Article 6. Sewers
15-601 Definitions.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms as used in this article shall be as follows:
(Ord. 879, Art. I, Secs. 1:22; Code 1994, 17-601)
15-602 Disposal of sewage.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the city or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, any human or animal excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste.
(Ord. 879, Art. II, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-602)
15-603 Natural outlet.
It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the city, any sewage or other polluted wastes, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this article.
(Ord. 879, Art. II, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-603)
15-604 Privy unlawful.
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended to be used for the disposal of sewage.
(Ord. 879, Art. II, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-604)
15-605 Public sewer; connection required.
The owner of all houses, building or property used for human occupancy, employment, recreational or other purposes situated within the city on any street, alley or right-of-way in which areas are now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the city, is hereby required at their expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facility directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-605)
15-606 Private sewer system.
Where a public sanitary sewer is not available, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with these provisions.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-606)
15-607 Same; permit.
Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the superintendent. A permit fee as set forth in Section 1-1101 shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time the application is filed.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-607; Ord. 1400)
15-608 Same.
A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent that the same is in conformity with the state and local standards. He or she shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction. In any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered. Inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-608)
15-609 Same; discharge.
The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations and requirements of the local and/or county health department. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 5; Code 1994, 17-609)
15-610 Same; sanitary manner.
The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 6; Code 1994, 17-610)
15-611 Same; additional requirements; health officer.
No statement contained within in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 7; Code 1994, 17-611)
15-612 Same.
At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, within 60 days, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this article and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with gravel or dirt.
(Ord. 879, Art. III, Sec. 8; Code 1994, 17-612)
15-613 Damage to sewers.
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to uncover, make any connections with or an opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the superintendent.
(Ord. 879, Art. IV, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-613)
15-614 Discharges.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, directly or indirectly, any substances into the public sewer prohibited by any provision of this article.
(Ord. 879, Art. IV, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-615)
15-615 Same.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, ground water, roof run-off, subsurface drainage, including interior and exterior foundation drains, pump discharge, cooling water, or industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
(Ord. 879, Art. IV, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-615)
15-616 Same.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge substances, materials, waters or waters described in sections 15-633:639 without written permission of the superintendent, into the public sewer.
(Ord. 879, Art. IV, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-616)
15-617 Damage.
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully break, damage, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is part of the public sewer works.
(Ord. 879, Art. IV, Sec. 5; Code 1994, 17-617)
15-618 Connections; private sewer.
Construction of private sewer to be connected to sanitary sewer shall be supervised by a plumber licensed by this city, who shall be responsible to see that construction is done in compliance with this article.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-618)
15-619 Same.
Each private sewer system shall include in its construction a valve or other effective apparatus to prevent backflow of sanitary system onto the private premises. Landowner shall be responsible to maintain his or her backflow system in working order.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-619)
15-620 Costs.
All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-620)
15-621 Separate sewer for every building.
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building, except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-621)
15-622 Old building sewers.
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the superintendent, to meet all requirements of this article.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 5; Code 1994, 17-622)
15-623 Permits; classes.
There shall be two classes of building sewer permits (a) for residential and commercial service, and (b) for service to establish and produce an industrial waste. In either case, the owner or their agent shall make application on a special form supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the superintendent. Additionally, there shall be a connection fee charged for connection of private and commercial sewers as set forth in Section 15-123. Permit inspection fees for residential and commercial building sewers and industrial building sewers are as set forth in Section 1-1101. The fees shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time the application is filed.
(Ord. 640, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-623; Ord. 1400)
15-624 Same; specifications.
The building sewer shall be cast iron pipe, ASTM specifications A74-42, or equal; vitrified clay sewer pipe, ASTM specifications C13- 44T, or plastic pipe; PVC 1120, SDR 35 of ASTM Designation D-1784 or ABS of ASTM D-2122. Joints for PVC pipe shall be either O-ring rubber gasket joints or solvent-cemented joints, or equal. All joints shall be tight and waterproof. No building sewer shall be located within 10 feet horizontally of a water service pipe.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 7; Code 1994, 17-624)
15-625 Sewer specifications.
The size and slope of the building sewer to be installed shall be subject to the approval of the superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter of the pipe be less than four or six inches. The slope of such six inch pipe shall not be less than 1/8 inch per foot. If four inch pipe is allowed, 1/4 inch per foot shall be minimum for that size connection.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 8; Code 1994, 17-625)
15-626 Sewer elevation.
Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at a uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible. Changes in direction shall be made with properly curved pipe and fittings.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 9; Code 1994, 17-626)
15-627 Same.
In all buildings in which the building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved artificial means and discharged to the building sewer. The use of any pumping equipment for which cross-connections with a public water supply system are needed, is prohibited.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 10; Code 1994, 17-627)
15-628 Same.
All excavation required for the installation of a building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the superintendent. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with ASTM Specification C 12-19 except that no backfill be placed until the work has been inspected.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 11; Code 1994, 17-628)
15-629 Connection to public sewer.
The connection of a building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the “Y” branch, if such branch is available at a suitable location. If the public sewer is 12 inches in diameter or less, and no properly located “Y” branch is available, the owner shall at his or her expense install a “Y” branch in the public sewer location specified by the superintendent. When the public sewer is greater than 12 inches in diameter, and no properly located “Y” branch is available, a neat hole may be cut in the public sewer to receive the building sewer with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about 45 degrees. A 45 degree elbow may be used to make such connections with the spigot end cut so as not to extend past the inner surface of the public sewer. The invert of the building sewer at the point of the connection shall be at the same or a higher elevation as the invert of the public sewer. The smooth, neat joints shall be made, and the connection be made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete. Special fittings may be used for the connection only when approved by the superintendent.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 12; Code 1994, 17-629)
15-630 Inspection before connection to public sewer.
