repair of the house connection and house sewer lateral shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the Borough from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the house connection.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Before any portion of the existing plumbing system outside of the house is connected to the house connection, the owner shall prove to the satisfaction of the Plumbing Inspector that it is clean and conforms in every respect to the ordinances of the Board of Health and the ordinances of the Borough; and before any portion of the house connection is connected to the sewer extension, the Plumbing Subcode Official shall be satisfied that the house connection is in good order and conforms in every respect to the requirements for construction thereof.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Where connection is made between the portion of the house plumbing system outside of the building and the house connection, a long radius bend shall appropriately be installed at this connection along with a cleanout as required by the Plumbing Code. This connection shall be subject to the approval of the Plumbing Subcode Official who shall be given ample notice prior to such work.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
The Plumbing Subcode Official may apply any appropriate test to the pipes, and the plumber and contractor, at their own expense, shall furnish all necessary tools, labor, materials and assistants for such tests and shall remove or repair any defective materials when so ordered by the Plumbing Subcode Official.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
Each contractor or other person performing work on Borough public property for the purpose of installing house connections shall post a bond or cash acceptable to the Department of Public Works or the Sewer Inspector. All work shall be adequately guarded with barricades, lights and other measures for protection to the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, curbs and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the Borough.
[Amended 2-28-2011 by Ord. No. 2162]
A. 
Establishment. There is hereby established the following schedule of fees and charges in connection with the use, operation, maintenance and construction of the public sewer system in the Borough of Ridgefield which is connected to a sewer metering station owned by the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA).
B. 
For the purpose of accurately calculating and recovering the industry-related costs of the BCUA wastewater service charges, Ridgefield requires by municipal ordinance that certain industries install wastewater flow monitoring and sampling facilities.
C. 
Large industrial users. Those contributors defined and identified as large industrial users by the Bergen County Utilities Authority or as indicated in Section 11 shall also be charged a surcharge for actual use of wastewater treatment services for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids and total flow, less a credit for the general sewer assessment in accordance with Section 17, Sanitary Sewers, Industrial Cost Recovery and User Charge System, based upon the current annual sewer service rate as determined by the Bergen County Utilities Authority. Surcharge shall be based on excess over Bergen County Utilities Authority criteria for large industrial users.
D. 
Time and place of payment. All such charges shall be payable quarterly at the time and place set forth as printed on the bill and shall be prorated to take effect from the date of connection to an operating sewer.
E. 
Reduction of sewer charges.
(1) 
For each connection for service to a commercial business or industrial establishment wherein the metered premises is not discharging the entire volume of water into the sanitary sewer system, the user will be allowed a reduction in the charge, provided that the said user installs facilities satisfactory to the Borough for measuring the volume either discharged or not discharged into the sanitary sewer system.
(2) 
The Borough may require the installation of facilities for measuring or determining the volume of sewage discharge into the sanitary sewer system. The Borough may require any customer who is allowing well water or unmetered water from any source to enter the sanitary sewerage system to install facilities for measuring or determining the volume of the water entering the sanitary sewer system. All meters required by the terms of this section shall be read quarterly by a member of the Department of Public Works or Borough Engineer or authorized representative of the Borough.
F. 
Timing or scheduling of biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids sampling/testing. The surcharge for biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids in large industrial users will be based upon a minimum of one sample per quarter or the average of all samples that quarter.
G. 
Charges as a municipal lien. The aforesaid charges for the use of public sewers shall draw the same rate of interest from the date they became due as taxes upon real estate and shall be a lien upon the premises connected until paid, and the Borough shall have the same remedies for the collection thereof, with interest, costs and penalties as it has by law for the collection of taxes upon real estate.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811; 4-11-2011 by Ord. No. 2167; 6-25-2012 by Ord. No. 2209; 9-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2365]
A. 
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, roof runoff, surface drainage, groundwater or discharge from any pump into any sanitary sewer. Any person who shall cause, allow or permit a discharge as prohibited above will be in violation of this article, and shall be obligated to cause such condition to be removed and/or abated.
B. 
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, roof runoff, surface drainage, groundwater or discharge from any pump into or on any sidewalk, street or street gutter.
C. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B above, existing structures which are causing or making the discharges prohibited by Subsection B above as of July 1, 2012, may continue such discharge unless and until such discharge is determined to be a nuisance or safety hazard in the reasonable opinion of the Construction Code Official, Borough Engineer or Superintendent of Public Works. In the event of such a determination of a nuisance or safety hazard, written notice to that effect shall be served upon the property owner who shall then have 90 calendar days from the date of service of the notice to correct and/or remediate the health hazard or safety hazard to the satisfaction of the enforcing officer.
D. 
Should the Construction Code Official, Borough Engineer or Superintendent of Public Works determine that the roof drains or sump pump discharge on a particular property is creating a nuisance or safety hazard, the roof drains or sump pump must then be connected directly to a municipal storm sewer system or an underground stormwater detention system, such as, but not limited to, a dry well or a French drain. Upon completion of the Construction Code Official's review thereof, the Construction Code Official may require that the applicant submit plans and calculations to the Borough Engineer for review and approval.
E. 
All sump pumps shall be installed and inspected in compliance with the plumbing and building codes of the Borough and the requirements of this section. All necessary permits must be obtained and fees paid before installation commences.
F. 
A sump pump must discharge through permanent, rigid piping.
G. 
The sump pump discharge shall be located no less than 10 feet from the building unless the Borough Engineer determines in advance in a particular case that compliance with this requirement is not practicable and for this reason approves, in writing, an alternative location.
H. 
In connection with required review and approvals by the Borough Engineer, the person requesting the approval shall deposit funds in escrow with the Borough sufficient to cover the reasonable estimate of the fees and expenses of the Engineer relating to the review and approval. All approvals by the Borough Engineer shall contain a statement of reasons and true copies thereof shall be kept on file by the Ridgefield Building Department.
I. 
General specifications for an underground stormwater detention system shall be required as follows:
(1) 
The sides and top of the stormwater detention system must be completely lined with filter fabric in order to prohibit the migration of fines from the surrounding soil into the stormwater detention system, unless a structure enclose chamber is provided.
(2) 
The bottom of the stormwater detention system must be as level as possible in order to provide a uniform surface for infiltration.
(3) 
Any stone fill within the stormwater detention system must be clean, washed aggregate between 1.5 and 3.0 inches in diameter.
(4) 
An inspection port with removable cap is required to allow for inspection and maintenance.
(5) 
The seasonal high water table (SHWT) and bedrock must be at least two feet below the bottom of the dry well. Prior to installation of a new stormwater detention system, percolation testing shall be performed and results submitted to the Ridgefield Building Department.
(6) 
An emergency overflow shall be a part of stormwater detention system.
(7) 
The Borough Engineer may modify the above specifications for good cause.
J. 
No person shall construct, arrange or maintain any drain pipes or leaders or so alter the surface contour of his land so as to accumulate and divert excessive amounts of water onto any adjoining lands or into the streets. In addition, no sump pumps shall be allowed which pump water from cellars onto streets or which pump water from cellars or basements onto the surface of the ground in such manner that the water shall run onto or reach any street or adjoining lands.
K. 
Any person who shall violate the terms and provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine in the amount not to exceed $500. However, as to violations for failing to correct or remediate the condition identified in Subsection C above, the fine shall be $100 per day for each day the condition is not corrected or remediated, following the passage of 90 days from the date of receipt of the notice set forth in that subsection.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811]
No person shall, without the appropriate permit, discharge directly or indirectly into the Borough's public sanitary sewer system any wastes or wastewater which contains any of the following:
A. 
Oil and grease. Oil and grease from nonresidential facilities, in concentrations or amounts violating applicable pretreatment standards as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (hereafter "EPA") or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (hereinafter "DEP"). This includes:
(1) 
Petroleum based hydrocarbons as determined by silica gel absorption.
(2) 
Wastewater from retail, commercial and/or industrial facilities containing floatable fats, wax, grease or oil.
(3) 
Total fats, wax, grease or oil containing concentrations of more than 100 mg/a, whether emulsified or not, or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32° and 150° F. (0° and 65° C.) at the point of discharge into the sewer system.
B. 
Explosive and/or flammable mixtures. Liquids, solids or gases which, by reason of their nature or quantity, are or may be sufficient, either alone or by interaction with other substances, to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in any other way to the sewer system or to the operation thereof. Such materials include, but are not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perehlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides and sulfides.
