[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Putnam as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Municipal civil infractions  — See Ch. 55.
[Adopted 8-18-1999 by Ord. No. 30 (Ch. 13 of the 2004 Township Code)]
This article shall be known and cited as the "Multi-Lakes Sewer Use and Sewage Disposal Chapter" and it shall be sufficient in any action for enforcement of the provisions hereof to define the same by such title and reference to the number hereof.
The objectives of this article are to prevent the introduction of pollutants into the wastewater system which will interfere with the normal operation of the system or contaminate the resulting municipal sludge; to prevent the introduction of pollutants into the wastewater system which do not receive adequate treatment in the POTW, and which will pass through the system into receiving waters or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible with the system; to improve the opportunity to recycle and reclaim wastewater and sludge from the system; to provide for equitable distribution of the cost of the wastewater system; to protect POTW personnel who may be affected by wastewater and sludge in the course of their employment; to provide for the investigation of instances of pass-through or interference, the notification of the responsible industry, and for appropriate enforcement actions. R323.2303(1).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: R sections refer to the Michigan Administrative Code.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following abbreviations, terms and phrases, as used in the article, shall have the meanings hereinafter designated:
ACT or THE ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended. 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.
APPLICABLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Livingston County Health Department.
AUTHORITY
The Multi-Lakes Water and Sewer Authority.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF INDUSTRIAL USER
An authorized representative of an industrial user who may be:
A. 
A principal executive officer of at least the level of vice president, if the industrial user is a corporation;
B. 
A general partner or proprietor if the industrial user is a partnership or proprietorship, respectively; or
C. 
A duly authorized representative of the individual designated above if such representative is responsible for the overall operation of the facilities from which the indirect discharge originates or for environmental matters of the company. Authorization for this representative must be submitted in writing to the authority by the individual designated in Subsections A and B of this definition.
D. 
If the user is a federal, state, or local government facility, then a director or highest official appointed or designated to oversee the operation and performance of the activities of the government facility or their designee shall be the authorized representative. R323.2310(11)
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure, five days at 20° C. expressed in terms of weight and concentration (milligrams per liter).
BOD
Biochemical oxygen demand.
BUILDING DRAIN
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives discharge from drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet outside the inner face of the building wall.
BUILDING SEWER
The extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal.
BYPASS
The intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a user's pretreatment facility. R323.2302(e)
CATEGORICAL STANDARDS
The National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or Pretreatment Standard.
CFR
The Code of Federal Regulations.
CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
A measure of oxygen-consuming capacity of inorganic and organic matter present in water or wastewater. It is expressed as the amount of oxygen consumed from a chemical oxidant in a specified test. It does not differentiate between stable and unstable organic matter and thus does not necessarily correlate with biochemical oxygen demand. Also known as "OC" and "DOC," oxygen consumed and dichromate oxygen consumed, respectively.
COMBINED SEWER
Sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.
COMMERCIAL USER
An establishment listed in the Office of the Management and Budget's "Standard Industrial Classification Manual" (SICM), involved in a commercial enterprise, business or service that, based on a determination by the Authority, discharges primarily segregated domestic wastes or wastes from sanitary conveniences and which is not a residential user or an industrial user.
COMMERCIAL WASTE
A liquid or water-carried waste material from a commercial business engaged in buying, selling, exchanging goods or engaging in said goods or services.
COMPATIBLE POLLUTANT
A substance amenable to treatment in the wastewater treatment plant such as biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH and fecal coliform bacteria, plus additional pollutants identified in the groundwater discharge permit if the publicly owned treatment works was designed to treat such pollutants, and in fact does remove such pollutant to a substantial degree. Examples of such additional pollutants may include: chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, phosphorus, and phosphorus compounds, nitrogen compounds, fats, oils, and greases of animal or vegetable origin.
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
A series of samples taken over a specific time period whose volume is proportional to the flow in the waste stream, which are combined into one sample.
COOLING WATER
The water discharged from any use such as air conditioning, cooling, or refrigeration, or to which the only pollutant added is heat.
DEBT SERVICE CHARGE
Charges levied to customers of the wastewater system that are used to pay principal, interest and administrative costs of retiring the debt incurred for construction of the wastewater system.
DILUTION
Any thinning or weakening of a wastewater discharge by mixing it with water or other liquid, including any process of mixing or diluting as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment necessary to achieve compliance with applicable standards and limitations. Dilution is prohibited unless specifically approved by the Superintendent in writing. R323.2302(6)
DIRECT DISCHARGE
The discharge of treated or untreated wastewater directly to the waters of the state.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator or other duly authorized official.
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency.
EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNIT
[Amended 5-20-2009 by Ord. No. 30-D]
A. 
A single housekeeping unit or each unit of a multi-unit structure, which unit shall be a common unit for living and sleeping purposes and having a separate bathroom and kitchen facility. For purpose of connection fees and other charges based upon the design capacity of the system, an "equivalent residential unit" shall mean a discharge of 6,000 gallons or part thereof of water discharged to the public sewer in any month.
B. 
For purposes of calculation of monthly maintenance and operation charges, capital charges, debt service(s) and improvement/replacement charges, an "equivalent residential unit" shall mean a billing unit determined by the Authority board, which is based upon all available information of the amount of wastewater collected, including actual metered use of nonresidential users. The first determination is effective as of January 1, 2008. Future determinations shall be done on three-year intervals thereafter, the first being effective January 1, 2011. Users who have prepaid debt service shall be given credit for the amount of such prepayment.
ERU
Equivalent residential unit.
GARBAGE
Solid wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food and from the handling, storage and sale of produce.
GOVERNMENTAL USER
Any federal, state or local government user of the wastewater treatment works.
GRAB SAMPLE
A sample that is taken from a waste stream on a one-time basis with no regard to the flow in the waste stream over a period of time of not more than 15 minutes. R323.2302(n)
HOLDING TANK WASTE
Any waste from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets, campers, trailers, septic tanks, and vacuum-pump tank trucks.
INCOMPATIBLE POLLUTANTS
Any pollutant that is not a compatible pollutant.
INDIRECT DISCHARGE
The discharge or the introduction of nondomestic pollutant into the POTW (including holding tank waste discharged into the system).
INDUSTRIAL USER
A user of the treatment works which discharges wastewater from industrial, manufacturing, trade or business processes or from any structure with these characteristics, as distinct from their employee's domestic wastes or wastes from sanitary conveniences.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
The wastewater discharges from industrial, manufacturing, trade, service, or business processes, or wastewater discharge from any structure with these characteristics, as distinct from their employee's domestic wastes or wastes from sanitary conveniences. Notwithstanding other provisions in this chapter, unless specifically permitted by action of the Authority board, no industrial wastes or process wastewater will be permitted to be discharged to the system.
INSTITUTIONAL USER
Any establishment listed in the SICM involved in a social, charitable, religious, or educational function which discharges primarily segregated domestic wastes or wastes from sanitary conveniences.
INTERFERENCE
The inhibition or disruption of the POTW treatment processes or operations that contributes to a violation of any requirement of the Authority's groundwater discharge permit, reduces the efficiency of the POTW, or prevents use or disposal of sewage sludge generated by the POTW.
LABORATORY DETERMINATION
The measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes in accordance with the methods contained in the latest edition at the time of any such measurement test, or analysis of "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste Water," a joint publication of the American Public Health Association, the American Waterworks Association and the Water Pollution Control Federation, or in accordance with any other method prescribed by the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to law.
LOCAL LIMITS
The numerical or non-numerical standards and requirements established by the POTW in order to protect the safety and welfare of the public and POTW workers, or to prevent pollutant interference, inhibition or pass-through in regard to plant operations, or to comply with state and federal regulations. R323.2302(p)
ml/l
Milligrams per liter.
NATIONAL CATEGORICAL PRETREATMENT STANDARD or PRETREATMENT STANDARD
Any federal regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the EPA that applies to a specific category of industrial users.
NATIONAL PROHIBITIVE DISCHARGE STANDARD or PROHIBITIVE DISCHARGE STANDARD
Any regulation developed under the Authority of 307(b) of the Act and 40 CFR 403.5.
NATURAL OUTLET
Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface or groundwater.
NEW SOURCE
Any source, the construction of which is commenced after the adoption of this chapter.
NEW SOURCE
Any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is or may be a discharge and for which construction commenced after the publication of proposed pretreatment standards under Section 307(c) of the Clean Water Act will be applicable to the source if the standards are thereafter promulgated in accordance with Section 307(c), and if any of the following provisions apply:
A. 
The building structure, facility, or installation is constructed at a site at which no other source is located.
B. 
The building, structure, facility, or installation totally replaces the process or production equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants at an existing source.
C. 
The production of wastewater-generating processes of the building, structure, facility, or installation is substantially independent of an existing source at the same site. The extent to which the new facility is engaged in the same general type of activity as the existing source and the extent of integration of the new facility with the existing plant should be considered in determining whether the process is substantially independent.
D. 
Construction is considered to have commenced when installation or assembly of facilities/equipment has begun, significant site preparation has begun for installation or assembly, or the owner/operator has entered into a binding contractual obligation for the purchase of facilities or equipment which are intended to be used in its operation within a reasonable time. Construction on a site at which an existing source is located results in a modification, rather than a new source, if the construction does not create a new building, structure, facility or installation meeting the criteria of Subsection B or C of this definition but otherwise alters, replaces, or adds to existing process or production equipment. R323.2302(r)
NORMAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE
Wastewater which, when analyzed, shows a daily average concentration of not more than 200 mg/l of BOD; nor 200 mg/l of suspended solids; nor more than six mg/l of phosphorus; nor more than 40 mg/l of total Kjeldahl nitrogen.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
O&M
Operation and maintenance.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
All work, materials, equipment, utilities, and other effort required to operate and maintain the wastewater transportation and treatment system consistent with insuring adequate treatment of wastewater to produce an effluent in compliance with the Authority's groundwater discharge permit and other applicable state and federal regulations, and including the cost of replacement.
OWNER
Owners of record of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rests, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, or other person, firm, or corporation in control of a building.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, copartnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity, or any other legal entity, or its legal representatives, agents, or assigns. The masculine gender shall include the feminine; the singular shall include the plural where indicated by the context.
pH
The logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the concentration of hydrogen ions expressed in grams per liter of solution.
POLLUTANT
Any of various chemicals, substances, and refuse materials such as solid waste, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, dredged spoil, incinerator residue, filter backwash, munitions, medical wastes, rock, sand, and industrial, municipal and agricultural wastes that impair the purity of the water and soil. R323.2302(v)
POLLUTION
The man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological and radiological integrity of water.
POTW
Publicly owned treatment works.
POTW TREATMENT PLANT
That portion of the POTW designed to provide treatment to wastewater.
PRETREATMENT or TREATMENT
The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to or in lieu of discharging or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a POTW. The reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical or biological processes, or process changes by other means, except as prohibited by 40 CFR 403.6(d).
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
Any substantive or procedural requirement for treating of a waste prior to inclusion in the POTW.
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
Any substantive or procedural requirement for treatment of a waste prior to inclusion in the POTW, including National Categorical Pretreatment Standards.
PROCESS WASTE
Any water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with, or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product or waste product. This definition specifically excludes noncontact cooling water, domestic wastewater, infiltration and inflow.
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particles greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension.
PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS
A treatment works as defined by Section 212 of the Act (33 U.S.C. § 1292), which is owned in this instance by the Livingston County Department of Public Works. This definition includes any sewers that convey wastewater to the POTW treatment plant. For the purpose of this chapter, "POTW" shall also include any sewers that convey wastewaters to the POTW from persons outside the Township or outside the sewer service area who are, by contract or agreement with the Authority, users of the Authority's POTW.
PUBLIC SEWER
A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights, and is controlled by public authority.
REPLACEMENT
The replacement in whole or in part of any equipment, appurtenances and accessories in the wastewater transportation or treatment systems to insure continuous treatment of wastewater in accordance with the Authority's groundwater discharge permit and other applicable state and federal regulations.
RESIDENTIAL USER
A user of the treatment works whose premises or buildings are used primarily as a domicile for one or more persons, including dwelling units such as detached, semidetached, and row houses, mobile homes, apartments, or permanent multifamily dwellings; bed-and-breakfasts, motels, rooming houses, or other transient lodging are not included, but are considered commercial.
SANITARY SEWAGE
A liquid or water-carried waste discharged from the sanitary conveniences of dwellings, including but not limited to residential homes, apartment houses and hotels, office buildings, commercial businesses or industrial plants.
SANITARY SEWER
A sewer that carries sanitary sewage and to which storm, surface, and groundwater is not to be intentionally admitted.
SEVERE PROPERTY DAMAGE
A substantial physical damage to property, damage to the user's pretreatment facilities that causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources that can reasonably be expected to occur in absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.
SEWAGE
A combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions and industrial establishments.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT or WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage.
SEWAGE WORKS
All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage.
SEWER
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SEWER SERVICE
The area defined by each Township for sewer service, which initially is the area defined by resolution of the Putnam Township Board, and such additional area as may be designated by the Township in which sewer and/or water service is permitted by the Township to be furnished from the Authority.
SEWER SERVICE CHARGE
The sum of the applicable user charge, surcharges and debt service charges.
SHALL; MAY
"Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive.
SIC
Standard Industrial Classification.
SICM
A Standard Industrial Classification Manual.
SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL USER
Any industrial user of the Authority's wastewater disposal system who:
A. 
Is subject to National Categorical Pretreatment Standards under 40 CFR 403 (1992) and 40 CFR Chapter 1, Subchapter N (1990);
B. 
