Chapter 13 - Wastewater
ARTICLE
13-1
ARTICLE
13-2
ARTICLE
13-3
ARTICLE
13-4
ARTICLE
13-5
ARTICLE 13-1 DEFINITIONS
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
-
"B.O.D." denoting biochemical oxygen demand means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at twenty degrees centigrade expressed in milligrams per liter.
-
"Building sewer" means the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.
-
"Hazardous waste" means those items as defined in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) part 261.
-
"Normal wastewater" means wastewater that contains not more than 300 mg/l B.O.D.s, or 300 mg/l suspended solids, is within a pH range of 6.5 - 8.0 or does not contain excessive amounts of other materials as may reasonably be determined by the town.
-
"pH" means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.
-
"Public sewer" means a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights and which is controlled by public authority.
-
"Replacement" means expenditures for obtaining and installing equipment, accessories or appurtenances which are necessary during the service life of the treatment works to maintain the capacity and performance for which such works were designed and constructed.
-
"Sanitary sewer" means a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface and groundwater are not intentionally admitted.
-
"Sewage" means wastes from toilets, baths, sinks, lavatories, laundries and other plumbing fixtures in residences, institutions, public and business buildings, mobile homes, watercraft and other places of human habitation, employment or recreation. "Sewage" does not include motor oil, gasoline, paints, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers or other materials not generally associated with toilet flushing, food preparation, laundry and personal hygiene.
-
"Sewage treatment plant" means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.
-
"Sewage works" means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage.
-
"Sewer" means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
-
"Suspended solids" means 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.
-
"Wastewater" means the same as sewage.
ARTICLE 13-2 CONNECTION FEES AND RATES
Section 13-2-1 Application for Service
No sewer connection connecting the town sanitary sewer system to any consumer shall be made by any person or the town except upon written application furnished to the town by the owner of the premises to which sanitary sewer service is to be furnished or his authorized agent. A monthly service charge will be made for such sanitary sewer connection according to the rates fixed by the town until the service is discontinued by order of the town or written order of the owner or his authorized agent.
Section 13-2-2 Connection Fees
The fee for each building connection for residential users and for commercial users shall be set by resolution of the council.
Section 13-2-3 Guarantee Deposit
-
A deposit, the amount of which shall be established by resolution, shall be required of a user. Such deposit shall be retained by the town as security for payment of future sanitary sewer charges until such service is terminated.
-
The individual in whose name the deposit is made shall be responsible for payment of all bills incurred in connection with the service furnished.
-
A separate deposit may be required for each sewer connection or each dwelling unit.
-
The guarantee deposit receipt is not negotiable and can be redeemed only at the town offices.
-
Where the town finds that the request for refund of a guarantee deposit is questionable, the town may require the applicant for refund to produce the deposit receipt properly endorsed.
-
Upon discontinuance of sanitary sewer service for nonpayment of bills, or at the request of the consumer, the guarantee deposit shall be applied by the town toward settlement of the final account of the consumer and any excess remaining shall be refunded to the consumer.
Section 13-2-4 Monthly Charges and Rates[1]
-
A monthly sewer service charge as established by the council shall be made for each sanitary sewer connection.
-
Rates may differ depending upon use, occupancy or location.
-
The council shall regulate and change the rates as it becomes necessary to meet the obligations of the town for the municipal sewer system.
-
All charges for sewer service are payable on the last day of the month following billing at town hall. Each consumer shall be responsible for the payment of charges at the proper place and time. If a monthly bill is still unpaid forty-five days following billing, the town reserves the right to place a lien on the property or to take the customer to small claims court to collect payment. Reconnection charge, payable in addition to a new deposit, shall be set by resolution of the council.
-
Prior to terminating service for nonpayment of amounts due, the town will give written notice to the consumer and provide an opportunity for a hearing for such consumer with the town manager or his designee.
-
In case any prescribed payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the effective date of payment, as set forth above, shall be deemed to be the day following such Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
ARTICLE 13-3 TOWN AND CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES
- 13-3-1 Town Responsibilities and Liabilities
- 13-3-2 Consumer Responsibility
- 13-3-3 Interference with Town Officials; Digging up Streets Without Permit
- 13-3-4 Unsanitary Disposal of Excrement Prohibited
- 13-3-5 Private Sewage Systems
- 13-3-6 Tampering with Equipment Prohibited
- 13-3-7 Permit Required
- 13-3-8 Inspection and Approval by Town
- 13-3-9 Records to be Kept of Building Connections
Section 13-3-1 Town Responsibilities and Liabilities
-
The town shall not be responsible for the installation, maintenance or inspection of the consumer's service line, piping and apparatus or for any defects therein.
-
The town shall have the right to refuse service, unless the consumer's lines or piping are installed in such manner as to prevent cross connections or backflow.
-
Under normal conditions, the consumer shall be notified of any anticipated interruption of service.
-
The town shall not be responsible for the negligence of third persons or forces beyond the control of the town resulting in any interruption of service or damage to the property of the consumer
.
-
The town may refuse service to any prospective consumer when the capacity of the sewer system will not permit additional loads being placed thereon.
Section 13-3-2 Consumer Responsibility
-
Building or house sewer connections on the consumer's premises shall be so arranged as to provide service to one lot. If additional service is required, it will be considered as a separate and individual account.
-
The consumer's house or building service line, sewer connection and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the consumer, at the consumer's expense, in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with the town's rules and regulations and in full compliance with the regulations of the State Department of Health Services.