C. 
Noxious material. Noxious material, pollutants which either singly or by interaction with other wastes, are malodorous or capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life or health or are present in sufficient concentrations to prevent entry into the sewer system for its maintenance and repair.
D. 
Improperly shredded garbage. Garbage that has not been ground or comminuted to such a degree that all particles will be floating or carried freely in suspension under flow conditions normally prevailing in the sewer system with no particle greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension. The discharge of any improperly shredded garbage is prohibited; this prohibition does not apply to the use of garbage disposal units in private dwellings, whose only discharge is domestic wastewater.
E. 
Radioactive wastes. Prohibited in conformance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-11.2. (Disposal of radioactive materials-disposal by release into sanitary sewerage systems.)
F. 
Solid or viscous wastes. Solid or viscous wastes which will or may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or otherwise interfere with the proper operation of the sewer system. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, grease, improperly shredded garbage, animal guts or tissues, diseased human organs or tissue fluids, paunch manure, bones, hair, hides or fleshing, entrails, whole blood, feathers, ashes, cinders, sand, spent lime, stone or marble dust, metal, glass, straw, shavings, grass clippings, rags, spent grains, spent hops, waste paper, wood, plastic, tar, asphalt residues, residues from refining or processing of fuel or lubricating oil and similar substances.
G. 
Excessive discharge. Wastewater at a flow rate that exceeds for any time period longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average daily flow rate of the nonresidential user during normal operation or containing such concentrations or quantities of pollutants that, in the judgement of the Superintendent of Public Works or Borough Engineer, would cause a treatment upset, interference or loss of treatment efficiency.
H. 
Toxic discharge. Waters and wastes containing objectionable or toxic substances in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with the other pollutants, to result in pass-through, to cause the interference with the sewer system or to constitute a hazard to humans or animals or to exceed standards promulgated by the EPA or the DEP.
I. 
Stormwater. Discharge of stormwater, including surface and ground water from sump pumps and cellar drains, into the sewer systems from any source.
J. 
Discolored materials. Wastes with a color higher than 500 units as per platinum cobalt standard.
K. 
Corrosive wastes. Any waste which will cause corrosion or deterioration to the sewer system. All wastes discharged to the sewer system must not have pH value lower than 5.5 or greater than 9.5 standard units. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, concentrated acids, alkalis, sulfides, chloride and fluoride compounds and substances which will react with water to form acidic or alkaline products which have a pH value that does not fall within the range stated herein.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811]
A. 
Interceptors required. Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the determination of the Health Officer, Building Subcode Official or Borough Engineer, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes, sand or other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for residential units. Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the property or business owner or operator, at the owner's or operator's sole cost and expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times and easily accessible for inspection.
B. 
Features of required interceptors. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Health Officer, Building Subcode Official or Borough Engineer and shall be located so as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight. Interceptors shall be mechanical devices which operate automatically and are not solely dependent upon the actions of others for maintenance and operation.
C. 
Inspections. The Borough Engineer, Health Officer, Construction Official and Superintendent of Public Works shall be permitted to enter upon all nonresidential properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, sampling and testing to insure compliance with the provisions of this section.
Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times. Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any waters or waste, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation, by the owner at his expense.
A. 
In the case of a spillage of any human or animal excrement, garbage, industrial waste, other sanitary sewage or other objectionable waste, the property owner shall immediately on discovering, or being notified of, said spillage, take steps to stop said spillage. As soon as said spillage is stopped, the property owner shall remove said spillage from the affected area, including topsoil if necessary, and clean any affected area so that no odor is detectable and no residue is visible. No such spillage shall be buried in the area. Containers of such spillage shall be removed from the premises immediately.
B. 
Penalties for violation of this section shall be:
(1) 
First offense: $100.
(2) 
Second offense: $500.
(3) 
Third and subsequent offenses: $1,000.
C. 
Each day or part thereof a spillage is allowed to remain shall constitute a separate offense.