Has a discharge flow of 25,000 gallons or more of process water to the POTW, excluding sanitary, noncontact cooling water and boiler blowdown wastewater per average work day;
C. 
Has a process wastestream that makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW;
D. 
Has in its wastes toxic pollutants as defined pursuant to Section 307 of the act of Michigan statutes and rules; or
E. 
Is found by the Authority, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have significant impact, either singly or in combination with other contributing industries, on the wastewater treatment system the quality of sludge, the system's effluent quality, or air emissions generated by the system. R323.2302(cc)
SIGNIFICANT NONCOMPLIANCE
One or more of the following:
A. 
Chronic violation of wastewater discharge limit, defined here as when 66% or more of all the measurements for a pollutant parameter taken during a six-month period exceed by any magnitude the corresponding daily maximum limit or the corresponding average limit;
B. 
Technical review criteria violation of wastewater discharge limit, defined here as when 33% or more of all of the measurements for a pollutant parameter taken during a six-month period equal or exceed the product of the corresponding daily maximum limit multiplied by the applicable TRC factor, or the product of the corresponding average limit multiplied by the applicable TRC Factor (TRC Factor = 1.4 for BOD, fats, oil and grease, and 1.2 for all other pollutants except pH);
C. 
Any other violation of a daily maximum limit or an average limit that the superintendent determines has alone or in combination with other discharges caused interference or pass-through, including endangering the health of POTW personnel or the general public;
D. 
Any discharge of a pollutant that has caused imminent endangerment to human health, public welfare, or the environment, or has resulted in the POTW exercising its emergency authority to halt or prevent such a discharge;
E. 
Failure to meet, within 90 days after the schedule date, a compliance schedule milestone contained in an authority-issued discharge permit or enforcement order for starting construction, completing construction, or attaining final compliance;
F. 
Failure to provide, within 30 days after the due date, required reports such as baseline monitoring reports, ninety-day compliance reports, and/or reports on compliance with compliance schedules;
G. 
Failure to accurately report noncompliance; and
H. 
Any other violation, or group of violations that the superintendent determines as adversely affecting operation or implementation of the Authority's pretreatment program. R323.2302(dd)
SLUG LOAD
Any substance released in a discharge at a rate and/or concentration that causes interference to a POTW.
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION
A classification pursuant to the Standard Industrial Classification Manual issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, 1972.
STATE
State of Michigan.
STORM SEWER or STORM DRAIN
A sewer that carries storm and surface waters and drainage but excludes sewage and polluted industrial wastes.
STORMWATER
Any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting therefrom.
SUPERINTENDENT
The person designated by the Authority to supervise the operation of the publicly owned treatment works, who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities by this chapter, or his duly authorized representative.
SURCHARGE
As part of the service charge, any customer discharging wastewater having strength in excess of limits set forth by the Authority who may be required to pay an additional charge to cover the cost of treatment of such excess strength wastewater.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in, water, wastewater, or other liquids, and which is removable by laboratory filtering.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Putnam, Livingston County, Michigan.
TOXIC POLLUTANT
Any pollutant or combination of pollutants that is or can potentially be harmful to public health or environment, including those listed as toxic in regulations promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of CWA 307(a) or other Acts.
UNCONTAMINATED INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Wastewater that has not come into contact with any substance used in or incidental to industrial processing operations and to which no chemical or other substance has been added.
UPSET
An exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with National Categorical Pretreatment Standards because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the user. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation. R323.2302(gg)
USER
Any person who contributes, causes, or permits the contribution of wastewater into the POTW.
USE CHARGE
A charge levied on users of a treatment work for the cost of operation and maintenance of sewerage works and includes the cost of replacement.
USER CLASS
The kind of user connected to sanitary sewers, including but not limited to residential, industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental.
VIOLATION SURCHARGE
A charge levied on properties of the sewer district from which sewage is produced but not connected to the public sewer, within the time limits or under the conditions as provided herein and in accordance with the notice issued by the Superintendent. The amount of the violation surcharge shall be equal to the monthly O&M charge, unless provided otherwise by resolution of the Authority board.
WASTEWATER
The liquid and water-carried industrial or domestic wastes from dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities and institutions, together with any groundwater, surface water, and stormwater that may be present whether treated or untreated, which is contributed into or permitted to enter the POTW.
WATERCOURSE
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.
WATERS OF THE STATE
All streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, reservoirs, aquifers, irrigation systems, drainage systems, drainage systems, and all other bodies or accumulations of water surface or underground, natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained within flow through, or border upon the state or any portion thereof.
WETLAND
Lands characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances support, wetland vegetation or aquatic life and are commonly referred to as "bogs," "swamps," "marshes," and "wet meadows."
A. 
Discharge of sewage. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the Sewer Service District, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said authority, any human excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste.
B. 
Discharge within Sewer Service District. Within the Sewer Service District, 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, unless specifically permitted by the applicable county health department.
C. 
Connection to public sewer. The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the Township within the district defined for sewerage service by the Authority is hereby required at his expense to install suitable sewage facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so.
(1) 
The official notice described in Subsection C of this section shall be a written statement signed by the Superintendent or other designated employee of the Authority to the owner stating the date by which connection to the public sewer shall be made. The notice shall describe the house, building, or property by tax code number. The notice shall be delivered to the owner at the address set forth on the last assessment roll by regular U.S. mail deposited with fully prepaid U.S. postage affixed thereto in the U.S. mails. The notice shall be considered served for purposes of any subsequent proceedings as of the date of mailing.
(2) 
The official notice shall be accompanied by a connection application form. The owner shall complete and return the application form before any work upon the building sewer or connection is commenced. All work on the building sewer and connections shall be done in accordance with § 277-5 of this article.
(3) 
Upon receipt of such notice, the owner shall apply for and obtain a permit from the County Building Inspector, or such inspector's successor, under the Authority of P.A. 230 of 1972, as amended, and complete construction and inspection as required by said act, this article, Chapter 340, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Putnam, and other applicable statutes, ordinances, and regulations.
(4) 
If the owner fails to complete construction, connection and inspection as required above, the Township or the Authority shall proceed to enforce this chapter and other applicable statutes, ordinances, and regulations in accordance with P.A. 368 of 1978, as amended, and all other applicable acts, statutes, ordinances, and regulations.
A. 
Connection to public sewer. No person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereto, or install, disconnect, remove, or repair a service connection without first obtaining a written permit therefor from the Authority. No building sewer shall be covered until it has been inspected and approved as being of adequate and acceptable construction, size and location by the Authority and/or the Livingston County Building Official or the official's successor. The owner of building or premises, or his authorized representative, shall be responsible, at his own cost, for the installation, connection and maintenance of the building sewer for such building or premises up to and including its connection with the public sewer. The owner and, where appropriate, his authorized representative, shall indemnify and hold the Authority and its employees, agents and representatives free and harmless from any and all liability or responsibility for all injury, loss or damage that may result directly or indirectly from the installation, connection or maintenance of the building sewer.
B. 
Permit. Application for a permit to connect to the public sewer or to install, disconnect, remove, or repair a service connection shall be made on appropriate forms provided by the Authority. The application shall be supplemented by such plans, specifications or other information as the Authority shall reasonably require. The Authority board shall establish permit and inspection fees by resolution. Such permit and inspection fees shall be paid at the time the application is filed. The Authority may refuse to grant a permit to connect if the Authority shall determine the public sewer system, the sewage treatment facilities or the treatment plant do not have adequate capacity or capability to accommodate the proposed connection. The Authority may refuse to grant a permit to install or repair a service connection if the Authority shall determine that the installation or repair is not in compliance with this article.
C. 
Building sewer requirements. A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for each building or premises, provided where one building or premises stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building or premises through an adjoining alley, court, yard or driveway, the building sewer from the front building or premises may be extended to the rear building or premises.
D. 
Old building sewers. An existing building sewer may be used in connection with a new building and premises only where it is found, on inspection by the Authority, to be of adequate construction, size, and location.
E. 
Specifications. The building sewer shall be constructed of pipe with gasketed or solvent-welded joints, Schedule 40 PVC, or as approved by the Superintendent. The Authority reserves the right to specify and require the encasement of any sewer pipe with concrete, or the installation of the sewer pipe in concrete cradle if foundation and construction are such as to warrant such protection in the opinion of the Superintendent. The size and slope of the building sewer shall be subject to approval by the Superintendent, but in no event shall the diameter be less than four inches and the slope less than 1/4 inch per foot, unless otherwise permitted. The slope of pipe, the diameter of which is six inches or more, shall be not less than 1/8 inch per foot unless otherwise permitted.
F. 
Building sewer connection. Every connection of a building sewer into a sanitary sewer, including the sewer connection, shall conform to the requirements of the Township and County building and plumbing ordinances, regulations, and chapters as now enforced and as hereafter amended, and all other applicable rules and regulations of the Authority, the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Water Pollution Control Federation Manual of Practice No. 9, as amended, as well as, as may be applicable, all requirements of the State of Michigan, County of Livingston, and/or any governmental agency operating and maintaining public sewers on behalf of the Authority. All such connections shall be gastight and watertight. Any deviation from these prescribed procedures and materials must be approved in writing by the Authority before installation.
G. 
Inspection. The applicant for a sewer connection permit shall notify the Authority when the building sewer is ready for installation and connection to the sanitary sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Authority or its authorized representative. No backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected and approved by the Authority.
H. 
New construction. The basement floor level of all new structures from which it is anticipated that sewage or industrial wastewaters may emanate shall be at such level that such sewage and industrial wastewaters can flow by gravity to any sanitary sewer or by grinder pump to a pressure collection system. In the alternative, a pump or other suitable device shall be installed and maintained to lift the sewage or industrial wastewaters to a level from which they flow by gravity to the Authority's sanitary sewer system.
I. 
Excavations. All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored to a manner satisfactory to the Authority.
J. 
Delegation. The Authority board may, by resolution that shall be amendable and revocable at any time, delegate all or any part of the permit, inspection, and other authority functions or responsibilities specified in this chapter to any other governmental or private agency operating and maintaining public sewers on behalf of the Authority. Such resolution shall be effective only for such portion of the Authority public sewers as are operated and maintained by such agency. Regardless of any delegation authorized by this section, the Authority board only shall have the Authority to refuse a permit to connect as provided in this section.
K. 
On-lot easement requirements.
(1) 
Prior to the approval and issuance of a service connection permit, the applicant will be requested to have executed by the owner(s) of record for the premises to be connected, an easement in a form provided by the Authority granting permission to the Authority to operate, maintain, repair and replace the service connection to be installed on the premises.
(a) 
If the applicant provides such easement, then the Authority shall provide, at its cost, all needed repairs, operation, maintenance and replacement of the service connection in accordance with Subsection M below.
(b) 
If the applicant, for any reason, declines to provide said easement, then the permit shall be issued in the discretion of the Authority, together with an appropriate bill of sale conveying from the Authority to the owner title to all components comprising the service connection. The owner shall install or cause to be installed at the owner's expense the service connection, grinder pump, electric service, pipe and all related fixtures in accordance with this article, subject to obtaining a permit, inspection, and construction by approved contractors and persons. Following installation of the service connection by the owner (which installation is subject to inspection by the Inspector in accordance with the terms of this chapter), the owner shall, at his or her expense, repair, operate, maintain and replace the service connection in accordance with Subsection M below.
(c) 
An owner or his or her successor may, at any time following the installation of a service connection on a premises for which no easement was provided to the Authority prior to the issuance of a permit, grant the appropriate easement to the Authority. The Authority shall accept said easement and assume the responsibility for repair, operation, maintenance and replacement, provided that the Inspector has inspected the service connection and is satisfied that the service connection is in good working order, reasonable wear and tear excepted.
(d) 
In the event such inspection reveals that the service connection has been properly maintained or that the condition of the service connection has deteriorated beyond reasonable wear and tear, the Authority may condition its acceptance of the easement and assumption of the financial responsibility for operation, maintenance and repair and replacement of the service connection upon:
[1] 
Appropriate repairs of the service connection at the expense of the owner;
[2] 
Replacement of the service connection or individual components thereof at the expense of the owner; or
[3] 
Such other conditions as the Authority, in the exercise of its reasonable judgment, deems appropriate.
(2) 
The acceptance of the easement by the Authority shall be accompanied by an executed bill of sale by the owner conveying the service connection to the Authority.
(3) 
Subsection L of this section shall not apply to any premises for which the installation of the service connection was made by a contractor engaged by the Authority or the county pursuant to the contract or any future supplement or amendment thereto, it being the assumption in these circumstances that the owner had granted an appropriate easement prior to said installation.
L. 
Authority's responsibility for repairs, operation and maintenance. The cost of all repairs, installation, operation, maintenance and replacement of the public sewer, as well as each service connection for which the owner has granted an easement to the Authority, shall be borne by the Authority as part of the Authority's budgeted annual expense of the system subject to the right of the Authority to impose a connection fee.
M. 
Owner's responsibility for repairs, operation and maintenance. The cost of all repairs, installation, operation, maintenance and replacements of existing building sewers and their connection to the public sewer shall be borne by the owner. If the owner has not granted an easement to the Authority to maintain the service connection, then the cost of all repairs, installation, operation, maintenance and replacement of the service connection shall also be borne by the owner, subject to the right of the Authority to impose a connection fee.
N. 
Contractor requirements. Any person desiring to construct a building sewer or uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenances thereof, must register with the Authority. The registration shall be issued on a calendar-year basis.
O. 
Installation of service connection by authority. All service connections shall be made by agents authorized by the Authority or contractors approved by the Authority.
