CHAPTER 95

SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
95.01 Purpose 95.06 Service Outside the City
95.02 Definitions 95.07 Right of Entry
95.03 Superintendent 95.08 Use of Easements
95.04 Prohibited Acts 95.09 Special Penalties
95.05 Sewer Connection Required  

95.01    PURPOSE. The purpose of the chapters of this Code of Ordinances pertaining to Sanitary Sewers is to establish rules and regulations governing the treatment and disposal of sanitary sewage within the City in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

95.02    DEFINITIONS. For use in these chapters, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms are defined:

1. "B.O.D." (denoting Biochemical Oxygen Demand) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five (5) days at twenty (20) degrees C., expressed in milligrams per liter or parts per million.

2. "Building drain" means that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a building 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 (5) feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face of the building wall.

3. "Building sewer" means that part of the horizontal piping from the building wall to its connection with the main sewer or the primary treatment portion of an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system conveying the drainage of one building site.

4. "Combined sewer" means a sewer receiving both surface run-off and sewage.

5. "Customer" means any person responsible for the production of domestic, commercial or industrial waste which is directly or indirectly discharged into the public sewer system.

6. "Garbage" means solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of produce.

7. "Industrial wastes" means the liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade, or business as distinct from sanitary sewage.

8. "Inspector" means the person duly authorized by the Council to inspect and approve the installation of building sewers and their connections to the public sewer system; and to inspect such sewage as may be discharged therefrom.

9. "Natural outlet" means any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface or groundwater.

10. "On-site wastewater treatment and disposal system" means all equipment and devices necessary for proper conduction, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of wastewater from four or fewer dwelling units or other facilities serving the equivalent of fifteen persons (1500 gpd) or less.

11. "pH" means the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.

12. "Public sewer" means a sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.

13. "Sanitary sewage" means sewage discharging from the sanitary conveniences of dwellings (including apartment houses and hotels), office buildings, factories or institutions, and free from storm, surface water, and industrial waste.

14. "Sanitary sewer" means a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

15. "Sewage" means 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.

16. "Sewage treatment plant" means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.

17. "Sewage works" or "sewage system" means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage.

18. "Sewer" means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

19. "Sewer service charges" means any and all charges, rates or fees levied against and payable by customers, as consideration for the servicing of said customers by said sewer system.

20. "Slug" means any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than fifteen (15) minutes more than five (5) times the average twenty-four (24) hour concentration or flows during normal operation.

21. "Storm drain" or "storm sewer" means a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than unpolluted cooling water.

22. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of sewage works and/or of water pollution control of the City or any authorized deputy, agent, or representative.

23. "Suspended solids" means solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering.

24. "Watercourse" means a channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.

95.03    SUPERINTENDENT. The Superintendent shall exercise the following powers and duties:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[4])

1. Operation and Maintenance. Operate and maintain the City sewage system.

2. Inspection and Tests. Conduct necessary inspections and tests to assure compliance with the provisions of these Sanitary Sewer chapters.

3. Records. Maintain a complete and accurate record of all sewers, sewage connections and manholes constructed showing the location and grades thereof.

95.04    PROHIBITED ACTS. No person shall do, or allow, any of the following:

1. Damage Sewer System. Maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the sewer system.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 716.1)

2. Surface Run-off or Groundwater. Connect a roof downspout, sump pump, exterior foundation drain, areaway drain, or other source of surface run-off or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

3. Manholes. Open or enter any manhole of the sewer system, except by authority of the Superintendent.

4. Objectionable Wastes. Place or deposit in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the City, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste.

