Chapter 13.10
SEWER REGULATIONS

Sections:

13.10.010    Purpose and policy.

13.10.020    Definitions.

13.10.030    Unsanitary disposal of wastes prohibited.

13.10.040    Discharge of sewage into natural outlet.

13.10.050    Use of private sewage disposal facilities restricted.

13.10.060    Private sewage disposal systems – Abandonment and connection to public.

13.10.070    Private sewage disposal systems – Operation and maintenance.

13.10.080    Private sewage disposal systems – Additional requirements.

13.10.090    Connection to available public sewer required after notice.

13.10.095    When public sewer not available.

13.10.100    Connection made by city – Assessment of expense.

13.10.110    Permit required to make connection to public service.

13.10.120    Construction within city rights-of-way.

13.10.130    Classes of sewer permits – Application and fee.

13.10.140    Expense of connection borne by owner – Liability for damage.

13.10.150    Separate sewer for each building.

13.10.160    Use of old sewers.

13.10.170    Specifications.

13.10.180    Use of backwater valve required.

13.10.190    Elevation, location, depth, alignment and changes in direction.

13.10.200    Excavation of trenches and backfill.

13.10.210    Joints and connections.

13.10.220    Connection to public sewer – Notice of readiness and supervision.

13.10.230    Barricades, lights and restoration.

13.10.240    Termination and closure of unused connections.

13.10.250    Inappropriate connections prohibited.

13.10.260    Stormwater, etc., prohibited in sanitary sewer.

13.10.270    Stormwater, etc., discharged to storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet.

13.10.280    Harmful wastes prohibited in public sewer.

13.10.290    Grease, oil and sand interceptors required – Specifications.

13.10.300    Maintenance of grease, oil and sand interceptors.

13.10.310    Preliminary treatment required for certain wastes – Approval of facilities.

13.10.320    Maintenance of preliminary treatment facilities.

13.10.330    Monitoring stations.

13.10.340    Tests and analyses – Standards.

13.10.350    Industrial wastes – Special agreement for treatment.

13.10.360    Industrial wastes – Screening of coarse solids.

13.10.370    Right of access for inspection.

13.10.380    Damaging sewer system.

13.10.390    Liability for damage.

13.10.400    Rates and charges.

13.10.410    Time for payment.

13.10.420    Late charge.

13.10.430    Penalty – Interest.

13.10.440    Lien.

13.10.450    Enforcement.

13.10.460    Violation – Penalty.

13.10.470    Agreement between the city of Roslyn and Kittitas County Water District No. 2.

13.10.010 Purpose and policy.

This chapter sets forth uniform requirements for dischargers into the city sewage works and enables the city to protect public health in conformity with all applicable local, state and federal laws relating thereto.

The objectives of this chapter are the following:

A. To promote the health, safety and welfare of those persons within the city’s public sewer system by requiring use of the sewage works;

B. To prevent the introduction into the sewage works of pollutants that will interfere with the normal operation of the sewage works that would not receive adequate treatment and which would pass through the sewage works into receiving waters and/or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible with the sewage works;

C. To ensure that the quality of sludge from the sewage works is maintained at a level which allows its use and disposal in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations;

D. To protect sewage works personnel who may be affected by sewage in the course of their employment and to protect the general public;

E. To enable the city to comply with all its permits, conditions, sludge use and disposal requirements and any other federal or state laws to which the sewage works is subject. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.020 Definitions.

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this chapter shall be as set forth in this section.

“Apartment” means any single dwelling unit designed for occupancy in the same building with other units and having separate kitchen facilities in each said unit and includes multiple residence units having such facilities.

“BOD” (denoting biochemical oxygen demand) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees centigrade, expressed in milligrams per liter.

“Building drain” means 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.

“Building sewer” means the extension of the sewer from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal. A building sewer shall be owned, constructed, installed, operated, and maintained by a person and is not a portion of the public sewer.

“City” means the city of Roslyn.

“Combined sewer” means a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.

