[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Socorro as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 115.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 207.
Water, sewer and utility rates — See Ch. 238.
[Adopted 5-17-1993 by Ord. No. SUO-93-07]
The provisions of this article shall be known as the "Sewer Use Ordinance of the City of Socorro, New Mexico."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ASTM
ASTM International (formerly known as the "American Society for Testing and Materials").
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05-19]
BOD (denoting BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND)
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter by Standard Methods Procedure in five days at 20° C. expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/l).
BUILDING DRAIN
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet 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.
CITY
The City of Socorro, New Mexico.
COD (denoting CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND)
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the chemical oxidation of organic and inorganic matter under standard laboratory procedure by the dichromate reflux method expressed in milligrams per liter.
COMBINED SEWER
A sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.
GARBAGE
Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of produce.
HEALTH OFFICER
Any person or his authorized representative so appointed by the City or any New Mexico Environment Department representative charged with approval or inspection of public or private wastewater facilities.
INDUSTRIAL LIQUID WASTES
All waterborne solids, liquids or gaseous wastes resulting from any industrial, manufacturing or food processing operation or process, or from the development of any natural resource or any mixture of these with water or domestic sewage as distinct from normal domestic sewage.
INDUSTRIAL USERS
All customers discharging industrial waste to the sewer system as hereby defined:
A. 
Industrial users subject to categorical pretreatment standards.
B. 
Industrial users that discharge an average of 25,000 gallons per day (gpd) or more of process wastewater or which contribute a process waste stream that makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the treatment plant.
C. 
Any other industrial user that is designated as significant by the City on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the treatment plant's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement. This shall include the following:
Auto body repair and paint shops
Auto repair
Auto wash
Bakeries
Battery manufacturing
Cooling plants
Dairies
Dry cleaners
Eating establishments (restaurants and cafeterias)
Electroplating and metal finishing
Explosives and ammunitions
Fuel oil dealers
Funeral services
Gasoline service stations
Gum and wood chemical manufacturing
Hospitals and medical offices
Laundries
Leather tanning and finishing
Lumber and building materials — retail
Jewelry manufacturing
Machine and sheet metal shops
Meat/Poultry/Vegetable products processing and packaging
Nursing care facilities
Paper mills
Paving and roofing
Pesticide processors and handling
Professional cleaning
Photographic processing
Printing
Schools and universities (research and educational labs)
Scrap and waste material handling
Veterinary services
Woodworking shops
INTERFERENCE WITH ANY WASTEWATER FACILITY
Any condition or combination of conditions which causes degradation of the operational efficiency of a wastewater facility.
NATURAL OUTLET
Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface water or groundwater.
NORMAL DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
Waterborne wastes normally discharging from the sanitary conveniences of buildings, including apartment houses and hotels, office buildings, factories and institutions, free from storm surface water and industrial wastes. Normal domestic wastewater shall mean "normal" for the City of Socorro, New Mexico.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, company, political or governmental subdivision, association, society, corporation or group.
pH
The logarithm, to the base 10, of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE
The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than 1/2 inch in any dimension.
PUBLIC SEWER
A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties shall have equal rights and is controlled by public authority.
SANITARY SEWER
The public sewer portion of a wastewater facility which transports wastewater and to which storm water, surface water and groundwater are not intentionally admitted.
SETTLEABLE SOLIDS
Those solids which settle during a preselected period of time expressed as milliliters per liter of sample.
SEWER
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SHALL; MAY
The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive or discretionary.
SLUG
Any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average twenty-four-hour concentration or flow during normal operation.
STANDARD METHODS
The laboratory procedures set forth in the latest edition, at the time of analysis, of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater as prepared, approved and published jointly by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation.
STORM SEWER
A sewer which carries storm water and surface water and drainage, but excludes wastewater and polluted industrial wastes.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Wastewater Department Superintendent of the City of Socorro, New Mexico, or his immediate superior, authorized deputy, agent or representative.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water, sewage or other liquids and which are removable by laboratory filtering.
TRAP
A device for retaining sand, silt, grit, mineral material, petroleum solvent, grease or oil by gravity-differential separation from wastewater and of a design and capacity approved by the City.
UNPOLLUTED PROCESS WATER
Any water or waste containing none of the following: emulsified grease or oil; acid or alkali, phenols or other substances imparting taste and odor to receiving water; toxic substances in suspension, colloidal state or solution; and noxious or odorous gases.