5. Septic Tanks. 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 these chapters.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3f])

6. Untreated Discharge. Discharge to any natural outlet within the City, or in any area under its jurisdiction, any sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of these chapters.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3f])

95.05    SEWER CONNECTION REQUIRED. The owners of any houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, 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 or combined sewer, are hereby required to install, at such owner’s expense, suitable toilet facilities therein and a building sewer connecting such facilities directly with the proper public sewer, and to maintain the same all in accordance with the provisions of these Sanitary Sewer chapters, such compliance to be completed within sixty (60) days after date of official notice from the City to do so provided that said public sewer is located within one hundred (100) feet of the property line of such owner and is of such design as to receive and convey by gravity such sewage as may be conveyed to it. Billing for sanitary sewer service will begin the date of official notice to connect to the public sewer.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12 [3f])

(IAC, 567-69.1[3])

95.06    SERVICE OUTSIDE THE CITY. The owners of property outside the corporate limits of the City so situated that it may be served by the City sewer system may apply to the Council for permission to connect to the public sewer upon the terms and conditions stipulated by resolution of the Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.4 [2 & 3])

95.07    RIGHT OF ENTRY. The Superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the City bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of these Sanitary Sewer chapters. The Superintendent or representatives shall have no authority to inquire into any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper, or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for waste treatment.

95.08    USE OF EASEMENTS. The Superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the City bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the City holds a duly negotiated easement for the purposes of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any portion of the sewage works lying within said easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on said easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved.

95.09    SPECIAL PENALTIES. The following special penalty provisions shall apply to violations of these Sanitary Sewer chapters:

1. Notice of Violation. Any person found to be violating any provision of these chapters except subsections 1, 3 and 4 of Section 95.04, shall be served by the City with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.

2. Continuing Violations. Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in subsection 1 hereof shall be in violation of this Code of Ordinances. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense.

3. Liability Imposed. Any person violating any of the provisions of these chapters shall become liable to the City for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned the City by reason of such violation.

CHAPTER 96

BUILDING SEWERS AND CONNECTIONS

96.01 Permit 96.06 Interceptors Required
96.02 Permit Fee and Connection Charge 96.07 Sewer Tap
96.03 Plumber Required 96.08 Inspection Required
96.04 Excavations 96.09 Property Owner’s Responsibility
96.05 Connection Requirements 96.10 Abatement of Violations

96.01    PERMIT. No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the City. The application for the permit shall set forth the location and description of the property to be connected with the sewer system and the purpose for which the sewer is to be used, and shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent. The permit shall require the owner to complete construction and connection of the building sewer to the public sewer within sixty (60) days after the issuance of the permit, except that when a property owner makes sufficient showing that due to conditions beyond the owner’s control or peculiar hardship, such time period is inequitable or unfair, an extension of time within which to comply with the provisions herein may be granted. Any sewer connection permit may be revoked at any time for a violation of these chapters. There are two classes of building sewer permits: (a) residential and commercial service, and (b) service to establishments producing industrial wastes.

96.02    PERMIT FEE AND CONNECTION CHARGE. The person who makes the application shall pay a fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for residential and commercial customers or fifty dollars ($50.00) for industrial customers to the Clerk to cover the cost of issuing the permit and supervising, regulating, and inspecting the work. In addition, there shall be a connection charge in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400.00) paid to reimburse the City for costs borne by the City in making sewer service available to the property served.

96.03    PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of building sewers and connections to the public sewer shall be made by a plumber approved by the City. The Superintendent shall have the power to suspend the approval of any plumber for violation of any of the provisions of these Sanitary Sewer chapters; a suspension, unless revoked, shall continue until the next regular meeting of the Council. The Superintendent shall notify the plumber immediately by personal written notice of the suspension, the reasons for the suspension, and the time and place of the Council meeting at which the plumber will be granted a hearing. At this Council meeting the Superintendent shall make a written report to the Council stating the reasons for the suspension, and the Council, after fair hearing, shall affirm or revoke the suspension or take any further action that is necessary and proper. The plumber shall provide a surety bond in the minimum sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) secured by a responsible surety bonding company authorized to operate within the State, conditioned to indemnify and save the City harmless against all losses or damages that may arise from or be occasioned by the making of connections with the public sewers or excavations therefor or by carelessness, negligence or unskillfulness in making the same. Such bond shall remain in force and must be executed for a period of one year except that on such expiration it shall remain in force as to all penalties, claims and demands that may have accrued thereunder prior to such expiration. In lieu of a surety bond, a cash deposit of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) may be filed with the City.

