CHAPTER XV. UTILITIESCHAPTER XV. UTILITIES\ARTICLE 3. SEWERS

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of words and terms as used in this article shall be as follows:

(a)   B.O.D. (denoting Biochemical Oxygen Demand) shall mean the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees centigrade, expressed in parts per million by weight.

(b)   Building Drain shall mean that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet (1.5 meters) outside the innerface of the building wall.

(c)   Building Sewer shall mean the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.

(d)   Combined Sewer shall mean a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.

(e)   Garbage shall mean solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.

(f)   Industrial Wastes shall mean the liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade or business as distinct from sanitary sewage.

(g)   Natural Outlet shall mean any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or groundwater.

(h)   Person shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group.

(i)    pH shall mean the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

(j)    Properly Shredded Garbage shall mean the wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) in any dimension.

(k)   Public Sewer shall mean a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.

(l)    Sanitary Sewer shall mean a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface waters and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

(m)  Sewage shall mean a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, and stormwaters as may be present.

(n)   Sewage Treatment Plant shall mean any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

(o)   Sewage Works shall mean all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage.

(p)   Sewer shall mean a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

(q)   Shall is mandatory; May is permissive.

(r)    Slug shall mean any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average 24 hour concentration or flows during normal operation.

(s)   Storm Drain (sometimes termed storm sewer) shall mean a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial waste, other than polluted industrial wastes.

(t)    Superintendent shall mean the superintendent of sewage works and/or of water pollution control of the city or his or her authorized deputy, agent or representative.

(u)   Suspended Solids shall mean 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.

(v)   Watercourse shall mean a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

(a)   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.

(b)   It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the city or in any area under the jurisdiction of the city, or any sewage or other polluted water, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this article.

(c)   Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage, except as provided by 15-303. 

(d)   The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city is hereby required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 100 (30.5 meters) feet of the property line. 

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

(a)   Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 15-302, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provision of this article.

(b)   Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city clerk.  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 city clerk.  A permit and inspection fee of $15 shall be paid to the city clerk at the time the application is filed.

(c)   A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent.  He or she shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, 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.  The inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.

(d)   The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of KDHE.  No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than three acres. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or nature outlet.

(e)   At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in section 15-302, 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 suitable material.

(f)   The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

(g)   No statement contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer.

(h)   When a public sewer becomes available the building sewer shall be connected to the sewer within 60 days and the private sewage disposal system shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean backrun gravel or dirt.

(i)    It shall be the responsibility of each property owner with a septic tank to have the tank cleaned (pumped) out a minimum of one time per year, to assure the system is working properly.  Proof of having the system cleaned may be required by city officials if there is reason to believe the system may require maintenance.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3; Code 2003)

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 city clerk. 

(a)   Residential – $15.

(b)   Commercial – $25.

(c)   Industrial – $50.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3; Code 2003)

There shall be two classes of building sewer permits:  (1) for residential and commercial or industrial service, and (2) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes.  In either case, the owner or his or her agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city.  Their permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the superintendent.  A permit and inspection fee of $15 for a residential, commercial, or industrial building sewer permit shall be paid to the city clerk at the time the application is filed.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer 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. 1030, Sec. 3)

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 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. 1030, Sec. 3)

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. 1030, Sec. 3)

The building sewer shall be cast iron soil pipe, ASTM specification (A74-42) or equal; vitrified clay seer pipe, ASTM specification (C13-44T), plastic or other suitable material approved by the superintendent.  Joints shall be tight and waterproof.  Cast iron soil pipe with leaded joints may be required by the superintendent where the building sewer is exposed to damage by tree roots.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

The size, slope and alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer, and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling the trench, shall all conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the city.  In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and W.P.C.F. Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor.  In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public wastewater collection system, the wastewater carried by such a building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.  Where a building contains a basement without any fixture unit at the basement level, the building drain below the ground floor level is permissible to gravity flow into the building sewer.  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 uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible.  Changes in direction shall be made only with properly curved pipe and fittings, including cleanout fittings.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

All excavations 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 specifications (C12-19) except that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

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.  A notice of 24 hours is required.  The connection shall be made under the supervision of the superintendent or his or her representative.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard.  Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restricted in a manner satisfactory to the city.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, including interior and exterior foundation drains, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewers.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the superintendent.  Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, upon approval of the superintendent, to a storm sewer, or natural outlet.  Connection of roof down spouts, exterior or interior foundation drains, areaway drains, sump pumps discharging other than domestic wastes, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public wastewater collection system  is prohibited.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewers:

(a)   Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquids, solid or gas.

