City of Franklin, WI Article VI Connections to Sewer Mains; Sewer Laterals; Inside Plumbing

§ 190-22 Sewer connections.

A. Sewer improvement tax. No person shall be allowed to connect with the public sewerage system in any manner while delinquent in the payment of any sewer tax, or installment thereof, or to any public sewerage system of the City for which the cost of each applicant has not been assessed, except when permission so to do has been duly given by the City Council.

B. Connection of buildings to sanitary sewers.

(1) The owner of any building used for human habitation, when such building is located on premises adjacent to a portion of the sanitary sewer system of the City, shall, when so ordered by the Plumbing Inspector, City Board of Health or Common Council, connect with such sanitary sewer system within one year after receipt of written notice to do so, which notice may be served by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the address to which the last statement for general taxes was sent, which service shall be complete upon mailing. Notwithstanding any provision of this Code requiring connection to public sanitary sewer where such sewer is adjacent or available or the like to premises, where the closest point of the structure to be connected is more than 400 feet from the public sanitary sewer main, such structure is not required to be connected, provided that, if the structure is otherwise required to be served by a sanitary sewer system, the structure is served by a private on-site waste treatment system which meets all applicable laws and codes, or a replacement private on-site waste treatment system which meets all applicable laws and codes is installed by the property owner within the time otherwise required by this Code for the connection of such structure to public sanitary sewer service.

[Amended 6-3-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-1752; 2-16-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-1781]

(2) If any person shall fail to comply with such order within said period of time, the City may cause such sanitary sewer connection to be made, and the expense thereof shall be assessed as a special tax against said premises and shall be spread upon the first tax roll which is delivered to the City Treasurer after such work has been completed for at least 60 days.

(3) The owner of such premises may, within 30 days after the completion of such work, file with the City Clerk, in writing, a statement that he or she cannot pay such special tax in one sum and requesting that said special tax be collected in equal annual installments, not to exceed five in number, together with interest thereon at the rate of 8% per annum from the completion of the work, in which case there shall be spread upon the first tax roll which is delivered to the City Treasurer, after such work has been completed for at least 60 days, the first installment, together with interest upon the unpaid amount of said special tax at the rate of 8% per annum to the first day of February next following the delivery of said tax roll to the City Treasurer; subsequent installments shall be spread on the tax roll in succeeding years.

C. Drain for each building. The sewerage and drainage system of every house or building in the City of Franklin must be separately and independently connected with the street sewer except where special permission to do otherwise is granted by the City Engineer and/or Plumbing Inspector.

D. Plumbers to make tap. No persons except licensed plumbers as herein provided shall tap or make connections with the general sewage system or part thereof. Such information as the Plumbing Inspector or the City Council or its engineer may have with regard to the location of sewer junctions or slants will be furnished to plumbers, the City assuming no risk as to the accuracy of the same. When in accordance with the measurements furnished by the City Engineer or Plumbing Inspector the junction is not found, or if the main sewer or any part thereof is damaged in the course of excavation or construction, connection thereto or repair thereof shall be as directed by the Plumbing Inspector. Additional pipe shall not be laid until the Plumbing Inspector approves the connection.

E. Record of connections. The Plumbing Inspector shall keep a record of all sewer connections, showing the location of the same and the position of all house drains, connections, junctions and other data necessary for the efficient services of this Department.

F. The roof must be completed before the building sewer is started.

G. Materials.

(1) All building sewers shall be constructed of extra heavy cast-iron, concrete pipe or vitrified clay. Any other materials approved by the State Department of Health for restricted, tentative or experimental use may be used upon written consent of the occupying owner and upon written approval of the Plumbing Inspector.

(2) All building drains shall be constructed of extra heavy cast-iron. Any other materials approved by the State Department of Health for restricted, tentative or experimental use may be used upon written consent of the occupying owner and upon written approval of the Plumbing Inspector.

(3) All building sewers shall be laid on a bed of limestone chips or pea gravel three inches in depth, regardless of the material used.