P. 
Wetlands. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct regulated activities in any wetland area within the Sewer Service District without a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for regulated wetlands or a review and approval by the Township at the time of issuing a zoning permit for nonregulated wetlands.
Q. 
Wetland regulations. Activities that may be regulated in a wetland under this section include the following, but are not limited to:
(1) 
Depositing or permitting the depositing of any material, including but not limited to hazardous chemicals, nonbiodegradable aquatic pesticides and herbicides, and harmful fertilizers:
(2) 
Dredging, removing, or permitting the dredging or removal of material or minerals;
(3) 
Erecting or building any structure, including but not limited to buildings, roadways, bridges of any type, tennis courts, paving, utility, or private poles, or towers;
(4) 
Constructing, operating, or maintaining any land use or development;
(5) 
Constructing, placing, enlarging, extending, or removing any temporary, seasonal, or permanent operation or structure upon wetlands, except seasonal docks, rafts, diving platforms, and other water recreational devices;
(6) 
Constructing, extending, enlarging, or connecting any conduit, pipe, culvert, or open or closed drainage facility carrying stormwater runoff from any site, within a wetlands area, or any other land use permitting discharge of silt, sediment, organic, or inorganic material, chemicals, fertilizers, flammable liquids, or other polluting substances except in accordance with requirements of county, state, and federal agencies;
(7) 
Activities by a governmental entity relating to the construction, maintenance or repair of a public highway, street, roadway, sewer system, drainage system, or water main facility are exempt from the requirements of these regulations, except as required by state law.
R. 
Demolition of existing buildings. The owner of an existing building to which a sewer connection has been made shall obtain a permit from the Authority to disconnect the building from the sewer connection and the sewer connection from the Authority's system before demolition or removal of the building, and cause the disconnection and related construction to be inspected by the Authority in accordance with this article.
A. 
Any industry or structure discharging process flow to the sanitary sewer, storm sewer or receiving stream within the Sewer Service District shall file the material listed below with the Superintendent. Any industry that does not normally discharge to the sanitary sewer, storm sewer or receiving stream, but has the potential to do so from accidental spills or similar circumstances, shall also file the material listed below. The Superintendent may require each person who applies for or receives sewer service, or who through the nature of an enterprise, creates a potential environmental problem within the Sewer Service District, to file the material listed below on a disclosure form prescribed by the Authority:
(1) 
Name, address and location (if different from the address);
(2) 
SIC number according to the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, Bureau of the Budget, 1972, as amended.
(3) 
Wastewater constituents and characteristics, including but not limited to those mentioned in § 277-2 of this article as determined by a reliable analytical laboratory; sampling and analysis shall be performed in accordance with the procedures and methods detailed in:
(a) 
"Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," American Public Health Association, current edition;
(b) 
"Manual of Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes," United States Environmental Protection Agency, current edition; and
(c) 
"Annual Book of Standards, Part 131, Water, Atmospheric Analysis," American Society of Testing Materials, current edition.
(4) 
Time and duration of contribution;
(5) 
Average daily wastewater flow rates, including daily, monthly, and seasonal variations, if any;
(6) 
Industries identified as significant industries or those required by the Authority must submit site plans, floor plans, mechanical and plumbing plans and details to show all sewers, sewer connections, and appurtenances by the size, location, and elevation;
(7) 
Description of activities, facilities and plant processes on the premises, including all materials which are or could be discharged;
(8) 
Where known, the nature and concentration of any pollutants in the discharge which are limited by any authority, state, or federal pretreatment standard, and a statement regarding whether or not the pretreatment standards are being met on a consistent basis, and if not, whether additional operation and maintenance and/or additional pretreatment is required by the industrial user to meet applicable pretreatment standards;
(9) 
If additional pretreatment and/or O&M will be required to meet the pretreatment standards; the shortest schedule by which the user will provide additional pretreatment. The completion date in this schedule shall not be later than the compliance date established for the applicable pretreatment standard. The following conditions shall apply to this schedule:
(a) 
The schedule shall contain increments of progress in the form of dates for the commencement and completion of major events leading to the construction and operation of additional pretreatment required for the user to meet the applicable pretreatment standards;
(b) 
No increment referred to in Subsection A(9)(a) of this section shall exceed nine months;
(c) 
For existing users, no increment referred to in Subsection A(9)(a) shall exceed nine months. For new sources, all pollution control equipment required to meet applicable pretreatment standards shall be installed and in operating condition before beginning to discharge; and
(d) 
Not later than 14 days following each date in the schedule and the final date for compliance, the user shall submit a progress report to the Superintendent including, as a minimum, whether or not it complied with the increment of progress to be met on such date and, if not, the date on which it expects to comply with this increment of progress, the reason for delay, and the steps being taken by the user to return the construction to the schedule established. In no event shall more than nine months elapse between such progress reports to the Superintendent.
(10) 
Each product produced by type, amount, process, or processes and rate of production;
(11) 
Type and amount of raw materials processed, average, and maximum per day;
(12) 
Number and type of employees, hours of operation of plant, and proposed actual hours of operation of pretreatment system;
(13) 
Any other information as may be deemed by the Authority to be necessary to evaluate the impact of the discharge on the POTW;
(14) 
The disclosure form shall be signed by a principal executive officer of the user and a qualified engineer;
(15) 
The Authority will evaluate the complete disclosure form and data furnished and may require additional information. Within 90 days after full evaluation and acceptance of the data furnished, the Authority shall notify the user of the acceptance thereof.
B. 
Wastewater discharges shall be expressly subject to all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable regulations, user charges, and fees established by the Authority. The Authority may:
(1) 
Set unit charges or a schedule of user charges and fees for the wastewater to be discharged to the POTW;
(2) 
Limit the average and maximum wastewater constituents and characteristics;
(3) 
Limit the average and maximum rate and time of discharge or make requirements for flow regulations and equalization;
(4) 
Require the installation and maintenance of inspection and sampling facilities;
(5) 
Establish specifications for monitoring programs which may include sampling locations, frequency of sampling, number, types, and standards for tests and reporting schedule;
(6) 
Require submission of technical reports or discharge reports;
(7) 
Require the maintaining, retaining and furnishing of plant records relating to wastewater discharge as specified by the Authority, and affording authority access thereto, and copying thereof;
(8) 
Require prompt notification of the Authority in advance of any new introduction of wastewater constituents or any substantial change in the volume or character of the wastewater constituents being introduced into the wastewater treatment system, including all of the following, if applicable:
(a) 
Groundwaters that are purged for remedial action programs;
(b) 
Groundwaters containing pollutants that infiltrate into the sewers;
(c) 
Listed or characteristic hazardous wastes.
(9) 
Require notification of slug discharges;
(10) 
Require other conditions as deemed appropriate by the Authority to ensure compliance with this chapter;
(11) 
Require waste treatment facilities, process facilities, waste streams, or other potential waste problems to be placed under the specific supervision and control of persons who have been certified by an appropriate state agency as properly qualified to supervise such facilities;
(12) 
Require records and file reports to be maintained on the final disposal of specific liquids, solids, sludges, oils, radioactive materials, solvents, or other wastes;
(13) 
Establish compliance schedules;
(14) 
Convert concentration based National Categorical Pretreatment Standards to equivalent mass-based or production based pretreatment requirements;
(15) 
Control through permit, order, or similar means, the contribution to the POTW by each user to ensure compliance with applicable National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or Pretreatment Requirements. The control mechanism may limit duration to a maximum of five years, require nontransferability without appropriate prior notification, set effluent limits, establish monitoring and reporting requirements, contain a statement of applicable penalties for violations, a provision for the modification of the control mechanism by the Superintendent in the event of revised NPDES permit conditions, water quality standards, categorical pretreatment standards, or industrial pretreatment program objectives, and a provision for the issuance, revocation, suspension, or modification of a control mechanism based on user's compliance with categorical pretreatment standards or with this article;
(16) 
Adjust National Categorical Pretreatment Standards to reflect the presence of pollutants in a user's intake water; applicable pretreatment standards shall be installed and in operating condition before beginning to discharge;
(17) 
Not later than 14 days following each date in the schedule and the final date for compliance, the user shall submit a progress report to the Superintendent including, as a minimum, whether or not it complied with the increment of progress to be met on such date and, if not, the date on which it expects to comply with this increment of progress, the reason for delay, and the steps being taken by the user to return the construction to the schedule established. In no event shall more than nine months elapse between such progress reports to the Superintendent;
(18) 
Each product produced by type, amount, process or processes and rate of production;
(19) 
Type and amount of raw materials processed, average and maximum per day;
(20) 
Number and type of employees, hours of operation of plant and proposed actual hours of operation of pretreatment system;
(21) 
Any other information as may be deemed by the Authority to be necessary to evaluate the impact of the discharge on the POTW;
(22) 
The disclosure form shall be signed by a principal executive officer of the user and a qualified engineer;
(23) 
The Authority will evaluate complete disclosure form and data furnished and may require additional information. Within 90 days after full evaluation and acceptance of the data furnished, the Authority shall notify the user of the acceptance thereof.
C. 
Wastewater discharges shall be expressly subject to all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable regulations, user charges and fees established by the Authority. The Authority may:
(1) 
Set unit charges or a schedule of user charges and fees for the wastewater to be discharged to the POTW;
(2) 
Limit the average and maximum wastewater constituents and characteristics;
(3) 
Limit the average and maximum rate and time of discharge or make requirements for flow regulations and equalization;
(4) 
Require the installation and maintenance of inspection and sampling facilities;
(5) 
Establish specifications for monitoring programs which may include sampling locations, frequency of sampling, number, types and standards for tests and reporting schedule;
(6) 
Require submission of technical reports or discharge reports;
(7) 
Require the maintaining, retaining and furnishing of plant records relating to wastewater discharge as specified by the Authority, and affording authority access thereto, and copying thereof;
(8) 
Require prompt notification of the Authority in advance of any new introduction of wastewater constituents or any substantial change in the volume or character of the wastewater constituents being introduced into the wastewater treatment system, including all of the following, if applicable:
(a) 
Groundwaters that are purged for remedial action programs;
(b) 
Groundwaters containing pollutants that infiltrate into the sewers;
(c) 
Listed or characteristic hazardous wastes.
(9) 
Require notification of slug discharges;
(10) 
Require other conditions as deemed appropriate by the Authority to ensure compliance with this article;
(11) 
Require waste treatment facilities, process facilities, waste streams, or other potential waste problems to be placed under the specific supervision and control of persons who have been certified by an appropriate state agency as properly qualified to supervise such facilities;
(12) 
Require records and file reports to be maintained on the final disposal of specific liquids, solids, sludge, oils, radioactive materials, solvents, or other wastes;
(13) 
Establish compliance schedules;
(14) 
Convert concentration based National Categorical Pretreatment Standards to equivalent mass-based or production based pretreatment requirements;
(15) 
Control through permit, order, or similar means, the contribution to the POTW by each user to ensure compliance with applicable National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or pretreatment requirements. The control mechanism may limit duration to a maximum of five years, require nontransferability without appropriate prior notification, set effluent limits, establish monitoring and reporting requirements, contain a statement of applicable penalties for violations, a provision for the modification of the control mechanism by the Superintendent in the event of revised NPDES permit conditions, water quality standards, categorical pretreatment standards, or industrial pretreatment program objectives, and a provision for the issuance, revocation, suspension, or modification of a control mechanism based on user's compliance with categorical pretreatment standards or with this article;
(16) 
Adjust National Categorical Pretreatment Standards to reflect the presence of pollutants in a user's intake water.
D. 
Baseline and compliance reports.
(1) 
Within 180 days after promulgation or revision of a National Categorical Pretreatment Standard, all existing affected industrial users must submit to the Superintendent the information specified by R323.2310(2), Subdivisions a through g.
(2) 
At least 90 days prior to commencement of discharge, new sources and sources that become affected industrial users subsequent to the promulgation of an applicable National Categorical Pretreatment Standard, shall submit to the Superintendent the information specified by R323.2310(2), Subdivisions a. through e. New sources shall also include in this report information on the method of pretreatment they intend to use to meet the applicable pretreatment standard and shall give estimates of the required information regarding flow and pollutant discharge.
(3) 
Industrial users shall report any changes in the reports required by Subsection D(1) and (4) of this section to the Superintendent within 60 days.
(4) 
Within 90 days following the date for final compliance with applicable pretreatment standards or, in the case of a new source, following commencement of the introduction of wastewater into the POTW, any user subject to pretreatment standards and requirements shall submit to the Superintendent a report indicating the nature and concentration of all pollutants in the discharge from the regulated process which are limited by pretreatment standards and requirements and the average and maximum daily flow for these process units in the user facility which are limited by such pretreatment standards or requirements. For users subject to equivalent mass or concentration-based limits established by the Superintendent, the report shall contain a reasonable measure of the long-term production rate. For users subject to categorical pretreatment standards expressed per unit of production, the report shall include the actual production during the sampling period. The report shall state whether the applicable pretreatment standards or requirements are being met on a consistent basis and, if not, what additional O&M and/or pretreatment is necessary to bring the user into compliance with the applicable pretreatment standards or requirements. This statement will be signed by an authorized representative of the industrial user, and certified to by a qualified representative. R323.2310(2), R323.2310(2)(I), R323.2310(3)
E. 
Any user or new source discharging into the POTW shall submit to the Superintendent during the months of June and December, unless required more frequently in pretreatment standard or by the Superintendent, a report indicating the nature and concentration of pollutants in the effluent that are limited by such pretreatment standards or this chapter. In addition, this report shall include a record of all daily flows which during the reporting period exceeded the average daily flow reported in Subsection A(5). At the discretion of the Superintendent and in consideration of such factors as local high or low flow rates, holidays, budget cycles, etc., the Superintendent may agree to alter the months during which the above reports are to be submitted.
