The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

BOD (denoting biochemical oxygen demand) means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees Celsius, expressed in milligrams per liter.

Building drain means that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face of the building wall.

Building sewer means the extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.

Combined sewer means a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.

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

Industrial wastes means the liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trades or businesses as distinct from sanitary sewage.

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

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

Properly shredded garbage means the wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch (1.27 centimeters) in any dimension.

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

Sanitary sewer means a sewer which carries sewage and to which stormwaters, surface waters and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

Sewage means a combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments, together with such groundwaters, surface waters and stormwaters as may be present.

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

Sewage works means all facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of sewage.

Sewer means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.

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

Storm drain (sometimes termed “storm sewer”) means a sewer which carries stormwaters and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than unpolluted cooling water.

Superintendent means the superintendent of sewage works and/or of water pollution control of the city or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.

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

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-111; Code 2016)

(a)   Any person found to be violating any provision of this article except Section 15-306 shall be served by the city with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for its satisfactory correction. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.

(b)   Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c)   Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the city by reason of such violation.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-112; Code 2016)

(a)   The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the city bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article. The superintendent or his representatives shall have no authority to inquire into any processes, including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper or other industries, beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for waste treatment.

(b)   While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in this section, the superintendent or duly authorized employees of the city shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company; and the company shall be held harmless for injury or death to the city employees, and the city shall indemnify the company against loss or damage to its property by city employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe conditions as required in Section 15-331.

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-113; Code 2016)

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

(b)   It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the city any sewage or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(c)   The owner of all houses, buildings or property used for human occupancy, employment, recreational or other purposes situated within the city on any street, alley or right-of-way in which areas are now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the city is required at his expense to install a suitable toilet facility and to connect such facility directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with provisions of this article within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided such public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-114; Code 2016)

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-115; Code 2016)

No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is part of the sewage works.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-116; Code 2016)

Application for sewer service shall be filed with the city clerk on a form to be supplied by the city. All applications shall be accompanied by a permit and inspection fee of $50.00. A saddle for sewer taps must be purchased from the city at cost. A deposit of $100.00 by the plumber approved by the city shall be held until the work has been completed in a satisfactory manner as determined by the city.

(Ord. 101-99; Code 1999, 54-117; Code 2016)

(a)   Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide for the declaration of a water supply watch, warning or emergency and the implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the city in the event such a watch, warning or emergency is declared.

(b)   Definitions.

“Customer”, as the term is used in this section, shall mean the customer of record using water for any purpose from the city’s water distribution system and for which either a regular charge is made or, in the case of coin sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.

“Waste of water”, as the term is used in this section, includes, but is not limited to:

(1)   Permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch, or other surface drain; or

(2)   Failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.

“Water”, as the term is used in this section, shall mean water available to the City of Gas for treatment by virtue of its water rights or any treated water introduced by the city into its water distribution system, including water offered for sale at any coin-operated site.

The following classes of uses of water are established:

CLASS 1: Water used for outdoor watering; either public or private, for gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, plants, parks, golf courses, playing fields, swimming pools or other recreational areas; or the washing of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, or the exterior of any building or structure.

CLASS 2: Water used for any commercial or industrial, including agricultural, purposes: except water actually necessary to maintain the health and personal hygiene of bona fide employees while such employees are engaged in the performance of their duties at their place of employment.

CLASS 3: Domestic usage, other than that which would be included in either classes 1 or 2.

CLASS 4: Water necessary only to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets and maintain standards of hygiene and sanitation.

(c)   Declaration of water watch. Whenever the governing body of the city finds that conditions indicate that the probability of a drought or some other condition causing a major water supply shortage is rising, it shall be empowered to declare, by resolution, that a water watch exists and that it shall take steps to inform the public and ask for voluntary reductions in water use. Such a watch shall be deemed to continue until it is declared by resolution of the governing body to have ended. The resolutions declaring the existence and end of a water watch shall be effective upon their publication in the official city newspaper.

