Chapter 14.04
HOMER SANITARY WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE SYSTEM
Sections:
14.04.018 Service connection charges.
14.04.020 Connection – Required.
14.04.050 Sewer service connection and extension permit.
14.04.070 Destruction/abandonment of private sewage disposal systems.
14.04.080 Commercial waste disposal permit.
14.04.100 Discharge of drainage into the sanitary system illegal.
14.04.110 Industrial waste pretreatment and discharge requirements.
14.04.120 Industrial waste disposal permit.
14.04.130 Industrial waste disposal permit – Penalties.
14.04.010 Purpose.
It is the intent of this chapter to adopt laws governing the operation and installation of the Homer sanitary wastewater and sewage system, which may be called the “sanitary system.” It is the goal of the City for all wastewater and sewage within City boundaries to be connected to the sanitary system, ensuring proper wastewater and sewage management throughout the City. This code should be interpreted in furtherance of that goal. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.015 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below:
“ADEC” means the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
“City of Homer Industrial Pretreatment Discharge and Waste Disposal Manual” means the Industrial Waste Manual.
A “directly adjacent” sewer main means either (1) the main extends the entire length of the frontage of the lot along an easement or right-of-way; or (2) it extends at least 10 feet into an easement or right-of-way adjacent to the lot and the Public Works Director determines that the main will not be extended to serve additional lots.
“Domestic sewage” means waste containing human or animal excretion, other than industrial waste.
“Dwelling” or “dwelling unit” means any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, for not more than one family.
“Industrial plant” means a plant or works producing waste material, other than domestic sewage.
“Industrial waste” means liquid or solids contained within a liquid, other than domestic sewage.
“Multiple-family dwelling” means a building or portion thereof designed for occupancy by two or more families living independently in separate dwelling units which may or may not share common entrances and/or other spaces.
“Off-site sewer connection line” means the part of the sewer connection line located in a public easement or right-of-way.
“On-site sewer connection line” means the part of the sewer connection line located on the property being serviced by that line.
“Premises” means a lot, parcel of land, building or establishment.
“Sewage” means a combination of liquid- or water-carried human waste conducted away from residences, business buildings and institutions, which is known as domestic sewage, together with the liquid- or water-carried waste resulting from a manufacturing process employed in industrial establishments, including the washing, cleaning or drain water from such process or establishment, which is known as industrial waste.
“Sewer connection line” means a line or pipe carrying sewage from a premises to a sewer main.
“Sewer extension” means an extension of the sewer main.
“Significant industrial user” means an industrial user of the sanitary system who meets any one of the following criteria:
1. Is subject to or potentially subject to national pretreatment standards promulgated under Section 307(b) or (c) of the Clean Water Act;
2. Has in its wastes any priority toxic pollutants listed in 40 CFR 401.15 or 40 CFR Part 403 or listed by the Public Works Director;
3. Has in its wastes toxic pollutants as defined pursuant to Section 307 of the Clean Water Act or regulations promulgated thereto;
4. Has a discharge flow of 10,000 gallons or more of wastewater per average work day;
5. Has a flow greater than five percent of the flow into the sanitary system or of the design pollutant loading capacity of the sanitary system; or
6. Is determined by the Public Works Director to have a significant impact or potential for significant impact, either singly or in combination with other contributing industries, on the wastewater treatment system, the quality of sludge, the sanitary system effluent quality, or air emissions generated by the sanitary system.
“Spaghetti line” means a pipe or line connecting to a sewer main that is not directly adjacent to the lot being serviced by the line or pipe. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.018 Service connection charges.
A person applying for sewer service to property not previously connected to the sanitary system shall pay a sewer connection charge, which shall include engineering costs of inspecting and/or installing the on-site sewer connection line and permit application fees and costs. The amount of the sewer connection charge and the costs included in that charge shall be published annually on the City website and a newspaper of general circulation. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.020 Connection – Required.
a. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall erect or occupy a dwelling or commercial or industrial building directly adjacent to the sanitary system without connecting to the sanitary system.
b. Except when expressly approved by permit, spaghetti lines are prohibited. No service will be provided to a lot that is not directly adjacent to a sewer main.
c. Where the sanitary system is not available, a septic system may be used so long as the septic system is installed and maintained as required by ADEC and all other laws and provides adequate disposal of waste.
d. Except as otherwise provided in this section, property owners must connect to the sanitary system no more than three years after the owner of a property receives written notice that the sanitary system is available to the property.
e. Property owners with compliant and fully functioning septic systems may wait to connect to the sanitary system but shall connect to the sanitary system before and instead of replacing or repairing any substantial component of a septic system on the property. Property owners delaying connection to the sewer system under this subsection must provide written notice of the property owner’s intent to temporarily stay connection only in compliance with the code. The notice of stay must be received by the City no more than 60 days after the City provides written notice to the property owner that the sanitary system is available to the property. A notice to stay connection is available at the Clerk’s office, the Public Works Department, and/or on the City’s website.
f. Outhouses, cesspools, privies or any private wastewater system that is not subject to approval and regulation by ADEC is prohibited within the City. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.050 Sewer service connection and extension permit.
a. No person shall install a sewer extension or a sewer connection line without first obtaining a sewer connection permit from the City. Permit applications may be obtained from the Public Works Department, the City Clerk’s office, and/or the City’s website. Permit fees must be paid at the time the application is submitted. The sewer connection and extension permit fee shall include all inspection and administrative costs. All other fees for delayed or deferred services, in lieu of assessments and necessary right-of-way permits, shall be in addition to the permit fee.