WASTEWATER
The used water of a community. Such used water may be a combination of the liquid and waterborne wastes from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants and institutions.
WASTEWATER FACILITIES
The structures, equipment and processes required to collect, transport and treat wastewater liquid and dispose of the effluent.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
An arrangement of devices and structures for treating wastewater and sludge. Sometimes used as synonymous with "waste treatment plant" or "wastewater treatment plant."
WATERCOURSE
A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently.
WEF
The Water Environment Federation.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the Superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on approval of the Superintendent, to a storm sewer or natural outlet.
It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the City or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City any sewage or wastewater or other polluted water, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this article.
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05-19]
The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other similar purposes situated within the City and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the City is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect to said public sewer, in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that such public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.
Residential, commercial and industrial properties situated outside the City limits may be connected via building sewers to available sewers or future sewers upon application and agreement to abide by the provisions of this article and upon approval of the City.
A. 
When permitted. Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of this article, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article.
B. 
Permit. Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information as are deemed necessary by the Superintendent. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed.
C. 
Inspection. A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 72 hours of the receipt of notice by the Superintendent.
D. 
Design requirements. The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all requirements and recommendations of the State of New Mexico Environment Department. No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than 15,000 square feet. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.
E. 
Conversion to public sewer on availability. 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 article and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with clean soil, sand or gravel.
F. 
Operation and maintenance. The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times at no expense to the City.
G. 
Chapter not to limit reasonable requirements of health officer. No statement contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional reasonable requirements that may be imposed by the appropriate health officer.
A. 
Permits required. No person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenances thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Superintendent.
B. 
Wastewater Department classifications.
[Amended 7-19-2010 by Ord. No. 10-06-21]
Classification
Description
Wastewater Residential 1 (small)
Single-family residential units served by individual meters of less than or equal to 1 inch in size
Wastewater Residential 2 (medium)
Single-family residential units served by individual meters greater than 1 inch or less than 3 inches in size
Wastewater Residential 3 (large)
Single-family residential units served by individual meters greater than or equal to 3 inches in size
Wastewater Multifamily 1 (small)
Multifamily residential users served by a common meter of less than or equal to 1 inch in size, with separate sanitary facilities provided for each unit and connected to a common sewer service line. This class includes mobile home parks, duplexes, triplexes, apartment complexes, etc.
Wastewater Multifamily 2 (medium)
Multifamily residential users served by a common meter of greater than 1 inch or less than 3 inches in size with separate sanitary facilities provided for each unit and connected to a common sewer service line. This class includes mobile home parks, duplexes, triplexes, apartment complexes, etc.
Wastewater Multifamily 3 (large)
Multifamily residential users served by a common meter of greater than or equal to 3 inches with separate sanitary facilities provided for each unit and connected to a common sewer service line. This class includes mobile home parks, duplexes, triplexes, apartment complexes, etc.
Wastewater Commercial 1 (small)
Commercial, nonresidential users served by individual meters of less than or equal to 1 inch in size with a wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included are schools, office buildings, shops, etc.
Wastewater Commercial 2 (medium)
Commercial, nonresidential users served by individual meters of greater than 1 inch or less than 3 inches in size and with a wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included are schools, office buildings, shops, etc.
Wastewater Commercial 3 (large)
Commercial, nonresidential users served by individual meters of greater than or equal to 3 inches in size and with a wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included are schools, office buildings, shops, etc.
Wastewater Multi-Commercial 1 (small)
Multiple, commercial and other nonresidential users served by a common meter less than or equal to 1 inch in size and with wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included in this category are shopping centers, motels, educational and other governmental institutions, etc.
Wastewater Multi-Commercial 2 (medium)
Multiple, commercial and other nonresidential users served by a common meter of greater than 1 inch or less than 3 inches in size and with wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included in this category are shopping centers, motels, educational and other governmental institutions, etc.
Wastewater Multi-Commercial 3 (large)
Multiple, commercial and other nonresidential users served by a common meter of greater than or equal to 3 inches in size and with wastewater discharge comparable in quality to normal residential wastewater. Included in this category are shopping centers, motels, educational and other governmental institutions, etc.