(b)   Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance, or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant, including but not limited to cyanides in excess of two mg/1 as CV in the wastes as discharged to the public sewer.

(c)   Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5, or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works.

(d)   Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works such as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, ingrained  garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, feminine products, baby wipes, diapers, and paper towels, paper dishes, paper cups, mild containers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3; Code 2013)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the superintendent that such wastes can harm either the sewers, sewage treatment process or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property or constitute a nuisance.  In forming his or her opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the superintendent will give consideration to such factors as the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the sewers, nature of the sewage treatment process, capacity of the sewage treatment plant, degree of treatability of wastes in the sewage.

(a)   Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Centigrade).

(b)   Any water or wastes containing fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 20 mg/1 or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 65 degrees Centigrade).

(c)   Any garbage that has not been properly shredded.  The installation and operation of any garbage grinder equipped with a motor of 3/4 horsepower (0.76 hp metric) or greater shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent.

(d)   Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron picking wastes, or concentrated plating solutions whether neutralized or not.

(e)   Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc, and similar objectionable or toxic substances; or wastes exerting an excessive chlorine requirement, to such degree that any such material received in the composite sewage at the sewage treatment works exceeds the limits established by the superintendent for such materials.

(f)   Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste- or odor-producing substances, in such concentrations exceeding limits which may be established by the superintendent as necessary, after treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of state, federal or other public agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters.

(g)   Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the superintendent in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations.

(h)   Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 9.5.

(i)    Materials which exert or cause:

(1)   Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth, lime slurries, and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride or sodium sulfate).

(2)   Excessive discoloration such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.

(3)   Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand, or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the sewage treatment works.

(4)   Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting slugs as defined herein.

(j)    Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the sewage treatment processes employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters.

(k)   Any waters or wastes having (1) a five-day BOD greater than 300 parts per million by weight, or (2) containing more than 350 parts per million by weight of suspended solids, or (3) having an average daily flow greater than two percent of the average sewage flow of the city, shall be subject to the review of the superintendent.  Where necessary in the opinion of the superintendent, the owner shall provide, at his or her expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to

(1)   reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to 300 parts per million by weight,

(2)   reduce the suspended solids to 350 parts per weight, or

(3)   control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.  Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the superintendent and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until the approvals are obtained in writing.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3; Code 2003)

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 15-318 of this article and which in the judgment of the superintendent, may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, process, equipment or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life to constitute a public nuisance, the superintendent may:

(a)   Reject the wastes;

(b)   Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers;

(c)   Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or,

(d)   Requirement payment to cover the added costs of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of section 15-324 or this article.

If the superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any wasters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his or her expense.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property services 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. 1030, Sec. 3)

All measurements, tests, and analysis 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 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 outfalls of a premise is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken.  Normally, but not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are contained from 24-hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH’s are determined from periodic grab samples.)

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

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 therefor, by the industrial concern.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willful, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, 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 under charge of disorderly conduct.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for 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.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in section 15-325 above, the superintendent or duly authorized employees of the city shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company and the company shall be held harmless for injury or death to the city employees and the city shall indemnify the company against loss or damage to its property by city employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe conditions as required in section 15-322.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

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. 1030, Sec. 3)

Any person found to be violating any provision of this article except section 15-324 shall be served by the city 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.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in section 15-328 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined in the amount not exceeding $100 for each violation.  Each 24-hour period in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be come liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the city by reason of such violation.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

The user charge system shall generate adequate annual revenues to pay cost of annual operation and maintenance including replacement and cost associated with financing the treatment works which the city may by ordinance designate to be paid by the user charge system.  That portion of the total user charge which is designated for operation and maintenance including replacement of the treatment works shall be established by this article.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

That portion of the total user charge collected which is designated for operation and maintenance including replacement purposes as established in section 15-333, shall be deposited in a separate non-lapsing fund known as the operation, maintenance and replacement fund and will be kept in three primary accounts as follows;

(a)   An account designated for the specific purpose of defraying operation and maintenance costs (excluding replacement) of the treatment works (operation and maintenance account).

(b)   An account designated for the specific purpose of making bond and interest payments.

(b)   An account designated for the specific purpose of ensuring replacement needs over the useful life of the treatment works (replacement account). Each month any surplus funds over an amount equal to two months average expenses will be transferred to the sewer, surplus account.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

Fiscal year-end balances in the operation and maintenance account and the replacement account shall be carried over to the same accounts in the subsequent fiscal year, and shall be used for no other purposes than those designated for these accounts.  Monies which have been transferred from other sources to meet temporary shortages in the operation and maintenance, bond and interest and replacement fund shall be returned to their respective account upon appropriate adjustments of the user charge rates for operation and maintenance, bond and interest and replacement.  The user charge rate(s) shall be adjusted such that the transferred monies will be returned to their respective accounts within the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the monies were borrowed.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

(a)   The following classes of users and charges to those users are hereby established:

Class I.  Residential Users — Inside City Limits Single Family Contributors.