(d)   Declaration of water warning. Whenever the governing body of the city finds that drought conditions or some other condition causing a major water supply shortage are present and supplies are starting to decline, it shall be empowered to declare by resolution that a water warning exists and that it will recommend restrictions on nonessential uses during the period of warning. Such a warning shall be deemed to continue until it is declared by resolution of the governing body to have ended. The resolutions declaring the beginning and ending of the water warning shall be effective upon their publication in the official city newspaper.

(e)   Declaration of water emergency. Whenever the governing body of the city finds that an emergency exists by reason of a shortage of water supply needed for essential uses, it shall be empowered to declare by resolution that a water supply emergency exists and that it will impose mandatory restrictions on water use during the period of the emergency. Such an emergency shall be deemed to continue until it is declared by resolution of the governing body to have ended. The resolutions declaring the existence and end of a water supply emergency shall be effective upon their publication in the official city newspaper.

(f)    Voluntary conservation measures. Upon the declaration of a water watch or water warning as provided in subsections (c) and (d), the mayor is authorized to call on all water consumers to employ voluntary water conservation measures to limit or eliminate nonessential water uses including, but not limited to, limitations on the following uses:

(1)   Sprinkling of water on lawns, shrubs or trees (including golf courses).

(2)   Washing of automobiles.

(3)   Use of water in swimming pools, fountains and evaporative air conditioning systems.

(4)   Waste of water.

(g)   Mandatory conservation measures. Upon the declaration of a water supply emergency as provided in subsection (e), the mayor is also authorized to implement certain mandatory water conservation measures, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)   Suspension of new connections to the city’s water distribution system, except connections of fire hydrants and those made pursuant to agreements entered into by the city prior to the effective date of the declaration of the emergency;

(2)   Restrictions on the uses of water in one or more classes of water use, wholly or in part;

(3)   Restrictions on the sales of water at coin-operated facilities or sites;

(4)   The imposition of water rationing based on any reasonable formula including, but not limited to, the percentage of normal use and per capita or per consumer restrictions;

(5)   Complete or partial bans on the waste of water; and

(6)   Any combination of the foregoing measures.

(h)   Emergency water rates: Upon the declaration of a water supply emergency as provided in subsection (e), the governing body of the city shall have the power to adopt emergency water rates by ordinance designed to conserve water supplies. Such emergency rates may provide for, but are not limited to:

(1)   Higher charges for increasing usage per unit of use (increasing block rates);

(2)   Uniform charges for water usage per unit of use (uniform unit rate); or

(3)   Extra charges in excess of a specified level of water use (excess demand surcharge).

(i)    Regulations. During the effective period of any water supply emergency as provided for in subsection (e), the mayor or city superintendent) is empowered to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, any water supply emergency resolution, or emergency water rate ordinance. Such regulations shall be subject to the approval of the governing body at its next regular or special meeting.

(j)    Violations, disconnections and penalties.

(1)   If the mayor, city superintendent, or other city official or officials charged with implementation and enforcement of this article or a water supply emergency resolution learn of any violation of any water use restrictions imposed pursuant to subsections (g) or (i) of this section, a written notice of the violation shall be affixed to the property where the violation occurred and the customer of record and any other person known to the city who is responsible for the violation or its correction shall be provided with either actual or mailed notice. Said notice shall describe the violation and order that it be corrected, cured or abated immediately or within such specified time as the city determines is reasonable under the circumstances. If the order is not complied with, the city may terminate water service to the customer subject to the following procedures:

(A)  The city shall give the customer notice by mail or actual notice that water service will be discontinued within a specified time due to the violation and that the customer will have the opportunity to appeal the termination by requesting a hearing scheduled before the city governing body;

(B)  If such hearing is requested by the customer charged with the violation, he or she shall be given a full opportunity to be heard before termination is ordered; and

(C)  The governing body shall make findings of fact and order whether service should continue or be terminated.

(2)   A fee of $50.00 shall be paid for the reconnection of any water service terminated pursuant to subsection (1). In the event of subsequent violations, the reconnection fee shall be $200.00 for the second reconnection and $300.00 for any additional reconnections.