(1) 
The Superintendent may impose mass limitations on users that are using dilution to meet applicable pretreatment standards or requirements, or in other cases in which the imposition of mass limitations is appropriate. In such cases, the report required by this subsection shall also indicate the mass of pollutants regulated by pretreatment standards in the effluent of the user.
(2) 
If a user is subject to reporting requirements required to demonstrate continued compliance and monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by the Authority, using standard laboratory procedures, the results of this additional monitoring shall also be included in the periodic compliance report.
(3) 
If sampling performed by a user indicates a violation, the user shall notify the Superintendent within 24 hours of becoming aware of the violation. The user shall also repeat the sampling and submit the results of reanalysis within 30 days after becoming aware of the violation, except when the Superintendent will be performing scheduled surveillance sampling/analysis within this thirty-day period.
(4) 
Reports required by this article shall be based upon data obtained through appropriate sampling and analysis performed during the period covered by the report, which data is representative of conditions occurring during the reporting period. R323.2310(4), (6)
F. 
The Authority may require to be provided and operated, at the user's own expense, monitoring facilities to allow inspection, sampling, and flow measurement of the building sewer and/or internal drainage systems. The monitoring facility should normally be situated on the user's premises, but the Authority may, when such a location would be impractical or cause undue hardship on the user, allow the facility to be constructed in the public street or sidewalk area and located so that it will not be obstructed by landscaping or parked vehicles. There shall be ample room in or near such sampling manhole or facility to allow accurate sampling and preparation of samples for analysis. The facility, sampling, and measuring equipment shall be maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition at the expense of the user. Whether constructed on public or private property, the sampling and monitoring facilities shall be provided in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to and approved by the Authority and all applicable local construction standards and specifications. Construction shall be completed within 90 days following written notification by the Authority.
G. 
The Authority shall inspect the facilities of any user to ascertain whether the purpose of this chapter is being met and all requirements are being complied with. Persons or occupants of premises where wastewater is created or discharged shall allow the Authority or its representative ready access at all reasonable times to all parts of the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling, records examination, records copying or in the performance of any of their duties. The Authority, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and EPA shall have the right to set up on the user's property such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling inspection, compliance monitoring, and/or metering operations. Where a user has security measures in force which would require proper identification and clearance before entry into their premises, the user shall make necessary arrangements with their security guards so that upon presentation of suitable identification, personnel from the Authority, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and EPA will be permitted to enter, without delay, for the purposes of performing their specific responsibilities.
H. 
Notwithstanding other provisions in this chapter, unless specifically permitted by action of the Authority board, no industrial wastes or process wastewater will be permitted to be discharged to the system. Industrial users shall provide necessary wastewater treatment as required to comply with this chapter and shall achieve compliance with all pretreatment standards within the time limitations as required by the Authority. Any facilities required to pretreat wastewater to a level acceptable to the Authority shall be provided, operated, and maintained at the user's expense. Detailed plans showing the pretreatment facilities and operating procedures shall be submitted to the Authority for review, and shall be approved by the Authority before construction of the facility. The review of such plans and operating procedures will in no way relieve the user from the responsibility of modifying the facility as necessary to produce an effluent acceptable to the Authority under the provisions of this chapter. Any subsequent change in the pretreatment facilities or method of operation shall be reported to and be acceptable to the Authority prior to the user's initiation of the changes. All records relating to compliance with pretreatment standards shall be made available to officials of the EPA or Michigan Department of Natural Resources upon request.
I. 
Information and data on a user obtained from reports, questionnaires, permit applications, permits and monitoring programs and from inspections shall be available to the public or other governmental agency without restriction unless the user specifically requests and is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Authority that the release of such information would divulge information, processes or methods of production entitled to protection as trade secrets of the user. When requested by the person furnishing a report, the portion of a report which might disclose trade secrets or secret processes shall not be made available for inspection by the public but shall be made available upon written request to governmental agencies for uses related to this chapter. The groundwater discharge permit, or the pretreatment programs; provided, however, that such portions of a report shall be available for use by the state or any state agency in judicial review or enforcement proceedings involving the person furnishing the report. Wastewater constituents and characteristics will not be recognized as confidential information.
J. 
Information accepted by the Authority as confidential shall not be transmitted to any governmental agency or to the general public by the Authority until and unless a ten-day notification is given to the user. Notwithstanding the above, any Federal and State Freedom of Information and Privacy Act shall regulate the release of all information.
K. 
All users shall notify the Superintendent, the EPA Regional Waste Management Division Director, and the State Hazardous Waste Authority in writing of any discharge into the POTW of a substance which would be a hazardous waste under 40 CFR 261 if disposed via other means. Notification details, as well as allowable exemptions, shall be in accordance with 40 CFR 403.12(p). In the case of any new regulations under Section 3001 of RCRA identifying additional characteristics of hazardous waste or listing any additional substance as a hazardous waste, the user must provide notification of the discharge of such substance within 90 days of the effective date of such regulations. In the case of any notification of hazardous waste discharges, the user shall further certify that it has a program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous wastes generated to the degree it has determined to be economically practical. R323.2310(15)
L. 
Certification of reports.
(1) 
All reports required by this section shall be signed by the authorized representative of industrial user and include the following certification statement:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."
(2) 
If the authorized representative of industrial user changes because a different individual has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility or for environmental matters of the company, a new authorization satisfying these requirements for authorized representative of industrial user must be submitted to the Authority prior to or together with any reports to be signed by that representative. R8323.2310(11)
A. 
Where a public sewer is not available, the building sewer shall be connected to an approved private sewage disposal system.
B. 
The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times at no expense to the Authority.
C. 
At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned in a manner approved by the County Health Department.
D. 
No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by any other agency having legal jurisdiction.
A. 
No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed, directly or indirectly, any pollutant or wastewater which will interfere with the operation or performance of the POTW. These general prohibitions apply to all such users of a POTW, whether or not the user is subject to any other national, state, or local pretreatment standards or requirements. A user may not contribute industrial waste or wastewater containing the following substances to any POTW:
(1) 
Any liquids, solids, or gases which by reason of their nature and quantity are, or may be, sufficient either alone or by interaction with other substances to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in any other way to the POTW or to the operation of the POTW. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides, and sulfides.
(2) 
Solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interference with the operation of the wastewater treatment facilities such as, but not limited to: grease, garbage with particles greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension, animal guts or tissues, paunch manure, bones, hair, hides or fleshings, entrails, whole blood, feathers, ashes, cinders, sand, spent lime, stone or marble dust, metal, glass, straw, shavings, grass clippings, rags, spent grains, spent hops, wastepaper, wood, plastics, gas, tar, asphalt residues, residues from refining, or processing of fuel or lubricating oil, mud, or glass grinding or polishing wastes.
(3) 
Any wastewater having a pH less than 6.0 or greater than 9.5, or wastewater having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structure, equipment or personnel of the POTW.
(4) 
Any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other pollutants, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a toxic effect in the receiving waters of the POTW, or exceed the limitation set forth in a categorical pretreatment standard. This prohibition of toxic pollutants will conform to Section 304(a) of the act.
(5) 
Any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, or solids which either singly or by interaction with other wastes are sufficient to create a public nuisance or hazard to life, or are sufficient to prevent entry into the sewers for maintenance and repair, including pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems. R323.2303/2g
(6) 
Any substance that may cause the effluent or any other product of the POTW such as residues, sludges, or scums, to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with the reclamation process.
(7) 
Any substance that will cause the POTW to violate its NPDES permit or the receiving water quality standards.
(8) 
Any wastewater with objectionable color not removed in the treatment process, such as but not limited to dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.
(9) 
Any wastewater having a temperature which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case wastewater with a temperature at the introduction into the POTW which exceeds 40° C. (104° F.).
(10) 
Any pollutants, including, oxygen demanding pollutants (BOD, etc.) released at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration that will cause interference to the POTW.
(11) 
Any wastewater containing 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.
(12) 
Any wastewater that causes a hazard to human life or creates a public nuisance.
(13) 
Any unpolluted water, including but not limited to stormwater, groundwater, roof water, or noncontact cooling water.
(14) 
Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids or any constituent of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant.
(15) 
Any sludge, precipitate, or congealed substances resulting from an industrial or commercial process, or resulting from the pretreatment of wastewater or air pollutants.
(16) 
Any pumpage from holding tanks or septic tanks.
(17) 
Any waste from individual sewage disposal systems except at the POTW, as provided in § 277-15, except that waste from any individual sewage disposal system may be disposed of directly into a sanitary sewer upon entering into an agreement with the Superintendent, which agreement shall specify the site of disposal, sewage disposal charge, and such other conditions as may be required to satisfy appropriate sanitation and health requirements. For the purpose of this subsection, "individual sewage disposal system" is defined to include every means of disposing of industrial, commercial, household, domestic, or other water-carried sanitary waste or sewage other than a public sanitary sewer.
(18) 
Any trucked or hauled wastewater, except as specifically authorized by the Superintendent.
(19) 
Petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass-through. R323.2303(2)(h), R323.2303(2)(f)
B. 
Discharge pollutant limitations.
(1) 
Unless specifically authorized by the Superintendent, no discharge wastewater shall contain in excess of the following:
[Amended 11-18-2009 by Ord. No. 30-E]
(a) 
ND[1] mg/l arsenic.
[1]
Note: "ND" indicates "nondetectable" per the practical level of quantification for U.S. EPA Method 206.2, unless a higher detection level is appropriate because of demonstrated sample matrix interference.
(b) 
0.0025 mg/l cadmium.
(c) 
230 mg/l chloride.
(d) 
ND mg/l chromium (total).
(e) 
0.05 mg/l copper.
(f) 
0.10 mg/l cyanides.
(g) 
0.002 mg/l lead.
(h) 
ND[2] mg/l mercury.
[2]
Note: "ND" indicates "nondetectable" per the practical level of quantification for U.S. EPA Method 245.1, unless a higher detection level is appropriate because of demonstrated sample matrix interference.
(i) 
ND mg/l nickel.
(j) 
ND mg/l silver.
(k) 
120 mg/l sodium.
(l) 
ND mg/l zinc.
(2) 
Should the above concentrations, either individually or in combination with one another, interfere with the sewage treatment process, or cause difficulties or damage to the receiving waters, the maximum concentrations of these substances will be reduced by order of the Superintendent.
(3) 
Should any other substances, either individually or in combination with other substances, interfere with the sewage treatment process or cause damage to the receiving waters or affect the sanitary or storm sewer system, the allowable concentration of these substances will be reduced by order of the Superintendent. Should the Superintendent determine that the above limits can be raised without damage to the sewer system or the sewage plant exceeding the state or federal limits, then the Superintendent may raise the limits, and shall determine the individual concentrations depending on quantity of flow, equipment capabilities, reliability of testing, etc.
(4) 
If any waters are discharged or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated above, and which in the judgment of the Superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Superintendent may respond as follows:
(a) 
Reject the wastes;
(b) 
Require pretreatment to the level defined as "normal domestic sewage";
(c) 
Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge;
(d) 
Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered using taxes or sewer charges;
(e) 
Require new industrial customers or industries with significant changes in strength or flow to submit prior information to the Authority concerning the proposed flows.
(5) 
If the Superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization or waste flows, the design and installation of the plant and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the Authority and shall be subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, regulations and laws. R323.2303(4)(b)
C. 
The Authority reserves the right to establish by ordinance more stringent limitations or requirements on discharges to the wastewater disposal system if deemed necessary to comply with the objectives presented in § 277-2 of this article.
(1) 
Upon the promulgation of the National Categorical Pretreatment Standards for a particular subcategory, the pretreatment standard, if more stringent than limitations imposed under this article for sources in that subcategory, shall immediately supersede the limitations imposed under this article and shall be considered part of this article. The Superintendent shall notify all affected users of the applicable reporting requirements.
(2) 
Existing users subject to new National Categorical Pretreatment Standards shall achieve compliance within three years of the date the standard is promulgated, unless a shorter compliance schedule is specified in the standard. New sources subject to National Categorical Pretreatment Standards shall install, have in operating condition, and have started up all pretreatment equipment required to achieve compliance before beginning to discharge; and shall meet all applicable pretreatment standards within the shortest feasible time, but not to exceed 90 days after beginning to discharge. R323.2311(1)
D. 
No user shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, water from footing drains, heating or cooling water, water from gutters, downspouts, geothermal water, or roof water to any sanitary sewer or sewer connection. Any premises connected to a storm sewer shall comply with county, state, and federal requirements as well as those of the Authority.
E. 
Stormwater, groundwater, and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to surface watercourses or to such sewers as are specifically designed as storm sewers. Discharge of cooling water or unpolluted process water to a natural outlet shall be approved only by the Department of Environmental Quality.
F. 
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, and other harmful ingredients: except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious material capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight and equipped with easily removable covers, which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight.
G. 
Where installed, all grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times.
H. 
Where necessary in the opinion of the Authority, the owner shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to reduce the five-day BOD, suspended solids, phosphorus, and total inorganic nitrogen to the concentrations given below; or to reduce objectionable characteristics of constituents to within the maximum limits provided for herein, or control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.
(1) 
Five-day BOD greater than 200 parts per million by weight.
(2) 
Containing no more than 200 parts per million by weight of suspended solids.
(3) 
Containing no more than six parts per million by weight of phosphorus.
(4) 
Containing no more than 40 parts per million by weight of total inorganic nitrogen.
