HomeMy WebLinkAbout440 ORDINANCE NO. 440
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 4 OF THE LOS
ALTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING REVISED SEWER USE CODE
The City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby ordains as follows:
Section 1: Title 6. Sanitation and Health, Chapter 4, Article 4 of the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code is hereby amended to read in full as follows:
"Article 4. Sewer Use Code
Sec.6.4.401. Definitions.
Sec. 6-4.402. Responsibility of the City Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.403. Industrial wastes discharge permit.
Sec.6-4.404. Industrial wastes discharge permit procedure.
Sec. 6-4.404(1). Compliance schedule.
Sec. 64.404(2). New sources.
Sec. 6-4.405. Personnel orientation.
Sec. 6-4.406.Suspension or revocation of industrial wastes discharge permit.
Sec. 6-4.407. Permit denial, revocation or suspension hearing.
Sec. 6-4.408.Waste sampling locations.
Sec. 6-4.408(1). Discharger monitoring.
Sec.6-4.409.Trucker's discharge permit.
Sec. 6-4.410. Limitations on points of discharge and prohibited discharge.
Sec.6-4.411. Confidentiality.
Sec. 6-4.412.Accidental discharges.
Sec. 6-4.413. Discharger self-monitoring.
Sec. 6-4.414. Prohibited effect.
Sec.6-4.415. Character of wastes.
Sec. 6-4.416.Standards for other industrial wastes.
Sec.6-4.417. Damage of facilities.
Sec.6-4.418. Civil penalties.
Sec.6-4.418(1). Public notification of violations.
Sec. 6-4.419. Conflicts with EPA requirements.
Sec.6-4.420. Construction requirements.
Sec. 6-4.421. Requirements for photographic materials processing.
Sec.6-4.422. Requirements for dental facilities using silver amalgams.
Sec.6-4.423. Copper-based root control chemicals.
Sec. 6-4.424. Grease disposal prohibited.
Sec. 6-4.425. Grease removal device required.
Sec.6-4.426. Requirements for vehicle service facilities.
Sec.6-4.427.Storage of hazardous materials above sinks.
Sec. 6-4.428. Officers responsible.
Sec. 6-4.428(1). Right of entry.
Sec. 6-4.428(2). Dangerous and insanitary condition.
Sec. 6-4.428(3). Dangerous and insanitary condition. Declared a Public Nuisance.
Sec. 6-4.428(4).Abatement.
Sec, 6-4.430. General requirements before installing sewers.
Sec, 6-4.431. Septic tank. Unlawful use.
Sec, 6-4.432. Duty to connect to public sewer.
Sec, 6-4.433, Septic tank construction.
Sec, 6-4.434. Construction permit required.
Sec, 6-4.434(1).Application for construction permit.
Sec, 6-4.434(2). To whom construction permits may be issued.
Sec, 6-4.434(3). Unlawful acts under construction permit.
Sec, 6-4.434(4). Expiration of construction permit
Sec,6-4.435. Sewer system connection fees, of charges.
Sec, 6-4.436. Construction permit fees.
Sec, 6-4.437.All work to be inspected.
Sec, 6-4.438. Notification.
Sec, 6-4.439. Tests.
Sec, 6-4.440. Materials and labor for test.
Sec, 6-4.441. Excavations.
Sec, 6-4.442. Minimum standards.
Sec, 6-4.442(1). Markings.
Sec, 6-4.442(2). Vitrified clay pipe and fittings.
Sec, 6-4.442(3). Polyvinyl chloride(PVC)pipe.
Sec, 6-4.442(4). Ductile iron pipe(DIP)and fittings.
Sec, 6-4.442(5). High density polyethylene(HDPE)pipes and fittings.
Sec, 6-4.442(6), Cleanout fittings.
Sec, 6-4.442(7). Backwater and gate valves.
Sec, 6-4.442(8).Approved materials and methods.
Sec, 6-4.442(9). Workmanship.
Sec, 6-4.442(10). Protection of materials.
Sec, 6-4.442(11). New materials and methods of construction.
Sec, 6-4.443. Use of existing sewers.
Sec, 6-4.443(1). Building sewer.
Sec, 6-4.443(2). Size and slope—Building sewer.
Sec, 6-4.443(3). Elevation—Building sewer.
Sec, 6-4.443(4). Sewage lift
Sec, 6-4.443(5). Joints and connections.
Sec, 6-4.443(6). Building sewer connection to public sewer.
Sec, 6-4.443(7). Building sewer maintenance.
Sec, 6-4.443(8). Cleanouts.
Sec, 6-4.443(9). Backwater protection.
Sec, 6-4.444. Swimming pools.
Sec,6-4.444(1). Unauthorized connection to public sanitary sewer system.
Sec, 6-4.445. Sewer service charges.
Sec, 6-4.445(1). Basic of charge for sewer service.
Sec, 6-4.445(2). Review of rates.
Sec, 6-4.446. Extension of sewer main facilities.
Sec, 6-4.446(1). Parcel frontage extension of sewer mains.
Sec, 6-4.446(2). Minumum size of sewer main.
Sec, 6-4.446(3).Application to file surety bond.
Article 4. Sewer Use Code
Sec. 6-4.401. Definitions.
The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall
be as defined herein. Terminology for analytical testing shall be that
contained in "Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of
Pollutants", published at Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 136.
(a) "Average concentration" of a substance shall mean the total daily
discharge weight of the substances divided by the total daily wastewater
volume at the point of discharge.
(b) `Backwater Valve"shall mean any approved check valve or other
approved device to prevent the flow of sewage from the public sewer into
the building.
(c) "Building" shall mean any structure erected for the support,
shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattel or movable property of
any kind.
(d) "Building Drain"shall mean House Drain.
(e) "Building Sewer"shall mean House Sewer.
(f) "Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD) shall mean
the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic
matter, expressed in parts per million by weight. CBOD concentrations
shall be determined under standard analytical procedures specified in the
publication "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater"jointly prepared and published by the American Public Health
Association, the American Water Works Association, and the Water
Environment Federation and/or other alternate procedures specified and
required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or the
State of California Environmental Protection Agency.
(g) "Cesspool" shall mean a lined or partially lined underground pit
into which raw sanitary sewage is discharged.
(h) "City" means the City of the Town of Los Altos Hills.
(i) "City Engineer" shall mean the City Engineer for the Town of Los
Altos Hills.
Q) "Customer"shall mean any person(s), business, organization, or
other agency that obtains sewer service from the Town of Los Altos Hills.
(k) "Discharger" shall mean any person who discharges, causes or
permits the discharge of industrial waste into a City sewer or storm drain.
(1) "Domestic waste or Domestic sewer"shall mean wastewater that
is produced from non-commercial and non-industrial activities and that
results from normal human living processes.
(m) `Drainage System, or Drainage Piping" shall mean and include
all the piping within public or private premises, which conveys sewage, or
other liquid wastes, to a point of disposal, but shall not include the mains,
laterals, manholes, and pipe encasements of a public sewer system.
(n) "EPA" shall mean the United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
(o) "Exceptional wastes" shall mean aqueous wastes that may
include but are not limited to (i) construction site dewatering where soil or
groundwater contamination is present, (ii) groundwater contaminated with
organic solvents generated as a result of pump tests in preparation for a
groundwater cleanup or water generated during sampling events, (iii)
aqueous wastes generated by either permanent or mobile hazardous
waste treatment units used to treat hazardous waste at the generator's
s
site, (iv) and aqueous wastes generated as a result of site cleanup
activities.
(p) "Food service facility" shall mean any establishment that uses or
generates grease when preparing food. "Food service facility" does not
mean any facility that prepares food for off-site cooking and consumption,
or any facility that does not use or generate grease in cooking or preparing
food.
(q) "Grease" shall mean, and include, fats, oils, waxes, or other
related constituents. Grease may be of vegetable or animal origin,
including butter, lard, margarine, vegetable fats and oils and fats in meats,
cereals, seeds, nuts and certain fruits. Grease may also be of mineral
origin, including kerosenes, lubricating oil and road oil. Grease in the
waste-water collection system is generally present as, but need not be, a
floatable solid, a liquid, a colloid, an emulsion or in a solution.
(r) "Grease removal device" shall mean an interceptor or other
mechanical device designed, constructed and intended to remove, hold or
otherwise prevent the passage of grease to the sanitary sewer.
(s) "Hazardous material" shall mean any material that because of its
quantity, concentration or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a
significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the
environment if released into the workplace or the environment. "Hazardous
materials" include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances, hazardous
wastes and any materials which a handler has a reasonable basis for
believing would be injurious to the health and safety or harmful to the
environment if released into the workplace or the environment. For
purposes of this title, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) shall be considered
hazardous materials.
(t) "House Drain, or Building Drain or Main Drain" shall mean that
part of the lowest 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 two (2) feet outside the
building wall that faces the public sewer.
(u) "House Sewer, or Building Sewer"shall mean the extension from
the house drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal, which is not
less than two (2) feet from any building or structure foundation or footing
that faces the public sewer.
(v) "Industrial waste" shall mean the waste and wastewater from any
production, manufacturing or processing operation of whatever nature
including institutional and commercial operations where wastewater is used
for the removal of significant quantities of waste other than domestic waste
from premises connected to the City's sanitary sewers.
(w) "Insanitary"shall mean a condition, which is contrary to sanitary
principles or is injurious to health. Conditions to which the word
"insanitary"shall apply include the following but shall not be limited thereto:
1. The discharge of sewage to the environment, except to an
approved septic system, or to the soil without proper treatment.