96.04    EXCAVATIONS. All excavations required for the installation of a building sewer shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the City. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with A.S.T.M. Specification C-12, except that no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected. The excavations shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 135 where applicable.

96.05    CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS. Any connection with a public sanitary sewer must be made under the direct supervision of the Superintendent and in accordance with the following:

1. Old Building Sewers. Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test conducted by the owner and observed by the Superintendent, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

2. Separate Building Sewers. A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every occupied 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. In such cases the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.

3. Installation. The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of Division 4, Plumbing Rules and Regulations, of the State Building Code, applicable rules and regulations of the City, or the procedures set forth in A.S.T.M. Specification C-12. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the Superintendent before installation.

4. Water Lines. When possible, building sewers should be laid at least ten (10) feet horizontally from a water service. The horizontal separation may be less, provided the water service line is located at one side and at least twelve (12) inches above the top of the building sewer.

5. Size. Building sewers shall be sized for the peak expected sewage flow from the building with a minimum building sewer size of four (4) inches.

6. Alignment and Grade. All building sewers shall be laid to a straight line to meet the following:

A. Recommended grade at one-fourth (¼) inch per foot.

B. Minimum grade of one-eighth (1/8) inch per foot.

C. Minimum velocity of 2.00 feet per second with the sewer half full.

D. Any deviation in alignment or grade shall be made only with the written approval of the Superintendent and shall be made only with approved fittings.

7. Depth. Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. The depth of cover above the sewer shall be sufficient to afford protection from frost.

8. Sewage Lifts. In all buildings in which any 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.

9. Pipe Specifications. Building sewer pipe shall be free from flaws, splits, or breaks. Materials shall be as specified in Division 4 of the State Building Code except that the building sewer pipe, from the property line to the public sewer, shall comply with the current edition of one of the following:

A. Clay sewer pipe - A.S.T.M. C-700 (extra strength).

B. Extra heavy cast iron soil pipe - A.S.T.M. A-74.

C. Ductile iron water pipe - A.W.W.A. C-151.

D. P.V.C. - SDR26 - A.S.T.M. D-3034.

10. Bearing Walls. No building sewer shall be laid parallel to, or within three (3) feet of any bearing wall, which might thereby be weakened.

11. Jointing. Fittings, type of joint, and jointing material shall be compatible with the type of pipe used, subject to the approval of the Superintendent. Solvent-welded joints are not permitted.

12. Unstable Soil. No sewer connection shall be laid so that it is exposed when crossing any watercourse. Where an old watercourse must of necessity be crossed or where there is any danger of undermining or settlement, cast iron soil pipe or vitrified clay sewer pipe thoroughly encased in concrete shall be required for such crossings. Such encasement shall extend at least six (6) inches on all sides of the pipe. The cast iron pipe or encased clay pipe shall rest on firm, solid material at either end.

13. Preparation of Basement or Crawl Space. No connection for any residence, business or other structure with any sanitary sewer shall be made unless the basement floor is poured, or in the case of a building with a slab or crawl space, unless the ground floor is installed with the area adjacent to the foundation of such building cleared of debris and backfilled. The backfill shall be well compacted and graded so that the drainage is away from the foundation. Prior to the time the basement floor is poured, or the first floor is installed in buildings without basements, the sewer shall be plugged and the plug shall be sealed by the Superintendent. Any accumulation of water in any excavation or basement during construction and prior to connection to the sanitary sewer shall be removed by means other than draining into the sanitary sewer.

14. Backwater Valve Required. All new sewer connections and all reconstructed sewer connections shall contain a backwater valve located on private property to prevent the backup of sewage onto the premises of the property owner.

