ARTICLE 4. SEWERS
15-401 Definitions.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of words and terms as used in this article shall be as follows:
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-402 Sewer connection required.
The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose, situated within the city 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 sewer of the city, is hereby required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 140 feet of the property line.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-403 Permit; connection fee.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-404 Application.
Any person desiring to make a connection to the city sewer system shall apply in writing to the city clerk who shall forward the application to the utility superintendent. The application shall contain:
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-405 Costs.
All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be paid by the owner. 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.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-406 Sewer connection.
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be made at the “Y” branch if such branch is available at a suitable location. Where no properly located “Y” branch is available, the connection shall be made in the manner approved by the utility superintendent and at a location designated by the superintendent.
(Code 1998)
15-407 Sewer for each building.
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 feasibly constructed to the rear building. In such case, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-408(1). Same; specifications.
The building sewer shall be constructed of cast iron pipe, ASTM specifications A74-42, or approved equal; vitrified clay sewer pipe, ASTM specifications C13-44T, or approved equal; or an approved plastic pipe. Any plastic pipe to be installed on any building sewer shall not be approved by the city until the owner has furnished descriptive literature and typical sample section of the plastic pipe proposed for installation, to the city for inspection and review. All joints on all pipe installed shall be tight and waterproof. Any part of the building sewer that is located within 10 feet of a water service pipe or city water main shall be constructed of approved cast iron soil pipe with approved joints. No building sewer shall be installed within three feet of existing gas lines. If installed in filled or unstable ground, the building sewer shall be constructed of cast iron soil pipe, except that non-metallic material may be accepted if laid on a suitable concrete bed or cradle as approved by the city.
(Code 1998)
15-408(2). Same.
The size and slope of the building sewer to be installed shall be subject to the approval of the city inspector, but in no event shall the diameter of the pipe be less than four inches. The slope at which a six inch pipe is to be laid shall be not less than 1/8 inch per foot and for four inch pipe, not less than 1/4 inch per foot. Any grades for the pipe, which are proposed for installation at grades less than these specified, shall be approved by the city inspector prior to placement.
(Code 1998)
15-408(3). Same.
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 a uniform grade and in straight alignment insofar as possible. Changes in direction shall be made only with approved curved pipe and fittings, including cleanout fittings.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-408(4). Same.
At buildings in which the building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved artificial means and discharged to the building sewer. The use of any pumping equipment for which cross-connections with a public water supply system are needed, is prohibited. The total costs of pumping equipment and pumping equipment operational costs shall be those of the owner.
(Code 1998)
15-408(5). Same.
No building sewer shall be laid across a cesspool, septic tank or vault until the cesspool, septic tank or vault has been well cleaned and filled with an approved earth or sand fill, then thoroughly tamped and water settled. Cast iron pipe may be used across cesspools or septic tanks, if proper bedding and support for the sewer pipe is acquired.
(Code 1998)
15-408(6). Same.
All excavation required for the installation of the building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the city. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with ASTM specifications C12-19, except that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected and approved.
(Code 1998)
15-408(7). Same.
All joints in the building sewers shall be made watertight. If recommended by the city inspector, a water pressure test shall be made on the completed sewer to insure a compliance with this requirement, requiring that the building sewer withstand an internal water pressure of 5 psi., without leakage.
Cast iron pipe with lead joints shall be firmly packed with oakum or hemp and filled with molten lead, Federal Specifications QQ-L-156, not less than one inch deep. Lead shall be run in one pour and caulked and packed tight. No paint, varnish or other coatings shall be permitted on the jointing material until after the joint has been tested and approved.
All joints in vitrified clay pipe shall be the polyurethane-compression type joints, approved by the city inspector.
Joints for all plastic pipe used in building sewers shall be the slip type joints or solvent weld type, approved by the city.
Joints between any two different types of pipes shall be made with lead, asphaltic jointing materials or concrete, as approved by the city. All joints shall be watertight and constructed to insure minimum root penetration and to the satisfaction of the city.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-409 Sewer excavations: damages.