2. Any opening in a drainage system, except where lawful, which
would permit the escape of gases or sewage or would permit persons to
make physical contact with the sewage.
3. Faulty septic tanks or drainfields permitting sewage to seep or
stand on the surface of the ground or potentially contaminate an
underground water system.
4. Any connection, cross-connection, construction or condition,
temporary or permanent, between a potable water system and any source
or system containing unapproved water, any amount of sewage, or any
substance than is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and
potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections,
swivel or changeover assemblies, or other assemblies through which
backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.
5. The discharge of wastewater from swimming pools upon the
ground.
(x) "Instantaneous maximum" shall mean the highest concentration
or other measure of pollutant magnitude taken at any discrete point in time.
(y) "Instantaneous minimum" shall mean the lowest concentration or
other measure of pollutant magnitude taken at any discrete point in time.
(z) "Interceptor" shall mean a receptacle or trap designed and
constructed to intercept, separate, and prevent the passage of prohibit- ed
substances into the sewer system.
(aa) "Lot" shall mean a single or individual parcel or area of land,
legally recorded, on which is situated a building together with the yards,
courts and unoccupied spaces legally required for the building and which is
owned by or is in the lawful possession of the owner of the building.
(bb) "New sources" shall mean sources of industrial waste that
commence discharging subsequent to the effective date of this section.
(cc) "Organic solvent" shall mean any solvent which contains carbon
in its molecular structure.
(dd) "Outside Sewer" shall mean sewer lines owned by the Town
lying outside the City limits (Town limits).
(ee) "Premises" shall mean any lot, piece or parcel of land, any
building or other structure or any part of any building or structure used or
useful for human habitation or gathering or for carrying on a business or
occupation.
(ft) "Public Sewer" shall mean any sewer, which is part of the
municipal sewer system, including any sewer main within any public street
or sewer easement and any outside sewer.
(gg) "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, firm,
association, corporation or public agency.
(hh) "Plant" shall mean the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control
Plant.
(ii) "Point of discharge" shall mean the point or points designated as
such in the permit. Where no designation is made it shall mean the point
where the private sewer joins a public sewer.
0j) "Pretreatment system" shall mean a treatment system at an
industrial or commercial facility that is designed to treat water prior to
entering the City's sewer system.
(kk) "Sanitary sewage" shall mean water-carried wastes from
residences, business property, institutions and industrial property excluding
ground, surface, and storm waters and industrial wastes.
(II) "Secondary containment" shall mean the level of containment
external to and separate from the primary containment.
(mm) "Seepage pit" shall mean a device comprised of one (1) or
more pits extending into porous strata, lined with open jointed masonry or
similar walls, capped and provided with a means of access such as a
manhole cover and into which wastewater disposal system effluent is
discharged.
(nn) "Septic Tank" shall mean a water-tight receptacle which
receives the discharge of a drainage system or part thereof, designed and
constructed so as to retain solids, digest organic matter through a period of
detention, and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside of the tank
through a system of open joint piping, or a seepage pit meeting the
requirements of this Code.
(oo) "Sewage Works"shall mean all facilities for collecting, pumping,
treating, and disposing of sewage. Sewage Works shall mean Sewerage
Works.
(pp) "Sewage treatment plant" shall mean any arrangement of
devices and structures used for treating sanitary sewage and industrial
wastes.
(qq)"Sewer" shall mean a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
(rr) "Sewer Capacity Rights"shall mean the flow (in gallons per day)
of sewage that a customer is entitled to discharge from each connection on
an average daily basis. Such rights shall be purchased by payment of
sewer capacity fees at the time of connection to the public sewer system or
when additional capacity is needed to serve the user.
(ss) "Sewer Connection Fee" shall be monies paid by applicant to
purchase capacity in the Town's sewer system. Fees shall be paid to: (a)
buy in to existing public sewer system facilities, and (b) fund the future
construction of facilities needed for development. The sewer capacity fee
paid represents the proportion of the existing system that will be used by
the new customer and the proportion of costs of future projects that will be
needed to serve the new customer.
(tt) "Sewer Contractor" shall mean a contractor holding a valid
business license to do sewer work in the Town of Los Altos Hills.
(uu) "Sewer Service"shall mean the services and facilities, furnished
or available to premises by the municipal sewer system, for collection,
treatment and disposal of sewage.
(w) "Sewer system" or "sanitary sewer system" shall mean all
sewers, treatment plants and other facilities owned or operated by the City
or by the City of Palo Alto, with whom the City is a partner, for carrying,
collecting, treating, and disposing of sanitary sewage and industrial wastes.
(ww) "Storm drains" shall mean the system of pipes and channels
used to convey storm water.
(xx) "Unpolluted water' shall mean water to which no constituent has
been added, either intentionally or accidentally, that would render such
water unacceptable for disposal to storm or natural drainage or directly to
surface waters.
Sec. 6-4.402. Responsibility of the City Engineer.
The City Engineer shall be responsible for the administration and
enforcement of the provisions of this article, for conducting an industrial
waste source control program, and for promulgating such orders, rules and
regulations as are necessary to accomplish the purpose of this article in
accordance with the requirements that are or may be promulgated by the
Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Resources Control
Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Board for the San Francisco
Bay Region or other duly authorized Boards or Agencies.
Sec. 6-4.403. Industrial wastes discharge permit.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or organization to discharge or
cause to be discharged any industrial wastes whatsoever directly or
indirectly into the sewer system without first obtaining a permit for industrial
wastes discharge. The City Council may establish an appropriate fee for
such permits. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any person or
organization to discharge any industrial wastes in excess of the quantity or
quality limitations set for this article or by a permit for industrial wastes
discharge.
(b) A discharger may request permission to discharge prohibited
wastes or wastes containing concentrations of substances or
characteristics in excess of those permitted by this article, hereinafter
referred to as exceptional industrial wastes.
(c) The City Engineer may authorize a discharger by permit to
discharge exceptional industrial wastes when the permit will not result in a
violation of any of the prohibited effects described in Section 6-4.414, and
the City is compensated for any costs it incurs including any expense in
determining whether such discharge is compatible with the sewer system.
(d) The permit for any industrial wastes discharge may require
pretreatment of industrial wastes before discharge, restrict peak flow
discharges, prohibit discharge of certain wastewater components, restrict
discharge to certain hours of the day, require payment of additional
charges to defray increased costs to the City created by the wastewater
discharge and impose such other conditions as may be required to
effectuate the purpose of this article.
(e) No permit for industrial wastes discharge is transferable without
the prior written consent of the City Engineer.
(f) Any person or organization desiring to change the quantity or
quality of waste discharged to the sewer system or to discharge wastes or
use facilities which are not in conformance with their industrial waste permit
shall apply for and obtain an amended permit prior to any such discharge
or use. An application for an amended permit must be filed with the City
Engineer sixty (60) days in advance of the proposed commencement of
such discharge or use of such facilities.
Sec. 6-4.404. Industrial wastes discharge permit procedure.
(a) Applicant for a permit for any industrial wastes discharge shall
complete and submit an application form available at the City Engineer's
office for each point of discharge. The City Engineer shall establish the
contents of said form and may require additional information on the
characteristics of the wastewater discharge beyond that required on the
application form.
(b) The application shall be approved if the applicant has complied
with all requirements of this article, furnished all requested information, and
the Town determines that there are adequate devices, equipment,
chemicals, and'other facilities to convey, treat, and dispose of the industrial
wastes.
Sec. 6-4.404(1). Compliance schedule.
In the event that an industrial wastes discharge permit holder should
be affected by a newly promulgated waste discharge standard, such permit
holder shall be granted a time schedule for the installation of technology
required to meet the applicable pre-treatment standards and requirements;
provided, however, that during such time for compliance existing provisions
of this article rt shall not be violated.
I
Sec. 6-4.404(2). New sources.
(a) New sources of industrial wastes discharge shall be in full
compliance with the provisions of this article at the time of commencement
of discharge.
(b) Discharges, the characteristics of which have been altered due to
process changes by a discharger, shall be considered new sources and
such discharges shall be in compliance with provisions of this article at the
time of commencement of the altered discharge.
Sec. 6-4.406. Personnel orientation.
Holders of industrial waste discharge permits shall take necessary
steps to inform appropriate personnel employed by such permit holders of
the provisions of Sections 6-4.414 and 6-4.415.
Such personnel shall include workers and supervisors whose duties
pertain in any manner to the production or removal of waste discharges
regulated by this article.
Steps to inform such personnel shall include:
(a) Orientation of newly employed or assigned personnel,
(b)Annual orientation of all appropriate personnel, and
(c) Posting of work stations with signs indicating approved methods
for disposition of wastes.
Sec. 6-4.406. Suspension or revocation of industrial wastes
discharge permit.
(a) Any permit for industrial wastes discharge may be revoked, or
suspended by the City Engineer for a period not to exceed forty-five (45)
days, in addition to other remedies provided by law, when such action is
necessary in order to stop a discharge which presents a hazard to the
public health, safety, welfare, natural environment, sewer system, or which
violates this article.
(b)Any discharger notified of the Town's intent to revoke or suspend
the discharger's permit shall immediately cease and desist the discharge of
all industrial wastes or such portion of said wastes as will eliminate the
wrongful discharge to the sewer system pending any hearing that the
discharger may request as set forth in Section 6-4.414.
(c) The City Engineer shall reissue or reinstate any industrial wastes
permit upon proof of satisfactory compliance with all discharge
requirements.
Sec. 6-4.407. Permit denial, revocation or suspension hearing.
(a) Every industrial wastes discharger shall have, at its request, an
informal hearing before the City Manager, before the industrial wastes
permit application is denied, or the permit is revoked or suspended.