96.06    INTERCEPTORS REQUIRED. Grease, oil, sludge and sand interceptors shall be provided by gas and service stations, convenience stores, car washes, garages, and other facilities when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of such wastes that contain grease in excessive amounts or any flammable waste, sand or other harmful ingredients. Such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. When required, such interceptors shall be installed in accordance with the following:

1. Design and Location. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity as provided by the Iowa Public Health Bulletin and Division 4 of the State Building Code, to be approved by the Superintendent, and shall be located so as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

2. Construction Standards. The interceptors shall be constructed of impervious material capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers that shall be gastight and watertight.

3. Maintenance. All such interceptors shall be maintained by the owner at the owner’s expense and shall be kept in continuously efficient operations at all times.

96.07    SEWER TAP. 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. If no properly located "Y" branch is available, a saddle "Y" shall be installed at the location specified by the Superintendent. The public sewer shall be tapped with a tapping machine and a saddle appropriate to the type of public sewer shall be glued or attached with a gasket and stainless steel clamps to the sewer. At no time shall a building sewer be constructed so as to enter a manhole unless special written permission is received from the Superintendent and in accordance with the Superintendent’s direction if such connection is approved.

96.08    INSPECTION REQUIRED. All connections with the sanitary sewer system before being covered shall be inspected and approved, in writing, by the Superintendent. As soon as all pipe work from the public sewer to inside the building has been completed, and before any backfilling is done, the Superintendent shall be notified and the Superintendent shall inspect and test the work as to workmanship and material; no sewer pipe laid under ground shall be covered or trenches filled until after the sewer has been so inspected and approved. If the Superintendent refuses to approve the work, the plumber or owner must proceed immediately to correct the work.

96.09    PROPERTY OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY. All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection and maintenance of the building sewer shall be borne 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.

96.10    ABATEMENT OF VIOLATIONS. Construction or maintenance of building sewer lines whether located upon the private property of any owner or in the public right-of-way, which construction or maintenance is in violation of any of the requirements of this chapter, shall be corrected, at the owner’s expense, within thirty (30) days after date of official notice from the Council of such violation. If not made within such time the Council shall, in addition to the other penalties herein provided, have the right to finish and correct the work and assess the cost thereof to the property owner. Such assessment shall be collected with and in the same manner as general property taxes.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3])

CHAPTER 97

USE OF PUBLIC SEWERS

97.01 Storm Water 97.05 Restricted Discharges - Powers
97.02 Surface Waters Exception 97.06 Special Facilities
97.03 Prohibited Discharges 97.07 Control Manholes
97.04 Restricted Discharges 97.08 Testing of Wastes

97.01    STORM WATER. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof run-off, sub-surface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer. Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the Superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged on approval of the Superintendent, to a storm sewer, combined sewer, or natural outlet.

97.02    SURFACE WATERS EXCEPTION. Special permits for discharging surface waters to a public sanitary sewer may be issued by the Council upon recommendation of the Superintendent where such discharge is deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of flushing, but any permit so issued shall be subject to revocation at any time when deemed to the best interests of the sewer system.

97.03    PROHIBITED DISCHARGES. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewers:

1. Flammable or Explosive Material. Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid, or gas.

2. Toxic or Poisonous Materials. Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance, or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant, including but not limited to cyanides in excess of two (2) milligrams per liter as CN in the wastes as discharged to the public sewer.

3. Corrosive Wastes. Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and personnel of the sewage works.

4. Solid or Viscous Substances. Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works such as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders.

5. Excessive B.O.D., Solids or Flow. Any waters or wastes having (a) a five (5) day biochemical oxygen demand greater than three hundred (300) parts per million by weight, or (b) containing more than three hundred fifty (350) parts per million by weight of suspended solids, or (c) having an average daily flow greater than two percent (2%) of the average sewage flow of the City, shall be subject to the review of the Superintendent. Where necessary in the opinion of the Superintendent, the owner shall provide, at the owner’s expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to (a) reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to three hundred (300) parts per million by weight, or (b) reduce the suspended solids to three hundred fifty (350) parts per million by weight, or (c) control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes. Plans, specifications, and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the Superintendent and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until said approvals are obtained in writing.

