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 inner face 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.
(Ord. 382; Ord. 391; Code
2025)
The owner of all
houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment,
recreation, or other purpose, 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 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 of the
property line.
(Ord. 391; Code 2025)
(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.
(c) A permit and inspection fee shall accompany
each application to connect to the public sewer system in the following
amounts:
(1) For each residential or commercial connection
- $10;
(2) For each industrial connection - $20.
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.
(Ord. 391; Code 2025)
Any person desiring to
make a connection to the city sewer system shall apply in writing to the city
clerk who shall forward the application to the utility superintendent. The
application shall contain:
(a) The legal description of the property to be
connected;
(b) The name and address of the owner or owners
of the property;
(c) The kind of property to be connected
(residential, commercial or industrial);
(d) The point of proposed connection to the city
sewer line.
(Code 2025)
All costs and expense
incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be paid
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.
(Code 2025)
(a) 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, or the- procedures
set forth in the appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and 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 superintendent before installation.
(b) 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. 391; Code 2025)
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 feasibly constructed to the rear building. In such
case, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear
building and the whole considered as one building sewer.
(Ord. 391; Code 2025)
The building sewer
shall be constructed of cast iron pipe, ASTM specifications A74-42, or approved
equal; vitrified clay sewer pipe, ASTM specifications C13-44T, or approved
equal; or an approved plastic pipe. Any plastic pipe to be installed on any
building sewer shall not be approved by the city until the owner has furnished
descriptive literature and typical sample section of the plastic pipe proposed
for installation, to the city for inspection and review. All joints on all pipe
installed shall be tight and waterproof. Any part of the building sewer that is
located within 10 feet of a water service pipe or city water main shall be
constructed of approved cast iron soil pipe with approved joints. No building
sewer shall be installed within three feet of existing gas lines. If installed
in filled or unstable ground, the building sewer shall be constructed of cast
iron soil pipe, except that non-metallic material may be accepted if laid on a
suitable concrete bed or cradle as approved by the city.
(Code 2025)
The size and slope of
the building sewer to be installed shall be subject to the approval of the city
inspector, but in no event shall the diameter of the pipe be less than four
inches. The slope at which a six inch pipe is to be laid shall be not less than
1/8 inch per foot and for four inch pipe, not less than 1/4 inch per foot. Any
grades for the pipe, which are proposed for installation at grades less than
these specified, shall be approved by the city inspector prior to placement.
(Code 2025)
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 only with approved curved pipe and fittings, including
cleanout fittings.
(Code 2025)
At buildings in which
the building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public 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. The total costs of pumping equipment and pumping equipment
operational costs shall be those of the owner.
(Code 2025)
No building sewer
shall be laid across a cesspool, septic tank or vault until the cesspool,
septic tank or vault has been well cleaned and filled with an approved earth or
sand fill, then thoroughly tamped and water settled. Cast iron pipe may be used
across cesspools or septic tanks, if proper bedding and support for the sewer
pipe is acquired.
(Code 2025)
All excavation
required for the installation of the building sewer shall be open trench work
unless otherwise approved by the city. 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 and approved.
(Code 2025)
All joints in the
building sewers shall be made watertight. If recommended by the city inspector,
a water pressure test shall be made on the completed sewer to insure a
compliance with this requirement, requiring that the building sewer withstand
an internal water pressure of 5 psi., without leakage.
Cast iron pipe with
lead joints shall be firmly packed with oakum or hemp and filled with molten
lead, Federal Specifications QQ-L-156, not less than one inch deep. Lead shall
be run in one pour and caulked and packed tight. No paint, varnish or other
coatings shall be permitted on the jointing material until after the joint has
been tested and approved.
All joints in
vitrified clay pipe shall be the polyurethane-compression type joints, approved
by the city inspector.
Joints for all plastic
pipe used in building sewers shall be the slip type joints or solvent weld
type, approved by the city.
Joints between any two
different type of pipes shall be made with lead, asphaltic jointing materials
or concrete, as approved by the city. All joints shall be watertight and
constructed to insure minimum root penetration and to the satisfaction of the
city.
(Code 2025)
All excavations for
buildings sewers shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as
to protect the public from hazard. Streets, curb and gutters, sidewalks,
parkways and other public property removed or damaged during the installation
of the building sewer, shall be repaired or replaced in a manner acceptable to
the city and at the total expense of the owner. It is further agreed that any
parties involved in any excavating or installation work for sewer installations
as above set out, will hold the city harmless from any and all damages to
persons or property resulting from or growing out of any opening or excavation
or any negligent act or from any operation made within the city.
(Code 2025)
(a) If any person shall fail to connect any
dwelling or building with the sewer system after being noticed, the city may
cause such buildings to be connected with the sewer system as authorized by
K.S.A. 12-631.
(b) The cost and expense, including inspection
fees, shall be assessed against the property. Until such assessments shall have
been collected and paid to the city, the cost of making such connection may be
paid from the general fund or through the issuance of no fund warrants.
(Code 2025)
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
in this article.
(Code 2025)
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 provisions of sections 15-311 to 15-316.
(Code 2025)
Before commencing
construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain
a written permit signed by the utility superintendent. The application shall be
accompanied by any plans, specifications or other information deemed necessary
by the utility superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $20 shall be paid
to the city at the time the application is filed.
(Ord. 391; Code 2025)
A permit for a private
sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is
completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent. The utility superintendent
or his or her authorized representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at
any stage of construction and the applicant shall notify the superintendent
when the work is ready for final inspection or before any underground portions
are covered. The inspection shall be made within 72 hours of the receipt of
notice by the superintendent.
