Chapter 13.08
SEWER SERVICE REGULATIONS
Sections:
13.08.010 Sewer connection required.
13.08.030 Permanent connections.
13.08.040 Failure to connect – Corrective measures.
13.08.050 Discharge of storm and surface waters.
13.08.060 Discharging septic tank waste into sewer system.
13.08.065 LOTT Discharge and Industrial Pretreatment Regulations.
13.08.080 Connection permit – Application – Contents.
13.08.090 Sewer connection charges.
13.08.100 Sewer lateral extension – Notice required – Fee.
13.08.110 Connection standards.
13.08.120 Inspection and approval.
13.08.140 Diligence in completion of project.
13.08.150 Inspection required.
13.08.180 Rates in new sewer service areas.
13.08.200 Violation – Penalty.
13.08.010 Sewer connection required.
The owner of each lot or parcel of real property within the area to be served by the sanitary sewerage disposal system of the city as it now exists and as it may be improved or extended in the future, upon which such lot or parcel of real property there shall be situated any building or structure for human occupation or use for any purpose, shall within thirty days from receipt of written notice from the finance director mailed to the owner of the premises at the street address of such premises (or to the address to which real estate tax statements are mailed as disclosed in the records of the office of the county treasurer), cause a connection to be made between the sewerage system in each such building or structure; provided, where one building is located at the rear of another on the same lot and the building in the rear has no frontage on an alley or street in which a sewer is located, the building sewer from the front buildings may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer, provided a cleanout is constructed to the ground surface beyond the connection from the rear building.
(Ord. O95-032, Amended, 10/17/1995; Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 395, Amended, 07/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.020 Area to be served.
After the sanitary sewer shall have been constructed to a point in any street, alley or other access which is directly adjacent to the premises having a building thereon, such premises shall, if serviceable by a gravity line, be considered to be within the area to be served and shall be subject to the applicable user rate for sewer service.
(Ord. 849, Amended, 01/11/1980; Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 395, Amended, 07/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.030 Permanent connections.
All connections shall be made to the sewerage system in a permanent and sanitary manner, subject to the approval of the building inspector, and shall be sufficient to carry all sewage and waste fluids of any kind from the buildings into the system, and each toilet, sink, stationary washstand or any other piece or type of equipment having waste fluids shall be connected with the sewerage system.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 395, Amended, 07/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.040 Failure to connect – Corrective measures.
In the event that property within the area to be connected to the sewer, as defined in this chapter, has not been so connected, and after due investigation and consideration the city council determines that the failure of the owner or occupant to connect with the sewer constitutes a hazard to the health of the residents on the premises or the surrounding area, or is causing or has caused an unsanitary condition within the city, the council shall direct the owner or occupant of the premises to take such corrective measures as shall be defined by the council to remedy the unhealthy or unsanitary condition, and the council may direct that water service to such premises shall be discontinued until such time as the council shall determine that the unhealthy or unsanitary condition has been corrected to its satisfaction.
(Ord. 487, Added, 07/13/1965)
13.08.050 Discharge of storm and surface waters.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, surface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process water, into any sanitary sewer. In the event that any person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any stormwater, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, surface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process water, into any sanitary sewer, the city council shall direct that the owner or occupant of the premises shall, within such time as the council shall designate, discontinue the unauthorized discharge. If the owner or occupant fails to comply with the notice within the time designated, the city council shall direct that water service to the premises shall be discontinued until the proper compliance has been made.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 395, Amended, 07/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.060 Discharging septic tank waste into sewer system.
No person, firm or corporation shall discharge septic tank wastes or any fluids or solids other than normal sewage wastes into the sewer system of the city. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. O2011-007, Amended, 07/19/2011; Ord. 504, Added, 10/11/1966)
13.08.065 LOTT Discharge and Industrial Pretreatment Regulations.
That certain document titled “LOTT Discharge and Industrial Pretreatment Regulations,” as revised in February, 2008, is hereby adopted as the official rules and regulations of the city of Tumwater setting forth industrial pretreatment requirements and regulations for discharges into the city’s wastewater system.
For the purposes of said regulations, the term “city or county” shall mean the city of Tumwater.
(Ord. O2008-008, Amended, 03/04/2008; Ord. O2007-008, Added, 09/18/2007)
13.08.070 Connection permit.
It is unlawful for any person to make an opening in any sewer or drain or connect any sewer or drain thereto without complying with all of the provisions of this chapter, and obtaining therefor a right-of-way access/utility and/or a plumbing permit (hereinafter connection permit) from the community development department to make such connection or opening. A permit fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council shall be levied by the city for that portion of the sewer on public right-of-way or owned by the city.