When required, at the discretion of the municipality, of industries within the municipality whose wastewater discharge is found to be of such quality as to be in excess of 200% (BOD or SS) of the municipality's normal domestic wastewater and/or such quantity as to exceed 10,000 gallons per day, the owner of any property served by a house connection or building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer, at a location specified by the Borough Engineer, to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely located and shall be constructed in accordance with plans to be specifically and individually approved by the municipal consulting engineer. They shall provide continuous flow rate and volume recording as well as a location for acquisition of representative wastewater flow sampling. The facilities are to be accessible at all times by municipal representatives and maintained in a safe and clean condition by the industry. The manhole 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 wastes to which reference is made in § 333-34 shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage" published by the American Public Health Association, and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in § 333-38 or upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. The Borough can share information or split samples with an industrial user in the spirit of cooperation. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.
No person shall break, damage, destroy, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest on a charge of disorderly conduct.
[Amended 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811]
A. 
The Borough Engineer, Plumbing Subcode Official, Health Officer and other authorized employees of the Borough bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter on all nonresidential properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
The decisions of the Borough Engineer, Plumbing Subcode Official or Health Officer in the interpretation and application of this chapter shall be final and binding on the property owner or business operator as the case may be. The Borough Engineer, Plumbing Subcode Official or Health Officer may, in exercising reasonable discretion, waive strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter where such compliance would cause an undue hardship, other than a hardship based solely on increased financial expense, to the property owner or business operator involved.
Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter, except §§ 333-37 and 333-41 shall be served by the Borough with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall become liable to the Borough for any expense, loss or damage occasioned by the Borough by reason of such violation.
A. 
Preamble.
(1) 
The federal government has enacted and amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, now known as the "Federal Clean Water Act" (33 U.S.C. 1150 et seq.).
(2) 
The Bergen County Utilities Authority has enacted rules and regulations, as required by the Federal Clean Water Act incorporating an industrial cost recovery system, a user charge system, and regulations pertaining to the use of sanitary sewers.
(3) 
The Borough is within the district serviced by the Bergen County Utilities Authority and has contracted with the Bergen County Utilities Authority for the removal and treatment of the wastewater contained within the sanitary sewers of the Borough.
(4) 
The Borough desires to assure that the sanitary sewers operated and maintained by it will conform to the best sanitary engineering practices and comply with the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act.
B. 
Sewer use in compliance with county authority. The use of all sanitary sewers of the Borough shall be in compliance with the rules and regulations enacted by the Bergen County Utilities Authority.
C. 
Systems adopted and enacted. The Borough hereby adopts and enacts the user charge system and industrial cost recovery system contained in the rules and regulations of the Bergen County Utilities Authority, and authorize their immediate implementation by the appropriate municipal official, to be designated by resolution of the governing body.
D. 
Rules and regulations on file. Not fewer than three copies of the rules and regulations of the Bergen County Utilities Authority have been and are filed in the office of the Borough Clerk and are available for public inspection during normal business hours.
E. 
Copies of rules and regulations available. Copies of the rules and regulations of the Bergen County Utilities Authority can be obtained from the Bergen County Utilities Authority for the cost of publication.
[Added 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811]
Any effluent limitations and other requirements currently in effect or which are adopted henceforth by the EPA, DEP or any other government entity having jurisdiction shall apply in any instance where they arc more stringent than those set forth in this chapter and said law, regulation, code or order shall supersede this chapter.
[Added 3-24-2003 by Ord. No. 1811]
A. 
Each industry for which the estimated charge will exceed $1,000 per year shall install a suitable meter or device for continuously recording the flow discharged into the municipality's sewer system. Plans for complete metering installation shall be submitted to the governing body for approval.
B. 
In case of industries for which the total annual charge is estimated to be less than $1,000, the volume of flow used in computing charges shall be based upon metered water consumption.
C. 
In the event that evidence is presented indicating that more than 20% of the total annual volume of water used for all purposes does not reach the municipality's sewer system, an estimate may be made of the proper amount to be deducted.
D. 
Where industries have a private water supply, all or part of which is discharged into the municipality's sanitary sewer system, the amount of such supply or the part thereof discharged into the municipality's sanitary sewer system shall be metered and included in the charges to be made.
E. 
In computing the charges, each factory or industrial establishment shall be allowed a credit of 30 gallons per person per day for sanitary purposes for each person employed in such factory or industrial establishment.