(b) The City Engineer shall give the industrial wastes discharge
applicant or permit holder ten days written notice of intent to deny the
application, or to revoke or suspend the discharger's permit. The notice
shall set forth specifically the ground or grounds for the City Engineer's
• •
intention to deny, revoke, or suspend and shall inform the applicant or
permit holder that they have ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the
notice to file a written request for a hearing. The application shall be denied
or the permit shall be revoked or suspended if a hearing request is not
received within the ten (10) day period.
(c) If the applicant or permit holder files a timely hearing request, the
City Manager shall set a time and place for the hearing within five (5)
working days from the receipt of the request. All parties involved shall have
the right to offer testimonial, documentary, and tangible evidence bearing
on the issues and to be represented by counsel. The decision of the City
Manager, whether, to deny the application or revoke or suspend the permit
shall be final.
Sec. 6-4.408. Waste sampling locations.
Every establishment from which industrial wastes are discharged to the
sewer system shall provide and maintain one or more outside manholes,
access boxes,junction chambers or other sampling points approved by the
City Engineer which will permit the separate sampling of sanitary and
industrial wastes. The City Engineer may approve sampling points which
will permit the separate sampling of industrial wastes only for
establishments existing on the effective date of this article. Sanitary and
industrial wastes shall be kept completely separated upstream of such
sampling points. Establishments that are billed for sewer service on the
basis of sewage effluent constituents shall provide a suitable means for
sampling to determine billing constituents. Sampling points shall be so
located that they are safe and accessible to Town inspectors at any
reasonable time during working hours.
Sec. 6-4.408(1). Discharger monitoring.
(a) City Engineer or his or her authorized representative may
conduct all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary
to assure compliance with applicable sections of this article or with United
States Environmental Protection Agency or State of California regulations.
(b) Representatives of the City Engineer shall be authorized to enter,
during normal working hours, any premises of any discharger in which an
industrial waste source or treatment system is located or in which records
are required to be kept to assure compliance with this article and
applicable Federal, State of California and County of Santa Clara
regulations.
Sec. 6-4.409. Trucker's discharge permit.
(a) All persons operating vacuum or"cesspool' pump trucks or other
liquid waste transport trucks desiring to discharge septic tank, seepage pit,
interceptor or cesspool contents, industrial liquid wastes or other liquid
wastes to the sewer system shall first acquire a trucker's discharge permit.
(b) Truck transported industrial wastes shall be discharged only at
the locations specified by the City Engineer for the specific waste. The
Town shall require payment for treatment and disposal costs or may refuse
permission to discharge certain prohibited wastes in accordance with Utility
Rule and Regulation No. 19, Special Sewer Division Regulations of the
City of Palo Alto's Utility Rules and Regulations. Denial, suspension, or
revocation of such permit shall be in accordance with Sections 6-4.406 and
6-4.407.
Sec. 6-4.410. Limitations on points of discharge and prohibited
discharge.
No person shall discharge any substances directly into a manhole or
other opening in a Town sewer, other than through an approved building
sewer. No person shall discharge any domestic waste or industrial waste
into storm drains.
Sec. 6-4.411. Confidentiality.
(a).Any information submitted to the City Engineer pursuant to this
article may be claimed as confidential by the submitter. Any such claim
must be asserted at the time of submission in the manner prescribed on
the application form or, in the case of other submissions, by stamping the
words 'confidential business information' on each page containing such
information. Information submitted prior to the inclusion of this section in
this article may be withdrawn and replaced by submittals stamped
'confidential business information.' If no such claim is made at the time of
submission or within ninety (90) days after this section becomes effective,
the information may be made available to the public without further notice.
(b) Information and date provided to the City Engineer pursuant to
this section which is effluent data shall be available to the public without
restriction.
(c)All other information which is submitted to the City Engineer shall
be available to the public.
(d) A discharger may be prohibited from discharging a substance
unless its composition is made known to the City Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.412. Accidental discharges.
(a) Each discharger shall provide adequate protection to prevent
accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes regulated by
this article. Where directed by the City Engineer, the discharger shall install
retention basins, dikes, storage tanks, or other facilities designed to
eliminate, neutralize, offset or otherwise negate the effects of prohibited
materials or wastes which may be discharged in violation of this article.
(b) Discharger shall notify the City Engineer immediately when
accidental discharges of wastes in violation of this article occur so that
counter measures may be taken to minimize damage to the sewer system
treatment plant, treatment processes and the receiving waters. Such
notifications shall not relieve any discharger of liability for any expenses
including but not limited to costs for counter measures, loss or damage to
the sewer system, and/or treatment plant, or treatment process, or for any
fines imposed on the Town on account thereof, or for damages incurred by
any third party.
(c) In the event of accidental discharge in violation of this article,
discharger shall furnish the Town, within fifteen (15) days of the date of
occurrence, a detailed written statement describing the causes the
accidental discharge and the measures being taken to prevent future
occurrence. Such information shall be used for the purpose of achieving
compliance and shall not be used for prosecution of the accident discharge
violation.
Sec. 6-4.413. Discharger self-monitoring.
The City Engineer may require the discharger to conduct a reasonable
sampling and analysis program of discharger's industrial waste of
frequency and type required by the City Engineer to demonstrate
compliance with the industrial waste requirements of this article. The City
Engineer may require the industrial discharger to have samples analyzed,
at discharger's expense, by a laboratory approved by the State of
California Department of Health for such analysis. If compliance is
demonstrated, samples shall not be required more frequently than
quarterly.
Sec. 6-4.414. Prohibited effect.
Wastes discharged into the sewer system shall not have
characteristics which by themselves or by interaction with other wastes
may:
(a) Endanger public health and safety;
(b) Cause damage to the sewer system;
(c) Create nuisance such as odors or coloration;
(d) Result in extra cost of collection, treatment, or disposal;
(e) Inhibit or disrupt any wastewater treatment process;
(f) Prevent, hinder, delay, or impede compliance with effluent quality
requirements established by regulatory agencies, or exceed the same;
(g) Cause wastewater quality to fall outside reclamation feasibility
limits.
Sec. 6-4.415. Character of wastes.
Wastes prohibited from discharge to the City's sewer system are as
follows:
(a) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.). The average B.O.D.
concentration of discharged wastes shall not exceed 400 mg/liter.
(b) Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D.). The average C.O.D.
concentration of discharged wastes shall not exceed 1,000 mg/liter.
(c) Dyes. Wastes showing excessive coloration shall not be
discharged into the sewer system. Excessive coloration shall be defined as
any coloration in a waste which, for any wave length, displays less than
sixty (60%) percent of the light transmissibility of distilled water under the
following conditions:
(1)After filtration through a 0.45 micron membrane filter;
(2) In the pH range of 5.5 to 10.0;
(3)Through a one centimeter light path;
(4)A maximum spectrum bank width of 10 millimicrons;
(5)Through the wave length range from 400 to 800 millimicrons.
(d) Explosives. No solids,liquids, or gases which by themselves or
by interaction with other substances may create fire or explosion hazards,
including wastestreams with a close cup flashpoint of less than 140
degrees Fahrenheit(60 degrees Celsius) shall be discharged. Discharge of
any explosive substance shall be unlawful. Flammable substances
including, but not limited to, acetone, alcohols, benzene, gasoline, xylene,
hexade and naphtha„ shall not be discharged into the sewer system
except where present in contaminated groundwater discharges being
discharged under an exceptional waste permit issued by the City. Where
groundwater discharges contain such contaminants, the discharger shall
monitor the sewer atmosphere for explosivity and flammability using a
properly calibrated meter designed for the purpose. The frequency of such
monitoring shall be defined in the permit.Whenever a lower explosive level
is threatened to be exceeded, the discharger shall immediately notify the
City Engineer of the potential hazard in the sewer within fifteen (15)
minutes of making the determination of threatened explosivity. The
discharger shall follow verbal notification with a written explanation of the
cause of the explosive hazard within five (5) working days, with corrective
actions taken to alleviate the situation and measures taken to prevent a
reoccurrence. The discharger shall not recommence discharges without
prior written approval of the City Engineer or his designated representative.
Where flammable substances are used in processes, separate collection
and disposal outside the sewer system shall be provided.
(e) Grease and oil. Grease and/or oil shall not be discharged into the
sewer system if the average concentration of floatable oil and/or grease
(defined as that which is subject to gravity separation at a temperature of
twenty (20) degrees Celsius and at a pH of 4.5) exceeds twenty (20)
mg/liter, nor shall the total and/or grease concentration exceed two
hundred (200) mg/liter. In addition, the discharge of petroleum oil, non-
biodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral origin in amounts that
cause interference or pass through, as defined by EPA regulations, shall
be prohibited.
(f) Hydrogen ion concentration. The pH of wastes discharged to the
sewer system shall at all times be within the range of 5.5 to 10.0.
(g) Noxious, hazardous or malodorous substances. No industrial
waste shall be discharged which alone or in combination with other wastes
may create a public nuisance, hazard, make human entry into the sewers
abnormally hazardous, or which constitutes a discharge of hazardous
substances as defined by Title 22, Part II of the California Code of
Regulations; or statutes of the United States government. Dischargers
shall be required to certify at least every six (6) months that their waste
does not constitute a hazardous waste, as defined by EPA regulations, and
that during the previous six (6) months no discharge of hazardous
substances of waste has occurred. Should any discharge of a hazardous
waste occur, the discharger shall verbally notify the EPA, the Regional
Water Quality Control Board and the City Engineer as soon as possible,
but in no event later than twenty-four(24) hours after such discharge.