(Code 2025)
(a) The type, capacities, location, and layout of
the private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations and
requirements of the Water Pollution Control Section of the Kansas State
Department of Health. 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 one acre. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to
discharge to any public sewer or natural outlet.
(b) 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 within
60 days in compliance with this article, and any septic tank, cesspool, and
similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with
suitable and acceptable materials.
(Code 2025)
No statement contained
in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional
requirements that may be imposed by the city or county health officer. The
owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a
sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.
(Code 2025)
It shall be unlawful
for any person to deposit or discharge from any source whatsoever any sewage or
human excrement upon any public or private grounds within the city, or to
permit the contents of any privy, vault or septic tank to be deposited or discharged
upon the surface of any grounds. Any unauthorized or unapproved privy vault,
septic tank or other means or places for the disposal of sewage, excrement and
polluted water may be abated as a public nuisance upon the order of the city or
county board of health in accordance with the laws of Kansas.
(Code 2025)
It shall be unlawful
for any unauthorized person to maliciously, willfully, or negligently break,
damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any sewer, structure,
appurtenance, or equipment which is part of the municipal sewer system.
(Code 2025)
It shall be unlawful
to discharge to any natural outlet within the city or in any area under the
jurisdiction of the city any sanitary sewage, industrial wastes or other
polluted waters except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance
with the provisions of this article.
(Code 2025)
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. 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.
(Code 2025)
Old building sewers
may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on
examination and test by the utility superintendent, to meet all requirements of
this article.
(Code 2025)
All garages, filling
stations, milk plants or other commercial or industrial plants connected to the
public sewer shall construct and maintain proper and sufficient interceptors or
traps to prevent the discharge of any sand, mud, sediment, litter, waste or any
substance harmful to the effective operation and maintenance of the city sewer
system, into the building sewer.
(Code 2025)
(a) It shall be unlawful to connect downspouts
from any roof area, drains from any building foundation, paved areas, yards or
open courts, or to discharge liquid wastes from any air conditioning unit or
cooling device having a capacity in excess of one ton per hour or one
horsepower into any city sanitary sewer.
(b) All discharges prohibited in subsection (a)
may be discharged into the public gutter or storm drains or open drainage
ditches provided such discharge does not create a nuisance. No such liquids may
be discharged into any unpaved street or alley.
(Code 2025)
Discharges from air
conditioning units in excess of one ton per hour or one horsepower may be
permitted into a building sewer upon approval of the utility superintendent
where there is a finding that such cooling water cannot be recirculated and
that such wastewater does not overload the capacity of the sewer or interfere
with the effective operation of the sewage disposal works of the city.
(Code 2025)
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 superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted
process waters may be discharged on approval of the superintendent to a storm
sewer, combined sewer or a natural outlet.
(Ord. 391; Code 2025)
No person shall
discharge any of the following waters or wastes to any public sewer:
(a) Liquid or vapor having a temperature higher
than 150 degrees Fahrenheit;
(b) Water or waste which may contain more than
100 parts per million, by weight, of fat, oil or grease;
(c) Gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or
other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas;
(d) Garbage that has not been properly shredded;
(e) Ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings,
metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, 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 sewage works;
(f) Waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5
or higher than 9.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing
damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works;
(g) Waters or wastes containing a toxic poisonous
substance in sufficient quantity to injury 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;
(h) Water 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;
(i) Noxious or malodorous gas or substance
capable of creating a public nuisance.
(Code 2025)
Bills shall be
rendered monthly and shall be collected as a combined utility bill. Any user
charges for the sewage system pursuant to this article shall be billed and
payable in the same manner provided for water charges, including, but not
limited to, any provisions relating to due dates, grace periods, delinquent
bills, late charges, and termination.
(Code 2025)
(a) Each user shall pay for the services provided
by the city based on his or her use of the treatment works.
(b) For each residential contributor, monthly
user charge will be based on the average monthly water usage during the months
of January, February and March. If a residential contributor has not
established a January, February and March average, his or her monthly user
charge shall be the median charge of all other residential contributors.
(c) For commercial and industrial users, user
charge shall be based on water used during the current month. If a commercial
and industrial user has a consumptive use of water, or in some other manner
uses water, which is not returned to wastewater collection system, the user
charge of that contributor may be based on a wastewater meter(s) or a separate
water meter(s) installed and maintained at the contributors expense, and in a
manner acceptable to the city.
(d) Any user who 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 increase in
the cost of operation, maintenance, or replacement of the treatment works,
shall pay for such increased costs. The charge to each such user will be as
determined by the responsible plant opera ting personnel and approved by the
city council.
(Ord. 382; Ord. 412; Code
2025)
The
user charge rates established in this article apply to all users, regardless of
their location, to the City’s treatment works.
(a) Residential User: A minimum charge of $32.00
for the first 5,000 gallons or any part thereof; an additional $3.90 for each
additional 1,000 gallons per month.
(b) Other Major Users:
(1) Class II (Wheat State Nursing Home) - $4.15
per 1,000 gallons;
(2) Class III (School) - $4.00 per 1,000 gallons;
(3) Class IV (Locker Plant) - $9.05 per 1,000
gallons.
(c) Outside City Limits: The sewer user charges
for residents outside the City limits shall be 150 percent of those established
for users Within the City.
(d) Nonresident connection to the sewer system
shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the governing body.
(e) The City will notify each user at least
annually, in conjunction with a regular bill, of the rate being charged for
operation, maintenance including replacement of the treatment works.
(f) The City will review the user charge system
at least every two years, and revise user charge rates as necessary to ensure
that the system generates adequate revenues to pay the costs of operation and
maintenance including replacement costs among users and user classes.
(Ord. 611; Code 2025)