Wastewater Industrial 1 (small)
Nonresidential users served by individual meters of less than or equal to 1 inch in size and with an industrial discharge as defined by § 195-2
Wastewater Industrial 2 (medium)
Nonresidential users served by individual meters of greater than 1 inch or less than 3 inches in size and with an industrial discharge as defined by § 195-2
Wastewater Industrial 3 (large)
Nonresidential users served by individual meters of greater than or equal to 3 inches in size and with an industrial discharge as defined by § 195-2
Wastewater Institutional: government buildings, schools, and other similar industrial or commercial facilities which provide public and quasi-public services where more than 1 building or structure is serviced by a common water meter. The following categories for wastewater institutional customers are:
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 1)
Customer water service line less than 1 inch
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 2)
Customer water service line equal to 1 inch
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 3)
Customer water service line greater than 1 inch or equal to 1.5 inches
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 4)
Customer water service line greater than 1.5 inches or equal to 2 inches
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 5)
Customer water service line greater than 2 inches or equal to 3 inches
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 6)
Customer water service line greater than 3 inches or equal to 4 inches
Wastewater Institutional (WWI 7)
Customer water service line greater than 4 inches or equal to 6 inches
C. 
Permit applications and fees. The owner or his agent shall make application for service on a special form furnished by the City.
(1) 
At a minimum, the application for the permit shall be in writing and shall contain the following information:
(a) 
Name and address of applicant.
(b) 
Name and address of the owner of the premises where the connection is to be made and where the drain or line is to be laid.
(c) 
Location of the proposed connection, drain or sewer pipe.
(d) 
Statement as to the type of connection and type of materials to be discharged into the sewer.
(e) 
Statement as to whether the connection is to be made to the storm sewer or to the sanitary sewer.
(2) 
The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Superintendent. If the proposed connection does not violate any provision herein and does not violate any other ordinance or resolution of the City, the Superintendent shall issue a permit for such connection.
(3) 
Such permit shall contain all information required of the applicant and shall specify the type and kind of grease traps and/or sand traps to be used. At the time of granting the permit, the applicant shall pay a fee for the connection to the sewer. The amount of this fee shall be in accordance with the City's Sewer Rate Ordinance and shall include permit, inspection, connection and pavement repair fees.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 238, Water, Sewer and Utility Rates.
D. 
Costs; indemnification. All costs and expenses incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City against any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer, including, but not limited to, pavement replacement. All connections to the City's sewer system must be made by a licensed plumber, subject to the supervision, inspection and approval of the City's Superintendent, and in compliance with the New Mexico Plumbing Code and with the City's policies and procedures for the Utility Department.
E. 
Separate building sewers required. A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer and classified in accordance with Subsection B of this section.
F. 
Use of old building sewers. Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the Superintendent, to meet all requirements of this article.
G. 
Design requirements; compliance with codes. The size, slope, alignment and materials of construction of a building sewer and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling the trench shall all conform to the requirements of the Building and Plumbing Code or other applicable rules and regulations of the City and the State of New Mexico. All new sewer connections must be properly designed and constructed in accordance with applicable codes.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 115, Building Construction.
H. 
Gravity flow or lift. Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.
I. 
Connection of stormwater, etc. No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.
J. 
Connection procedures generally. The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of the Building and Plumbing Code or other applicable rules and regulations of the City or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and the WEF Manual of Practice No. 9. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the Superintendent before installation.
K. 
Final inspection. The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Superintendent or his representative.
L. 
Safety and protective measures for 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 in a manner satisfactory to the City.
M. 
Abandonment of connections. No person shall abandon any building connection without first obtaining a written permit therefor. Such building connection shall be effectively sealed with a vitrified clay stopper inserted in the bell of the sewer extending to the property line. Said stopper shall be installed as directed by the Superintendent.
N. 
Digging up of streets and alleys. No person shall in any way interfere with the employees of the City in any discharge of their duties in the tapping of any sewer pipe, main or lateral. No person shall dig up or cause to be dug up any street, alley, or right-of-way in the City for the purpose of connecting with the sewer system of the City and no person shall connect with or tap into the sewer system of the City without first obtaining a permit, and no person having a permit shall dig up any portion of any street or alley of the City for the purpose of connecting with the sewer system of the City and thereafter fail or neglect to place the street or alley in its original condition. A fee in the amount set by the City's Sewer Rate Ordinance shall be paid by the applicant at the time of granting of the permit for the repair of the street surface to be disturbed in connecting to the sewer system.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 238, Water, Sewer and Utility Rates.
O. 
Prohibition against depositing wastes. No person shall deposit or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner upon public or private property within the City or within the area within the jurisdiction of the City any human or animal excrement wastes.
P. 