“Cooling water” or “uncontaminated cooling water” or “noncontact cooling water” means water used for cooling purposes which does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, or finished product, and that contains no additives, pollutants, toxics, or dangerous wastes.

“Domestic water” or “domestic water system” means that water, and water system in which it is carried, which is for human consumption and normal household and business or industrial uses provided from the city’s supply.

“Garbage” means solid wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.

“Industrial user” means an industrial facility that generates industrial wastes and discharges those wastes to the sewer.

“Industrial wastes” means the liquid wastes from industrial processes, as distinct from sanitary sewage.

“Large industrial or commercial user” means an industry or commercial establishment discharging sewage or industrial wastes in excess of 5,000 gallons per day on an average annual flow basis, or as determined by the city to be discharging water, sewage, wastewater, or industrial waste with unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the sewage treatment works.

“May” is permissive.

“Milligrams per liter” (abbreviated as mg/l) means the weight of any substance expressed in milligrams contained within one liter.

“Multiple dwelling unit” means a building or arrangement of buildings or portions thereof used or intended to be used as the home of two or more families or householders living independently of each other.

“Natural outlet” means any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface water or groundwater.

“Person” means any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group.

“pH” means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

“Private sewer” means the sewer line and disposal system owned, constructed, installed, operated and maintained by a person where connection with the public sewer system is not required, and is not regulated by this chapter.

“Properly shredded garbage” means the wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that has been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch (1.27 centimeters) in any dimension.

“Public sewer” means a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.

“Sanitary sewer” means a sewer which carries sewage and industrial waste to the sewage treatment plant and to which stormwaters, surface waters, and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

“Sewage” means a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such groundwaters, surface waters and stormwaters as may be present.

“Sewage treatment plant” means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

“Sewage works” means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage.

“Sewer” means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

“Shall” is mandatory.

“Single-family dwelling unit” means a building arranged or designed to be occupied by not more than one family or householder.

“Slug” means any discharge of industrial wastes which in concentration of any given component or in quantity of flow is more than five times the average 24-hour concentration or average 24-hour flow during the industrial user’s normal operation. The industrial monitoring records from a similar period of operation shall be used to determine the average 24-hour concentration of flow under normal operations.

“Storm sewer” or “storm drain” means a sewer which carries stormwaters, surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes other than unpolluted cooling water. For the purposes of this chapter, the city’s industrial drain is a storm sewer.

“Suspended solids” means solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in, water, sewage, industrial wastes, or other liquids, which are removable by laboratory filtering, are determined by quantitative standard laboratory procedures, and are expressed in milligrams per liter.

“Uniform Plumbing Code” means the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specification of the latest version of the Uniform Plumbing Code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

“Water and sewer superintendent” or “superintendent” means the water and sewer superintendent of the city, or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.

“Watercourse” means a channel in which a flow of water occurs either continuously or intermittently. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.030 Unsanitary disposal of wastes prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to place, deposit or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner upon 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. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.040 Discharge of sewage into natural outlet.

It is unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet or storm sewer 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 subsequent provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.050 Use of private sewage disposal facilities restricted.

Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to construct any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage, except that existing private sewage facilities may be maintained until a public sewage disposal system becomes available. Temporary, portable toilets for construction sites, special events, parks and other locations may be used upon the granting of a permit by the mayor or his designee. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.060 Private sewage disposal systems – Abandonment and connection to public.

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private disposal system, as provided in RMC 13.10.090, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material at the expense of the property owner. Abandonment of the private disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the county health district. A public sewer shall be considered to be “available” to a property for the purposes of this section and for the purposes of RMC 13.10.090 when a public sewer main is located within any street, alley, right-of-way or public sewer easement located within 250 feet of the property, and when such property may be physically connected to the public sewer main by gravity or other means approved by the city. [Ord. 1089 § 1, 2012; Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.070 Private sewage disposal systems – Operation and maintenance.

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. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.080 Private sewage disposal systems – Additional requirements.

No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.090 Connection to available public sewer required after notice.