Appropriate records of hazardous waste disposal manifests,
inventories of stored virgin and used hazardous materials and other
documentation as required by state and federal law shall be kept and made
available for inspection and/or copying at the request of the City.
Mercaptans and dissolved sulfides shall not be discharged in
concentrations exceeding 0.1 mg/liter.
(h) Organic solvents. Organic solvents shall not be discharged.
(i) Radioactivity. The discharge of radioactive wastes into the sewer
system shall conform to the requirements of California Radiation Control
Regulations Title 17, California Administrative Code, Chapter 5,
Subchapter 4, and as subsequently amended.
Q) Solids.
(1) Inert solids. The discharge of inert solids including but not
limited to sand, glass, metal chips, bone, plastics, etc. into the sewer is
prohibited. Settling chambers or treatment works shall be installed where
necessary to prevent the entry of inert solids into the sewer system.
(2) Solid particles. Industrial wastes shall not contain particulate
matter that will not pass through a one-half (1/2)-inch screen; this
subsection shall not apply to sanitary sewage from industrial
establishments.
(3) Suspended solids. The average concentration of suspended
solids shall not exceed 3,000 mg/liter nor shall the maximum concentration
of suspended solids exceed 6,000 mg/liter.
(4) Total solids. The average concentration of total solids shall
not exceed 1,500 mg/liter and the maximum concentration of total solids
shall not exceed 5,000 mg/liter.
(k) Stored liquid wastes. Liquid wastes that have been collected and
held in tanks or containers shall not be discharged into the sewer system
except at locations authorized by the City Engineer to collect such wastes.
Wastes of this category include but are not limited to:
(1) Chemical toilet wastes;.
(2) Industrial wastes collected in containers or tanks;
(3) Pleasure boat wastes;
(4) Septic tank pumpings;
(5)Trailer, camper, housecar or other recreation vehicle wastes.
(1) Storm Water. No storm water, roof or yard drainage, foundation or
underdrainage shall be discharged into the sewer system, nor shall any
plumbing or piping be connected in such a manner as to make possible the
discharge of storm water.
(m) Temperature. Temperature of wastewater at the point of
discharge shall not exceed 120 degrees F, except for periods of time
limited to thirty (30) minutes and for flows limited to 30 gallons per minutes,
a temperature of 150 degrees F may be permitted.
(n) Toxicity. Toxic discharges include, but are not limited to, heavy
metals, cyanides, phenols. bactericides, antibiotics and insecticides.
(1)The following is a nonexclusive list of toxic substances
and the maximum concentrations allowed for each discharge of 50,000
gallons per day or less. For discharges greater than 50,000 gallons per day
the maximum concentration shall be one-half the values in the table with
the exception of silver, for which the limit shall remain 0.25 mg, liter
regardless of flow:
Maximum
Toxicant Concentration Allowable
Arsenic 0.1 mg/liter
Barium 5.0 mg/liter
Beryllium 1.0 mg/liter
Boron 1.0 mg/liter
Cadmium 0.1 mg)liter
Chromium, Hexavalent 1.0 mg/liter
Chromium total 2.0 mg/liter
Cobalt 1.0 mg/liter
• •
Copper 2.0 mg/liter
Cresols 2.0 mg/liter
Cyanides 1.0 mg/liter
Formaldehyde 5.0 mg/liter
Lead 0.5 mg/liter
Maganese 1.0 mg/liter
Mercury 0.05 mg/liter
Nickel 1.0 mg/liter
Phenols 1.0 mg/liter
Selenium 2.0 mg/liter
Silver 0.25 mg/liter
Zinc 2.0 mg/liter
(2) Fluoride. The average and maximum concentration
allowable of fluoride for discharge into the sewer system shall be 65
mg/liter.
(3) Silver. The maximum concentration allowable for silver set
forth in this section shall not be applicable to photographic materials
processing. Silver limitations for photoprocessors are set forth below in
Section 6-4.421.
These limitations set forth in this section are subject to change in the
future as the requirements placed on the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality
Control Plant become more stringent and as the process for establishing
the industrial waste limitations is refined.
(o) Unpolluted water. Unpolluted water, including, but not limited to
cooling water, or process water shall not be discharged through direct or
indirect connection to a Town sewer unless a permit is issued by the Town.
The Town may approve the discharge of such water only when no
reasonable alternative methods of disposal is available. If a permit is
granted for the discharge of such water into a Town sewer, the user shall
pay the applicable charges and fees and shall meet such other conditions
as required by the Town.
Sec. 6-4.416. Standards for other industrial wastes.
The City Engineer may establish standards for any industrial wastes
not specifically referred to in this article. Said standards shall be published
and shall be made available to any person requesting a copy of said
standards.
Sec. 6-4.417. Damage of facilities.
When a discharge causes an obstruction, damage, or any other
impairment to Town facilities, the Town may assess a charge against the
discharger to reimburse the Town for costs incurred to clean or repair said
facility.
•
Sec. 6-4.418. Civil penalties.
Any person who intentionally or negligently violates any provision of
this article or any provision of any permit issued pursuant to said article
shall be civilly liable to the Town in a sum not to exceed Six Thousand and
no/100ths ($6,000.00) Dollars for each day in which such violation occurs.
The Town may petition the Superior Court pursuant to Government Code
54740 to impose, assess, and recover such sums. The remedy provided in
this section is cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to the
penalty provisions of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal
Code and all other remedies available to the City.
Sec. 6-4.418(1). Public notification of violations.
At least annually at the beginning of the Town's fiscal year, notice shall
be provided in the largest local daily newspaper listing those industrial
users that are found to have significantly violated the provisions of this
article during the previous twelve (12) months. For the purposes of this
provision, a significant violation is: A violation which remains uncorrected
forty-five (45) days after notification; a violation that is a part of a pattern of
noncompliance over the twelve (12) month period; a violation that involves
a failure to accurately report noncompliance; a violation that results in a
permit revocation or suspension; results in damage to public facilities; or a
violation that results in civil penalties.
Sec. 6-4.419. Conflicts with EPA requirements.
In -the event of conflicts between the discharge requirements
established in this article and future EPA discharge requirements, the most
restrictive limitation shall apply.
Sec. 6-4.420. Construction requirements.
The owner of every new commercial and industrial building or portion
thereof for which a building permit is issued on or after July 1, 1992 must
cause such building to be constructed so that industrial waste is
segregated, by means of separate plumbing, from domestic waste prior to
converging with other wastestreams in the sanitary sewer system. For the
purposes of this section only, the term new shall mean and apply to all of
the following: newly constructed buildings; building additions that require
plumbing for industrial waste; and remodeling of existing buildings to
accommodate expansion of or change to a use that requires plumbing for
industrial waste.
Sec. . 6-4.421. Requirements for photographic materials
processing.
(a) All photoprocessors shall comply with either subsection (a)(2) or
subsection (a)(3) of this subsection (a). Persons who fully comply with
subsection (a)(3) shall not be required to obtain an industrial waste
discharge permit pursuant to Section 6-4.403. unless required to do so
pursuant to other sections of this chapter, but shall be required to meet all
applicable wastewater discharge limits and requirements.
(1) Definitions.
(i) "Photographic materials processing." For the purposes of
this section, photographic materials processing shall mean developing
silver-bearing film, including x-ray film, or photographic paper.
(ii) 'Photoprocessor". For the purposes of this section, any
person who owns a photographic materials processing system, or conducts
photographic materials processing, including a business that does
photographic materials processing or any person who engages in
photographic materials processing.
(iii) "Regeneration". For the purposes of this section,
regeneration shall mean the treatment of washwater, fix, or bleach fix for
re-use.
(iv) "Spent solutions". For the purposes of this section, spent
solutions shall mean spent fixer, bleach fix, stabilizer from washless
systems, silver-bearing cleaning solutions and functionally similar solutions
other than washwater.
(v) "Washwater". For the purposes of this section, washwater
shall mean water that has been used to rinse fix or bleach fix from
photographic film or paper.
(2) Silver removal system. Persons who comply with this
subsection (2) shall install and operate in their facilities a silver removal
system, in a manner which shall insure consistent compliance with the.
following effluent standards:
(i) The maximum allowable discharge concentration of silver
shall be 1.0 mg/liter for photoprocessors that submit documentation
satisfactory to the City Engineer evidencing utilization of one or more of the
following technologies:
a.Washless minilab equipment; or
b. A water recirculating system that reduces
washwater consumption by a minimum of sixty (60%) percent. The
reduction shall be based on manufacturers' minimum recommended
washwater rates; and achievement of such reduction shall be documented
by the photo-processor to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
(ii) The maximum allowable discharge concentration of silver
shall be 0.5 mg/liter for all silver removal facilities not covered by
subsection (a)(2)(i)of this section.
(iii) All spent solutions and washwater that are not sent off
site shall be treated to insure consistent compliance with the effluent
standards set forth in this subsection (a)(2). Silver removal from washwater
shall be conducted in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of
the treatment of spent solutions.
(iv) The photoprocesser shall sample the discharge at a
frequency determined by the superintendent, based upon the flow rate
from the facility. However, in no event shall sampling be done less
frequently than once a month. A duplicate of each sample collected shall
be kept for the use of City inspectors. A sampling port shall be installed in
accordance with specifications set forth in the wastewater discharge
permit.
(v) Every person owning or operating a silver removal
system shall cause such system to be serviced at least once per year by
the manufacturer, equipment distributor, or qualified consultant who shall
certify that all equipment in the system is functioning in accordance with
the manufacturer's standards for such equipment. A record of system
service shall be maintained at the facility where the system is located, and
be available for inspection by City inspectors upon request.