Prohibition against damaging the system. No person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage or destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is part of the public sewer system.
Q. 
Ownership and maintenance. The City shall own the service line from the main to the property line and shall connect the service line to the main. The customer shall own the service line from the property line to the customer facilities and shall maintain the service line from the customer facilities to the main. The ownership and maintenance of building sewers shall conform to the City's policies and procedures for the Utility Department.
A. 
Prohibited discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
B. 
Prohibited substances. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any public sewers any of the following described liquids or wastes:
(1) 
Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas or any other waste which creates a fire or explosive hazard in sewers and wastewater facilities.
(2) 
Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases or oxygen-demanding wastes in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to damage or interfere with any wastewater facility, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the wastewater treatment works, including, but not limited to, cyanides in excess of two mg/l as CN in the wastes as discharged to the public sewer.
(3) 
Any herbicides and pesticides.
(4) 
Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.0 or higher than 9.0 or having any other corrosive property capable or causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the wastewater facility.
(5) 
Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the wastewater facility, such as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper, dishes, cups, milk containers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders.
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05-19]
(6) 
Any petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral oil origin, in amounts that will cause interference with any wastewater facility.
(7) 
Any trucked or hauled waste, except at discharge points designated by the City and authorized by the Superintendent.
(8) 
Any wastewater which imparts color which cannot be removed by the treatment process, such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.
(9) 
Any wastewater containing any radioactive wastes or isotopes.
(10) 
Any of the following metals or substances exceeding discharge limits promulgated by the US EPA National Categorical Pretreatment Standards in accordance with the Clean Water Act and by the State of New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission Standards for Groundwater:
Aldrin
Heptachlor
Antimony
Hexavalent Chromium
Arsenic
Hexachlorobenzene
Barium
Iron
Benzo (a) Pyrine
Lead
Beryllium
Lindane
Bismuth
Manganese
BOD
Mercury
Boron
Molybdenum
Benzene
Nickel
Cadmium
PCBs
Carbon Tetrachloride
Rhenium
Chlordane
Selenium
Chromium (Hexa)
Silver
Chromium (Tri)
Strontium
Cobalt
Tellurium
Copper
Tin
Cyanide
Uranium
Dieldrin
Zinc
Fluoride
(11) 
Dilution of toxic materials and heavy metals in lieu of removal is not acceptable.
C. 
Discharges subject to regulation. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the Superintendent that such wastes can harm the wastewater facility or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property or constitute a nuisance. In forming an opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the Superintendent will give consideration to such factors as the materials of construction of the sewers, nature and capacity of the wastewater facility, degree of treatability of wastes in the wastewater treatment works and other pertinent factors. The substances which must be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150° F. (65° C.).
(2) 
Any water or waste containing fats, grease, wax or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/l or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32° F. and 150° F. (0° C. and 56° C.).
(3) 
Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. The installation and operation of any garbage grinder larger than those normally manufactured and sold for residential and noncommercial use will not be allowed without specific review and approval by the Superintendent.
(4) 
Any waters or wastes containing strong acid, iron pickling wastes or concentrated plating solutions cannot be discharged to the wastewater facility unless completely neutralized and approved by the Superintendent for discharge.
(5) 
Any waters or wastes containing reducing substances of an organic or inorganic nature, toxic or nontoxic, which exert an immediate chlorine demand may not be discharged into the wastewater facility if discharge of agents will prevent the achievement of an adequate chlorine residual in the effluent of the wastewater treatment works.
(6) 
Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste- or odor-producing substances, in concentrations exceeding limits established by the Superintendent after treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of the state, federal or other public agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters.
(7) 
Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentrations as may exceed limits established by the Superintendent in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
(8) 
Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 9.0.
(9) 
Materials which exert or cause:
(a) 
Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth, lime slurries and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chlorine and sodium sulfate).
(b) 
Excessive discoloration (such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions).
(c) 
Unusual chemical oxygen demand, or biochemical oxygen, or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the wastewater treatment works.
(d) 
Slugs or shocks constituting an unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes which will disturb the normal functioning of the wastewater facility.
(10) 
Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the wastewater treatment works employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the effluent cannot meet the requirements of agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters.
(11) 
Any wastes containing metals or substances regulated by the Clean Water Act and the State of New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission Standards for groundwater and any other applicable regulations and standards contained in other state and federal law or in concentrations exceeding limits established by the Superintendent to meet state and federal requirements.