(3)   Violations of this section shall be a municipal offense and may be prosecuted in municipal court. Any person so charged and found guilty in municipal court of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a municipal offense. Each day(s) violation shall constitute a separate offense. The penalty for an initial violation shall be a mandatory fine of $100.00. In addition, such customer may be required by the court to serve a definite term of confinement in the county jail which shall be fixed by the court and which shall not exceed 30 days. The penalty for a second or subsequent conviction shall be a mandatory fine of $200.00. In addition, such customer shall serve a definite term of confinement in the county jail which shall be fixed by the court and which shall not exceed 30 days.

(k)   Emergency termination. Nothing in this section shall limit the ability of any properly authorized city official from terminating the supply of water to any or all customers upon the determination of such city official that emergency termination of water service is required to protect the health and safety of the public.

(Ord. 102-2001; Code 1999, 54-118; Code 2016)

In the event a property owner’s sewer is backing up, the property owner shall contact the city prior to having any work performed on the private sewer line to determine if the backup is caused by the public sanitary sewer system. In the event a property owner fails to contact the city prior to having work done on the sewer line and it is later determined that the backup is caused by the city’s sewer system, then the city will not be responsible for the cost of the work done on the property owner’s sewer line.

(Ord. 102-2008; Code 1999, 54-119; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-141; Code 2016)

There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: for residential and commercial services, and for service to establish and produce an industrial waste. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the city. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the superintendent. A permit inspection fee of $5.00 for residential and commercial building sewer permits and $15.00 for industrial building sewer permits shall be paid to the city treasurer at the time application is filed.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-142; Code 2016)

All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of a building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-143; Code 2016)

A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, courtyard or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-144; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-145; Code 2016)

The building sewer shall be cast iron soil pipe, ASTM specification (A74-42) or equal; vitrified clay pipe, ASTM specification (C13-44T) or plastic pipe PVC 1120 SDR41 of ASTM designation D-1784. Joints for PVC pipe shall be either O-ring rubber gasket joints or solvent cemented joints, or equal. All joints shall be tight and waterproof. Any part of the building sewer that is located within ten feet of a water service pipe shall be constructed of cast iron sewer pipe.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-146; Code 2016)

The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to approval of the superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter be less than four or six inches. The slope of a six-inch pipe shall not be less than one-eighth inch per foot. If four-inch pipe is allowed, one-fourth inch per foot slope shall be minimum for that size connection.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-147; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-148; Code 2016)

In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to a public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such drain shall be lifted by approved artificial means and discharged into the building sewer. The use of any pumping equipment for which cross connections of a public water supply system are needed is prohibited.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-149; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-150; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-151; Code 2016)

The applicant for a building sewer permit shall notify the superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the superintendent or his representative.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-152; Code 2016)

All excavations for public sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights as to protect the public from hazards. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-153; Code 2016)

No person shall make connections of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-154; Code 2016)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, including interior and exterior foundation drains, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-181; Code 2016)

Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process water may be discharged by approval of the superintendent to a storm sewer or natural outlet.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-182; Code 2016)

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

(a)   Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.

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

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

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

(e)   Any waters or wastes having a five-day BOD greater than 300 parts per million by weight, or containing more than 350 parts per million by weight of suspended solids, or having an average daily flow greater than two percent of the average sewage flow of the city, shall be subject to the review of the superintendent. Where necessary in the opinion of the superintendent, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to reduce the biochemical oxygen demand to 300 parts per million by weight, or reduce the suspended solids to 350 parts per million by weight, or control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the superintendent; and no construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approvals are obtained in writing.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-183; Code 2016)

No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the superintendent that such wastes can harm the sewers, sewage treatment process, or equipment; have an adverse effect on the receiving stream; otherwise endanger life, limb or public property; or constitute a nuisance. Informing his opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the superintendent will give consideration to such factors as the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the sewers, nature of the sewage treatment process, capacity of the sewage treatment plant, degree of treatability of wastes in the sewage treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited are:

(a)   Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).