I. 
Where the strength of sewage from an industrial, commercial, or institutional establishment exceeds: 200 parts per million of biochemical oxygen demand; or 200 parts per million by weight of suspended solids; or six parts per million by weight of phosphorus; or 40 parts per million by weight of total inorganic nitrogen, and where such wastes are permitted to be discharged to the sewer system by the Authority, an added charge, as noted below, will be made against such establishment according to the strength of such wastes when so required by the Authority. The strength of such wastes shall be determined by composite samples taken over a sufficient period of time to insure a representative sample. The cost of taking and making the first of these samples shall be borne by the Authority. The cost of any subsequent sampling and testing shall be borne by the industry or establishment, whether owner or lessee. Tests shall be made by an independent laboratory or at the Authority wastewater treatment plant. Added charges shall be determined by the Authority. These charges shall be based on the cost of operation, maintenance, and equipment replacement for the sewage works.
J. 
All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of water to which reference is made in Subsections A and H of this section, shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition at the time of "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Sewage" and shall be determined at the control manhole or upon suitable samples taken at said control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected.
K. 
No user shall ever increase the use of process water or in any way attempt to dilute a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the limitations contained in the pretreatment standards, or in any other pollutant-specific limitation developed by the Authority or state.
L. 
Where required, a user shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other substances regulated by this chapter. Facilities to prevent accidental discharge or prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the owner's or user's own cost and expense. Detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the Authority for review, and shall be approved by the Authority before construction of the facility. All required users shall complete such a plan within 180 days after the adoption of this chapter and prior to connection to the POTW. If required by the Authority, a user who commences contribution to the POTW after the effective date of this chapter shall not be permitted to introduce pollutants into the system until accidental discharge procedures have been approved by the Authority. Review and approval of such plans and operating procedures shall not relieve the industrial user from the responsibility to modify the user's facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter. In the case of an accidental discharge, it is the responsibility of the user to immediately telephone and notify the POTW of the incident. The notification shall include location of discharge, type of waste, concentration and volume, and corrective actions.
(1) 
Written notice. Within five days following an accidental discharge, the user shall submit to the Superintendent a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge and the measures to be taken by the user to prevent similar future occurrences. Such notification shall not relieve the user of any expense, loss, damage, or other liability which may be incurred as a result of damage to the POTW, fish kills, groundwater contamination or any other damage to person or property; nor shall such notification relieve the user of any fines, civil penalties, or other liability which may be imposed by this chapter or other applicable law.
(2) 
Notice to employees. A notice shall be permanently posted on the user's bulletin board or other prominent place advising employees of whom to call in the event of a dangerous discharge. Employers shall insure that all employees who may cause or suffer such a dangerous discharge to occur are advised of the emergency notification procedure.
M. 
Combined wastestreams.
(1) 
The following definitions apply to the terms used in this section:
COMBINED TREATMENT FACILITY
The equipment and processes used to reduce the mass or concentration of pollutants in a combined wastestream before discharge to the sanitary sewer system.
COMBINED WASTESTREAM
Any combination of regulated streams and wastestreams not subject to a categorical pretreatment standard.
REGULATED WASTESTREAM
Wastewater from a particular process that is subject to a categorical pretreatment standard.
WASTESTREAM
Wastewater from a particular process.
(2) 
When a regulated wastestream is mixed before treatment with other wastewaters, the Superintendent may calculate alternative limits for the combined wastestream using one or both of the following equations, as applicable:
Ci
=
Categorical pretreatment standard concentration limit for a pollutant in regulated wastestream below.
CT
=
Alternative concentration limit for the combined wastestream.
Mi
=
The categorical pretreatment standard mass limit for a pollutant in regulated wastestream (a)(i) below.
MT
=
Alternative mass limit for the pollutant in the combined wastestream.
N
=
Total number of regulated wastestreams.
Fi
=
Average daily flow over at least 30 days of the regulated wastestream to the extent that it is regulated for the pollutant.
FT
=
The average daily flow over at least 30 days through the combined treatment facility.
FD
=
The average daily flow over at least 30 days from the following:
a)
Boiler blowdown, non-contact cooling water, stormwater, and demineralizer backwash, except that the Superintendent may exclude a stream listed if the user has requested the change in classification and provided data (engineering data, production data, monitoring results, or other information) demonstrating that the wastestream contains a significant amount of a pollutant and the combination of the wastestream before treatment with regulated streams will result in a substantial reduction of that pollutant;
b)
Domestic wastewater; or
c)
Regulated wastestreams that the Superintendent exempts from categorical pretreatment standards for one or more of the following reasons:
i)
The pollutants of concern are not detectable in the effluent from the user;
ii)
The pollutants of concern are presently only in trace amounts and are neither causing nor likely to cause toxic effects;
iii)
The pollutants of concern are present in quantities too small to be effectively reduced by established treatment technologies; or
iv)
The wastestream contains only pollutants that are compatible with the sanitary sewer system.
(3) 
Alternative limits.
(a) 
When deriving alternative limits, the Superintendent may calculate both a daily maximum limit and a monthly average limit, where applicable in the categorical pretreatment standard.
(b) 
The user shall comply with the alternative limits until the Superintendent modifies the limits.
(c) 
The user shall immediately report to the Superintendent any significant changes in the values used to calculate the alternative limits. Necessary changes to the alternative limits will be made within 30 days after such changes are reported.
(d) 
The Superintendent may impose alternative discharge limits determined by best professional judgment when determined that the calculation of the alternative discharge limits according to this section is not practicable.
(e) 
When necessary to ensure that neither dilution nor mixing is used instead of treatment to achieve compliance with the applicable limits, the Superintendent may require segregated treatment of wastestreams or other measures. R323.2311(7)
N. 
Upset provision.
(1) 
An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense by users in unintentional and temporary noncompliance with applicable National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or pretreatment requirements, provided it can be proved that:
(a) 
An upset occurred and the user can identify the cause(s) of the upset;
(b) 
The facility was at the time being operated in a prudent and workmanlike manner and in compliance with applicable operation and maintenance procedures;
(c) 
The user submitted the following information to the Superintendent within 24 hours of becoming aware of the upset:
[1] 
A description of the discharge and cause of noncompliance;
[2] 
The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue; and
[3] 
Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce, eliminate and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance;
[4] 
The upset did not create a fire or explosion hazard in the POTW, cause corrosive structural damage to the POTW, or result in the presence of toxic vapors, gases, or fumes within the publicly owned treatment works in a quantity that may cause worker health or safety problems.
(2) 
If the above information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided to the Superintendent within five days of the oral notification.
(3) 
In any enforcement proceedings, the user seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset shall have the burden of proof. R323.2315
O. 
Bypass provision.
(1) 
Bypass producing a discharge which violates applicable National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or pretreatment requirements is prohibited, and the Superintendent may take enforcement action against a user for such bypass, unless:
(a) 
The bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
(b) 
There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime (except where adequate backup equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to operate during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance); and
(c) 
The user submitted required notices.
(2) 
If the user knows in advance of the need for bypass, a prior notice shall be submitted to the Superintendent at least 10 days before the date of the bypass. The Superintendent may approve or disapprove this anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects.
(3) 
A user shall submit oral notice of an unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment requirements to the Superintendent within 24 hours from the time the user becomes aware of the bypass. Unless waived by the Superintendent, a written submission shall then be provided within five days of the time the user becomes aware of the bypass. The written submission shall contain a description of the bypass and its cause; the duration of the bypass, including exact dates and times, and, if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the bypass. R323.2316
P. 
No statement contained in this section shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the Authority and any person, firm or corporation whereby waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the Superintendent, subject to payment thereof by the person, firm or corporation, provided such waste will not damage the sanitary sewer or storm sewer or sewage treatment plant or the receiving waters.
All nondomestic users subject to this article shall retain and preserve for no less than three years, all documents (including records, books, memoranda, reports, correspondence, and any and all summaries thereto) relating to monitoring, sampling and chemical analyses made by or on behalf of the user in connection with its discharge. All documents that pertain to matters that are the subject of an Administrative Order or any other enforcement activities of the Authority shall be retained and preserved by the user until all corresponding activities have concluded and all associated appeal periods have expired. R323.2310(14)
If the Board shall authorize the expansion of sewer service to additional lands, such lands shall be included in the district. All costs of extension of the sewer to new lands shall be paid by the owners of the additional lands, including the costs of expansion of the treatment plant, trunk lines, distribution lines, engineering costs, financial costs, and costs of construction and inspections.
No person without authorization shall enter or maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage works.
[Added 2-21-2007 by Ord. No. 30-1]
No person shall place, construct or erect on any building, structure, foundation, or construction over into, under, or across any easement or right-of-way owned by the Authority, or place or maintain any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation which interferes with the use and operation of the easement and facilities placed therein.
[Added 2-21-2007 by Ord. No. 30-1]
No person shall do any act which interferes with the Authority's right to enter and reenter its easements or rights-of-way and to clear and keep clear the easement or right-of-way area from any building, structure, foundation, or construction, and from any interfering trees, shrubs, and other vegetation.
The Superintendent or the Authority's other duly authorized employees or representatives acting as the Superintendent's duly authorized agent, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall be permitted to enter upon such properties as may be necessary for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with provisions of this chapter.
A. 
Waste from individual sewage systems may be accepted with permission of the Superintendent at the wastewater treatment plant. No waters or wastes described in § 277-8A of this articleshall be disposed of at the wastewater treatment plant.
B. 
Rates for disposal at the wastewater treatment plant shall be determined by the Authority and paid at the time of acceptance.
C. 
If any user violates any other provision of this chapter, federal or state pretreatment requirements, or any order of the Township or the Authority, the Township may commence an action for appropriate legal and/or equitable relief in court.
D. 
If in the opinion of the Superintendent there is a clear and present danger to persons or property, including imminent damage to the POTW system, caused or about to be caused by a sewer connection, the Superintendent is authorized to take all steps necessary to immediately sever the sewer connection from the POTW system, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter. The Superintendent shall state the reason for the immediate severance of the sewer connection in writing and deliver by personal service, if possible, and by mail to the user, the Livingston County Department of Public Works, and the Authority board, a copy of said statement. Such statement shall constitute a certification of a clear and present danger and/or imminent damage to the POTW system. If time and circumstances do not allow for the service of said notice, then the severance shall take place prior to or without such notice. The Superintendent's decision to immediately sever a sewer connection shall be effective until and unless restrained by order of the Authority board or a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Authority will not be responsible for interruptions of services due to natural calamities, equipment failures, or actions of the system users. It shall be the responsibility of the user that all connected equipment remain in good working order so as not to cause disruption of service of any sewer or treatment plant equipment.
A. 
Administrative remedies in general.
(1) 
The Superintendent may suspend wastewater treatment services to any user when such suspension is necessary, in the opinion of the Superintendent, in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment, causes or may cause interference to the POTW, or causes or may cause the POTW to violate any condition of its discharge permit.
(2) 
The Superintendent may revoke, suspend, or terminate the wastewater discharge permit of any user which:
(a) 
Fails to accurately report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of its discharge;
(b) 
Fails to report significant changes in wastewater constituents or characteristics;
(c) 
Refuses reasonable access to the user's premises by representatives of the Authority for the purpose of inspection or monitoring; or
(d) 
Violates the conditions of this article or any final judicial order entered with respect thereto.
(3) 
A user shall have an affirmative defense in any action brought against it alleging the introduction of a pollutant causing interference at the POTW, pass-through at the POTW, or a violation of specific provisions of this article if it can be demonstrated that both of the following occurred:
(a) 
It did not know or have reason to know that its discharge, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, would cause pass-through, interference, or a violation of specific provisions of this article; and
(b) 
A local limit was in effect for the pollutant that caused pass-through or interference, and the user was in compliance with this local limit directly before and during the pass-through or interference; or a local limit was not in effect for the pollutant that caused the pass-through or interference, and the user's discharge directly before and during the pass-through or interference did not change substantially in nature or constituents from the prior discharge activity.
B. 
Administrative notices and orders.
(1) 
When it is determined that a user has violated any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, the Superintendent will issue a notice of violation to formally document the noncompliance. This document will specify the nature of the violation, establish a date by which the violation shall be corrected, and notify the affected user that failure to correct the violation would constitute a further violation which may result in additional enforcement action. The notice of violation will be sent via first-class mail or be personally served on an authorized representative of the user. Receipt or non-receipt of a notice of violation shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of a notice of violation will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(2) 
When it is determined that a user has violated any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, the Superintendent may issue an administrative order to show cause requiring the affected user to appear at a hearing to demonstrate why escalated enforcement action should not be pursued. This document will specify the nature of the violation, establish the time and place for the hearing, and notify the affected user that failure to comply would constitute a violation of this article that may result in additional enforcement action. The order to show cause will be issued at least 10 days prior to the hearing, and will be sent via certified mail/return receipt requested or personally served on an authorized representative of the user. Receipt or non-receipt of an order to show cause shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of an order to show cause or conducting of the show cause hearing will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(3) 
When the Authority and an affected user agree to a violation and to the remedial solution, the Superintendent may issue an Order of Consent or similar document to formally establish such agreement, specify the nature of the violation, and require actions (such as compliance schedules, stipulated fines, additional self-monitoring, and improvements to treatment facilities or management practices designed to control the user's discharge to the sewer). The Order of Consent will be sent via certified mail/return receipt requested, or personally served on an authorized representative of the user, and will require signatures of representatives from both the Authority and the affected user. This order shall have the same force and effect as other administrative orders issued by the Authority pursuant to this article, shall be judicially enforceable, and shall not modify the requirements or extend the deadline for compliance established by a pretreatment standard or requirement. Receipt, or nonreceipt, of an Order of Consent or similar document shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of a Consent Order or similar document will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(4) 
When the Authority and affected user do not agree to the violation or to the remedial solution, the Superintendent may issue an order to achieve compliance to formally specify the nature of the violation and establish required actions (such as compliance schedules, stipulated fines, additional self monitoring, and improvements to treatment facilities or management practices designed to control the user's discharge to the sewer). The order to achieve compliance will be issued unilaterally in that terms need not be agreed to by the affected user, and will be sent via certified mail/return receipt requested, or personally served on an authorized representative of the user. This receipt shall have the same force and effect as other administrative orders issued by the Authority pursuant to this article, shall be judicially enforceable, and shall not modify the requirements or extend the deadline for compliance established by a pretreatment standard or requirement. Receipt or non-receipt of an order to achieve compliance shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of an order to achieve compliance will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(5) 
When it is determined that a user has violated and continues to violate any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, the Superintendent and authority attorney may jointly issue a cease-and-desist order requiring the affected user to eliminate the violation within 24 hours or face suspension of sewer service. This document will specify the nature of the violation and require that the violation cease. If the violation has not been corrected within 24 hours following issuance of the order, the Authority may suspend sewer service without further notice until such time as the affected user is able to demonstrate that it can comply with the discharge requirements. The cease-and-desist order will be personally served on an authorized representative of the user. Receipt or non-receipt of a cease-and-desist order shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of a cease-and-desist order will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the user.