97.04    RESTRICTED DISCHARGES. 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 an 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 restricted are:

1. High Temperature. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty (150) degrees F (65 degrees C).

2. Fat, Oil, Grease. Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease, or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of one hundred (100) milligrams per liter or six hundred (600) milligrams per liter of dispersed or other soluble matter.

3. Viscous Substances. Water or wastes containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between thirty-two (32) and one hundred fifty (150) degrees F (0 and 65 degrees C).

4. Garbage. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded, that is, to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half (½) inch in any dimension.

5. Acids. Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron pickling wastes, or concentrated plating solution whether neutralized or not.

6. Toxic or Objectionable Wastes. Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc, and similar objectionable or toxic substances; or wastes exerting an excessive chlorine requirement, to such degree that any such material received in the composite sewage at the sewage treatment works exceeds the limits established by the Superintendent for such materials.

7. Odor or Taste. Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste or odor producing substances, in such concentrations exceeding limits which may be established by the Superintendent as necessary, after treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of state, federal, or other public agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters.

8. Radioactive Wastes. Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the Superintendent in compliance with applicable State or Federal regulations.

9. Excess Alkalinity. Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 9.5.

10. Unusual Wastes. Materials which exert or cause:

A. Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth, lime slurries, and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate).

B. Excessive discoloration (such as, but not limited to dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions).

C. Unusual B.O.D., chemical oxygen demand, or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the sewage treatment works.

D. Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting "slugs" as defined herein.

11. Noxious or Malodorous Gases. Any noxious or malodorous gas or other substance which either singly or by interaction with other wastes is capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life or of preventing entry into sewers for their maintenance and repair.

12. Damaging Substances. Any waters, wastes, materials or substances which react with water or wastes in the sewer system to release noxious gases, develop color of undesirable intensity, form suspended solids in objectionable concentration or create any other condition deleterious to structures and treatment processes.

13. Untreatable Wastes. Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the sewage treatment processes employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters.

97.05    RESTRICTED DISCHARGES - POWERS. 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 97.04 and which in the judgment of the Superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Superintendent may:

1. Rejection. Reject the wastes by requiring disconnection from the public sewage system;

2. Pretreatment. Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers;

3. Controls Imposed. Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or

4. Special Charges. Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of Chapter 99.

97.06    SPECIAL FACILITIES. 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. Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at the owner’s expense.

97.07    CONTROL MANHOLES. 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 the owner’s expense, and shall be maintained by the owner so as to be safe and accessible at all times.

97.08    TESTING OF WASTES. All measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this chapter 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 said 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 twenty-four (24) hour composite of all outfalls of a premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but not always, B.O.D. and suspended solids analyses are obtained from twenty-four (24) hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH’s are determined from periodic grab samples).

 

CHAPTER 98

ON-SITE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

98.01 When Prohibited 98.05 Discharge Restrictions
98.02 When Required 98.06 Maintenance of System
98.03 Compliance with Regulations 98.07 Systems Abandoned
98.04 Permit Required 98.08 Disposal of Septage

98.01    WHEN PROHIBITED. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to construct or maintain any on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3f])

98.02    WHEN REQUIRED. When a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of Section 95.05, every building wherein persons reside, congregate or are employed shall be provided with an approved on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system complying with the provisions of this chapter.

(IAC, 567-69.1[3])

98.03    COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS. The type, capacity, location and layout of a private on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system shall comply with the specifications and requirements set forth by the Iowa Administrative Code 567, Chapter 69, and with such additional requirements as are prescribed by the regulations of the County Board of Health.

(IAC, 567-69.1[3 & 4])

98.04    PERMIT REQUIRED. No person shall install or alter an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system without first obtaining a permit from the County Board of Health.

98.05    DISCHARGE RESTRICTIONS. It is unlawful to discharge any wastewater from an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system (except under an NPDES permit) to any ditch, stream, pond, lake, natural or artificial waterway, drain tile or to the surface of the ground.

(IAC, 567-69.1[3])

98.06    MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM. The owner of an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system shall operate and maintain the system in a sanitary manner at all times and at no expense to the City.