All excavations for buildings sewers shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, curb and gutters, sidewalks, parkways and other public property removed or damaged during the installation of the building sewer, shall be repaired or replaced in a manner acceptable to the city and at the total expense of the owner. It is further agreed that any parties involved in any excavating or installation work for sewer installations as above set out, will hold the city harmless from any and all damages to persons or property resulting from or growing out of any opening or excavation or any negligent act or from any operation made within the city.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-410 Failure to connect.
(Code 1998)
15-411 Privy unlawful.
It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage except as provided in this article.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-412 Private sewer system.
Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 15-402 the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of sections 15-411 to 15-416.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-413 Same; permit.
Before commencing construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the utility superintendent. The application shall be accompanied by any plans, specifications or other information deemed necessary by the utility superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $50 shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-414 Same; inspection.
The utility superintendent or his or her authorized representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and the applicant shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection or before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-415 Same; discharge.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-416 Same; additional requirements.
No statement contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the city or county health officer.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-417 Disposal of sewage.
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or discharge from any source whatsoever any sewage or human excrement upon any public or private grounds within the city, or to permit the contents of any privy, vault or septic tank to be deposited or discharged upon the surface of any grounds. Any unauthorized or unapproved privy vault, septic tank or other means or places for the disposal of sewage, excrement and polluted water may be abated as a public nuisance upon the order of the city or county board of health in accordance with the laws of Kansas.
(K.S.A. 12-1617e; 12-1617g; Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-418 Damage to sewers.
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any sewer, structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is part of the municipal sewer system.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-419 Natural outlet.
It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet 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 the provisions of this article.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-420 Standards.
The size, slope, alignment, materials, excavation, placing of pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling shall all conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing codes or other applicable rules and regulations of the city.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-421 Old building sewers.
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the utility superintendent, to meet all requirements of this article.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-422 Mud, grease traps.
All garages, filling stations, milk plants or other commercial or industrial plants connected to the public sewer shall construct and maintain proper and sufficient interceptors or traps to prevent the discharge of any sand, mud, sediment, litter, waste or any substance harmful to the effective operation and maintenance of the city sewer system, into the building sewer.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-423 Roof, foundation drains.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-424 Same; exception.
Discharges from air conditioning units in excess of one ton per hour or one horsepower may be permitted into a building sewer upon approval of the utility superintendent where there is a finding that such cooling water cannot be recirculated and that such waste water does not overload the capacity of the sewer or interfere with the effective operation of the sewage disposal works of the city.
(Code 1998)
15-425 Prohibited discharges.
No person shall discharge any of the following waters or wastes to any public sewer:
(Code 1998)
15-426 Same; determination of superintendent.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the superintendent that such wastes can harm either the sewers, sewage treatment process, or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. In forming his or her opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the superintendent will give consideration to such factors as the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the sewers, nature of the sewage treatment process, capacity of the sewage treatment plant, degree of treatability of wastes in the sewage treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited are:
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-427 Same; action of superintendent.
If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in section 15-426, and which in the judgment of the superintendent, may have a deleterious effect upon the treatment works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life to constitute a public nuisance, the superintendent may:
If the superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants 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.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-428 Preliminary treatment.
Where preliminary treatment for flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his or her expense.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-429 Industrial wastes.
When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his or her expense, and shall be maintained by him or her so as to be safe and accessible at all times. All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this article 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 at the control manhole provided, or upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected. 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 of all outfalls of a premise is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are obtained from 24 hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH’s are determined from periodic grab samples.)
No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefore, by the industrial concern.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-430 City inspections.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-431 Stormwater.
(Ord. 543; Code 1998)
15-432 Bills.
(Code 1998; Code 2017)
15-433 Delinquent accounts; lien against property.
(Code 2011)
15-434 Sewer user charges.
Effective December 15, 2020, the rates to be charged for sewer used from the municipal water system in any one month shall be as follows:
(Ord. 1532; Code 2011; Res. 2015-03; Code 2017; Res. 2020-09)