(6) 
Whenever it is determined that a user's discharge is in violation of any provision of this article, industrial waste permit, or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, and that the violation creates or threatens to create an emergency situation (such as damage to the sewer collection system, pass-through or interference at the POTW, hazard to the environment, endangerment to the public health and safety, or violation of any condition of the discharge permit issued to the Authority), the Superintendent and authority attorney will jointly issue an emergency cease-and-desist order notifying the affected user to eliminate the violating discharge immediately or face service severance via a temporary plug in its sewer connection at any time and without further warning. This document will specify the nature of the violation and require that the violating discharge cease until such time as the affected user is able to demonstrate that it can comply with the discharge requirements. This document will also establish the time and place for a hearing where the affected user shall present a written statement regarding the causes of the violation and measures taken to prevent future occurrences, and further will notify the affected user of its liability for any costs incurred by the Authority to conduct this enforcement action. The emergency cease-and-desist order will be personally served to an authorized representative of the user, or may be delivered verbally via telephone to an authorized representative of the user and then served personally. Receipt, or non-receipt, of an emergency cease-and-desist order shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of an emergency cease-and-desist order will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(7) 
Except for emergency situations covered under Subsection B(6), whenever it is determined that a user's continuing violation of any provision of this article, industrial waste permit, or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement warrants revocation of its privilege to discharge to the POTW, the Superintendent and authority attorney will jointly issue a notice of termination to warn of the impending suspension of the sewer service up to and including severance via temporary plug in the affected user's sewer connection. This document will specify the date and the time of scheduled service suspension in order to allow the affected user to either voluntarily cease the violating discharge or arrange appropriate actions such as production shutdown or alternative means of wastewater disposal. This document will also establish the time and place for a hearing where the affected user shall present a written statement regarding the causes of the violation and measures taken to prevent future occurrences, and further will notify the affected user of its liability for any costs incurred by the Authority to conduct this enforcement action. The notice of termination will be personally served on an authorized representative of the user at least 10 days before the scheduled service suspension. Receipt or non-receipt of a notice of termination shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of a notice of termination will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(8) 
In addition to the sanctions, orders, liabilities, and other remedies prescribed herein, a user shall be liable to the Authority for any and all fines, penalties, and associated legal and other costs incurred or expended by the Authority as the result of any violation of the Authority's discharge permit that is attributable, in whole or in part, to the user's violation of this article, industrial waste permit, or order issued to the user hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement.
C. 
Administrative fines. When the Authority finds that a user has violated or continues to violate any provision of this article, an industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, an administrative fine may be assessed against the affected user in an amount up to $500 per violation. Each day during which the violation occurred or continues to occur may be deemed a separate violation and, in the case of a violation of monthly or other long-term average discharge limits, the fine may be assessed for each day during the period of averaging. Receipt or non-receipt of an administrative fine shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. Issuance of an administrative fine shall not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other enforcement actions by the Authority against the affected user.
D. 
Rights of appeal. Except for emergency situations covered under Subsection B(6) of this section, any user desiring to dispute a notice of violation or order of the Authority, including but not limited to fines, may present a written request for reconsideration. Such a request shall be submitted to the Authority board within 10 days of first being notified of the corresponding order for all but a notice of termination, where such a request shall be submitted within five days of notification. If this request has merit in the opinion of the Authority board, the Board will convene a hearing on the matter as soon as possible to collect testimony of appropriate persons, take evidence, and render a final determination. In the event the affected user's appeal is unsuccessful, any original fine will become immediately due and the Authority may also add any additional costs incurred to administer this appeal. Further appeal of the Authority board's final determination shall be governed by applicable State law. Submittal of an appeal shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. An appeal will not stay the corresponding order, or limit any other enforcement proceedings by the Authority against the affected user.
E. 
Judicial penalties.
(1) 
When it is determined that a user has violated or continues to violate any provision of this article, industrial waste permit, or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement, the Authority attorney may petition the Circuit Court of this County for appropriate legal and/or equitable relief.
(2) 
Injunctive relief.
(a) 
A user who has violated or continues to violate any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement will be liable to issuance of a preliminary injunction or a permanent injunction, or both, as may be appropriate. This action will be sought to restrain or compel activities on the part of the affected user.
(b) 
A petition for injunctive relief shall in no way relieve the affected user of any and all liability associated with the violation. A petition for injunctive relief will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(3) 
Civil penalties/civil infraction fines.
(a) 
A user who has violated or continues to violate any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement will be liable for a civil penalty (civil infraction fine) of $500 per violation. Each day during which the violation occurred or continues to occur may be deemed a separate distinct violation and, in the case of a violation of monthly or other long-term average discharge limits, the penalty may be assessed for each day during the period of the averaging. The affected user will also be liable for all costs incurred by the Authority for associated enforcement action such as reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, additional sampling and monitoring expenses, as well as costs of any environmental damage and any fines imposed upon the Authority for discharge permit violations that result in whole or in part from the user's violation and expenses associated with remediation of sites thereby contaminated.
(b) 
A suit for civil penalties will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other actions by the Authority against the affected user.
(4) 
Criminal prosecution.
(a) 
A user who has willfully or negligently violated or continues to willfully or negligently violate any provision of this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or other pretreatment standard or requirement will be liable to criminal prosecution. If convicted, the affected user will be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a monetary penalty of up to $500 per violation, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both. Each day during which the violation occurred or continues to occur may be deemed a separate distinct violation and, in the case of a violation of monthly or other long-term average discharge limits, the penalty may be assessed for each day during the period of averaging.
(b) 
A user who knowingly makes any false statements, representations, or certifications in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or pretreatment standard or requirement will be liable to criminal prosecution. If convicted, the affected user will be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a monetary penalty of up to $500 per violation, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both. Each day during which the violation occurred or continues to occur may be deemed a separate, distinct violation and, in the case of a violation of monthly or other long-term average discharge limits, the penalty may be assessed for each day during the period of averaging.
(c) 
A user who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any data device or test method used to monitor a discharge pursuant to this article, industrial waste permit or order issued hereunder, or pretreatment standard or requirement will be liable to criminal prosecution. If convicted, the affected user will be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a monetary penalty of up to $500 per violation, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both. Each day during which the violation occurred or continues to occur may be deemed a separate distinct violation and, in the case of a violation of monthly or other long-term average discharge limits, the penalty may be assessed for each day during the period of averaging.
(d) 
Criminal prosecution will not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, any other actions by the Authority against the affected user. R323.2306(a)(vi) and R323.2303(3)
(5) 
The Authority will annually publish in the largest local newspaper a list of all categorical users that were in significant noncompliance with any pretreatment requirements or standards at least once during the 12 previous months. The notification will identify the nature of the violation and summarize any enforcement actions taken against such users during the same 12 months. R323.2306(d)
Any person connecting to the Authority's sanitary sewer system is prohibited from discharging water softener regeneration water into the system and the owner shall certify on the date of connection to the system, under penalties of perjury, that water softener regeneration water is not discharging into said system and shall not be discharged into said system. Water softener regeneration water shall be disposed of in a manner allowed by law. The Superintendent shall certify on the date of connection that each property from which water softener regeneration water is discharged shall dispose of such water in a manner allowed by law.
A. 
The rates for total sewer service charges are to be established by resolution of the Authority, which may be enacted apart from the published regulations as necessary to ensure sufficiency of revenues in meeting operation, maintenance and replacement costs, as well as debt service. Such rates shall be fixed and revised from time to time as may be necessary to produce these amounts. Such charges and rates shall be made against each lot, parcel of land or premises which may have any sewer connections to the sewer system, or which may otherwise discharge sewage or industrial waste, either directly or indirectly, into such system or any part thereof, whether maintained by the Authority or the owner where an on-site easement has not been granted. Rates for sewage services shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to meet system expenses and to ensure that all user classes pay their proportionate share of operation, maintenance, and equipment replacement cost. An annual audit shall be prepared.
B. 
Basis of charges.
(1) 
The rates and charges for service furnished by such system shall be levied on the basis of the schedule of equivalent residential units adopted by the Authority, except as provided in this section for nonresidential users or in cases where the character of the sewage from a manufacturing or industrial plant, building, or premises is such that additional burden is placed upon the system, the additional cost of treatment created thereby shall be an additional charge over the regular rates hereinafter set forth; or the Authority may, if it deems it advisable, compel such manufacturing or industrial plant, building or premises, to treat such sewage in such manner as shall be specified by the Authority before discharging such sewage into the sewage disposal system.
(2) 
The Authority may institute charges on nonresidential units based on metered water use. Meters shall be installed to authority requirements and remain accessible for inspection and reading by an authority representative. All cost of installing meters on the well supply of a nonresidential user and costs of reading, billing, and collecting monthly meter charges shall be borne by the nonresidential user. Monthly charges shall be based upon annualized water usage and adjusted from time to time to reflect the actual usage and all costs of treatment and collection.
C. 
The rates and fees shall include the following and be uniform for all users within the Sewer Service District except as otherwise provided herein:
(1) 
Each user, upon application for a permit to connect to the POTW, shall pay a sewer service application fee as established by the Authority;
(2) 
Operation, maintenance, and replacement cost;
(3) 
A capital charge which shall be remitted by the Authority to Washtenaw County, the financing authority for the Project, as necessary and as authorized by the Township Board;
(4) 
A connection charge shall be established per equivalent residential unit for each connection made to the POTW; the amount charged shall be established from time to time hereafter by the Authority board. A user that has been specially assessed for capital cost of the POTW, including transport and treatment facilities, shall be deemed to have paid the connection charge. If capacity is available in the system and a user that has been specially assessed for capital cost of the facility increases the number of equivalent residential units, then the user shall pay the above connection charge for each equivalent residential unit beyond which a connection charge has previously been paid;
(5) 
The Authority may also establish appropriate surcharges or fees to reimburse the Authority for the additional cost of operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment works due to the violations of this chapter, or surcharges for extra-strength wastewater discharged to the sewer. The charges and fees for the services provided by the system shall be levied upon any industrial user that may have any sewer connections with the POTW. Such charges shall be based upon the quantity and quality of wastewater used thereon or therein;
(6) 
When, in the opinion of the Superintendent, a user may store, use, or otherwise have on the premises bulk chemicals, cleaning agents, or other materials that may interfere with the POTW and that may require protection from accidental discharge, the user shall pay a fee as established by the Authority. Said fee shall be paid at the time of application for a permit to connect to the POTW, and shall be used to administer this industrial pretreatment and spill prevention program;
(7) 
There shall be additional charges for laboratory testing of industrial wastewater samples. The laboratory charge shall be for the cost thereof and will be determined for each user.
D. 
No free service shall be allowed to any user of the Authority's wastewater system.
E. 
Billing for wastewater service shall be the Authority's responsibility.
F. 
There shall be a late payment charge assessed against any payment that has not been made within 10 days of the due date on the bill. The late payment charge shall be 4% of the delinquent charges, or the sum of $10, whichever is greater. Delinquent accounts shall be billed once every 30 days until the delinquent account is certified to the Assessing Officer for inclusion in the tax roll. The late payment charge shall be assessed on each thirty-day period that an account is delinquent. After the account is certified to the Assessing Officer, the account, including late payment charges, shall bear interest in the same manner and at the same rate as provided by law for taxes. These late payment charges are declared to be reasonably related to the additional costs incurred by the Authority in the collection of delinquent accounts.
G. 
Charges for sewage disposal service furnished to any premises within the Sewer Service District shall be a lien against the premises. Charges delinquent for three months or more, as of August 15 of any year, shall be certified by the Superintendent, or other employee authorized by the Authority board, annually, to the proper tax assessing officer in which the premise lies. The Assessing Officer shall enter a lien on the next Tax Roll against the premises to which the services shall have been rendered, and the charges shall be collected and the lien shall be enforced in the same manner as provided for the collection of taxes assessed upon the Roll and the enforcement of the lien for such taxes. Such charges and rates shall be collected or returned in the same manner as other taxes are certified, assessed, collected, and returned.
H. 