The owner of each house, building or property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, commercial or industrial activity, or other purpose, to which public sewer is “available” as defined in RMC 13.10.060, shall at his or her expense install suitable toilet facilities therein, and connect such facilities directly to the public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within 30 days after date of official notice to do so. [Ord. 1089 § 2, 2012; Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.095 When public sewer not available.

When public sewer is not “available” as defined in RMC 13.10.060 and the expense of constructing an extension to the city sewer service line to serve the property would be an unreasonable burden, to be determined by the city, the owner of each house, building or property that is used for human occupancy, is situated within the city and is residentially zoned, and receives water from the city water system, is authorized to install at his or her expense a private, on-site residential septic system meeting the requirements of this section and chapter. The septic system must be approved by the Kittitas County health department, shall be located on the same lot as the residence being served, and shall be operated using city water. [Ord. 1089 § 3, 2012.]

13.10.100 Connection made by city – Assessment of expense.

In the event the building sewer and connection are not made within the time provided for in RMC 13.10.090 following notice, the superintendent is authorized and directed to cause the same to be made and to file a statement of the cost thereof with the city clerk, and thereupon a warrant shall be issued under the direction of the city council against the sewer revenue fund for the payment of such cost. Such amount, together with a penalty of 10 percent thereof, plus interest at the rate of eight percent per year upon the total amount of the cost and penalty, shall be paid into the sewer revenue fund. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.110 Permit required to make connection to public service.

Each premises shall have separate sewer service or services as set forth in this chapter or other applicable code. Application for sewer service shall be as required by RMC 13.10.120, and shall be submitted concurrently with a complete building permit application and all required building permit fees. [Ord. 981 § 3, 2005; Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.120 Construction within city rights-of-way.

No one shall perform any construction or place structures of any kind within the city-owned rights-of-way without first obtaining a right-of-way permit from the city of Roslyn. An applicant shall meet with the utility superintendent to review construction plans, and thereafter the city council shall review and approve plans to construct and install facilities within the city right-of-way and issue a permit for such construction. Upon completion of any such construction, the person performing the construction shall provide as-built drawings of such construction to the city of Roslyn. [Ord. 859 § 1, 1998.]

13.10.130 Classes of sewer permits – Application and fee.

A. There shall be two classes of building sewer permits:

1. For residential and commercial service; and

2. For service for establishments producing industrial wastes.

B. In either case, the owner or his/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 for a residential or commercial building sewer permit, and for an industrial building sewer permit, shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time the application is filed. In the event that one permit is issued for a single connection serving more than one residence or commercial user, then the total sewer connection permit fee shall equal the number of such users on the connection times the permit and inspection fee for a single user.

C. Application for the permit required by the foregoing section shall be filed with the city, stating the name of the owner, the correct address and proper legal description of the property to be served, dimensions and locations of any buildings on the property, the whole course of the building sewer from the public sewer to its connection with the building or property to be served, and other such plans and information as may be required. The application shall be submitted to the city for approval, who may change or modify the same and designate the manner and place in which such sewers shall be connected with the public sewer, and shall endorse approval upon the application if the same is acceptable.

D. Upon approval of the application and issuance of the permit, it is unlawful to alter the permit or to perform any work other than is provided for in the permit.

E. Any application for sewer service shall include elevation drawings of the building lot taken from a survey of the lot.

F. When an application for connection is approved, the applicant has 15 days to pay all appropriate fees to the city. If said fees are not paid within 15 days, the approval for said connection is withdrawn and terminated without further notice.

G. The permit required by this chapter must, at all times during the performance of the work and until the completion thereof and approval by the city, be posted in some conspicuous place at or near the work and must be readily and safely accessible to the superintendent or his representative.

H. No building sewer contractor shall break, alter or tamper with any public sewer, except that he may tie into a connection which exists for that purpose under the supervision of the superintendent. [Ord. 966 § 2, 2004; Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.140 Expense of connection borne by owner – Liability for damage.

All costs and expense incidental to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner or applicant of the premises in question. The owner shall indemnify the city against any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.150 Separate sewer for each building.