(vi) Every person intending to comply with the provisions of
this subsection (a)(2), shall submit a compliance plan to the City Engineer
on or before April 1, 1991. The compliance plan shall contain a description
of the silver removal system and any regeneration systems to be used to
meet the discharge limits set forth in this subsection (a)(2). The compliance
plan shall include, but not be limited to, equipment specifications, waste
volume estimates, and proposed procedures for sampling and testing. No
person shall commence operating a silver removal system after June 30,
1991 without having submitted a compliance plan to the superintendent at
least forty-five(45) days prior to commencing operation of such system.
Every person intending to comply with the provisions of this
subsection (a)(2) shall submit an annual report to the superintendent on or
before February 1, 1992 and annually thereafter. The annual report shall
contain the following information for the preceding calendar year:
a. Type and description of silver removal
processes and any regeneration systems employed;
b. Amount of spent solutions generated:
c. Amount of washwater generated;
d. Dates of equipment servicing;
e. Description of any major changes in equipment
or operation; and
f. All wastewater sampling data.
(3) Off Site Disposal. Persons who comply with this subsection
shall ship or cause to be shipped off site, for recovery or appropriate
disposal, all spent solutions or shall regenerate all spent solutions on site.
Storage, shipment and disposal of spent solutions shall be in
accordance with all State, Federal and local requirements.
Every person who complies with this subsection (a)(3) shall maintain,
or cause to be maintained, records that detail the purchase date and
quantity of all new fixer, bleach-fix, stabilizer and functionally similar.
solutions kept or used by such person. Such person shall also maintain, or
cause to be maintained, detailed disposal records that include the date,
type and amount of waste solution disposed of: the name, address and
identification number of the shipper; and the ultimate destination of each
batch of waste solution shipped off site. Such person shall also maintain, or
cause to be maintained, a record of the amount of spent solutions
regenerated on site.
All records required to be kept pursuant to this subsection shall be kept
for a period of three (3) years at the photoprocessing site, and shall be
available for immediate inspection upon request therefor by city inspectors
during normal business hours.
Beginning on or before February 1, 1992, and annually thereafter,
every photoprocessor intending to comply with this subsection shall submit
to the superintendent a summary of the required records maintained by
such photoprocessor relating to purchase and disposition of photographic
solutions. The summary shall be on a form provided by the superintendent.
Along with the summary, every photoprocessor shall submit a statement
certifying that it is in compliance with this subsection and that the required
records are available for inspection.
Photoprocessors that comply with this subsection need not meet the
silver discharge limitations set forth in subsections (a)(2)(i) or (ii) of this
section, nor the silver discharge limitations set forth in Section 6-4.415(n)
with respect to the photographic materials processing portion of their
•
operations; provided, however, that those photoprocessors generating a
total of one hundred (100) gallons or more per month of spent solutions
shall be required to meet the silver limitations of subsections (a)(2) of this
section with respect to washwater, even if all spent solutions are shipped
off site.
(b) Compliance Schedule. The dates by which compliance with either
subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section shall be achieved shall be as
follows:
(1) All photoprocessors generating less than twenty (20) gallons
per month of spent solutions shall meet the subject requirements on or
before September 31, 1991. .
(2) All other photoprocessors shall meet the subject
requirements on or before June 30, 1991.
Sec. 6-4.422. Requirements for dental facilities using silver
amalgams.
Persons who use amalgams containing silver shall install amalgam
traps on all equipment that might carry amalgam waste to the sanitary
sewer system. Each trap shall be cleaned or replaced according to
manufacturer guidelines and in a manner that prevents any captured waste
from entering the sanitary sewer system.
Sec. 6-4.423. Copper-based root control chemicals.
No person shall discharge, dispose of or add to the sanitary sewer
system or to the storm sewer any substance containing greater than five
percent copper by weight, to control roots or for any other purpose.
Sec. 6-4.424. Grease disposal prohibited.
No person shall dispose of any grease, or cause any grease to be
disposed, by discharge into any drainage piping, by discharge into any
public or_private sanitary sewer, by discharge into any storm drainage
system or by discharge to any land, street, public way, river, stream or
other waterway.
Sec. 6-4.425. Grease removal device required.
(a) The owner of every newly constructed, remodeled or converted
commercial or industrial facility with one or more grease generating
activities, including food service facilities with new or replacement kitchens,
for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 1992, shall
install or cause to be installed a grease interceptor for each grease
generating activity, of a size equal to or greater than the minimum size
meeting the definition of grease interceptors, as set forth in section 108 of
the then currently adopted edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
(b) The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease,
including food service facilities, serviced by a sewer collection line found to
have a grease blockage, a history of grease blockage or accelerated line
maintenance resulting from grease disposal shall install or cause to be
installed, upon notification by the City Engineer, a grease removal device.
(c) The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease,
including food service facilities, for which installation of grease removal
devices is not required pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section,
shall install or cause to be installed a grease removal device for each
grease generating activity on or before January 1, 1997.
(d) All grease removal device(s) shall be installed on the premises
where grease is used or generated and shall be sized in conformance with
the Uniform Plumbing Code. The contents of all grease removal devices
shall be removed periodically as necessary to prevent violations of this
chapter. At a minimum, the contents shall be removed every six (6)
months. All grease removal devices shall be kept in good repair, and shall
be maintained in continuous operation. A log of all grease removal
activities shall be maintained at the facility showing the date of removal, the
amount removed and the disposition of the removed contents. The log
shall be retained for a period of three (3) years, and shall be available for
inspection by the City Engineer upon request.
Sec. 6-4.426. Requirements for vehicle service facilities.
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following words
and phrases shall be as defined herein
(1) "Commercial vehicle washing facility" shall mean a
commercial facility where vehicle washing is a primary business activity.
Commercial vehicle washing facilities include, but are not limited to, mobile
washing rigs.
(2) "Fleet washing facility" shall mean a facility for washing
vehicles, at a location where a business maintains six (6) or more vehicles.
(3) "Ground surfaces" shall mean and include dirt, gravel or other
unpaved surfaces.
(4) "Vehicle" shall mean a mode of transporting people or things.
Vehicles include, but are not limited to, automobiles, trucks, recreational
vehicles, tractors, airplanes and boats.
(5) "Vehicles fluid" shall mean a liquid used in or drained from a
motor vehicle. Vehicle fluids include, but are not limited to, gasoline, diesel
fuel, motor oil, brake fluid, radiator fluid, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid
and coolant.
(6) "Vehicle service facility" shall mean a commercial or industrial
facility that conducts one or more of the following operations with respect to
vehicles or components of vehicles; vehicle repair, fuel dispensing, vehicle
fluid replacement, engine and parts cleaning, body repair, vehicle salvage
and wrecking or vehicle washing.
(b) On and after October 1, 1992, all vehicle service facilities shall be
operated in accordance with the following standards:
(1) No person shall dispose of, nor permit the disposal, directly
or indirectly, of vehicle fluids, hazardous materials or rinse water from parts
cleaning operations into storm drains.
(2) All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall
ensure that any vehicle fluid, hazardous material or rinse water from parts
cleaning operations that comes into contact with any floor, pavement or
ground surface is cleaned up immediately from such surface.
(3) No person shall dispose of vehicle fluids or rinse water from
parts cleaning operations into the sanitary sewer system except pursuant
to an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this
chapter.
(4) No vehicle service facilities shall contain floor drains,
excepting only such floor drains as are connected to wastewater
pretreatment systems for which an industrial waste discharge permit has
been obtained in accordance with this chapter.
(5) No tanks, containers or sinks used for parts cleaning or
rinsing shall be connected to the storm drain system, or to the sanitary
sewer system except pursuant to an industrial waste discharge permit
obtained in accordance with this chapter.
(6) No person shall perform vehicle fluid removal outside a
building, or on asphalt or ground surfaces, whether inside or outside a
building, except in such a manner as to ensure that any spilled fluid will be
in an area of secondary containment.
(7) Leaking vehicle fluids shall be contained or drained
immediately.
(8) No person shall leave unattended drip pans or other open
containers containing vehicle fluid, unless such containers are in use or in
an area of secondary containment.
(9) No person shall discharge wastewater from vehicle washing
operations or wash racks to the sanitary sewer system except pursuant to
an industrial waste discharge permit obtained in accordance with this
chapter. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the proper
reuse of wastewater.
(10) No person shall discharge into the storm drain water from
vehicle washing operations, except from rinsing of vehicle exterior
surfaces, with water only, for appearance purposes. This exception does
not apply to commercial vehicle washing facilities or fleet washing facilities.
(11) Vehicle service facilities shall be cleaned using only those
methods of cleaning that ensure that no materials are discharged to the
storm drain or to the sanitary sewer system, except for wastewater which is
discharged to the sanitary sewer system pursuant to an industrial waste
discharge permit obtained in accordance with this chapter; provided,
however, that a permit shall not be required for facilities that use the
following three-step sequence for cleaning floors:
(i) Clean up spills with rags or other absorbent materials.
(ii) Sweep floor using dry absorbent material.
(iii) Mop floor. Mop water must be discharged to the sanitary
sewer via a toilet sink.
(12) All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall
ensure that spill prevention and clean-up equipment and absorbent
materials are kept in stock at all times and are readily available for use.
(13) No acid-containing batteries shall be stored except within
secondary containment.
(14) All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall
ensure that all employees of such facilities are trained, upon hiring and
annually thereafter, regarding best management practices in accordance
with guidelines issued and published by the Superintendent.