All customers of the Authority's wastewater system will receive an annual notification, either printed on the bill or enclosed in a separate letter, which will show the breakdown of the sewer bill into its components for operation, maintenance, replacement, and for capital expenditures.
I. 
The treasurer of the Authority shall be custodian of all moneys belonging to, or associated with, the wastewater system, and such moneys shall be deposited in any Michigan bank duly designated by the Authority that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The revenues of the system shall be set aside as collected and deposited in separate depository accounts as herein specified.
(1) 
Operation, maintenance, and replacement fund. Moneys collected as stipulated in Subsection C(1), (2), (5) and (7) of this section shall be set aside for operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the POTW.
(2) 
Debt service fund. Moneys collected as stipulated in Subsection C(3) and (4) of this section shall be set aside for debt service costs of the POTW.
(3) 
Industrial pretreatment and spill prevention fund. Moneys collected as stipulated in Subsection C(6) of this section shall be set aside for administration and enforcement of an industrial pretreatment and spill prevention program.
(4) 
Capital improvement. A Capital Improvement Fund may be established by the Authority. The amount to be deposited shall be as stipulated by the Authority and may be applied toward improvements to the POTW as determined by the Authority.
(5) 
Any moneys in any fund or account established by the provisions of this chapter that are to be invested shall be in obligations of the United States of America in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in Act 94, Public Acts of Michigan, 1933, as amended. In the event such investments are made, the security representing same shall be kept on deposit with the bank or trust company having on deposit the fund or funds from which such purchase was made. Income received from such investments shall be credited to the fund from which said investments were made.
(6) 
Damage to grinder pumps. The grinder pumps provided by the Authority to each property shall be used by the owner of the property in accordance with the rules and recommendations of the Authority. If damage is caused to the pump by reason of the use of the pump in a manner contrary to the rules and specifications issued by the Authority, the owner shall be charged the cost of repair, replacement or any damage to the pump and shall be liable to the Authority for the repayment of such costs.
A. 
This article shall not be construed to abrogate rights or authority otherwise protected by law.
B. 
For the purposes of determining if there has been a taking of property without just compensation under Michigan Law, an owner of property who has sought and has been denied a permit, or has been made subject to modifications or conditions in the permit under this chapter, or whose property has been subject to regulations with respect to the use of the property under this article, retains the right to the owner's property, and may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
C. 
If the court determines that an action of the Authority or the Township pursuant to this article constitutes a taking of the property of a person, then the court shall order the Authority or the Township, at the option of the Authority or the Township, as the case may be, to do one or more of the following:
(1) 
Compensate the property owner for the full amount of the lost value;
(2) 
Purchase the property in the public interest as determined before its value was affected by this chapter; or
(3) 
Modify its action with respect to the property so that the action will not constitute a taking of property.
This article is adopted uniformly by the two Townships to administer the regional sewer system and meet requirements of the EPA. A Township proposing amendments or repeal shall submit a request for approval to the Authority and other Township prior to enacting the same.
[Adopted 2-21-2007 by Ord. No. 39 (Ch. 13B of the 2004 Township Code)]
A. 
Putnam Township relies on individual on-site wastewater disposal systems. Pursuant to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, as amended (Act 451), the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is authorized to issue permits for private community on-site sewage disposal systems that service more than one property (referred to herein as a "community wastewater utility system). The Township recognizes that a community wastewater utility system may be in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the Township and the residents in some limited circumstances. However, the Township requires assurance that if the MDEQ issues a permit pursuant to Act 451, any community wastewater utility system will be designed, constructed, operated, maintained, repaired and/or replaced in a manner that best serves and protects the health, safety, and welfare of the Township and its residents. Furthermore, the Township requires that it shall be indemnified by the owner and operator of the community wastewater utility system from any costs or liability in connection with the design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of that system. The Township also recognizes if a community wastewater utility system fails or does not properly function or if the owner or operator of the community wastewater utility system fails or is unable to continue to operate the system, the extension of public sewer system to the development and/or the provision of publicly owned treatment works may not be possible. In such event, an adequate replacement reserve for the community wastewater utility system (CWUS) is essential to insure continued operation of the CWUS and the protection of the health, welfare and safety of residents of the Township and nearby areas. In certain circumstances, the Township may make a determination in its sole discretion to take over the operation of the community wastewater utility system in order to protect the health, welfare and safety of residents of the Township. To this effect, this article is intended to regulate community wastewater utility systems to provide those assurances.
B. 
Pursuant to Public Act 241 of 2005, amending Act 451, the Township is not responsible for or subject to penalties or sanctions for an unauthorized discharge from a CWUS unless the Township has accepted responsibility in writing for the same and has also been notified in writing by the MDEQ of such responsibility. It is the general policy of the Township to reject assumption of liability and responsibility for a CWUS except in the limited circumstances described in this article. Further, pursuant to Public Act 191 of 2005 amending Act 451, the activities of a CWUS are subject to the provisions of local zoning and other ordinances as well as Act 451, and the construction and operation requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321, 4331 to 4335 and 4341 to 4347.
C. 
This article is enacted under the authority of the Township's general police powers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents and under the Authority of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, as amended.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT 451
The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, as amended, MCL § 324.101 et seq.
ACT 451 PERMIT
Any permit issued by the MDEQ pursuant to the requirements of Act 451.
APPLICABLE SEWER LAWS
All applicable laws, regulations and standards of and permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Livingston County Health Department (LCHD), the Michigan Public Service Commission and any other applicable laws and regulations of the federal government, State of Michigan, Livingston County, and the Township which relate or apply to the operation of public or private sewer systems.
APPLICANT
A person or entity having an ownership or other interest in property who proposes to construct a community wastewater utility system on the property. The applicant may also be the CWUS owner.
ASSOCIATION
For a condominium development, shall have the same definition as "association of co-owners" as provided in the Condominium Act, Act No. 59 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1978, as amended, meaning the person designated in the condominium documents to administer the condominium project. For a subdivision or other development, "association" shall mean an association of homeowners or property owners organized as a nonprofit corporation or organized pursuant to deed restrictions and/or restrictive covenants in a particular development who are authorized to govern the affairs of that subdivision or other development. An association may also be the CWUS owner.
COMMUNITY WASTEWATER UTILITY SYSTEM or SYSTEM (CWUS)
A facility which is owned by a nongovernmental entity and is designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to transport, collect, process, and treat sanitary sewage from more than one dwelling unit or structure. The system shall include any individual septic tanks, pumps, lines, and appurtenances serving each dwelling unit or structure in addition to facilities, sewers, drain fields, reserve fields, approved lift stations, lines and appurtenances that serve more than one dwelling unit or structure.
CWUS OPERATOR
A legal entity of perpetual duration that is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the CWUS and insuring compliance with all permits and applicable laws and regulations.
CWUS OWNER
A legal entity of perpetual duration that owns the facilities and assets of the CWUS. The CWUS owner may also be the CWUS operator if it meets all of the requirements of a CWUS operator.
CWUS PERMIT
The permit issued by the Township pursuant to this article.
DEVELOPMENT
Includes:
A. 
A subdivision as defined by the Land Division Act, Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended;[1]
B. 
A condominium pursuant to the provisions of the Condominium Act, Act No. 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended;[2] or
C. 
Any group of dwellings or structures which are proposed to be serviced by a community wastewater utility system.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
The agreement described in § 277-27C(3) below.
DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS
A. 
For a condominium project, the master deed and bylaws provided by the Condominium Act, Act No. 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended;
B. 
With regard to subdivisions or other developments, deed restrictions, subdivision plats, development agreements and/or restrictive covenants, including deed restrictions required by this article;
C. 
The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the association; and
D. 
Any easements pertaining to the CWUS or as otherwise required by this article.
EXPANSION
Any activity whereby additional dwelling units, structures or users shall be added to or an alteration is made of an existing system.
MDEQ
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality or its successors.
PUBLIC SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
A publicly owned facility for the transportation, collection, processing or treatment of sanitary sewer.
RESIDENTIAL OWNER
The owner of a fee simple interest in or a land contract purchaser or owner of a unit in a condominium, lot or parcel of a development which is serviced or is proposed to be serviced by a community wastewater utility system.
TOWNSHIP
The Putnam Township Livingston County, Michigan, acting through its duly elected Township Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 560.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 559.101 et seq.
A. 
Except as provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to construct, install, or operate a community wastewater utility system within the Township.
B. 
Community wastewater utility systems shall require a special use permit from the Township Board in accordance with the procedures and standards set forth in Chapter 340, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Putnam.
C. 
Pursuant to the terms of § 277-29 of this article, the Township Board shall review and approve or deny the CWUS permit application pursuant to this article and shall authorize the issuance of a CWUS permit only after a special use permit has been approved pursuant to Chapter 340, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Putnam, and the Board determines that the applicant has met all the standards requirements and regulations contained in this article.
The CWUS owner shall be the association, the applicant or other entity of perpetual duration approved by the Township with the capacity to own and operate the CWUS (or to contract with a CWUS operator for operation of the CWUS) for the benefit of the association and the residential owners and who meets the requirements of § 277-28B of this article. The CWUS owner shall have the capacity to and shall perform all obligations of the CWUS owner under the CWUS permit, all necessary approvals or permits issued by any other entity having jurisdiction pursuant to the applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to an Act 451 permit or other MDEQ required approval, the development agreement, the agreement with the CWUS operator, and the development documents.
The CWUS operator shall employ or contract with as a sufficient number of individuals who have all qualifications and certifications required under applicable sewer laws to operate the CWUS and to ensure the availability of both regular and emergency service to the CWUS.
A. 
Compliance. The design, construction, installation and operation of the proposed community wastewater utility system shall comply with the terms of this article and the applicable sewer laws.
B. 
CWUS plans. No new community wastewater utility system or an expansion of an existing system shall be constructed, installed, or operated within the Township unless the plans for the construction, installation and operation of the system have been approved by the Township, and all other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the construction and maintenance of community wastewater utility systems, including but not limited to Livingston County, the Michigan Department of Public Health, the MDEQ and the Michigan Public Service Commission.
C. 
Application requirements. The applicant shall provide the following to the Township before approval for a community wastewater utility system may be granted:
(1) 
Engineering certification. A certification from a qualified engineer licensed in Michigan on behalf of the CWUS owner stating that the system as designed and constructed will adequately process wastewater as required by all applicable sewer laws. The Township Engineer shall review and make a recommendation regarding the adequacy of such certification.
(2) 
Operating agreement.
(a) 
An executed CWUS operating agreement between the applicant, CWUS owner, the CWUS operator and/or association containing provisions for:
[1] 
Inspection, monitoring operation, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and replacement of the system;
[2] 
The imposition and collection of charges and assessments for connection to, and use, operation, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and replacement of the system;
[3] 
Compliance with all applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to this article, and agreements regarding the CWUS; and
[4] 
Establishment of financial reserves for the operation, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and other capital expenses.
(b) 
The CWUS operating agreement must include a provision that the agreement may not be terminated so long as the system is serving the Development, except that the CWUS operating agreement may be assigned to another CWUS operator in accordance with the applicable sewer laws and upon prior written approval of the Township. The CWUS operating agreement shall provide that it may not be terminated, amended, renewed or substituted without Township written approval. The Township Attorney and Township Engineer shall review and make a recommendation regarding the adequacy of such an agreement or any amendment thereto. A proposed CWUS operating agreement must be submitted with the application for the CWUS permit.
(3) 
Development agreement. An executed development agreement between the applicant, CWUS owner, the association, and the Township in a form acceptable to the Township. The development agreement shall:
(a) 
Responsibility. Provide that the applicant, CWUS owner, and/or association are jointly and severally responsible for the operation, inspection, monitoring, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and replacement of the system and retaining a CWUS operator.
(b) 
Standards. Specify standards for inspection, monitoring, operation, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and/or replacement of the system in accordance with the applicable sewer laws and the guidelines recommended by the system manufacturer and the CWUS operator. The applicant will provide the proposed standards to the Township for review and approval and such standards shall be included in the development documents.
(c) 
Indemnification. Require indemnification of the Township, including a duty to defend, by the applicant, CWUS owner, and association, jointly and severally, from any and all costs, expenses and liability incurred by the Township with respect to the community wastewater treatment utility system, including but not limited to the inspection, operation, maintenance, repair, construction, retention and replacement of all or a part of the system. All costs shall be paid to the Township with 30 days of receipt of the Township's invoice.
(d) 
Insurance. Require that the applicant, CWUS owner, CWUS operator and association shall provide a policy of casualty insurance for the replacement value of the insurable components of the system and comprehensive general liability insurance with limits acceptable to the Township, naming the Township as an additional insured, and shall provide the Township with a copy of the policy each year. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurer registered/licensed to issue insurance in Michigan and with an A.M. Best rating acceptable to the Township. No policy of such insurance shall be cancelled or permitted to lapse without 30 days advance written notice to the Township and without securing similar coverage.
(e) 
Environmental contamination insurance. Unless waived by the Township, a statement acknowledging that the applicant, owner and or association shall provide a policy of liability insurance for sudden and accidental environmental contamination with limits of a minimum of $5,000,000, naming the Township as an additional insured and providing coverage for claims discovered within three years after the term of the policy at a minimum. The Township shall be provided with a copy of this policy each year.
(f) 
Public sewer connection. Grant the Township authority, at its sole discretion, to require that the CWUS be abandoned and all properties in the development be connected at the expense of the association and residential owners to any public sanitary sewer system which may be constructed in the future and be accessible and available to the development.