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except, that where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no public 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. Further requirements for a separate sewer are as follows:

A. In making all connections with the public sewer system, each property capable of the title transfer and each residence or business located on any one property and not joined with other property thereon inseparable shall be considered as an individual consumer and each individual consumer shall be supplied through a separate service connection; provided, however, that in case of duplexes or businesses or apartments not being capable of separate title transfer, the owner thereof may nevertheless by arrangement with the city provide for the property multiple service connections to serve each of the various units located thereon. All buildings, although joined together by party wall or similar attachment if capable of separate title transfer, shall have, for each divisible part thereof, separate service connections.

B. No new service connection shall be made to any building or other structure unless it is used predominately for a residence, employment or other public use unless the owner of the land on which the building or structure sits has a building used for a residence, employment or other public use on the same land and the building is in conformity with state, county and city regulations governing its uses.

C. If a building sewer is to serve more than one property by joint agreement of the owners, the city shall approve any document containing such agreement, ensuring that all properties involved shall have perpetual use of the building sewer, and having provisions for maintenance and for access for repair purposes, and such agreement shall be signed by the recorded owners.

D. This agreement document shall be notarized and recorded with the superintendent and shall be referred to as an “easement.”

E. The provisions of Chapter 13.20 RMC relating to delayed benefit agreements shall apply. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.160 Use of old 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 chapter. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.170 Specifications.

A. 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 Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code or other applicable rules and regulations of the ordinances and resolutions of the city. In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the latest version of the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction (developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Chapter of the American Public Works Association), the American Society of Testing Materials and the Water Environment Federation Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply.

B. The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter be less than is provided by the Uniform Plumbing Code described in this section. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.180 Use of backwater valve required.

A. A backwater valve shall be installed in all building sewers constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The backwater valve shall be of the type and design as to effectively prevent the back-flow of sewage from the public sewer through the building sewer, caused by plugging of the public sewer or through normal operation of the public sewer, including cleaning activities. The backwater valve shall be installed at a location in the building sewer such that access to the valve will be on private property and no construction within the public right-of-way will be required to access, install, operate or maintain the backwater valve.

B. All costs associated with the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of the backwater valve shall be borne by the owner or person responsible for the building sewer. Effective operation of the backwater valve shall be the responsibility of the owner.

C. The owner shall indemnify the city against any loss or damage that may be occasioned by the failure to install, maintain, or replace a backwater valve, or the failure of an installed valve. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.190 Elevation, location, depth, alignment and changes in direction.

Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation consistent with the level of the sanitary sewer. No building sewer shall be laid parallel 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 with properly curved pipe and fittings, and cleanouts shall be provided as required by the specifications. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.200 Excavation of trenches and backfill.

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 all conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the ordinances and resolutions of the city. In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the latest version of the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction (developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Chapter of the American Public Works Association), the American Society of Testing Materials and the Water Environment Federation Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply; except, that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.210 Joints and connections.

A. All joints and connections shall be made gastight and watertight.

B. The connection of the side 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 appropriate specifications of the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction (developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Chapter of the American Public Works Association), the American Society of Testing Materials and the Water Environment Federation Manual of Practice No. 9.

C. All joints in vitrified clay pipe, or other approved nonmetallic pipe or between such pipe and metals, shall be made in a manner approved by the superintendent.

D. Other jointing materials and methods may be used only by approval of the superintendent. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.220 Connection to public sewer – Notice of readiness and supervision.

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. Additional requirements for the connection include the following:

A. The superintendent shall inspect all connections, including piping, valves, and other appurtenances connected thereto, and the premises served thereby, within two working days, if possible, and/or at regular intervals and as often as necessary. The superintendent’s inspection shall not occur until after the building inspector has completed his inspection of the building.

B. No building sewer trench shall be filled or any sewer covered until the work shall have been inspected and approved by the superintendent.

C. If the superintendent finds the work or materials used are not in accordance with previous approval or permit, the superintendent shall notify the person doing the work and/or owner or occupant of the premises by letter and posting of notice on the property.