(15) All owners and operators of vehicle service facilities shall
post or cause to be posted signs on all storm drains located on the
property of the facility notifying personas that the discharge of wastes into
the storm drain is illegal.
In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this section and
other provisions of this chapter, this section will apply.
Sec. 6-4.427. Storage of hazardous materials above sinks.
No person shall store hazardous materials above a sink in a
commercial or industrial facility.
Sec. 6-4.428. Officers responsible.
The Director of Public Works shall be responsible for enforcing the
provisions of this Article which pertain to:
(a) Use of public sewers,
(b) Connection of private house sewers to public sewers,
(c) House sewers which connect to public sewers.
The Health Officer of Santa Clara County shall be responsible for the
enforcement of provisions, which pertain to the correction, or abatement of
insanitary conditions, which present an immediate hazard to life and health.
Sec. 6-4.428(l). Right of entry.
The aforesaid officers and their authorized agents shall have the right
of entry, during usual business hours, and at any time when, upon
reasonable cause, they believe there is an immediate hazard to life, health,
or property, to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the
performance of their duties.
Sec. 6-4.428(2). Dangerous and Insanitary condition.
Whenever any construction or condition regulated by this Article is
deemed by the responsible officer to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or a
menace to life, health or property or is in violation hereof, the responsible
officer shall order any person using or maintaining any such condition or
responsible for the use or maintenance thereof to discontinue the use of or
maintenance thereof or to repair, alter, change, remove or demolish same
as the officer may consider necessary for the proper protection of life,
health or property.
Every such order shall be in writing, addressed to the owner, agent or
person responsible for the premises in which such condition exists and
shall specify the date or time when such order shall be complied with,
which time shall allow a reasonable period in which such order can be
complied with by the person receiving such order but shall never exceed
the maximum period for which such construction can be safely used or
maintained in the judgment of said officer. Refusal, failure or neglect to
comply with any such notice or order shall be considered a violation of this
Article.
Sec. 6-4.428(3). Dangerous and Insanitary Condition. Declared
a Public Nuisance.
The existence of any construction or condition of plumbing or sewers
on any premises within the Town of Los Altos Hills which is found to be
dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, or a menace to life, health, or property and
a hazard thereto is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be
corrected or abated as hereinafter provided. Without limiting the foregoing
declaration, a public nuisance is hereby declared to include any sewer or
plumbing or other construction or contrivance from which sanitary sewage
or gases or moisture therefrom is emitted or escapes in quantity sufficient
to or to threaten to pollute the air or soil so as to attract or proliferate
insects or rodents or to spread disease or to contaminate water supplies or
to otherwise endanger the life or health of persons or domestic animals or
livestock.
Sec. 6-4.428(4). Abatement
In the event the Health Officer of Santa Clara County determines, or,
upon reasonable cause, believes, that the hazard to life, health, or property
is so immediate and urgent that time does not permit the giving of notice,
the Health Officer of Santa Clara County shall forthwith cause said public
nuisance to be abated or corrected. The work of abatement or correction
may be done by employment of a contractor, or by Town forces, in the
discretion of the responsible official, and the official may call upon the
Department of Public Works or other department of the Town to perform
such work
Sec. 6-4.430. General requirements before installing sewer.
It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on, or engage in the
business of installing sewers unless such person holds a valid business
license issued by the Town of Los Altos Hills, as a Sewer Contractor. The
installation of sewers as defined herein shall not be classed as plumbing.
Sec. 6-4.431. Septic tank. Unlawful use.
Except as hereinafter provided, 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.
Sec. 6-4.432. Duty to connect to public sewer.
In addition to Sections 6-4.102, Section 6-4.103 and Section 6-4.104,
the owner of any property used for human occupancy, employment,
recreation, or other purpose, which abuts on any street, alley or right of
way in which there is located a public sanitary sewer of the Town, is hereby
required at the owner's expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein,
and to connect such facilities directly with said public sewer in accordance
with the provisions of this Article, within ninety (90) days after date of
official notice to do so provided that said public sewer is within two hundred
(200) feet of the property line, except that any owner receiving such notice
may apply in writing to the City Manager before expiration of said ninety
(90) day period for a permit to delay the installation of such a sewer service
not to exceed one (1) year if the owner can furnish sufficient evidence to
the City Manager that:
(a) Connection to the sewer at this time would be impractical due to
personal hardship;and
(b) The premises are now served by a septic tank; and
(c) By written report of the Santa Clara County Department of
Environment Health, the septic tank is operating efficiently now
and that its continued operation would not create a hazard to
public health.
Upon receipt of such evidence to the City Manager's satisfaction, the
said extension of time for completing the connection may be granted in
writing. Such a delay shall not be subject to further extensions.
Sec. 6-4.433. Septic tank construction.
When permitted, the house sewer or private sewer shall be connected
to a private sewage disposal system. Such private sewage disposal
system shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in
accordance with requirements of the Santa Clara County Department of
Environmental Health and shall be approved by the City Engineer. There
shall be no expense to the Town for the operation and maintenance of
private sewage disposal facilities.
When, in the opinion of the Santa Clara County Department of
Environmental Health, there is insufficient lot area or inadequate soil
condition for adequate sewage disposal for the building or land use
proposed, no building permit shall be issued and no private sewage
disposal system shall be permitted. No permit shall be issued for any
private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption
facilities where there is an available public sewer within 200 feet, measured
along streets, alleys, or public right-of-way upon which a lot abuts. No
septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge into any public
sewer or natural outlet.
Sec. 6-4.434. Construction permit required.
No person whose premises are not now connected with the public
sewer system shall connect any premises or cause any premises to be
connected with the municipal sewer system without first obtaining a
construction permit from the City Engineer to do so.
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 construction permit approved by the
City Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.434(9). Application for construction permit.
Every applicant for a construction permit to install, add to, alter,
relocate, or replace sewerage facilities, or any part thereof, shall state in
writing on the application form provided for that purpose, the work
proposed to be done and the location, ownership, occupancy and use of
the premises in connection therewith. The City Engineer may require
plans, specifications, or drawings and other such information as deemed
necessary.
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At the time that a construction permit is issued, the applicant shall pay
the established permit fee.
Any person who shall commence sewerage work for which a
construction permit is required by this Article without first having obtained a
construction permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a
construction permit, pay double the construction permit fee fixed by this
Article for such work. This provision shall not apply to emergency work
when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the City Engineer that such
work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a
construction permit therefor before the commencement of work. In all such
cases a construction permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to
do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such construction
permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged.
Sec. 6-4.434(2). To whom construction permits may issued.
No construction permit shall be issued to any person to do, or cause to
be done, any construction or work regulated by this Article except to a
person holding a valid, unexpired and unrevoked Town business license as
a sewer contractor, except when and as otherwise herein provided.
A construction permit required by this Article may be issued to any
person to do any construction or work regulated by this Article within the lot
limits of a single family dwelling provided such person is the owner of the
lot and building, such building is occupied or designed to be occupied by
the owner, and that said owner shall personally purchase all materials and
shall personally perform all labor in connection therewith. This does not
give anyone other than a licensed contractor permission to do any work
within the public right of way.
No sewerage work for which a construction permit is required shall be
commenced until a construction permit to do such work shall have first
been obtained.
Sec. 6-4.434(3). Unlawful acts under construction permit.
The issuance or granting of a construction permit or approval of plans
and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or
an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this Article. No
construction permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the
provisions of this Article shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use
which it authorizes is lawful.
The issuance of a construction permit shall not prevent the City
Engineer from thereafter requiring the submittal of additional plans and
specifications or correction of errors in said plans and specifications or
from preventing construction operations being carried on thereunder when
in violation of this Article or of any other regulations of the Town.
Sec. 6-4.434(4). Expiration of construction permit.
Every construction permit issued by the City Engineer under the
provisions of this Article shall expire by limitation and become null and
void, if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one
hundred twenty (920) days from the date of such permit, or if the work
authorized by such construction permit is suspended or abandoned at any
time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred twenty(120)
days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new construction permit
shall first be obtained so to do.
Sec. 6-4.435. Sewer system connection fees, or charges.
(a) Authority to Assess Connection Fees. Any customer (new or
existing) of the public sanitary sewer system who installs new or additional
fixtures, processes, or equipment, or otherwise causes an increase in
wastewater discharge into the Town sewer, is required to pay to the Town a
sewer connection fee (This connection fee or charge is in addition to the
Connection Fee or Charge for rights of capacity and use in the facilities of
City of Palo Alto or City of Los Altos.) No connection shall be made to the
sewer system, and no increase in wastewater discharge volume shall occur
from an existing connection, until the Town has approved such discharge and
applicable sewer connection fee has been paid. Fees shall be paid in
accordance with the following:
Residential Users: One standard residential connection fee shall be
assessed for maximum sixty(60) fixture units calculated per Plumbing Code.
Sewer Connection Fee for a residential unit or service unit with more than
sixty(60)fixture units(FU)shall be calculated per the following formula:
Sewer Connection Fee=Total FU divided by 60 times one standard
Residential connection Fee
Sewer Connection Fees shall be adopted by resolution of the City
Council.
(b) Minimum Connection Fee. The minimum sewer connection fee
shall be imposed for a single-family dwelling unit with fixture units in the range
from 1 to 60 units per Plumbing Code.
(c) Sewer Connection Fee Credits. In determining sewer connection
fees for a facility, the Town shall credit applicants with the capacity previously
paid for and purchased for the property. If documentation is not available
regarding purchased capacity, the Town shall determine the likely purchased
capacity. No other credit shall be granted.