D. 
Superintendent's discretion.
(1) 
If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged, to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in this section, and which in the judgment of the Superintendent may have a deleterious effect upon the wastewater facilities or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Superintendent may:
(a) 
Reject the wastes;
(b) 
Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers; or
(c) 
Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge.
(2) 
If the Superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the State of New Mexico Environment Department and the Superintendent and subject to the requirements of all applicable regulations, ordinances and laws.
E. 
Testing industrial waste. Testing an industrial waste will be performed at least twice a year or whenever found necessary by the Superintendent. The person discharging the waste shall be liable for payment of all costs arising from the testing of the industrial waste.
F. 
Grease, oil and sand traps. Grease, oil, and sand traps shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes, sand or other harmful ingredients, except that such traps shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All traps shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Superintendent and shall be located so as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Grease and oil traps shall be installed in all new filling stations, garages, restaurants and other new facilities wherein heavy discharge of grease and oil is to be expected.
G. 
Maintenance of preliminary treatment and flow-equalizing facilities. Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any industrial liquid wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense.
H. 
Waste meters; manholes.
(1) 
When required by the Superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial liquid wastes shall install a suitable control manhole together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes.
(2) 
Such manhole, when required, shall be accessibly and safely loaded, constructed in such a manner so as to prevent infiltration of groundwater and surface waters and constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
I. 
Methods of testing; location of test site. All measurements, tests and analysis of the characteristics of water and wastes shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods and shall be determined at the control manhole provided or upon suitable samples taken at such manhole. The control manhole shall be located so that sampling of the industrial waste will be performed before discharge into the public sewer system.
J. 
Sampling and analysis methods. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the wastewater treatment works and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb and property. The particular analyses involved will determine whether a twenty-four-hour composite of all outfalls of a premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but not always, COD, BOD, and settleable solids analyses are obtained from twenty-four-hour composites of all outfalls whereas pHs are determined from periodic grab samples.
K. 
Access for sampling. The Superintendent shall be allowed access to the properties of all sewer users as necessary to sample, test, and measure all wastewater discharges. Failure to allow such access may, at the City's discretion, be the basis for discontinuance of sewer and/or water service to the property to which access is denied.
A. 
Establishment of equitable user fees. The governing body of the City shall take the necessary steps to establish an equitable system of user fees. The purpose hereof is that each individual user shall pay an equitable portion of the City's cost of owning the wastewater facilities plus an equitable portion of the total operation and maintenance costs. The cost recovery system shall satisfy the following conditions:
(1) 
The apportionment of costs must take into consideration the individual user's contribution as related to the total waste load, taking into account the volume and strength of all discharges.
(2) 
The costs to be considered should include, but are not limited to:
(a) 
Amortization of the applicant's indebtedness for the cost of the treatment facilities and sewers.
(b) 
Operation and maintenance of the treatment and collection facilities.
(c) 
Any additional costs which are necessary to assure adequate treatment on a continuous basis.
(3) 
Substantial prepayment of the capital investment or other financial commitments will be required from each industry that contributes 30% or more of the total volume or strength of the waste load to be treated by the facilities.
B. 
Fee computation for residential units. For residential units, the user fees shall be computed as follows in accordance with the Sewer Rate Ordinance of the City of Socorro:
UC = A + (K)(V)
Where:
UC
=
monthly user charge fee in dollars per month.
A
=
minimum monthly charge in dollars per month for being connected to the sewer system, whether or not any wastewater is discharged to the system.
K
=
basic user charge in dollars per month made per unit of 100 gallons of water used per month.
V
=
volume of water used per month in hundreds of gallons (units); based on the average water consumption for the months of December through February (winter water average), inclusive, and becoming effective for each user for a nine-month period beginning with the City's billing for the month of April.
(1) 
If actual water use measurements are not available, the volume basis shall be established by the Superintendent on the basis of expected water use for the building being served.
(2) 
Billing for the months of December through February, inclusive, will be based on actual water consumption during those months.
C. 
Fee computation for other users. For all other users, the user fees shall be computed as follows:
UC = A + (K)(V)
Where:
UC and K
=
as previously defined in Subsection B above.
V
=
actual volume of water used per month in hundreds of gallons (units); unless a winter water average has been established and accepted by the Superintendent for the particular user.
D. 