b. A property owner installing a sewer connection or extension which qualifies for a deferred assessment payment or makes a payment in lieu of assessment shall pay the assessment prior to issuance of the connection or extension permit.
c. The sewer connection permit criteria shall be identified in the permit application obtained from the Public Works Department, the City Clerk’s office, and/or the City’s website.
d. All work and materials must meet the standards and specifications as described in the permit application, Homer City Code, the Uniform Building Code, and ADEC.
e. Property owners connecting to the sanitary system shall provide and pay for all materials, labor, and equipment for the excavation, connection and installation of the sewer line and shall be responsible for any liability, damages or costs arising from installation, excavation, and connection.
f. All sewer connections and extensions shall be inspected by the Public Works Department before the connection is used. The customer shall make arrangements with the Public Works Department at least 24 hours in advance for all required inspections. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.070 Destruction/abandonment of private sewage disposal systems.
All septic tanks, cesspools, privies, or sewage holding tank/vaults shall be removed, filled or destroyed in full compliance with conservation requirements and the Uniform Plumbing Code. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.080 Commercial waste disposal permit.
a. Except for property owners connecting to the sanitary system for disposal of waste from a single-family dwelling or property owners required to obtain an industrial waste disposal permit, all property owners must obtain a commercial waste disposal permit before discharging any waste into the sanitary system.
b. The waste disposal permit application shall be available at the Public Works Office and may be available on the City’s website. The permit fee must be paid at the time the application is submitted. The criteria for the permit shall be included in the application.
c. The Public Works Director shall issue a commercial waste disposal permit so long as:
1. The Public Works Director reasonably believes, and the property owner attests, that the type of waste reported by the property owner will not damage the sanitary system; and
2. The sewer pipeline has sufficient capacity to dispose of the disclosed wastes.
d. The Public Works Director or his designee may revoke, modify or impose conditions upon a disposal permit if he or she finds, in his or her sole discretion, that revocation, conditions or modifications to the permit are required to prevent or stop damage to the sanitary system. Except when immediate action is necessary to protect the sanitary system and prevent immediate harm to public health and sanitation, the Public Works Director shall provide notice to the property owner at least 30 days before revoking or modifying a disposal permit. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.100 Discharge of drainage into the sanitary system illegal.
No connections shall be made to any public sewer or any premises for the purpose of directing or diverting any stormwater or any surface or underground drainage into the sewer, and no person shall discharge into any public sewer or house lateral any leader pipe from a roof, surface drain, underground drain or any solid or liquid waste other than the sewage composed of the ordinary liquid wastes of residences, business buildings and institutions from baths, toilets, laundries, wash tubs, sinks and floor drains. Connections of surface or groundwater to the sanitary system are considered illegal. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.110 Industrial waste pretreatment and discharge requirements.
a. Significant industrial users must provide wastewater pretreatment in full compliance with Federal and State law, this section, and the City of Homer Industrial Waste Pretreatment Discharge and Disposal Manual, which may be referred to as the Industrial Waste Manual in the code.
b. The Industrial Waste Manual shall contain administrative rules and regulations governing discharge of industrial waste into the sanitary system. These rules and regulations and any amendments to them must be approved by Council via ordinance before they become effective. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.120 Industrial waste disposal permit.
a. All significant industrial users must obtain an industrial waste disposal permit from the City.
b. The industrial waste disposal permit application shall be available at the Public Works Office and may also be available on the City’s website. The permit fee must be paid at the time the application is submitted. The criteria for the permit shall be included in the application.
c. The Public Works Director shall only issue an industrial waste disposal permit after finding that:
1. The applicant and the sewage generated on the property subject to the permit comply with the City of Homer Industrial Pretreatment and Discharge Administrative Rules and Regulations as adopted by Council; and
2. The sewer pipeline has sufficient capacity to dispose of the disclosed wastes.
d. The Public Works Director or his designee may revoke, modify or impose conditions upon an industrial waste disposal permit if he or she finds, in his or her sole discretion, revocation, conditions or modifications to the permit are required to prevent or stop damage to the sanitary system. Except when immediate action is necessary to protect the sanitary system and prevent immediate harm to public health and sanitation, the Public Works Director shall provide written notice to the property owner at least 30 days before revoking or modifying a disposal permit. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].
14.04.130 Industrial waste disposal permit – Penalties.
a. A significant industrial user who violates this chapter shall be liable to the City for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 per violation. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation. Such penalties may be recovered by judicial actions or, to the extent permitted by State or local law, by administrative procedures.
b. A significant industrial user who violates this chapter, or who discharges or causes a discharge producing interference with, deposit in, or obstruction of the sanitary system, or who causes damage to or impairs the sanitary system, shall be liable to the City for any expense, loss or damage caused by such violation or discharge. The City shall bill the user for the cost incurred by the City for any cleaning, repair or replacement work caused by the violation or discharge. Refusal to pay the assessed costs is a violation of this chapter.
c. A significant industrial user who violates any requirement of this chapter or any permit, industrial wastewater acceptance notification or other authorization required by the Industrial Waste Manual is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,000 per violation or imprisoned for 90 days or both. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation. [Ord. 19-23(S-2)(A) § 4, 2019].