(d)Connection Fee Nonrefundable. All sewer connection fees as
herein provided are non-refundable.
(e)Capacity Rights and Transferability. Sewer system capacity rights
and the right to connect to the public sewer shall run with the property and
shall not be transferred to, or used for any property other than the property for
which sewer connection fees were paid, unless the City Engineer specifically
authorizes such a transfer.
Sec. 6-4.436. Construction permit fees.
Construction permit fees shall be as specified from time to time by
resolution of the City Council.
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Sec. 6-4.437. All work to be inspected.
All pipes, fittings and other appurtenances relative to a sewerage
system shall be inspected by the City Engineer to insure compliance with
all the requirements of this Article.
Sec. 6-4.438. Notification.
It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the
permit, to notify the City Engineer orally or in writing that said work is ready
for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than forty-eight(48)
working hours before the work is to be inspected(Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays excluded).
It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the
permit to make sure that the work will stand the test prescribed before
giving the above notification.
Sec. 6-4.439. Tests.
Upon completion of the work, the City Engineer may require the house
sewer to be subjected to appropriate tests, such as a water test or video
testlnspection. The pressure for a water test shall be that imposed by a
five foot head of water. The house sewer shall be plugged before test at a
point just before conversion is made to public sewer or place of disposal.
Under test the water pressure shall remain constant for not less than fifteen
(15) minutes without any further addition of water or indication of leaks.
The video camera and recording equipment used for video testing shall
be suitable for the intended purpose and shall be equipment that is in
common use at the time of the test. A complete and continuous taped
record and written log of the inspection shall be made. The taped record
shall be of such quality as to provide a clear, sharp image when played
back on a conventional television set. The taped record shall conform to
the Owner's video recorder requirements. The image shall show sufficient
detail to determine cracks in the pipe, offset joints, leaking joints, and other
flaws in the installation of the sewer main. The video taping shall be done
with no flow in the sewer.
Sec. 6-4.440. Materials and labor for test.
The equipment, material, power or labor necessary for the inspection
and test, shall be furnished by the person doing the work authorized by the
permit. All videotaping shall be done in the presence of a Town engineer
or construction inspector. Upon completion of the videotaping, the tape
shall be replayed for the Town engineer or construction inspector. Any
tapes not meeting the quality standards stated in Section 6-4.439 will be
rejected and the taping process repeated.
Sec. 6-4.441. Excavations.
All excavations required to be.made for the installation of a sewerage
system, or part thereof, within or without a building shall be kept open until
the piping has been tested, inspected and approved.
If any sewerage system or part thereof is covered or concealed before
being regularly inspected, tested and approved, as herein prescribed, it
shall be exposed upon the direction of the City Engineer.
All excavations shall be backfilled in accordance with the requirements
of Town's STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARD DETAILS.
Sec. 6-4.442. Minimum standards.
All materials used and all joints made in or entering into the
construction of sewerage systems or parts thereof shall be watertight and
free from defects. The materials and joints specified in this Code are the
minimum approved standards that shall be used. All materials used shall
be of adequate strength and durability and of such design as to provide a
substantial watertight system free from irregularities in flow lines.
Sec. 6-4.442(f). Markings.
Each length of ductile iron soil pipe and each ductile iron fitting used in
a sewerage system shall be stamped or indelibly marked with the weight or
grade thereof and the maker's mark or name.
Sec. 6-4.442(2). Vitrified clay pipe and fittings.
Vitrified clay pipe and fittings shall meet the minimum requirements of
the current specifications for Extra Strength Unglazed Clay Pipe of the
American Society for Testing Materials, Designation:A74-66 or the United
States Department of Commerce Standard for Service Weight Cast Iron
Soil Pipe and Fittings, Designation Commercial Standard DS188-66 as
amended.
Sec. 6-4.442(3). Polyvinyl chloride(PVC)pipe.
Pipe, fittings, couplings, and joints shall meet the minimum
requirements of ASTM Designation D3034 as they apply to type SDR-26
PVC pipe.
Sec. 6-4.442(4). Ductile iron pipe (DIP) and fittings.
All ductile iron pipes shall meet the minimum requirement of ANSI
Standard A 21.50 and A 21.51 (AWWA C150 and C151), and shall be
polyethylene lined and seal-coated in conformance with the requirements
of ANSI Standard A 21.4 (AWWA C104). Thickness Class shall be
Number 50 for 6-inch through 36-inch diameter pipe, and Number 51 for
four-inch and smaller diameter pipe. The pipe shall be wrapped with black
8-mil-thick polyethylene conforming to the requirements ofAWWA C1 05.
The outside coating shall be minimum of 1 mil bituminous paint
according to ANSI/AWWA C1511A21.51 Section 51-8.1. Prior to lining, the
exterior and interior of the spigot end, including the spigot face, shall be
coated with a minimum of 8 mils of epoxy.
Before lining the inside of the socket, including a portion of the gasket
cavity and a portion of the pipe barrel shall be coated with a minimum of 8
mils of epoxy.
Fittings shall be ductile iron, at least Class 54 thickness, and in
accordance with the requirements of either ANSI/AWWA C153/A21.53 or
ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10. Mechanical joints shall conform to
ANSI/AWWA C111/A21.11.
Sec. 6-4.442(5). High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and
fitting.
HDPE(used for Trenchless Pipe Replacement/Enlargement only) shall
be SDR-17 or lower Extra High Molecular Weight, High Density
Polyethylene PE 3408, Type Ill, Grade P34, Cell Class PE345434C, D, or
E (inner wall shall be light in color). All pipe and Fittings shall conform to
ASTM D3350 and ASTM F714-85. Certification shall be signed by an
authorized agent of the manufacturer. A report of test results shall be
furnished if requested by the Town. The date that the pipe was
manufactured shall be included in the certification.
All pipe and fitting materials shall meet the requirements for Type Ill,
Class B, Category 5, Grade P34 material as described in ASTM D1248.
The pipe shall contain no recycled compound except that generated in the
manufacturer's own plant from resin of the same specification from the
same raw material pipe. Pipe and fittings shall be homogeneous
throughout and free of: 1) serious abrasion, cutting or gouging of the
outside surface extending to more than 10 percent of the wall thickness in
depth; 2) visible cracks; 3) kinking caused by excessive or abrupt bending;
4) flattening; 5) holes, 6) blisters, and 7) foreign inclusions or other
injurious defects. They shall be uniform in color, opacity, density, and
other physical properties. The average outside and wall thickness of pipe
and fittings shall be in accordance with ASTM D2122.
Sec. 6-4.442(6). Cleanout fittings.
Each cleanout shall consist of a wye of the same material as the
building sewer in which it is installed and fitted with a watertight removal
plug of the same material as the building sewer pipe. Each cleanout shall
extend a minimum of three (3) inches above grade and shall consist of an
extension of ductile iron soil pipe from the cleanout wye to the ground
surface and fitted with a ductile iron ferrule and a brass plug.
Sec. 6-4.442(7). Backwater and gate valves.
Backwater valves shall have cast iron bodies with bearing parts of
non-corrosive metal or material, be so constructed as to insure a positive
mechanical seal and remain closed except when discharging wastes.
Backwater valves shall be so designed as to not cause a restriction of flow
or deposit of solids. Valve access-cover shall be installed in an approved
manner so as to be readily accessible at all times.
Gate valves, when used on drainage work, shall be fullway type with
working parts of non-corrosive metal. Sizes four (4) inches or more in
diameter shall have cast iron bodies, and sizes of less than four(4) inches,
cast iron or brass bodies.
Sec. 6-4.442(8). Approved materials and methods.
Repairs to sewerage systems shall be made with such materials and
by such methods as is provided for by this Article for new work, insofar as it
is practical so to do.
Sec. 6-4.442(9). Workmanship.
All workmanship shall be of such character as to fully secure the
results sought to be obtained in all sections of this Code.
Sec. 6-4.442(10). Protection of materials.
All pipes passing under or through walls, shall be protected from
breakage. All pipes passing through or under cinders, concrete, or other
corrosive materials, shall be protected from external corrosion in an
approved manner.
Sec. 6-4.442(91). New materials and methods of construction.
The provisions of this Article are not intended to prevent the use of any
material or any method of construction not specifically prescribed herein,
provided any such alternate has been approved and its use authorized by
the City Engineer. The City Engineer may approve any such alternate
provided it is found that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies
with the intent of this Article, .and that the material or method of work
offered is for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that here
prescribed in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety. The
City Engineer shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to
substantiate any claims that may be made regarding the sufficiency of any
such proposed material or type of construction.
Sec. 6-4.443. Use of existing sewers.
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only
when it has been tested in accordance with Sec. 6-4.439 and determined
by the City Engineer to meet all requirements of this Article.
Sec. 6-4.443(9). Building sewer.
The building sewer shall be vitrified clay sewer pipe, polyvinyl chloride
pipe, or, in special circumstances, lined ductile iron pipe or other suitable
material approved by the City Engineer. Joints shall be tight and water
proof. Water service pipes or any underground water pipes shall not be
run or laid in the same trench with building sewer or drainage piping,
except as provided,in this section. The water service pipe may be placed
in the same trench with such building drain and building sewer, provided
both of the following conditions are met.
1. The bottom of the water service pipe, at all points, shall be at
least 12 inches above the top of the sewer line;and
2. The water service pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf
excavated at one side of the common trench.
Lined ductile iron, polyvinyl chloride pipe, or other suitable pipes may
be required by the City Engineer due to special circumstances, such as the
building sewer being is exposed to damage by tree roots. If installed in
filled or unstable ground, the building sewer shall be of lined ductile iron
pipe.