Industrial surcharge. A surcharge may be assessed against persons discharging industrial liquid wastes which are of a greater strength than normal, untreated domestic wastewater. Normal, untreated domestic wastewater is defined as having a maximum yearly average chemical oxygen demand not in excess of 400 milligrams per liter and a settleable solids level not in excess of 5.0 milliliters per liter. The monthly industrial surcharge shall be computed from the following formulation:
SR
=
(Vi)
Kss(SS-5)
5
+
KCOD (COD-400)
400
Where:
SR
=
surcharge in dollars per month; such surcharge being in addition to the monthly user charge.
Vi
=
volume of water used per month in units of 100 gallons.
Kss
=
charge in dollars per month made per unit of 100 gallons of water used for wastes of normal settleable solids concentration.
KCOD
=
charge in dollars per month made per unit of 100 gallons of water used for wastes of normal COD concentration.
SS
=
settleable solids concentration of the industrial waste in milliliters per liter; shall not be less than 5 for computation of the surcharge.
COD
=
COD concentration of the industrial waste in milligrams per liter; shall not be less than 400 for computation of the surcharge.
Kss and KCOD shall be computed by the City to reflect the City's estimation of the respective costs of treating the settleable solids and COD components of normal wastewater. To compute Kss and KCOD, the following formula shall be utilized:
K = Kss + KCOD + Kv
Where:
K, Kss, and COD
=
are as previously defined in Subsection D above.
Kv
=
the estimated portion of K which may be attributed to the processing of a unit of 100 gallons of wastewater independent of treatment or renovation of that wastewater.
E. 
Wastewater system expansion fee. A charge (impact fee) will be paid to the City when any building, structure or premises is connected to the sanitary sewer system operated and maintained by the City. This charge shall be known as the "wastewater system expansion fee" (WWSEF).
F. 
Charges for extraneous flows. Cost for operation and maintenance for all flow not directly attributable to users (i.e., infiltration/inflow) shall be distributed among all users in the same manner as the cost for their actual use.
G. 
Access of City to water utility records of user. For the purpose of assessing equitable user fees, any person discharging to the sanitary sewers shall permit access by the City to water utility records for that person's property.
H. 
Standby charges. Where vacant, uninhabited, or unused land abuts a City sewer within 100 feet thereof, the owner or lessee shall pay a sewer standby charge to the City as reflected in the current rate schedule.
I. 
Faulty or broken water meter; estimate. In the event of the stoppage of or the failure of any water meter to register the full amount of water consumed, or inaccessibility of the meter, or failure by the City to read the meter, the customer will be billed for such a period based on an estimated normal consumption for corresponding periods in the preceding year or years, or consumption in preceding months.
J. 
Private water system; measurement of water use. Where any person, business or industry is connected to the public sewer system but utilizes a private water system, such person, business or industry shall allow the City to install water meters to measure the water usage from the private water system. The meters shall be provided by the City and installed at the cost of the sewer user. The water usage from the private water system shall be used as the volume of water consumed for the purposes of computing the service charge for the person, business, or industry. This is an alternative method for establishing sewer service fees and the City, in its discretion, may instead assess sewer fees based on a use of 100 gallons per capita per day. Such person, business, or industry shall allow employees of the City to come onto the property and read the water meter at all reasonable times.
K. 
Monthly payments required. The sewer charges levied pursuant to this section shall be payable monthly, in conjunction with the monthly water bill rendered by the City. Properties outside the City shall pay a surcharge of 50% of and in addition to the monthly charge. If bills are not paid within 10 days after the due date, a late penalty of 10% of the amount past due shall be paid. Sewer charges shall be stated separately on the combined water and sewer bill.
L. 
The City Council shall at a future date, prior to beginning sewer services, establish by ordinance the specific service fee schedules to be charged.
M. 
The City shall review total operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and user rates at a minimum frequency of every two years and shall revise the fee schedule accordingly, if necessary.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 238, Water, Sewer and Utility Rates.
A. 
Penalties; continuing violations. Every person convicted of a violation of this article shall be punished as set forth in Chapter 1, Article III, Penalties, of the Socorro City Code. The conviction and punishment of any person for a violation shall not excuse or exempt such person from the payment of any fee due or unpaid at the time of such conviction, and nothing herein shall prevent a criminal prosecution of any violation of the provisions of this article.
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05-19]
B. 
Remedies cumulative; liens.
