Chapter 13.16
SEWAGE DISPOSAL REGULATIONS

Sections:

13.16.010    Definitions.

13.16.020    Use of public sewers required.

13.16.030    Private sewage disposal.

13.16.040    Building sewers and connections.

13.16.050    Use of public sewers and duty to enforce discharge prohibitions.

13.16.060    Protection from damage.

13.16.070    Powers and authority of inspectors.

13.16.080    Penalties.

13.16.010 Definitions.

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of items used in this chapter shall be as follows:

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

B. “Sewer superintendent” shall mean the superintendent of sewage works of the city of Newport, or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.

C. “Sewage” shall mean a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface and storm waters as may be present.

D. “Sewer” shall mean a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

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

F. “Combined sewer” shall mean a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.

G. “Sanitary sewer” shall mean a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface and ground waters are not intentionally admitted.

H. “Storm sewer” or “storm drain” shall mean a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.

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

J. “Industrial wastes” shall mean the liquid wastes from industrial processes as distinct from sanitary sewage.

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

L. “Properly shredded garbage” shall mean the wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have 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 in any dimension.

M. “Building drain” shall mean that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet outside the inner face of the building wall.

N. “Building sewer” shall mean the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.

O. “BOD” (denoting biochemical oxygen demand) shall mean the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees Centigrade, expressed in parts per million by weight.

P. “pH” shall mean a symbol denoting the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. pH values run from 1 through 14. The number 7 indicates neutrality.

Q. “Suspended solids” (“SS” preferred term) is matter suspended within the treatment process.

R. “Natural outlet” shall mean any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or ground water.

S. “Watercourse” shall mean a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

T. “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation or group.

U. “Shall” is mandatory; “may” is permissive.

V. “ASTM” shall mean American Society for Testing and Materials (Standards).

W. “PVC” shall mean polyvinyl-styrene chloride.

X. “Grease trap” shall mean a device designed to retain grease from entering into the sewage system. (Ord. 915 § 2, 1999)

13.16.020 Use of public sewers required.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the city of Newport, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said city, any human or animal excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste.

B. It is unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the city of Newport, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said 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.

C. Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.

D. The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose, situated within the city of Newport and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city, is required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect the facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 30 days after date of official notice to do so; provided, that the public sewer is within 200 feet of the property line. (Ord. 915 § 3, 1999)

13.16.030 Private sewage disposal.

A. Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of NMC 13.16.020(D), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.

B. Before commencement of construction of a private service sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a permit from Northeast Tri-County health district, division of environmental health. Obtain sewage permit, application and fee schedule at the Tri-County health district local office. Tri-County health district maintains jurisdiction for all on-site sewage disposal systems within the city and county. See Regulations 01-1995, including amendment adopted August 2, 1995, and October 11, 1995. Authority: These regulations are adopted pursuant to RCW 43.20.050 and WAC 246-272-02001.

C. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in NMC 13.16.020(D), 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.

D. The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the city.

E. No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer. (Ord. 915 § 4, 1999)

13.16.040 Building sewers and connections.

A. No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the sewer superintendent.

B. There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: (1) for residential and commercial service, and (2) for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his 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 sewer superintendent.

C. All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner, including the connection charge as provided in Chapter 13.20 NMC. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

D. A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be 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 a one-building sewer.

E. Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and tested by the sewer superintendent, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

F. The building sewer shall be cast iron soil pipe, ASTM specification (A74-93) or equal; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ASTM specification (D) 3033 and 3034 may be used with a minimum SDR of 41. (All pipe joints shall be “O” ring gasket or seal.) All other suitable material must be approved by the sewer superintendent, if installed in filled or unstable ground. The building sewer shall be of cast iron soil pipe, except that nonmetallic material may be accepted if laid on a suitable concrete bed or cradle as approved by the sewer superintendent.

G. The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the approval of the sewer superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter be less than four inches. The slope of the four-inch pipe shall not be less than one-fourth inch per foot.

H. Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to or within three feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened. The depth shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with properly curved pipe and fittings.

I. Building sewers that are located below the crown level on the main sewer shall discharge into an approved watertight pump or receiving tank so located as to receive the sewage or other liquid wastes and shall be lifted and discharged into the building drain or building sewer by approved ejectors, pumps or other equally efficient approved mechanical devices.

J. All excavations required for the installation of a building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the sewer superintendent. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with ASTM specification (C12-19) except that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected.

K. Building sewers located below the next upstream manhole or:

1. Below the main sewer level, drainage piping serving building sewers which have flood level rims located below the elevation of the next upstream manhole cover of the public sewer service. Such drainage piping shall be protected from backflow of sewage by installing an approved type backwater valve. Building sewers above such elevation shall not discharge through the backwater valve.