Sec. 6-4.443(2). Size and slope—Building sewer.
The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to the
approval of the City Engineer and the size shall be not less than that at the
house drain and in no event shall the diameter be less than four(4) inches.
The slope of such 4-inch pipe shall be not less than one-quarter(1/4) inch
per foot. If the slope must be less than one-quarter(1/4) inch per foot, the
building sewer must be not less than six (6) inches in diameter. The slope
of such 6-inch pipe shall be not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch per foot.
Sec. 6-4.443(3). Elevation— Building sewer.
Whenever possible the building sewer shall be brought to the building
at an elevation below the lowest floor being served. No building sewer
shall be laid parallel and within the soil bearing area of the footing of any
bearing wall, which might be weakened thereby. The depth shall be
sufficient to afford a minimum of thirty (30) inches cover for non-metallic
pipe. The building sewer shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight
alignment. Where direct alignment is not practical, one change in
alignment not to exceed 22-1/2 degrees may be made in the portion of the
house sewer within the lot boundaries. Approved curved pipe and fittings
shall be used. Any additional change in alignment shall be served by a
cleanout.
Sec. 6-4.443(4). Sewage lift.
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 electromechanical means and discharged to the
building's sewer.
Sec. 6-4.443(5). Joints and connections.
All joints and connection shall be made gas-tight and watertight.
Joints,in vitrified clay pipe shall be of the flexible compression type
meeting the minimum requirements of the current specification of the
American Society for Testing Materials, Designation: C425-66T, as
currently amended.
Joints in polyvinyl chloride pipe shall be of the mechanical
compression type using an elastomeric gasket joint, furnished with the pipe
by the pipe manufacturer.
Couplings connecting dissimilar pipe shall be of the mechanical
compression type, such as "band seal," "calder" "ceramic-weld," or
approved equal.
Cement joints will not be permitted. Other jointing materials and
methods may be used only on approval of the City Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.443(6). Building sewer connection to public sewer.
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall be
made in the following manner:
If the diameter of the building sewer is equal to the diameter of the
public sewer, connection shall be made at a wye branch in the public
sewer at a location specified by the City Engineer.
When the diameter of the building sewer is less than the diameter of
the public sewer and no properly located wye branch is available, a neat
hole may be cut into the public sewer to receive the building sewer and
shall be fitted with a special saddle connection. The saddle connection
shall be equipped with complete annular shoulder to prevent it from
slipping into the public sewer, it shall protrude into the wall, but shall not
exceed past the inner surface of the public sewer. The saddle adapter
shall be securely fastened in place by a minimum of four(4) complete turns
of 10 gauge galvanized iron or copper wire wrapped entirely around the
saddle and the public sewer. A smooth neat joint shall be made and the
annular space between the spigot of the saddle and the edges of the hole
in the public sewer shall be filled with cement mortar, and the entire
connection made secure and watertight by encasement in concrete.
Other special fittings may be used for connection only when approved
by the City Engineer.
The top of pipe of the building sewer at the point of connection shall be
at the same or at a higher elevation than the top of pipe of the public
sewer.
EXCEPTION. Interceptor sewers of reinforced concrete pipe eighteen
(18) inches or larger in diameter may not have direct connections.. The
building sewer shall then be connected to an eight (8) inch main laid
parallel to the interceptor and connected at the nearest manhole.
The portion of the building sewer in the street shall be at right angles to
the right of way lines and at least three (3) feet below the curb grade.
Provided that when it is necessary to install a building sewer in the street
less than three (3) feet below the curb grade, the same must be covered
with at least six (6) inches of concrete to protect the same from breakage,
or shall be of cast iron pipe.
The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the City
Engineer when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to
the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of
the City Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.443(7): Building sewer maintenance.
Maintenance of the building sewer (house sewer) shall be the
responsibility of the owner of the property served.
Sec. 6-4.443(8). Cleanouts.
Cleanouts shall be placed in every building sewer at the connection
with the building drain and shall be installed at uniform intervals not to
exceed one hundred(100) feet.
Sec. 6-4.443(9). Backwater protection.
If the lowest fixture or outlet in any building is below the rim elevation
of the nearest manhole, cleanout or riser upstream from the connection to
the public sewer, a backwater valve or overflow device of an approved type
shall be installed in the building sewer.
Sec. 6-4.444. Swimming pools.
Connection between the public sewer system and a swimming pool
shall be subject to the following requirements:
When the waste water from a swimming pool is to be disposed of
through a public sewer, a four(4) inch cast iron P trap shall be installed on
the lower terminus of the building drain and the tailpiece from the trap shall
extend a minimum of three (3) inches above the finished grade and below
the finished floor grade. The connection between the filter waste discharge
piping and the P trap shall be made by means of an indirect connection.
Plans and specifications for any deviation from the above manner of
installation shall first be approved by the City Engineer before any portion
of any such system is installed.
Sec. 6-4.44411. Unauthorized connection to public sanitary
sewer system.
The establishment, use, maintenance, or continuation of a connection
to the public sanitary sewer system that has not been approved and
permitted in accordance with requirements of this Ordinance is strictly
prohibited. This prohibition is expressly retroactive and applies to
connections, which may have been made at any time in the past.
If the Town becomes aware of an unauthorized connection to the
public sanitary sewer system, the Town may require, at its sole discretion,
any or all of the following abatement actions:
1. That the discharge to the connection cease immediately or
within the time specified by the Town.
2.That the unauthorized connection be temporarily or permanently
disabled, with a seal or other means approved by the Town, within a time
specified by the Town.
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3. That the Town be granted access as needed to monitor
discharge from the unauthorized connection.
In addition to implementing abatement actions described above, the
user shall pay all Town costs related to locating and abating the
unauthorized discharge. The user shall also pay all Town costs related to
any process upset or interference, or exceedence of permitted discharge
limits.
The Town may, at its discretion, require that the user pay all costs of
collection, treatment and disposal of estimated wastewater discharged
from the unauthorized connection, in rates in effect at the time that the
connection is detected. In addition to the normal sewer service charges,
the user will pay an additional 50 percent surcharge. The Town shall
determine the estimated quantity of wastewater discharged for purposes of
billing.
If the user elects to apply for a permit to connect the unauthorized
sewer connection to the public sewer within twelve months of detection, the
user shall pay double all fees, including permit and connection fees, at the
rates in effect at the time the connection is permitted, provided that the
Town approves and permits such a connection.
The foregoing does not preclude the Town's pursuit of other remedies
permitted under the law, including legal action and monetary fines.
Sec. 6-4.445. Sewer service charges.
For the privilege of using the sewage collection and treatment system,
the User shall pay service charges to cover the costs of operating and
maintaining the sewer collection and treatment system, including
replacement. Sewer service charges shall take into account the demands
placed on the system by users. Sewer service charges shall be adopted
from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
Sec. 6-4.445(1). Basis of charge for sewer service.
Except as hereinafter provided, sewer service charges shall be based
on the estimated cost for collecting and treating wastewater discharged
into the public sewer system and the capital cost of replacing the process
elements and facilities of the wastewater treatment plant and the existing
sanitary sewer collection system.
The basis for determining the cost for treating and collecting
wastewater will be the "service unit" which will be considered for the
purpose of this article to be the basic charge for each premises computed
on the basis of treating wastewater for the typical single family residence.
The unit cost per service unit for sewer service fees shall be as specified
from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
Sec. 6-4.445(2). Review of rates.
The rates for the sewer service charges shall be reviewed each year in
preparation for the annual budget by the City Council to assure the
collection of sufficient revenue to defray all expenses incurred in the
maintenance and operation of the sewage treatment and collection
facilities of the Town.
Sec. 6-4.446. Extension of sewer main facilities.
Sewer main facilities may be extended by an applicant in accordance
with plans and specifications approved by the City Engineer. The applicant
shall deposit an amount which when added to any previous deposits on the
same application is equal to all estimated inspection costs. Engineering
costs plus an administrative charge equal to five percent (5%) of the total
cost of installation shall be deposited before applicant begins such work.
Sec. 6-4.446(f). Parcel frontage extension for sewer mains.
Where a main is to be extended to serve a parcel, said main shall
extend the full frontage of said parcel unless it is determined by the City
Engineer that the main is not likely to be extended to serve any other
property.
Sec. 6-4.446(2). Minimum size of sewer main.
The inside diameter of every sewer main to be installed shall be not
less than eight (8) inches except as may be determined by the City
Engineer.
Sec. 6-4.446(3). Applicant to rile surety bond.
In the event the applicant installs sewer main extension facilities, the
applicant shall furnish the Town of Los Altos Hills a surety company bond
in an amount equal to at least one-half of the City Engineer's estimate of
the installation costs to guarantee faithful performance by the applicant,
and a surety company bond in an equal amount to guarantee claims of
persons employed by applicant and claims of persons who furnish
materials, supplies and implements used by applicant on such work."
Section 2: EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be effective 30 days
from the date of its adoption.
Section 3. SEVARANCE. Should any portion of this ordinance be
declared by court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, invalid
or beyond the authority of the Town, such decision shall not effect the validity of the
remainder of the ordinance,which shall continue in full force and effect,provided that
the remainder of the ordinance absent the excised portion, can be reasonably
interpreted to give effect to the intentions of the City Council.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los
Altos Hills, held the 1st day of September, 2005.
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ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos
Hills held the 15th day of September, 2005,by the following votes of the members of
said City Council.
AYES: Mayor Kerr,Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember O'Malley
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
By:
Mayor
AT S
City Clerk