(g) 
Right to purchase. Grant the Township the right and option to purchase in its sole discretion for the sum of $1:
[1] 
Marketable title to the CWUS and any lands, equipment, fixtures, appurtenances and easements required to be titled in the name of the Township by governmental or regulatory requirements; and
[2] 
All CWUS warranties, all reasonably deemed by the Township to be necessary in conjunction with the Township's assumption of responsibility for the community wastewater utility system or future publicly owned community sewer system.
(h) 
Vegetation. Provide that the Township in its sole discretion may remove all trees, shrubs, brush, vegetation or other similar impediments that may interfere with the operation of the community wastewater utility system.
(i) 
Special assessment. Consent to the creation of a special assessment district to be established as described in Subsection I below.
(j) 
Township option to assume ownership.
[1] 
Grant the Township the right, but not the obligation, to take over ownership and operation of the CWUS in the event that the CWUS owner:
[a] 
Becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy or receivership;
[b] 
Fails to maintain the required operating, maintenance and capital reserves required by this article within six months after written notice from the Township that the reserves do not meet ordinance requirements;
[c] 
Is unable, unwilling or fails for any reason to operate the CWUS in full compliance with applicable sewer laws where failure to meet such requirements in six successive months or in more than eight months in a twelve-month period shall be conclusively determined to be an inability to comply with applicable sewer laws.
[2] 
In the event that the Township assumes ownership of the CWUS, the Township shall hold and operate the CWUS for the benefit of the association and residential owners. The Township may transfer the facilities, assets and reserves of the CWUS to a new CWUS owner on the condition that such facilities, assets or reserves be used solely for providing sewer services to the residential owners.
(k) 
Inspection. Grant the Township the right to inspect any part of the community wastewater utility system for compliance with the development agreement and all applicable sewer laws.
(l) 
Jurisdiction and venue; injunctive relief. Consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in Livingston County or U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan agreeing that money damages cannot make the Township whole for damages arising out of the breach of the development agreement, and agreeing to injunctive remedies in any action brought by the Township to enforce the development agreement or enforce compliance with applicable sewer laws.
(m) 
Rejection of assumption of liability. Acknowledge that the Township has rejected assumption of liability for the CWUS except in the event the Township, in its sole discretion, determines to take over ownership of the CWUS pursuant to Subsection C(3)(g) or (j) above.
(n) 
Educational materials. Require the applicant, the CWUS owner and the association to provide each residential owner on a regular basis no less than annually with educational materials and recommended guidelines on the proper disposal of household wastes. Information concerning such educational materials and recommended guidelines shall be included in the disclosure documents pertaining to the development.
(4) 
Disclosure documentation. The provisions of the development agreement referenced in Subsection C(3) above and other obligations of the association and residential owners as set forth in this article shall be included in a separate disclosure document and referred to in the deed conveying any portion of the development to a residential owner and in the development documents that shall run with the land, in form approved by the Township Attorney and in a separate recordable document for all forms of development, and be delivered to the prospective purchaser of a lot, unit or parcel prior to the execution of a purchase agreement for property proposed to be serviced by a community wastewater utility system.
(5) 
Easements. A permanent and irrevocable easement, in recordable form, shall be granted by the applicant, CWUS owner and/or association to the Township and its employees, agents, and assigns authorizing them to enter on the development and the property upon which the system is located for the purpose of inspections and any other purpose authorized under this article. The property on which the system is located shall be maintained so it is accessible at all times, prohibiting any structures or landscaping within such area that would unreasonably interfere with such access.
(6) 
Location. Each community wastewater utility system shall be a general common element of a condominium in which it is located, or part of common areas of any other development. The system shall be inspected, monitored, operated, maintained, repaired, retained and replaced by the CWUS owner or association with the right of the CWUS owner or association to assess the residential owners for all such costs.
(7) 
Reserves. Each CWUS owner shall maintain a reserve sufficient for five years of monitoring, inspection, operation, maintenance, retention and repair of the system and an adequate replacement reserve in the amounts certified by a design engineer or the CWUS operator and required by the applicable governmental entities and shall be subject to Township review and approval. The CWUS operator and the association shall provide the Township with evidence of the reserves annually.
(8) 
Articles and bylaws. A copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the association.
(9) 
Restrictions and master deeds. A copy of the form of the restrictive covenant/deed restrictions/or master deed imposing upon residential owners the obligation to pay for all capital and operating costs and reserves associated with the community wastewater utility system.
(10) 
Operator qualification. Evidence satisfactory to the Township Board that the CWUS operator meets the requirements of § 277-26 of this article.
(11) 
Owner qualifications. Evidence satisfactory to the Township that the CWUS owner has the qualifications to own the CWUS and meets the requirements of § 277-25 of this article.
(12) 
Warranties. The CWUS application shall include copies of all manufacturers and contractors warranties for the CWUS which shall be assignable to the CWUS owner, the association, the residential owners and the Township (in the event the Township, in its sole discretion, assumes ownership of the CWUS).
D. 
Building permits. No building permit shall be used for any structure or dwelling unit proposed to be serviced by a community wastewater utility system until the Township Board has approved a CWUS permit application for such system in accordance with terms and provision of this article.
E. 
Inspections. The Township shall inspect the system during construction and after construction is completed by an independent engineer or consultant to ensure proper construction and installation of the system. All underground installations must be inspected prior to covering with the as-built measurements provided to the Township. The as-built drawing shall be submitted to the Township immediately after construction is completed. Annually, the Township may inspect the system to insure compliance with this article. The applicant or CWUS owner shall reimburse the Township for the expense of such engineers or consultants. The Township shall not issue a CWUS permit until the Township has certified that the CWUS has been constructed according to the approved plans and specifications.
F. 
Township not responsible. Anything in this article to contrary notwithstanding, the Township shall not be responsible or obligated to perform any needed or desired repairs, maintenance, improvement, and/or replacement of the system or any portion thereof except in the event the Township, in its sole discretion, determines to take over ownership of the CWUS pursuant to Subsection C(3)(g) or (j) above. The applicant shall acknowledge and the development documents shall provide an acknowledgment that the Township has rejected assumption of liability for the CWUS.
G. 
Annual reports. The CWUS owner, CWUS operator and/or association shall furnish periodic operating and maintenance reports, including any audits, in accordance with the maintenance requirements and schedule. Any such requirements shall be made a part of the development documents.
H. 
Recording documents amendments. After the Township's approval, the development documents and the development agreement shall be recorded at the office of the Livingston County Register of Deeds prior to the first sale of any unit, lot or parcel served by a community wastewater utility system. After approval by the Township, the development documents, as they pertain to the system, shall not be amended without Township approval. The development documents shall contain language to that effect.
I. 
Special assessment district. Prior to recording the development documents and sale of any unit, lot or parcel served by a community wastewater utility system, the applicant shall circulate or initiate a petition for the Township to establish a special assessment district for the development, the purpose of which shall be to provide for assessment of the units, lots or parcels in each development by the Township for the costs of construction, improvement and maintenance, of the community wastewater utility system or any other purposes authorized by law in the event the association shall fail to properly perform such work or in the event the Township takes control of the community wastewater utility system. If the applicant or CWUS owner petitions for a district under the Township Public Improvement Act, Public Act 188 of 1954,[1] the record owners as defined by Act 188 of property benefited by the community wastewater utility system shall execute a petition legally sufficient for the establishment of a special assessment district, using petition forms acceptable to the Township, in order to allow for financing the construction, improvement, and maintenance of the community wastewater utility system. If the applicant determines to proceed to create a special assessment district under a different statute than Act 188, such as the Drain Code, the applicant shall circulate or initiate a petition meeting the standards of that statute.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 41.721 et seq.
J. 
Responsibility for costs. The association, CWUS owner, residential owners and the applicant shall be jointly and severally responsible for all costs involved in the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement of equipment and facilities and liability associated with the system. These costs include but are not limited to any costs, including legal fees, incurred by the Township in connection with the compliance and enforcement of any provision of this article and any costs incurred by the Township while exercising any right, duty or obligation set forth any provision of this article. These costs shall be immediately reimbursed to the Township upon receipt of such invoice. The Township may, at its option, elect to collect all costs including legal fees it may incur in connection with the system pursuant to the other provisions of this article, or by direct court action against the association, CWUS owner and residential owners, and applicant.
A. 
The CWUS owner shall not transfer, convey or assign any facilities or assets of the community wastewater utility system required for the ongoing operation of the community wastewater utility system in compliance with this article and applicable sewer laws, except as provided in this section.
B. 
The CWUS owner shall not transfer, conveyor assign the facilities and assets of the community wastewater utility system without:
(1) 
Approval of the Township Board;
(2) 
A demonstration that the entity seeking to become the new CWUS owner meets all requirements of a CWUS owner under this article and can fulfill all duties and obligations of a CWUS owner under the CWUS permit, all necessary approvals or permits issued by any other entity having jurisdiction pursuant to the applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to an Act 451 permit, the development agreement, the development documents, and the agreement with the CWUS operator;
(3) 
Demonstration that the new CWUS owner has established or has the right to receive a transfer of all required operating, maintenance and capital reserves; and
(4) 
Agreement by the new CWUS owner to undertake all obligations imposed on a CWUS owner under this article, the agreement with the CWUS operator, the development agreement and the development documents.
C. 
Transfer of ownership of the community wastewater utility system by a CWUS owner shall not relieve such owner from civil or criminal liabilities arising under this article or any applicable sewer laws nor from the obligation to comply with any court-ordered injunctive relief related to obtaining or enforcing compliance with this article or applicable sewer laws that accrue or arise prior to the date of Township Board approval of the transfer.
A. 
No community wastewater utility system may be constructed, installed or operated within the Township without a CWUS permit.
B. 
Township Board approval of the community wastewater utility system permit pursuant to this article and Chapter 340, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Putnam, shall serve as the permit to construct and install the community wastewater utility system, which permit shall not become effective until the community wastewater utility system has received all necessary approvals by any other entity having jurisdiction pursuant to the applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to an Act 451 permit. The CWUS permit shall be effective only after the Act 451 permit has been issued, and thereafter for an initial period of no longer than the Act 451 permit and shall remain in effect only so long as a valid Act 451 permit is in effect.
C. 
The CWUS owner shall annually submit the following information to the Township:
(1) 
The name of the CWUS operator and a copy of the current contract between the CWUS owner and CWUS operator, and current copies of all required certifications for individuals operating the community wastewater utility system.
(2) 
Proof that the CWUS owner and CWUS operator meet the insurance and other requirements under this article.
(3) 
A certification with supporting documentation from a financial institution that the required operating, maintenance and capital reserves are maintained.
(4) 
The operating budget for the community wastewater utility system together with a schedule of all user fees and charges.
(5) 
A certification from a licensed professional engineer licensed in Michigan with expertise in wastewater systems that:
(a) 
Sets forth the maintenance, repair and replacement needs or recommendations for the community wastewater utility system for the twelve-month period coinciding with the upcoming permit year, together with an estimate of likely associated expenses; and
(b) 
States without exception or reservation that the condition of the community wastewater utility system, together with operating budget and the satisfaction of the maintenance, repair and replacements needs, is such that the community wastewater utility system is capable of meeting all applicable requirements for the operation of the CWUS.
(6) 
Copies of all approvals and permits required by the applicable sewer laws.
D. 
The CWUS owner shall notify the Township of any and all violations of the applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to all Act 451 permit requirements.
E. 
The Township may attach reasonable conditions to the CWUS permit to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article.
F. 
The CWUS permit shall be deemed rescinded and canceled without further action of the Township in the event that any necessary approvals or permits issued by any other entity having jurisdiction pursuant to the applicable sewer laws, including but not limited to the Act 451 permit, lapses, expires without renewal, is revoked by the entity having jurisdiction or otherwise ceases to be in effect.
G. 
The CWUS shall be inspected annually by an independent engineer or consultant hired by the Township at the expense of the CWUS owner to certify system conditions, capacity or function.
H. 
The Township, in its sole discretion, may require an audit of the books and records of the CWUS at the expense of the CWUS owner as part of the process of the annual inspection of the CWUS.
I. 
The Township Supervisor, or his or her designee, shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with this article.
Applications for community wastewater utility systems approval under this article shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable administrative application fee in an amount specified from time to time by resolution of the Putnam Township Board. In addition, an applicant shall pay an additional escrow fee in an amount determined by resolution of the Putnam Township Board for the estimated cost of outside consultant(s) who may be retained by the Township in connection with the review and approval of the application. In the event the cost of the services of the consultant(s) is less than the escrow fee, the applicant shall be refunded the balance. In the event the cost of the services of the consultant(s) exceeds the amount of the escrow fee, the applicant shall pay the deficiency to the Township prior to the issuance of a CWUS permit. A denial of an application for a permit shall not affect the applicant's obligation to pay the escrow fee provided for in this section.
A. 
Enforcement. The Enforcement Officer or his/her agent, officer or employee shall have authority under this article to enter upon privately owned land for the purpose of performing the Township's duties under this article and may take or cause to be made such examinations, surveys or samplings as are deemed necessary for the enforcement of this article.
B. 
Civil remedies. The provisions of this article shall be enforceable through any and all remedies at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(1) 
Injunction. Any activity conducted in violation of this article is declared to be a nuisance, and the Township may commence a civil suit in any court of competent jurisdiction for an order abating or enjoining the violation, and/or requiring restoration of the property as nearly as possible to its condition before the violation.
(2) 
Stop-work order. The Township may also issue a stop-work order or withhold issuance of permits or inspections until the provisions of this article, including any conditions attached to a permit, have been fully met. Failure to obey a stop-work order shall constitute a violation of this article.
(3) 
A person violating this article is responsible for a municipal civil infraction as set forth in Chapter 55 of the Code of the Township of Putnam.