H. Minimum size branch. Underground waste pipe branches connected to a building drain or branch thereof shall be a minimum of two inches inside diameter and shall not exceed five feet in length.

§ 190-23 Soil, waste and vent pipes.

A. Soil and waste stacks.

(1) Every building in which plumbing fixtures are installed shall have a soil, waste or vent stack at least three inches in diameter extending four inches through the roof.

(2) Hangers and supports. Horizontal cast-iron pipe shall be supported at five-foot intervals. Such supports shall be placed immediately behind the hub of the pipe wherever possible. Hangers made with perforated strap iron shall be 3/4 inches wide and of 16 gauge material.

[Amended 12-15-1998 by Ord. No. 98-1526]

(3) Materials. All piping, other than cast-iron pipe when installed so as to be embedded through concrete, shall be protected by thoroughly applying one or more coats of asphaltic paint and adequate tar paper wrapping or other equivalent means of insulation.

(4) Length of tailpieces. Maximum length of the tailpiece between the strainer and trap seal shall be eight times the inside diameter of the pipe, but in no case longer than 24 inches.

(5) Drum trap installations. The following distances shall be maintained when drum traps serve a fixture. From the strainer of the fixture to the center line of the drum trap inlet, 14 inches. From the center line of the drum trap to the center line of the fixture outlet, 14 inches.

B. Vents.

(1) Wall-hung water closets. All wall-hung water closets shall be individually back-vented.

(2) Unit vents. Two sinks, basins or any identical fixtures located on the same floor, discharging into a double or sanitary tee cross, may be vented by a single vent pipe. Where bathrooms, water closets or other fixtures are located on opposite sides of a wall or partition in the same building, or are directly adjacent to each other, such fixtures may have a common soil or waste pipe and vent pipe stack. Dissimilar type fixtures shall not be connected as indicated above.

(3) Distance from trap. Any vent pipe serving a fixture trap shall be connected as close to the trap as possible, but in no case shall the distance between the vent and trap be more than 24 times the inside diameter of the soil or waste pipe. The total grade of the soil or waste pipe shall not exceed the inside diameter of the pipe.

(4) Wet vents. Where wet vents are used, all fixtures must be located on the same floor level, including the fixture creating the wet vent. Only one fixture unit shall be allowed on a wet vent, except for the installations covered by the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code.

(5) Roof terminals. All vent pipes extending through a roof shall be at least four inches in diameter beginning at a point six inches below the roof boards. The roof terminals of all vent pipes shall extend at least three feet above any door, window, scuttle, air shaft or other openings used for ventilation when located at a distance less than 12 feet from such terminal. Roof terminals shall terminate at least 20 feet from an air intake. Roof terminals shall be installed so as not to be visible from the front of the building. On a flat roof, where a parapet extends around the outer edge, the roof terminal shall not be closer than four feet from such parapet.

(6) Roof terminal flashings. The joint at the roof shall be made watertight by the use of copper or lead flashings. All flashings shall have a minimum flange size of 15 inches by 17 inches, that is 15 inches across the base and 17 inches from the front to rear. In all cases a six-inch distance from the face of the pipe to the edge of the flashing shall be maintained. All flashings are to be identified with the manufacturers' initial stamped into the lower right-hand corner of the base of the flange.

(7) All laundry tubs shall be individually back-vented.

(8) Future vent. In all new construction there shall be extended into the basement a two-inch future vent with a full twenty-four-unit capacity.

(9) Repairs and construction. Fixtures replaced. When an old or defective fixture is removed to be replaced by a new one, it shall be necessary to reconstruct the soil, waste and vent piping to make it conform to this code.

C. Cleanouts serving house drain. A four-inch cleanout with a brass screw cover shall be provided at a point where the building drain leaves the building. This cleanout shall be extended from the building drain with a cast-iron soil pipe to the surface of the finished grade. There shall be a four-inch cleanout provided on every stack in the building, except those serving basement fixtures, and such cleanouts shall be located at a point 28 to 30 inches above the floor.

D. Residential garage floor drains. Residential garage floor drains less trap, wherever possible and elevation permitting, shall be discharged into a drainage ditch or storm sewer.