D. If any work done under a permit granted as provided herein is not done in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the plans and specifications approved by the city, or when any building sewer is constructed, laid, connected or repaired and does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, or where it is determined by the city that a building sewer is obstructed, broken, or inadequate and is a menace to health, or is liable to cause damage to the sewer system, or subsection C of this section is violated, then, after notice by the superintendent, the contractor, owner or person doing the work, as the case may be, refuses to properly construct, repair or complete such work within the time specified in such notice, the city shall disallow connection to the public sewer system until such time that all such work allowed under the permit has been done in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.230 Barricades, lights and restoration.

All excavations for building sewer installation shall be guarded with barricades and lights and such other precautions as are reasonably adequate to protect the public from accident and injury. 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. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.240 Termination and closure of unused connections.

Before a building is abandoned or demolished, the connections to the sewer shall be removed and the stub capped. If a building is destroyed, the connection to the sewer shall be removed and the stub capped within 30 days. A building remaining unoccupied for more than 180 days shall have the sewer connection blocked. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.250 Inappropriate connections prohibited.

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. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.260 Stormwater, etc., prohibited in sanitary sewer.

No person who constructs and installs a building sewer after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, or cooling water to any sanitary sewer. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.270 Stormwater, etc., discharged to storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet.

Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage from all building sewers constructed and installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as 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. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.280 Harmful wastes prohibited in public sewer.

Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewer:

A. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit;

B. Any water or waste containing fats, grease, or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/l, or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit;

C. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas;

D. Any garbage that does not meet the definition of properly shredded garbage;

E. Any 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. Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than five or higher than 11 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewage works;

G. Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous substances in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process or 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/l;

H. Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant;

I. Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance;

J. Any cleaning or disinfectant chemicals which destroy or retard the organisms which are essential to the efficient operation of the sewage works and sewage treatment plant; any such cleaning or disinfectant chemical proposed for use together with its chemical composition shall be submitted to the superintendent for evaluation prior to usage;

K. Any septic tank waste or recreational vehicle holding tank waste;

L. Any waters or wastes containing strong acid, iron, pickling wastes, or concentrated plating solutions whether neutralized or not;

M. 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;

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

O. 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 sewage at the sewage treatment plant exceeds the limits established by the superintendent;

P. Materials which exert or cause:

1. Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, fuller’s earth, lime slurries 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 plant;

4. Unusual flow or concentration of wastes constituting “slugs” as defined herein;

Q. Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment by the sewage treatment plant, 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.

In the event of the discharge or proposed discharge to the sewage works of any waters or wastes which contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in this section, and which in the judgment of the superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, sewage treatment plant, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the superintendent may:

1. Reject the wastes;

2. Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewer;

3. Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or

4. Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of this chapter.

If the superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plant(s) and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent and subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances and laws.

To adequately assess the impact of the sewage works, sewage treatment plant, or receiving waters, or the potential hazard to life, or the potential to constitute a public nuisance, written notification shall be given to the superintendent. Written notification shall be provided for discharges or proposed discharges as follows:

1. Accidental Discharges. The superintendent shall be notified immediately of any accidental discharge. Formal written notification discussing the circumstances and remedies shall be submitted to the superintendent within five days of the occurrence. For the purposes of this provision, “accidental discharge” means the inadvertent and unavoidable discharge of any waters or wastes which contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in this section, including slug discharges.

2. Slug Discharges. The superintendent shall be notified in writing at least five days in advance of any planned slug discharge. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.290 Grease, oil and sand interceptors required – Specifications.

A. 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 and 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 so located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

B. Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight, and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gas tight and watertight. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.300 Maintenance of grease, oil and sand interceptors.

Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, to provide continuously efficient operation at all times. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.310 Preliminary treatment required for certain wastes – Approval of facilities.

A. The admission into the public sewers of any water or wastes:

1. Having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand greater than 300 mg/l; or

2. Containing more than 350 mg/l of suspended solids; or

3. Containing any quantity of substances having the characteristics described in RMC 13.10.280; or

4. Having an average daily flow greater than two percent of the average daily sewage flow of the city;

shall be subject to the review and approval of the city.

