Chapter 15 · Utilities

Article 4. Sewers

Sections 15-401 to 15-442 · 42 sections

15-401 Definitions.

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

(a)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 outside the innerface of the building wall.

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

(c)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.

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

(e)Individual Domestic — means any single family residence, commercial business, office, institution, school, church or public entity having an individual direct or indirect connection to the wastewater facilities of the city and on individual city or private water service meter, or connection to any such water service.

(f)Industrial — means any industrial business engaged in the manufacturing or processing of one or more products, and in which wastewaters are produced from such manufacturing or processing and said wastewaters are discharged directly or indirectly to the wastewater facilities of the city.

(g)Multi-domestic — means any multi-family residence, apartment or mobile home and any commercial business, office, institution, school, church or public entity having a direct or indirect connection to the wastewater facilities of the city and not having an individual water service meter but is served with city or private metered water by the owner of the property on which it is located.

(h)Superintendent — shall mean the superintendent of the city or his or her authorized deputy, agent or representative.

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

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

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

(l)Combined Sewers — shall mean sewers receiving both surface runoff and sewage, are not permitted.

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

(n)Storm Sewer or Storm Drain — shall mean a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.

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

(p)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.

(q)User — means any person as defined in section 1-102, including an institution, governmental agency or political subdivision producing wastewater requiring processing and treatment to remove pollutants and having premises connected to the wastewater facilities.

(r)Wastewater — means sewage, the combination of liquids and water carried wastes from residences, commercial and industrial buildings, institutions, governmental agencies, together with any ground, surface or storm water that may be present.

(s)Normal wastewater — The strength of normal wastewater shall be considered within the following ranges:

(1)A five day biochemical oxygen demand of 300 milligrams per liter or less;

(2)A suspended solid concentration of 350 milligrams or less;

(3)Hydrogen ion concentration of 5.0 to 9.0.

(Code 2007)

15-402 Disposal of sewage.

(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, any sewage or other polluted waters, 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 their facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.

(Ord. 391, Art. II, Secs. 1:3)

15-403 Sewer connection required.

The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, 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 sewer 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 said public sewer is within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the property line.

(Ord. 391, Art. II, Sec. 4)

15-404 Private sewage disposal system.

Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provision of section 15-403, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 1)

15-405 Same.

Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the city engineer. 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 engineer. A permit and inspection fee of $15.00 shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 2)

15-406 Same.

A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the city engineer. 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 city engineer when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any un-ground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice by the city engineer.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 3)

15-407 Same.

The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the Department of Public Health of the State of Kansas. 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 natural outlet.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 4)

15-408 Same.

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in section 15-407, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with its article, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 5)

15-409 Same.

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. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 6)

15-410 Same.

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

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 7)

15-411 Same.

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 bank-run gravel or sand.

(Ord. 391, Art. Ill, Sec. 8)

15-412 Permit; connection fee.

(a)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 superintendent.

(b)There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: (1) for residential and commercial 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. The 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 $15.00 for a residential or commercial building sewer permit and $20.00 for an industrial building sewer permit shalt be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Secs. 1:2)

15-413 Costs.

All costs and expense 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. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 3)

15-414 Sewer for each 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. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 4)

15-415 Old building sewers.

Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, one examination and test by the city engineer to meet all requirements of this article.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 5)

15-416 Building sewer.

The size, slope, 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 and state. 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. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 6)

15-417 Same.

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 sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 7)

15-418 Same.

No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, 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 sanitary sewer.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 8)

15-419 Same.

The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the city and state, or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and the W.P.C.F. Manual of Practice No. 9. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the city engineer before installation.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 9)

15-420 Same.

The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the city engineer when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the city engineer or his or her representatives.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 10)

15-421 Same.

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 restored in a manner satisfactory to the city.

(Ord. 391, Art. IV, Sec. 11)

15-422 Discharges; public sewers.

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 1)

15-423 Same.

Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the city engineer. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on approval of the city engineer to a storm sewer, combined sewer, or natural outlet.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 2)

15-424 Same.

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 CN 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, gas, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, un-ground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, etc. either whole or ground by garbage grinders.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 3)

15-425 Same.

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 city engineer 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 city engineer 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 treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited are:

(a)Any liquids or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees centigrade).

(b)Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease, or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 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 or greater shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent.

(d)Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron pickling 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 city engineer 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 the 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 city engineer 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 slunies, and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride and 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 or suspended solids, or (3) having an average daily flow greater than two percent of the average wastewater flow of the city, shall be subject to the review of the city engineer. Where necessary in the opinion of the city engineer, 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, or (2) reduce the suspended solids to 350 parts per million by 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 city engineer and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until the approvals are obtained in writing.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 4)

15-426 Same.