98.07    SYSTEMS ABANDONED. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system, as provided in Section 95.05, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with these Sanitary Sewer chapters and the on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3f])

98.08    DISPOSAL OF SEPTAGE. No person shall dispose of septage from an on-site treatment system at any location except an approved disposal site.

CHAPTER 99

SEWER SERVICE CHARGES
99.01 Sewer Service Charges Required 99.05 Payment of Bills
99.02 Rate 99.06 Lien for Nonpayment
99.03 Special Rates 99.07 Special Agreements Permitted
99.04 Private Water Systems  

99.01    SEWER SERVICE CHARGES REQUIRED. Every customer shall pay to the City sewer service fees as hereinafter provided.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

99.02    RATE. Each customer shall pay sewer service charges for the use of and for the service supplied by the municipal sanitary sewer system based upon the amount of water consumed as follows:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

1. First 1.000 gallons or lesser amount per month @$11.70 per month (minimum bill).

2. All over 1,000 gallons per month @$4.20 per 1,000 gallons.

Non-metered service, a private water source, would be billed by the size of the household as follows:

1 person $16.70

2 people $26.70

3 people $41.70

4 people $46.70

5 people $56.70

6 people $66.70

7 people $76.70

8 people $81.70

(Ord. 313 – Aug. 06 Supp.)

99.03    SPECIAL RATES. Where, in the judgment of the Superintendent and the Council, special conditions exist to the extent that the application of the sewer charges provided in Section 99.02 would be inequitable or unfair to either the City or the customer, a special rate shall be proposed by the Superintendent and submitted to the Council for approval by resolution.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

 

99.04    PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS. Customers whose premises are served by a private water system shall pay sewer charges based upon the water used as determined by the City either by an estimate agreed to by the customer or by metering the water system at the customer’s expense. Any negotiated, or agreed upon sales or charges shall be subject to approval of the Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

99.05    PAYMENT OF BILLS. All sewer service charges are due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment of a combined service account as contained in Section 92.04 of this Code of Ordinances. Sewer service may be discontinued in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 92.05 if the combined service account becomes delinquent, and the provisions contained in Section 92.08 relating to lien notices shall also apply in the event of a delinquent account.

99.06    LIEN FOR NONPAYMENT. The owner of the premises served and any lessee or tenant thereof shall be jointly and severally liable for sewer service charges to the premises. Sewer service charges remaining unpaid and delinquent shall constitute a lien upon the premises served and shall be certified by the Clerk to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

99.07    SPECIAL AGREEMENTS PERMITTED. No statement in these chapters shall be construed as preventing a special agreement, arrangement or contract between the Council, and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted subject to special conditions, rate and cost as established by the Council.

 

CHAPTER 100

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
100.01 Purpose 100.03 Rates
100.02 District Established 100.04 Lien for Nonpayment

100.01    PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a storm water drainage system district and provide a means of funding the operation and maintenance of storm water management facilities including, but not limited to, retaining basins, storm sewers, inlets, ditches and drains.

100.02    DISTRICT ESTABLISHED. The entire City is hereby declared a storm water drainage system district for the purpose of establishing, imposing, adjusting and providing for the collection of rates for the operation and maintenance of storm water management facilities. As additional areas are annexed to the City they shall immediately be included in the storm water drainage system district.

100.03    RATES. The rates for the operation and maintenance of the storm water management facilities shall be collected by imposing a monthly rate on every City water meter, and on every residence, apartment and dwelling unit in mobile home parks. A monthly rate of one dollar ($1.00) shall be collected on every business, residence, apartment and dwelling unit in mobile home parks. The rates shall be billed and collected in the same manner as water service rates.

100.04    LIEN FOR NONPAYMENT. The owner of the premises served and any lessee or tenant thereof shall be jointly and severally liable for charges for the operation and maintenance of the storm water management facilities. Any such charges remaining unpaid and delinquent shall constitute a lien upon the premises served and shall be certified to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

 

 

 

 

 

Back to City Hall