(Ord. O2011-002, Amended, 03/01/2011; Ord. O99-004, Amended, 01/19/1999; Ord. O96-016, Amended, 07/16/1996; Ord. 1147, Amended, 12/15/1987; Ord. 775, Amended, 03/01/1977; Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.080 Connection permit – Application – Contents.
In order to obtain the permit provided for in TMC 13.08.070, the property owner or their designated agent shall file with the community development department an application for said permit. Plans for the connection or opening shall be submitted for review and approval in accordance with the city’s development guide and/or the plumbing code as adopted in TMC Title 15. A right-of-way access/utility permit shall be issued upon the approval of the plans and specifications for any work performed in the public right-of-way or on the city-owned public system. A plumbing permit shall be issued upon the approval of the plans for that part of the sewer considered private (the building side sewer). It is unlawful for any person to extend any private sewer or drain beyond the limits of the building or property for which a permit has been issued.
(Ord. O2010-017, Amended, 12/21/2010; Ord. O99-004, Amended, 01/19/1999; Ord. O96-016, Amended, 08/15/1996; Ord. 775, Amended, 03/01/1977; Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.090 Sewer connection charges.
In addition to the permit fees required by TMC 13.08.070, the following connection charges shall be paid at the time of issuance of a building permit or, in the case of an existing occupied building converting from an on-site sewerage system to the city/LOTT system, the issuance of a plumbing permit. Connection charges (including reserve capacity connection charges) shall be assessed at the rate in effect at the time of payment and may be paid no earlier than the time of issuance of the building or plumbing permit. Connection charges (including reserve capacity connection charges) are nonrefundable and nontransferable to another location once paid. Provided however, upon a subsequent reapplication for permits for the same property, the prior payment shall be credited against the then current connection charge and the difference paid.
A. Class A Connection Charge. At the time of issuance of a building or plumbing permit as stated above, the property shall be charged a fee as established by the fee resolution of the city council per equivalent residential unit (ERU), as defined in TMC 13.08.160(B).
B. Class B Connection Charge. Property served by special extensions designated by the city council as contract extensions, surcharge extensions, or front-foot extensions shall be charged a connection charge which shall be determined by the city council for each such extension.
C. Capacity Development Charge. There shall also be charged a capacity development charge payable as set forth above. The capacity development charge shall be calculated upon connection of every additional ERU to local facilities served by LOTT joint facilities or by direct connection to joint facilities. A capacity development charge shall also be paid upon a change in the character of the use of any such ERU or a significant increase of sewage discharge therefrom as determined in accordance with the guidelines and procedures for such determination developed by the LOTT advisory committee.
The capacity development charge is as established by the fee resolution of the city council.
(Ord. O2000-001, Amended, 01/18/2000; Ord. O99-043, Amended, 12/21/1999; Ord. O99-004, Amended, 01/19/1999; Ord. O94-044, Amended, 12/06/1994; Ord. 1372, Amended, 02/16/1993; Ord. 1316, Amended, 01/21/1992; Ord. 1184, Amended, 01/17/1989; Ord. 1086, Amended, 01/06/1987; Ord. 1027, Amended, 03/01/1985; Ord. 775, Amended, 03/01/1977; Ord. 747, Amended, 07/16/1976; Ord. 487, Added, 07/13/1965)
13.08.100 Sewer lateral extension – Notice required – Fee.
The city must be notified twenty-four hours in advance prior to any extensions of a sewer lateral for the purpose of coordinating the tapping of the main line or manhole which shall be accomplished only by city forces. Fees in an amount as established by resolution of the city council shall be levied to cover the costs of tapping the main line or manhole.
(Ord. 1147, Amended, 12/15/1987; Ord. 775, Amended, 03/01/1977; Ord. 487, Added, 07/13/1965)
13.08.110 Connection standards.
All connections to public sewers or drains shall be made in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with instructions from the city building inspector or in accordance with other ordinances of the city which may be applicable thereto, and as amended from time to time.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.120 Inspection and approval.
All work done in pursuance of any connection permit granted as prescribed in this chapter shall be under the inspection and subject to the approval and acceptance of the city building inspector. The grade, materials and manner of construction of any sewer or drain built under permit shall be subject to the approval or rejection of the city building inspector.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.130 Excavations.