(1)   1,000 gallons or less of water usage per month — $24.13.

(2)   Usage for over 1,000 gallons of water per month will be $1.87 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Usage shall be determined by the average water usage for the preceding months of January, February and March. If the user has not established an average water usage in the preceding months of January, February and March, they shall be charged based on 1,000 gallons usage for the first three months of their account activity. Their sewer charge will then be based upon their first three months of water usage until the next averaging time frame begins.

Class II.  Residential Users — Inside City Limits Multi-Family Contributors.

(1)   For duplexes and single family residences sharing the same water meter, there shall be established a separate rate of $24.13 per month per household unit.

(2)   For multi-family units, (apartments, mobile home parks, senior citizen housing, etc.) the total amount of water used each month will be broken down into an amount equal to the city’s average residential water usage (5,000 gallons) to determine the number of equivalent household units, which will be charged at $24.13 per month for each equivalent household unit.

Class III.  Residential Users — Outside City Limits Single Family Contributors.

(1)   1,000 gallons or less of water usage per month — $36.19.

(2)   Usage for over 1,000 gallons of water per month will be $2.84 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Usage shall be determined by the average water usage for the preceding months of January, February and March. If the user has not established an average water usage in the preceding months of January, February and March, they shall be charged based on 1,000 gallons usage for the first three months of their account activity. Their sewer charge will then be based upon their first three months of water usage until the next averaging time frame begins.

Class IV.  Commercial/Industrial Users.

(1)   1,000 gallons or less of water usage per month — $24.13.

(2)   Usage for over 1,000 gallons of water per month will be $2.97 per 1,000 gallons up to and including 11,000; and then $3.94 per thousand gallons for each 1,000 gallons thereafter.

Class V.  Commercial Multiple User Contributors.

(1)   For multiple user contributors, (inmate facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) the total amount of water used each month will be broken down into an amount equal to the city’s average residential water usage (5,000 gallons) to determine the number of equivalent household units, which will be charged at $24.13 per month for each equivalent household unit.

Class VI.  Schools.

(1)   1,000 gallons or less of water usage per month — $24.13.

(2)   Usage for over 1,000 gallons of water per month will be $2.97 per 1,000 gallons up to and including 11,000; and then $3.94 per thousand gallons for each 1,000 gallons thereafter.

(b)   If a non-residential contributor uses water in a manner in which it is not returned to the wastewater collection and treatment system, the monthly sewer user charge for that contributor may be based on a wastewater meter or separate water meter. The meter must be installed and maintained at the owner’s expense, in a manner acceptable to the city. The meter shall be open and available for inspection and reading by an authorized city representative.

(c)   Service connection fees; city. A service fee of $50 shall be charged to all persons, firms or corporations who are located within the city limits and are applying for a new sewer service connection under this article.

(d)   Service connection fees; rural. A service fee of $350 shall be charged to all persons, firms or corporations who are located outside of the city limits and are applying for a new sewer service connection under this article.

(Ord. 1122; Code 2003; Ord. 1273; Ord. 1336; Ord. 1421; Ord. 1469)

Any user which discharges any toxic pollutants which cause an increase in the cost of managing the effluent or the sludge from the city’s treatment works, or any user which discharges any substance which singly or by interaction with other substances causes identifiable increases in the cost of operation, maintenance or replacement of the treatment works, shall pay for such increased costs.  The charge to such user shall be as determined by the responsible plant operating personnel and approved by the city council.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

The user charge rates established in this article apply to all users, at each apartment, house, business, etc. regardless of their location, of the city’s treatment works.

(Ord. 1030, Sec. 3)

The owners of property who commence new construction within any area of the city in which the plans and specifications of the city sewer system call for the installation of individual sewer grinder pumps must obtain the sewer grinder stations through the city.  The individual sewer grinder station shall be purchased at the expense of the property owner.  The individual sewer grinder station will be maintained by the city.  The property owner will reimburse the city for any parts needed to maintain the grinder stations, with the parts being billed at the city’s actual cost, plus any applicable sales tax.  The electricity for operation of the individual sewer grinder stations shall be metered to, billed to, and paid for by the property owner.

(Ord. 1051, Sec. 1)