(b)   Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/l or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 65 degrees Celsius).

(c)   Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. The installation and operation of any garbage grinder equipped with a motor of three-fourths horsepower (0.76 hp metric) or greater shall be subject to the review and approval of the superintendent.

(d)   Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron pickling wastes or concentrated plating solutions, whether neutralized or not.

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

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

(g)   Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the superintendent in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations.

(h)   Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 9.5.

(i)    Materials which exert or cause:

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

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

(3)   Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the sewage treatment works.

(4)   Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting slugs.

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-184; Code 2016)

(a)   If any waters or wastes are discharged or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in Section 15-327, and which in the judgment of the superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life to constitute a public nuisance, the superintendent may:

(1)   Reject the wastes;

(2)   Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers;

(3)   Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or

(4)   Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of Section 15-333.

(b)   Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information related to the proposed preliminary treatment facility shall be submitted for approval of the superintendent and the state department of health and environment. No construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such set of approvals are obtained in writing.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-185; Code 2016)

Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand or other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the superintendent and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-186; Code 2016)

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

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-187; Code 2016)

When required by the superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole, together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely located and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-188; Code 2016)

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this article shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,” published by the American Public Health Association, and shall be determined at the control manhole provided, or upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. If no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the sewage works and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb and property. The particular analyses involved will determine whether a 24-hour composite of all outfalls of the premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample should be taken. Normally, but not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are obtained from 24-hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH’s are determined from periodic grab samples.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-189; Code 2016)

No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment by the industrial concern.

(Ord. 324; Code 1999, 54-190; Code 2016)

All users of the sewer system service supplied by the City of Gas shall pay the following new sewer service charge beginning March 1, 2020.

(a)   For residential contributors, monthly user charges will be based on the average monthly water usage for the months of January and February of current year effective each calendar year March 1st. If a residential customer has not established a monthly average, his monthly average user charge shall be the median charge of all other residential contributors.

(b)   For industrial, commercial and school contributors, user charges shall be based on water used during the current month. If a commercial, industrial, or school contributor has a consumptive use of water or in some other manner uses water which is not returned to the wastewater collection system, the user charge for that contributor may be based on the wastewater meter installed and maintained at the contributors expense, and in a manner acceptable to the city.

(c)   For residential contributors a charge of $18.00 plus $1.00 per 100 cubic feet per calendar month or any portion thereof for residential contributor’s located in the corporate limits of Gas.  For Residential sites outside of corporate limits for which such use and service is utilized a charge of $25.20 plus $1.80 per 100 cubic feet per calendar month or any portion thereof.

(d)   Industrial, commercial and school sites, shall be charged as follows:  Inside corporate limits of said city: a charge of $24.00 per month plus $1.75 per 100 cubic feet per calendar month or any portion thereof.  Outside corporate limits of said city:  a charge of $28.50 per month plus $2.05 per 100 cubic feet, or any portion thereof.  These rates are subject to industrial use ordinance, if applicable.

(e)   Application for sewer service shall be with the City Clerk on a form to be supplied by the city. A permit and inspection fee of $50.00 shall accompany all applications. Saddle for sewer taps must be purchased from the City of Gas (at cost). Also a deposit of $100.00.

(Ord. 101-99; Ord. 104-99; Ord. 102-2002; Code 1999, 54-211; Ord. 468-2015; Code 2016; Ord. 483-2020)

Statements for sewer service charges shall be sent monthly and shall be paid on or before the tenth day of the month following the month or portion in which the service was utilized by the customer. If any statement is not paid by the tenth of the month, a charge of ten percent of the amount of the bill shall be added and collected. If any person shall neglect, fail or refuse to pay the fixed service charges, such charges shall constitute a lien upon the real estate served by the connection to the sewer and shall be certified by the city clerk to the county clerk, to be placed on the tax roll for collection, subject to the same penalties and collected in like manner as other taxes are by law collectible.

(Ord. 101-99; Code 1999, 54-212; Code 2016)