All excavations made by any permittee adjacent to or abutting any street, alley, avenue or other public place shall be guarded both night and day by a display of proper signals and lights. At the time of application for permit, the applicant shall satisfy the city of his or its ability to indemnify the city, and shall be liable personally for all accidents and damages caused by the failure of the permittee to comply with this section. Liability coverage in the amount of $25,000 shall be deemed to be sufficient indemnification to the city.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.140 Diligence in completion of project.
All work adjacent to or abutting any street or public place must be prosecuted to completion with due diligence and if, within the judgment of the city building inspector, any excavation is left open beyond a reasonable time, he shall cause the same to be refilled forthwith without notice, and any costs incurred in such work, or for correcting work improperly done by the permittee, shall be charged to him.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.150 Inspection required.
No trench shall be refilled or any connecting sewer constructed under the provisions of this chapter until the same shall have been inspected and approved by or under the direction of the city building inspector at the point where the same connects with the pipe or other plumbing of the building or premises being connected, or until the same shall be made in all respects to conform to this chapter, or such other ordinances as are now or hereafter may become applicable from time to time.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 394, Amended, 04/05/1960; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.160 Sewer rates.
A. The monthly city wastewater service charge and LOTT wastewater service charge for sanitary sewage disposal shall be as established by the fee resolution of the city council per equivalent residential unit (ERU).
B. For purposes of subsection A of this section:
1. Each separate single-family residence, including individual mobile homes, shall equal 1.0 ERU;
2. With respect to residential duplexes, each single-family unit shall equal 1.0 ERU;
3. With respect to each multifamily residential structure having more than two single-family residential units, each single-family unit shall equal 0.7 ERU for the connection fee and monthly user fee(s). With respect to mobile home/trailer parks having more than two units or spaces, each unit or space shall equal 1.0 ERU for the connection fee and monthly user fee(s);
4. With respect to uses other than or only partially residential, the minimum charge per service account or use shall not be less than 1.0 ERU. The sanitary sewer charge shall be computed at a rate equal to the monthly discharge of sewage divided by nine hundred cubic feet (measured at the source either by water consumption or sewage discharge) times the city and LOTT wastewater service charge as established by the fee resolution of the city council.
C. 1. Contractual Sewer Rates. The rates and charges for the disposal of liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trades or businesses having a quality different from what is commonly known as domestic and commercial sewage shall be set by ordinance or contract as determined by the city council.
2. The contractual rates shall include, but not be limited to, all specific costs incurred as a result of the specific quantity and quality of the sewage treated and the capital investment required for collection, transmission and treatment of the sewage and together with all maintenance and overhead expenses associated therewith. In any event, contractual rates shall be consistent with the terms of the LOTT intergovernmental contract for wastewater management.
(Ord. O99-043, Amended, 12/21/1999; Ord. O94-044, Amended, 12/06/1994; Ord. 1372, Amended, 02/16/1993; Ord. 1313, Amended, 11/19/1991; Ord. 1214, Amended, 01/16/1990; Ord. 1189, Amended, 03/21/1989; Ord. 1086, Amended, 01/06/1987; Ord. 1027, Amended, 03/01/1985; Ord. 1026, Amended, 01/15/1985; Ord. 937, Amended, 06/15/1982; Ord. 877, Amended, 06/17/1980; Ord. 775, Amended, 03/01/1977; Ord. 688, Amended, 11/06/1974; Ord. 681, Amended, 09/03/1974; Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 338, Added, 11/01/1955)
13.08.170 County surcharge.
Exclusive of the LOTT portion a surcharge on the city’s monthly maintenance and operations charge shall as established by the fee resolution of the city council to those users located in the unincorporated areas of Thurston County; provided, that no surcharge shall be levied to those properties whose owner has signed a power of attorney agreement with the city to petition in favor of annexation to the city.
(Ord. O99-043, Amended, 12/21/1999; Ord. O96-023, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-020, Added, 08/15/1995)
13.08.180 Rates in new sewer service areas.
The city shall separately contract for individual rates or surcharge to rates for new service areas wherein costs to service such area require additional income in order to support the financial feasibility of extension to such area. Any contract with respect to residential service connections shall be equal to all connections pertaining to any separate improvement. Agreements with respect to larger commercial enterprises may be in such form as may be negotiated to provide the desired support to financial feasibility of the improvements.
(Ord. 487, Amended, 07/13/1965; Ord. 423, Added, 06/05/1962)
13.08.200 Violation – Penalty.
Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as established in TMC Chapter 1.12; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to violations of TMC 13.08.065.
(Ord. O2004-022, Amended, 09/07/2004; Ord. O95-032, Amended, 10/17/1995; Ord. 487, Added, 07/13/1965)