Chapter 14.20
DEPARTMENT AND CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES

Sections:

14.20.010    Sewer department responsibilities and liabilities.

14.20.020    Consumer responsibility.

14.20.030    Interference with water department, sewer department or building inspector – Digging up streets without permit.

14.20.040    Unsanitary disposal of excrement prohibited.

14.20.050    Private sewage systems.

14.20.060    Tampering with equipment prohibited.

14.20.070    Permit required.

14.20.080    Application.

14.20.090    Inspection and approval by sewer department or building inspector.

14.20.100    Records to be kept by sewer department.

14.20.110    Fees.

14.20.010 Sewer department responsibilities and liabilities.

A. The sewer department shall not be responsible for the installation, maintenance or inspection of the consumer’s service line piping or apparatus or for any defects therein.

B. The sewer department shall have the right to refuse service unless the consumer’s lines or piping are installed in such manner as to prevent cross-connections or backflow.

C. Under normal conditions, the consumer shall be notified of any anticipated interruption of service.

D. The sewer department shall not be responsible for the negligence of third persons or forces beyond the control of the sewer department resulting in any interruption of services or damage to the property of the consumer.

E. The sewer department may refuse service to any prospective consumer when the capacity of the sewer system will not permit additional loads being placed thereon.

F. Sewer system tampering shall carry a fee of $250.00 for the first occurrence and $500.00 for the second occurrence. (Ord. 19-09 § 5, 2019; prior code § 12-4-1)

14.20.020 Consumer responsibility.

A. Building or house sewer connections on the consumer’s premises shall be so arranged as to provide service to one lot. If additional service is required it will be considered as a separate and individual account.

B. The consumer’s house or building service line, sewer connection and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the consumer, at the consumer’s expense, in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with the sewer department’s rules and regulations and in full compliance with the regulations of the State Department of Health Services.

C. The consumer shall safeguard the sewer department’s property placed on the consumer’s premises and shall permit access to it only by the authorized representatives of the sewer department.

D. In the event that any loss or damage to the property of the sewer department or any accident or injury to persons to property is caused by or results from the negligence or wrongful act of the consumer, his agents or employees, the cost of necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by the consumer to the sewer department and any liability otherwise resulting shall be assumed by the consumer. The amount of such loss or damage or the cost of repairs may be added to the consumer’s bill, and, if not paid, service may be discontinued by the sewer department.

E. The sewer department may discontinue its service without notice for the following additional reasons:

1. To prevent fraud or abuse.

2. The consumer’s willful disregard of or refusal to comply with this title or other rules as may be adopted by the council.

F. Prior to discontinuing service pursuant to this section, the town shall provide notice to the consumer. Such notice shall provide the customer the opportunity for a hearing. If after such notice or hearing, the customer fails to pay the charges, the water meter will be disconnected, the customer’s account closed by deducting from the customer’s deposit the total amount of the bill, including penalties, up to the time of the disconnection of the meter.

G. When service to a consumer shall require the laying of any town sewer lines or the installation of any other town property on, under, across or over the consumer’s property, the consumer will grant to the town an easement, right-of-way or license for such installation. (Ord. 01-015 § 9, 2001; prior code § 12-4-2)

14.20.030 Interference with water department, sewer department or building inspector – Digging up streets without permit.

It is unlawful for any person:

A. To interfere in any way with the officers of the town water department, sewer department or the building inspector in the discharge of any of their duties, either in the tapping of any sewer pipe, main or lateral belonging to the town or in the laying or connecting of such pipe, main or lateral.

B. To dig up or cause to be dug up any street or alley in the town for the purpose of connection with the sewer system of the town without first obtaining a permit from the sewer department.

C. Who, having a permit to dig up any portion of any street or alley of the town for the purpose of connecting with the sewer system of the town, fails or neglects to place the street or alley in its original condition under the supervision of the sewer department and as required by it. (Prior code § 12-4-3)

14.20.040 Unsanitary disposal of excrement prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to deposit or permit to be deposited in an unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the town or in any area under the jurisdiction of the town any human or animal excrement or other objectionable waste. (Prior code § 12-4-4)

14.20.050 Private sewage systems.

A. Compliance with Title. Except as provided in this title, it is unlawful to construct or maintain within the town any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.

B. When Permitted – Sanitation. Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available within the town or in any area under the jurisdiction of the town, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system, which complies with the regulations of the State Department of Health Services. Such private sewage disposal system shall be constructed, maintained and operated at all times in a sanitary manner.

C. Discontinuance. Within 90 days after a public sewer becomes available within 300 feet of any property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this title, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material. (Prior code § 12-4-5)

14.20.060 Tampering with equipment prohibited.

No 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 municipal sewage works. (Prior code § 12-4-6)

14.20.070 Permit required.

No authorized 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 sewer department. (Prior code § 12-4-7)

14.20.080 Application.

Upon issuance of a required permit to any person, each and every permit issued shall be presented by the person to the sewer department and application made for the building connection. (Prior code § 12-4-8)

14.20.090 Inspection and approval by sewer department or building inspector.

No building sewer will be connected to the building connection until it has been inspected and approved by the sewer department or building inspector. (Prior code § 12-4-9)

14.20.100 Records to be kept by sewer department.

The sewer department shall keep a record of all building connections made and the purpose for which they are to be used together with the name of the owner of the property, his agent or representative. (Prior code § 12-4-10)

14.20.110 Fees.

A fee of $200.00 shall be charged for connection of each residential dwelling unit to the town sewer system. A fee of $300.00 shall be charged for connection of each commercial business unit to the town sewer system. Apartments or multi-family housing shall be charged an initial connection fee of $300.00 plus an additional $200.00 for each dwelling unit. (Ord. 01-015 § 9, 2001; Ord. 89-05, 1989; Ord. 85-07, 1985; prior code § 12-4-11)