(1) 
All remedies prescribed or liens created hereunder or under the provisions of the law for collection and enforcement of the fees shall be cumulative, and the use of one or more remedies by the City shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this article created by the law. The fees authorized by this article shall be a lien in favor of the City upon the real property served and the personal property of the person used in connection with the sewer use which gave rise to the fee, and such lien shall be imposed, collected, enforced, and paid as provided by the law. No property of any persons shall be exempt from levy and sale on execution issued for the collection of a judgment for any fee imposed by this article.
(2) 
If any bill for sewage charges remains unpaid for 60 days, a lien on the property receiving the sewage service shall be filed by the City Clerk, as provided by NMSA 1978, § 3-36-1 et seq., and shall be released only upon payment of the charges plus interest as provided by the law.
C. 
Disconnection of service. For repeated violations of this article, the City may disconnect the violator's building sewer and refuse to provide sewer service to the violator until assurances satisfactory to the City are provided by the violator that such violations shall cease.
Whenever an extension of the City's sewer line is required to serve an applicant, or group of applicants, the extension will be made under the following terms and conditions by the applicant and in accordance with the City's policies and procedures for the Utility Department:
A. 
All line extensions shall be sized to provide adequate service. In the event that the City system plan requires larger line size than is required to serve the applicant's needs, the applicant will not be required to absorb the difference in investment between the applicant's required line size and the line size required by the plan; but in no event shall the extension costs to the applicant be based on lines smaller than those needed for the applicant's domestic service. The City shall be the sole judge of proper line sizing in any new construction and shall be the sole judge of the line size cost to the applicant.
B. 
The investment in the line extension required to serve the applicant's domestic requirements as specified above will be paid in total by the applicant requesting the line extension.
C. 
All lines will be constructed in existing public roads, streets, City-owned lands, alleys, or easements. The applicant shall furnish such rights-of-way in the form of duly executed easements without charge to the City and shall assist the City in securing other rights-of-way necessary to provide service over property not owned by the applicant.
D. 
Special conditions which affect the furnishing of sewer service to an applicant or group of applicants such as elevation, terrain, volume required in existing mains, and other conditions resulting in increased costs to the City in providing sewer service shall be taken into consideration by the City and the cost thereof shall be added to the tapping fee.
Employees of the City shall be allowed access to any private property connected to the public sewer system at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the construction, maintenance, and operation of the system. No persons shall interfere with such access.
All requirements contained in this article shall be considered a part of the contract of every person utilizing the sewage disposal system; every person shall be considered as having expressly consented to be bound thereby.
[Adopted 11-16-2015 by Ord. No. 15-10-19]
This article shall be hereafter known as the "City of Socorro Grease Remediation Ordinance."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTHORITY
The City of Socorro Authority.
EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF GREASE
Fats, waxes, free fatty acids, calcium and magnesium soaps, mineral oils and certain other nonfatty material from animal or vegetable sources, or from hydrocarbons of petroleum origins, commonly found in wastewater from food preparation and food service. Grease may originate from, but not be limited to, discharges from scullery sinks, pot and pan sinks, dishwashing machines, soup kettles and floor drains located in areas where grease-containing materials may exist.
FOOD PREPARATION FACILITY
Any food establishment in any building, room or place, or any portion thereof or appurtenance thereto, where human food or drink is mixed, cooked or otherwise prepared, offered for sale, sold, served or given, with or without charge, to patrons, customers or guests for consumption on the premises; provided, however, that this does not include the mixing, cooking or other preparation or serving of food in single-family dwellings to the resident family or its guests.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR or INTERCEPTOR
A structure or device designed for the purpose of removing and preventing fats, oils, and grease from entering the sanitary sewer collection system. These devices are often below-ground units in outside areas and are built as two- or three-chamber baffled tanks, whose rated flow exceeds 35 gallons per minute (gpm).
GREASE TRAP
A device for separating and maintaining waterborne greases and grease complexes prior to the wastewater exiting the trap and entering the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system. Such traps are typically compact under-the-sink units that are near food preparation areas whose flow rate is 35 gpm or less and shall be rated for a minimum of 22.5 gpm.
INSPECTOR
The City of Socorro's designee under the instruction and supervision of the City of Socorro Utility Director, who is assigned to investigate compliance and detect violations of this article.
POTW or PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS
A treatment works which is owned by a municipality, as defined by Section 502(4) of the Clean Water Act. This definition includes any devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes all sewers, pipes and other conveyances that transfer wastewater to a POTW. The term also means the municipality as defined in Section 502(4) of the Act, which has jurisdiction over the indirect discharges to and the discharges from such a treatment works. For purposes of this article, the terms "sanitary sewer system" and "POTW" may be used interchangeably.