-
The consumer shall safeguard the town's property placed on the consumer's premises and shall permit access to it only by the authorized representatives of the town.
-
In the event that any loss or damage to the property of the town or any accident or injury to persons or property is caused by or results from the negligence or wrongful act of the consumer, his agents or employees, the cost of necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by the consumer to the town and any liability otherwise resulting shall be assumed by the consumer. The amount of such loss or damage or the cost of repairs may be added to the consumer's bill, and, if not paid, service may be discontinued by the town.
-
The town may discontinue sewer service for the following additional reasons:
1. To prevent fraud or abuse.
2. The consumer's willful disregard of or refusal to comply with this chapter or other rules as may be adopted by the council.
-
When service to a consumer shall require the laying of any town sewer lines or the installation of any other town property on, under, across or over the consumer's property, the consumer will grant to the town an easement, right-of-way or license for such installation.
Section 13-3-3 Interference with Town Officials; Digging Up Streets Without Permit
It is unlawful for any person:
-
To interfere in any way with town officials in the discharge of any of their duties, either in the tapping of any sewer pipe, main or lateral belonging to the town or in the laying or connecting of such pipe, main or lateral.
-
To dig up or cause to be dug up any street or alley in the town for the purpose of connection with the sewer system of the town without first obtaining a permit from the town.
-
Who, having a permit, to dig up any portion of any street or alley of the town for the purpose of connecting with the sewer system of the town to fail or neglect to place the street or alley in its original condition under the supervision of the town and as required by the town.
Section 13-3-4 Unsanitary Disposal of Excrement Prohibited
It is unlawful for any person to deposit or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the town, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the town, any human or animal excrement or other objectionable waste.
Section 13-3-5 Private Sewage Systems
-
Compliance with Article. Except as provided in this article, it is unlawful to construct or maintain within the town any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.
-
When Permitted; Sanitation. Where a public sanitary sewer is not available within the town or in any area under the jurisdiction of the town, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system, which complies with the regulations of the State Department of Health Services. Such private sewage disposal system shall be constructed, maintained and operated at all times in a sanitary manner.
-
Discontinuance. After a public sewer becomes available within one hundred fifty feet of any property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.
Section 13-3-6 Tampering with Equipment Prohibited
No person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage system.
Section 13-3-7 Permit Required
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the town.
Section 13-3-8 Inspection and Approval by Town
No building sewer will be connected to the building connection until it has been inspected and approved by the town. Fees for such inspections shall be determined from time to time by the council.
Section 13-3-9 Records to be Kept of Building Connections
The town shall keep a record of all building connections made, the purpose for which they are to be used, together with the name of the owner of the property, his agent or representative.
ARTICLE 13-4 USE OF PUBLIC SEWERS
Section 13-4-1 Prohibited Substances[2]
-
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, swimming pool water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
-
Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes into any public sewer:
1. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Any water or waste which may contain more than fifty parts per million by weight of fat, oil or grease.
3. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.
4. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.
5. Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, grits such as brick, cement, onyx, carbide or any other solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operation of the sewer works.
6. Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than five and one half or higher than nine or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works.
7. Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant.
8. Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant.
9. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.
-
Commercial operations utilizing hazardous substances or creating hazardous waste, as defined in A.R.S § 49-921 (5), shall not be discharged into sanitary sewer lines.
-
Hazardous waste and items not included in the definition of "sewage" shall not be discharged into the sanitary sewer lines or the sewage lagoons of the town.
Section 13-4-2 Interceptors Required
-
Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the town, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units.
-
Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious material 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 gas tight and watertight.
-
Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times.
Section 13-4-3 Authority for Review and Approval of Certain Discharges
The admission into the public sewers of any waters or wastes having any of the following characteristics shall be subject to the review and approval of the town:
-
A five day biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) greater than three hundred parts per million by weight.
-
Containing more than three hundred fifty parts per million by weight of suspended solids.
-
Containing any quantity of substance having the characteristics described in Section 13-4-1.
-
Having an average daily flow of greater than two percent of the average daily sewage flow of the town.
Section 13-4-4 Preliminary Treatment
-
Required. Where necessary in the opinion of the town, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to:
1. Reduce the B.O.D. to three hundred parts per million and the suspended solids to three hundred fifty parts per million by weight.
2. Reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for in Section 13-4-3.
3. Control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.
-
Approval. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for approval of the town and the Arizona State Department of Health Services. No construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approvals are obtained in writing.
-
Maintenance of Facilities. Where preliminary treatment facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.
Section 13-4-5 Manholes
When required by the town, the owner of any property served by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole in the building sewer to facilitate observation and sampling of wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessible and safely located and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the town. 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.
Section 13-4-6 Tests and Analyses
All tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes, to which reference is made in Sections 13-4-1, 13-4-3 and 13-4-4, shall be determined in accordance with "standard methods for the examination of water and sewage" and shall be determined at the control manhole provided for in this article or upon suitable samples taken at such control manhole.
Section 13-4-7 Special Agreements with Industrial Concerns
No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the town and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the town for treatment, subject to payment therefor by the industrial concern.
ARTICLE 13-5 REGULATIONS PART OF CONTRACT
All regulations contained in this chapter shall be considered a part of the contract of every resident of the town taking sewer service from the town, and such resident taking sewer service shall be considered as having expressly consented to be bound thereby. Consumers outside the town limits shall, upon application for sewer service, be required to sign a statement agreeing to the regulations set forth in this chapter.
_______________________________________________