2. Backwater Requirements. Where a building sewer may be subjected to backflow of sewage, suitable provision will be made to prevent overflow in the building. In any condition where flooding has occurred, due to line blockage within the public sewer, the city shall, at the discretion of sewer superintendent, require the owner of such building to install an approved type backwater valve. In a condition where a backwater valve cannot be installed, an approved ejector pump system may be used. In extreme cases, permanently disconnecting basement drains will be required upon notice by the sewer superintendent. Prevention of backflow steps will be taken at the owner’s expense.

3. Grease Traps. When in the judgment of the sewer superintendent waste pretreatment is required, an approved type grease trap complying with the current Uniform Plumbing Code shall be installed in the waste line leading from the sink, drains and other fixtures or equipment in establishments such as restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, bars, clubs, hotels, hospitals, school kitchens, and other establishments where grease may be introduced into the drainage or sewer system. A grease trap is not required for individual dwelling units or for any private living quarters. Grease traps shall be maintained in efficient operating condition by periodic removal of the accumulated grease. No such collected grease shall be introduced to the public sewer.

4. Drainage System. The entire building drainage system should be so designed, constructed and maintained as to conduct the waste water or sewage quickly from the fixture to the place of disposal with velocities which will guard against fouling and the deposit of solids and will prevent clogging.

5. Draining Pipes. The drainage pipes would be designed and constructed as to be proof for reasonable life of the building against leakage of water or drainage air due to defective materials, imperfect connections, corrosion, settlements or vibrations of the ground on building temperature changes, freezing or other cause.

6. Sewer Line – Pressure Type. Pipe fittings shall conform to ASTM class 160 minutes for polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC). All pipe joints shall be “O” ring gaskets or seals.

L. The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the “Y” branch, if such a branch is available at a suitable location. If the public sewer is 12 inches in diameter or less, and no properly located “Y” branch is available, the owner shall, at his expense, install a “Y” branch in the public sewer at the location specified by the sewer superintendent. Where the public sewer is greater than 12 inches in diameter, and no properly located “Y” branch is available, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer, with entry in the downstream direction at an angle of about 45 degrees. A 45-degree ell may be used to make the connection, with the spigot end cut so as not to extend past the inner surface of the public sewer. The invert of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be at the same or at a higher elevation than the invert of the public sewer. A smooth, neat joint shall be made, and the connection made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete. Special fittings may be used for the connection only when approved by the sewer superintendent.

M. The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the sewer 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 sewer superintendent or his representative.

N. All excavations for the building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. 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. 915 § 5, 1999)

13.16.050 Use of public sewers and duty to enforce discharge prohibitions.

A. In accordance with 40 CFR 403.5(a), the permittee shall not authorize or knowingly allow the discharge of any pollutants into its POTW which cause pass through or interference, or which otherwise violates general or specific discharge prohibitions contained in 40 CFR part 403.5 or WAC 173-216-060.

B. The permittee shall not authorize or knowingly allow the introduction of any of the following into its POTW:

1. Pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the POTW (including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Centigrade using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21).

2. Pollutants which will cause corrosive damage to the POTW, but in no case discharges with pH lower than 5.0, or greater than 11.0 standard units, unless the works are specifically designed to accommodate such discharges.

3. Solid or viscous pollutants in amounts that could cause obstruction to the flow in sewers or otherwise interfere with the operation of the POTW.

4. Any pollutant, including oxygen demanding pollutants, (BOD, etc.) released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause interference with the POTW.

5. Petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass through.

6. Pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the POTW in a quantity which may cause acute worker health and safety problems.

7. Heat in amounts that will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference but in no case heat in such quantities such that the temperature at which the POTW headworks exceeds 40 degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) unless the department, upon request of the permittee, approves, in writing, alternate temperature limits.

8. Any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at discharge points designated by the permittee.

9. Wastewaters prohibited to be discharged to the POTW by the Dangerous Waste Regulations (Chapter 173-303 WAC), unless authorized under the Domestic Sewage Exclusion (WAC 173-303-071).

C. All of the following are prohibited from discharge to the POTW unless approved in writing by the city under extraordinary circumstances (such as a lack of direct discharge alternatives due to combined sewer service or the need to augment sewage flows due to septic conditions):

1. Non-contact cooling water in significant volumes.

2. Stormwater, and other direct inflow sources.

3. Wastewater significantly affecting system hydraulic loading, which do not require treatment, or would not be afforded a significant degree of treatment by the system.

D. The permittee shall notify the city if any industrial user violates the prohibitions listed in this section. (Ord. 915 § 6, 1999)

13.16.060 Protection from damage.

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 municipal sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to arrest or citation and criminal prosecution. (Ord. 915 § 7, 1999)

13.16.070 Powers and authority of inspectors.

The sewer superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 915 § 8, 1999)

13.16.080 Penalties.

A. Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any amount not exceeding $500.00 for each violation. Each day in which any such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.

B. Any person violating 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. 915 § 9, 1999)