RESTAURANT
Any public eating establishment where meals are prepared, offered for sale, sold and served to patrons, customers or guests for compensation based on the price charged for and generally paid at the conclusion of each meal. The word "meals," as used herein, means meals generally consisting of courses embracing some kind of meat or its equivalent, vegetables, bread, pastry, beverages and accompaniments.
A. 
Trap requirements.
(1) 
Upon approval of the Building Inspector, grease traps/grease inceptors must be installed in the waste line leading from sinks, drains, and other fixtures or equipment in food service facilities where grease may be introduced into the drainage or sewer system in quantities that can effect line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment or proper sewer disposal.
(2) 
Grease trap sizing and installation shall conform to the New Mexico Plumbing Code.
A. 
All grease interceptors and grease traps shall be maintained and kept in good working order at all times. The interceptor or trap shall limit the amount of grease discharged into the public sewer system to levels not exceeding those permitted by the City of Socorro. Oil/grease discharges shall not exceed 100 ppm downstream of the interceptor or trap.
B. 
It shall be the duty and responsibility of any owner, lessee or agent of any restaurant or food preparation facility to, at a minimum, quarterly inspect the grease interceptor or trap. A written record shall be kept of all inspections. The inspection record shall, at a minimum, list the name (inspector and company), address, and phone number of the inspection/disposal company, the method and frequency of cleaning schedule and the date of the cleaning/inspection. Such records shall be presented to the Authority upon request. A more-frequent cleaning/inspection schedule may be ordered to be performed by the facility when it is determined by the Authority that the facility is discharging excessive amounts of grease to the public sewer system.
C. 
The City of Socorro Authority has the authority to request random sampling for the testing of grease traps or interceptors in restaurants and food preparation facilities. Said testing shall require the grease trap or interceptor samples to be sent to a certified laboratory. It shall be the responsibility of any owner, lessee or any agent of any restaurant or food preparation facility who fails the laboratory analysis involved with the grease trap or interceptor testing to pay the administrative costs that the Authority incurred as a result of said test. Said administrative costs shall be in addition to any other fines or penalties that may be assessed in accordance with this article.
A. 
In the discharge of duties, the City of Socorro, Utility Director, Authority personnel or authorized representative shall have authority to enter, at any reasonable hour, any restaurant or food preparation facility in the jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
The City of Socorro Utility Director may delegate his or her authority to the appropriate official of the City of Socorro with regard to the enforcement of this article or any ordinance or regulation relating to the subject matter within this article.
A. 
It is unlawful for any user to discharge into the publicly owned treatment plant in any manner that is in violation of this article or any condition set forth in this article. Additionally, a person commits an offense if the person causes or permits the plugging or blocking of, or otherwise interferes with or permits interference with, the grease interceptor or the POTW, including alteration or removal of any flow-constricting devices so as to cause flow to rise above the design capacity of the interceptor.
B. 
No person and/or facility shall discharge grease to the POTW, except as expressly authorized by this article. If such discharge occurs, the person or facility shall be considered in violation of this article and subject to the remedies described herein. This includes nonpermitted facilities.
C. 
The City may recover the fees and costs imposed by this section in a civil action and may pursue any other remedy available by law or in equity to address a violation of this article or to enforce compliance with it.
A. 
Major violation.
(1) 
If the City, through the Director or his designee, determines that a user is responsible for blockage of a collection system line, the following shall apply:
(a) 
For the first offense, a field citation with the date for compliance shall be issued to the responsible person on site. The focus of the citation shall be education. The cost of removal of the blockage shall not be assessed for the first occurrence. However, the facility shall be notified of the cost that it may incur for additional violations in the future.
(b) 
For the second offense within a twelve-month period, a notice of violation shall be issued, with the penalty of no less than $1,000 in addition to the cost of the removal of both the first blockage which gave rise to the second offense to be assessed. The discharger shall be informed that a future blockage resulting from a violation will result in the termination of sewer service.
(c) 
For the third offense within a two-year period, a notice of violation shall be issued with a penalty of no less than $2,500 per violation plus the cost of the removal of the blockage and termination of sewer service.
(2) 
This enforcement is needed to maintain a healthy collection system that will not affect the biological process at the City of Socorro wastewater treatment plant in order to comply with the City of Socorro EPA NPDES permit.