B. Where necessary in the opinion of the superintendent, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to:

1. Reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to 300 mg/l and the suspended solids to 350 mg/l; or

2. Reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for in RMC 13.10.280; or

3. Control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.

C. 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 appropriate state regulatory agency if required, and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until said approvals are obtained in writing. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.320 Maintenance of preliminary treatment facilities.

Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provide for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation, by the owner at his expense. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.330 Monitoring stations.

As determined by the city, large industrial or commercial users will be required to install monitoring stations. If monitoring stations are required, the city shall designate when, where, and how many stations shall be installed. Monitoring stations shall be constructed by, and at the expense of, the large industrial or commercial use, in accordance with general plans and a list of acceptable equipment provided by the city. Once installed, the city will own, operate and maintain all monitoring stations. Upgrades in equipment needed to accommodate growth of the user, or replacement of damaged equipment resulting from negligence of the user, shall be at the expense of the large industrial or commercial user. Large industrial or commercial users shall provide unrestricted city access to all monitoring stations. The rates and charges for large industrial or commercial users utilizing monitoring stations shall be based upon the volume, strength and other characteristics of the discharges (as determined through monitoring, measurements, tests, and analyses), and costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the monitoring stations. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.340 Tests and analyses – Standards.

All measurements, tests and analyses of the volume, strength and characteristics of discharges to which reference is made in RMC 13.10.280(B) and 13.10.310 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 through samples collected at or measurements made at the monitoring stations. In the event that no monitoring station has been required, the nearest downstream manhole shall be considered to be the point where sample collection or measurements are to be made. 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 or whether a grab sample should be taken. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.350 Industrial wastes – Special agreement for treatment.

No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial user whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefor by the industrial user. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.360 Industrial wastes – Screening of coarse solids.

Each and every industrial plant, and such other commercial user as the superintendent may deem necessary, shall install, operate and maintain satisfactory screens or other devices, approved by the superintendent, to screen coarse solids from industrial waste before water is discharged to sewers. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.370 Right of access for inspection.

A. The superintendent, his representative 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 chapter. The superintendent or his representative 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.

B. While performing the necessary inspection work on private properties, the superintendent or his representative shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the person and the person shall be held harmless for injury or death to the city employees and the city shall indemnify the person against loss and damage to its property by city employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the person and growing out of the inspection, except as may be caused by negligence or failure of the person or company to maintain safe conditions.

C. The superintendent, his representative 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.

D. In the event free access during proper hours to all buildings and premises served by the domestic sewage system is denied, the superintendent shall obtain warrants for inspection of pipes, fixtures and the manner in which the provisions of this chapter are being complied with. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.380 Damaging sewer system.

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 public sewer and sewage disposal system. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.390 Liability for damage.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned by the city by reason of such violation. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.400 Rates and charges.

The following rates and charges are hereby fixed for sewerage service inside and outside the city limits, and shall be paid therefor:

System Development Fee:

$2,000

Suncadia System Development Repayment Fee:

$3,900 (to be paid at the time application for sewer service is submitted)

A. Monthly Rates. The monthly sewer rates for sewer service provided by the city of Roslyn sewer system shall be as stated in the Sewer Rate Table set out below and shall include the following two charges:

1. Monthly fixed charge per EDU; and

2. Monthly reserve charge per EDU.

Sewer Rate Table

Class

EDU

2023

Residential in-town

1

$46.50

Residential out-of-town

1

$46.50

Commercial in-town

1

$54.53

Penn Place Apartments

30

$1,447.21

Special rate[1]

1

$23.25

Water District No. 2

1

$2,162.64

Reserve Charge

Per EDU/month

 

$0.25

[1]    Special rates pursuant to RCW 35.92.020(5) shall apply only for individuals receiving a property tax break for elderly, disabled, or reduced-income persons.

Rates will be in effect January 1st, and assessed beginning with the February 1st billing of each year. Beginning January 1, 2024, rates shall increase by three percent per year, and will be assessed beginning with the February 1st billing of each year.