The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the superintendent or his or her representative.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 13; Code 1994, 17-630)
15-631 Barricades and lights.
All excavations for public sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights as to protect the public from hazards. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 14; Code 1994, 17-631)
15-632 Connections.
No person shall make connections of roof downspouts, exterior and interior, foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface run-off or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to the public sanitary sewer.
(Ord. 879, Art. V, Sec. 15; Code 1994, 17-632)
15-633 Unlawful discharges.
The following substances shall be prohibited from introduction into the public sewer system:
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-633)
15-634 Same; discretion of director.
The following substances and uses shall be prohibited from introduction into the sewer system unless written authorization is given by the superintendent who shall consider the following factors in granting permission the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the plant, degree of treatability of wastes in the sewage treatment plan, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited are:
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-634)
15-635 Same; procedure.
If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in section 15-634, and which in the judgment of the superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or would otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the superintendent may:
Plans, specifications, and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the superintendent and of the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment. No construction of such facilities shall be commenced until the approvals are obtained in writing.
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-635; Ord. 1357)
15-636 Interceptors.
Grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, or other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the superintendent and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are required or permitted for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his or her expense. When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer, 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 approved by the superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his or her expense, and shall be maintained by him or her so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-636)
15-637 Same.
Measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this article shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association, and shall be determined at the control manhole provided, or upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. 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. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of the constituents upon the sewage works and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb, and property. (The particular analyses involved will determine whether a 24 hour composite of all building sewers of a premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are obtained from 24-hour composites of all building sewers whereas pH’s and heavy metals are determined from periodic grab samples.)
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 5; Code 1994, 17-637)
15-638 Same.
No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefore, by the industrial concern.
(Ord. 879, Art. VI, Sec. 6; Code 1994, 17-638)
15-639 Same.
Any and all approvals, permits or authorizations or any other clearances granted by the superintendent may be revoked for cause whether it be by reason of change in standards or because of existing or impending damage to the public sewer or use thereof.
(Ord. 879, Art.VI, Sec. 7; Code 1994, 17-639)
15-640 Entering premises; inspections.
The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article. The superintendent or his or her representatives shall have no authority to inquire into any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper, or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for waste treatment.
Samples and measurements will be taken by the City at times and utilizing methods as required by the superintendent or their authorized representative. Such inspection may include random grab testing. The strength of the sewage discharge by the industrial or commercial user will be determined by the analyses of said samples. BOD levels disclosed by such testing will be applied to each day of the corresponding billing cycle. The user shall be responsible for all costs of testing and inspection if testing reveals any prohibited discharges under this article.
The user, at their expense, may be required at the sole discretion of the superintendent to provide monitoring and flow measurement facilities which coincide at the point at which effluent limits apply. Sampling locations must be safe, convenient, and accessible to the industrial user and City utilities personnel.
If any industrial or commercial user chooses not to accept the analytical determination made by the City for a billing period, such user shall, prior to the date on which payment of the charges for such billing is due, notify the superintendent in writing and, at their sole expense, employ an independent laboratory which is certified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and acceptable to the superintendent, to conduct sampling and analysis of their sewage.
The time period, location, and method for the collection of the samples shall be designated by the City. The City and the independent laboratory shall both preside over the collection of the samples and shall equally divide the samples so that duplicate analysis may be performed.
If results of the analysis of the sewage sample made by both the City and the independent laboratory are not comparable, the superintendent may appoint a second independent laboratory certified by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to analyze the sewage. The sampling procedures used will be the same as those outlined above. The results of these analyses, together with the previous results, shall be used to determine the actual extra strength charges for the subject billing period. The fee for the second independent laboratory analyses shall be paid for by the user.
When regulations, Federal, State or City, require monitoring of the waste from an industry, that industry shall pay a monitoring charge.
The monitoring charge shall consist of all costs for personnel, material and equipment used to collect and analyze samples from the user’s wastewater. The exact charge shall be based on actual costs and shall be determined by the superintendent.
(Ord. 879, Art. VII, Sec. 1; Code 1994, 17-640; Ord. 1357)
15-641 Same.
While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in this article, the superintendent or duly authorized employees of the city shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company.
(Ord. 879, Art. VII, Sec. 2; Code 1994, 17-641)
15-642 Same.
The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the city holds a duly negotiated easement for the purposes of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair and maintenance of any portion of the sewage works lying within the easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on the easement shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved.
(Ord. 879, Art. VII, Sec. 3; Code 1994, 17-642)
15-643 Same.
The city shall have the right to disconnect private sewer services to the public sewer, when it appears that the construction or use of the private sewer is not in compliance with this article and that continued connection would be of injury to the system or its users. For this purpose, the city may come upon private property so far as is necessary to make the disconnection.
(Ord. 879, Art. VII, Sec. 4; Code 1994, 17-643)
15-644 Charges.
A monthly service charge for the use of services rendered by the sewage disposal system shall be paid to the City by all persons, firms, corporations, and any organizations within or without the City having a sewer connection directly or indirectly with the sewage system of the City shall be as follows:
(Ord. 1046; Ord. 1165; Ord. 1189; Ord. 1243; Code 2022; Ord. 1357; Ord. 1360; Ord. 1380)