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 15-415 of this article, and which in the judgment of the city engineer, may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the city engineer 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 cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of section 15-431 of this article.

If the city engineer permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plans and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the city engineer and subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances and laws.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 5)

15-427 Same.

Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the city 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 private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the city engineer, and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 6)

15-428 Same.

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

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 7)

15-429 Same.

When required by the city engineer, 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 city engineer. 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. 391, Art. V, Sec. 8)

15-430 Same.

All 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 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 obtained from 24 hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH’s are determined from periodic grab samples.)

(Ord. 391, Art. V, Sec. 9)

15-431 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.

(3rd. 391, Art. V, Sec. 10)

15-432 Violations.

No unauthorized 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 sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct.

(Ord. 391, Art. VI, Sec. 1)

15-433 Inspection; properties.

The city engineer 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 city engineer 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 waters or facilities for waste treatment.

(Ord. 391, Art. VII, Sec. 1)

15-434 Insurance.

While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in section 15-433, the city engineer 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 15-429.

(Ord. 391, Art. VII, Sec. 2)

15-435 Inspection; private properties.

The city engineer 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. 391, Art. VII, Sec. 3)

15-436 User charges.

The following classes of users and charges to those users for the sewer and wastewater treatment services provided by the city to its sewer and wastewater customers are hereby established:

Class I

(a) Residential Users, Single Family Contributors: $18.00 per month per residence.

(b) Residential Users, Apartments and Apartment Complexes: $18.00 per month per apartment.

(c) Light Commercial Users, Nonresidential Contributors which contribute less than 250 gpd of less or equal to normal domestic strength wastewater: $18.00 per month.

Class II: Medium Commercial Users: Nonresidential contributors which contribute between 250 and 650 gpd of less than or equal to normal domestic strength wastewater: $28.50 per month.

Class III: Heavy Commercial Users: Nonresidential contributors which contribute more than 650 gpd of less than or equal to normal domestic strength wastewater $54.50 per month.

Class IV: Industrial Users: Nonresidential Contributors which contribute over 650 gpd of less than or normal domestic strength waste water: $125.00 per month.

(Ord. 494; Ord. 648; Code 2014; Ord. 676)

15-437 Separate premises.

A separate user fee shall be assessed for each building or premises served, without regard to whether each building or premises has a separate address and/or is separately metered for water services.

(Ord. 494; Ord. 648; Code 2014; Ord. 676)

15-438 Fees.

Fees set out herein shall be subject to review in the month of February of each year.

(Ord. 648, 2013; Ord. 676)

15-439 Payment of bills.

All bills for the previous month’s sewer service charges shall be due on or before the 20th day of the month following the service. A penalty of 10% of the amount thereof shall be added to any bill if not paid in the city office by 4:00 p.m. on the 20th day of the month in which due.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 1)

15-440 City liability for damage.

The city shall not be liable for any damage to the property of any customer of any utility service furnished by the city due to backflow of the sewerage system, failure of the sewer or water supply, interruption of service or any other cause outside the direct control of the city.

(Ord. 591; Code 2007)

15-441 Inspection and maintenance.

(a)The consumer is required by this division to inspect, test, and overhaul backflow preventers in accordance with the following schedule or more often as determined by the city or its authorized representative:

(1)Air gap separations shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least monthly.

(2)Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned, and repaired whenever needed and at least every thirty (30) months.

(3)Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned, and repaired whenever needed and at least every five (5) years.

(b)Inspections, tests, and overhauls of backflow preventers shall be made at the expense of the consumer and shall be performed by an approved tester.

(c)Whenever backflow preventers required by this policy are found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced without delay at the expense of the consumer.

(d)The consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow preventer from purchase to retirement. This shall include a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections, and repairs. All records of inspections, tests, repairs, and overhauls shall be provided within thirty (30) days to the city or its authorized representative.

(e)All backflow preventers shall have a tag showing the date of the last inspection, test, or overhaul or other maintenance attached to it.

(f)Backflow preventers shall not be bypassed, made inoperative, removed, or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization by the city or its authorized representative.

(Ord. 591; Code 2007)

15-442 Violations and penalties.

(a)The city or its authorized representative shall deny or discontinue the water service to any premises or any consumer where-in any backflow prevention device required by this policy is not installed, tested, and maintained in a manner acceptable to the city or its authorized representative, or if it is found that the backflow preventer has been removed or bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists.

(b)Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the consumer is in compliance with this cross-connection division to the satisfaction of the city or its authorized representative.

(c)Willful neglect or failure to comply with the regulations of this division shall be termed a Class C misdemeanor violation of which there shall be a fine, the minimum of which shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) and a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(Ord. 591; Code 2007)