B. Disconnect Charge. Cost to city plus 10 percent.

C. Where any premises are used both as a dwelling and as a business or commercial use involving the sale of food and/or beverages for on- or off-premises consumption, both the dwelling house and business or commercial rates shall apply. The monthly standby service charge as referenced above shall apply whenever a monthly standby charge for water is payable under RMC 13.05.380.

Fifty-three and eight-tenths percent of each monthly bill collected by the city of Roslyn for sewer charges imposed by this chapter shall be deemed to apply to the amounts or value paid or contributed to by the city representing payments of special assessments or installments thereof and interests and penalties thereon, charges in lieu of assessments, or any other charges, payments or contributions representing a share of the costs of the capital facilities provided by the city of Roslyn and constructed or to be constructed for collection of sewage or for the retirement of obligations and payment of interest thereon issued for capital purposes and sewer collection rates.

A system development charge is incurred anytime the valve controlling the water supply to a structure is turned on and the structure has not been receiving a monthly sewer bill from the city of Roslyn.

One thousand dollars of this charge will go to the sewer operations and maintenance fund and the balance will go to the sewer capital projects fund upon exhaustion of the sewer grant funds currently being used by the city, this balance to be accounted for separately but not to be placed in a separate fund. The sewer system development charge does not include charges for time spent by city employees in making the connection of a structure to the city sewerage system and it does not include charges for materials used by the city in making the connection. [Ord. 1197 § 4.0, 2023.]

13.10.410 Time for payment.

Connection charges may be paid either in one lump sum or in installments. A lump sum payment shall be paid on or before the fifteenth day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the connection is made, and shall be paid in cash in full. If the installment payment plan is elected, $15.00 cash shall be paid on or before the time the connection is made if the connection is inside the city, and $16.00 in cash on or before the time the connection is made if the connection charge is outside the city limits. The balance of the connection charge shall be paid in 12 equal monthly installments, to be paid on or before the tenth day of each month, commencing with the tenth day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the connection is made. Service charges shall be due and payable in advance on or before the fifteenth day of the calendar month for which the charges are made. If these charges, or any of them, are not so paid, they shall become delinquent at the rate of eight percent per annum until paid. The charges shall be paid to and collected by the Roslyn city clerk, who shall be the sewer collector of the city. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.420 Late charge.

If the monthly bill for sewer is not paid within two months after the end of the billing cycle, a late charge of $5.00 will be imposed and must be paid. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.430 Penalty – Interest.

If any sewer connection, or any required repair to an existing sewer, shall not be made within the time and in the manner required by law or by city ordinances, the city may cause the same to be made and shall then file a statement of the cost thereof with the city clerk, and thereupon a warrant shall be issued under the direction of the city council by the city treasurer for the payment of such cost. The amount of the cost, together with a penalty of 10 percent of the amount thereof, plus interest at eight percent per annum upon the total amount of such cost and penalty, shall be assessed against the property serviced by the sewer and shall be come a lien thereon. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.440 Lien.

All of the sewer service charges, sewer connection charges, sewer assessments and other charges, together with the penalties and interest thereon as provided in this chapter, shall be a lien upon the property serviced, superior to all other liens or encumbrances thereon except those for general taxes and local and special assessments. The liens shall be enforced by the city in the manner provided by law. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.450 Enforcement.

The city may after 10 days’ written notice given by firstclass postage-prepaid United States mail addressed to the utility user at the premises address, or by personal service, as an additional concurrent method of enforcing such sewer liens, cut off the water service from the premises to which such sewer service has been furnished; provided, this method of enforcement shall not be exercised after two years from the date of the recording of sewerage lien notice, as by law provided, except to enforce payment of six months’ charges for which no lien notice is required to be recorded. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.460 Violation – Penalty.

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor. Conviction hereunder shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate offense. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]

13.10.470 Agreement between the city of Roslyn and Kittitas County Water District No. 2.

The agreement for wastewater treatment and disposal service between the city of Roslyn and Kittitas County Water District No. 2 entered into on July 9, 1991, and signed on July 16, 1991, is hereby incorporated by reference into this chapter. [Ord. 852 § 2, 1997.]