E. Shower baths and ornamental pool safing. All individual shower baths and ornamental pools, except where a shower receptacle is used, shall be safed with sheet lead beneath the entire shower stall and upward along the sides of the stall for a distance of six inches. The safing shall be properly drained and coated with asphaltum.

F. Catch basins; sumps; ejectors.

(1) Grease traps or separators. A grease trap or separator shall be installed wherever kitchen or other greasy wastes from pot or dishwashing sinks or machines are discharged into a building drain or sewer. They shall be installed in such places as hotels, restaurants, taverns, drugstores, butcher shops, bakeries, clubhouses, boarding houses, hospitals, private or public institutions, church and school kitchens and similar places, or when greasy industrial wastes from packing houses, rendering plants, tanneries, sausage and boiled ham plants and similar industrial establishments are discharged into the building drain or sewer.

(2) Waste with coarse or heavy suspended matter which contains grease should be screened, strained or settled to remove such solids before passing to the grease trap.

(3) The grease trap or separator shall be placed as near as possible to the fixture from which it receives the waste, shall be accessible for cleaning, shall have at least double the capacity of the fixture it serves, shall remove 95% or more of the free greases from the wastes treated and shall be cleaned regularly and at such intervals as necessary.

(4) Grease traps or separators shall be designed to allow easy access to all internal parts for cleaning. The outlet leg shall be so vented or installed as to preclude the possibility of self-siphonage.

(5) All grease trap or separator installations shall be approved by the Plumbing Inspector.

(6) The minimum size grease trap shall be 18 pounds. Manufacturers' ratings will be accepted.

(7) The Plumbing Inspector may, at his or her convenience and during reasonable hours, inspect any grease separator in any establishment to determine whether or not said separator has been properly maintained. If the separator is not functioning properly due to lack of proper attention, the Inspector may order the occupant or owner of said establishment to clean the separator within a specified time and to his or her satisfaction.

(8) Garage refuse separators. All installations of a garage catch basin shall be approved by the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission before a permit for the same shall be granted. The Plumbing Inspector may, at his or her convenience and during reasonable hours, inspect any garage catch basin in any establishment to determine whether or not said catch basin has been properly maintained. If the garage catch basin is not functioning properly due to lack of proper maintenance, the Inspector may order the occupant or owner of said establishment to clean the catch basin within a specified time and to his or her satisfaction.

G. Damaged or inferior pipe. No plumber or authorized person shall lay and connect with any public sewer a pipe that is cracked, damaged or of inferior make or quality. Should any property owner or agent thereof furnish pipe of an inferior make or quality for laying the same to connect with any public sewer, the plumber shall refuse to lay and connect with the same and immediately shall notify the Plumbing Inspector or the Building Inspector of all the circumstances connected therewith, in writing.

H. Vent ducts. All rooms in which water closets, urinals or similar fixtures are located, which do not have a window which opens to the outside air, shall have a vent duct not less than six inches in diameter, extended vertically through the roof, and surmounted with a siphon-type hood as to prevent the entrance of rain, snow, etc. When an approved suction fan is installed, a vent to the attic only is required.

§ 190-24 Construction and installation of sewer and drain pipes.

A. Grade and alignment.

(1) All drains should have a grade of 1/4 inch or more per foot if possible, and in no case shall the grade be less than 1/8 inch per foot. In the event that greater depths are available, steeper grades may be permitted by the Plumbing Inspector. All sewer and drain pipes are to be laid carefully in a trench with perfect alignment; and any deviation or change of direction from a straight run must be made by the use of proper curves and Y's. No sewer or drain pipes shall be clipped. Proper fittings shall be used for change of direction.

(2) Elevation. All building drains wherever possible shall be brought into the building underground, below the level of the basement floor.

B. Construction.

(1) In laying sewer pipe, the contractor shall spread a minimum three-inch-thick layer of pea gravel free from stones larger than 1/2 inch in diameter or a minimum three-inch layer of either 3/4 to 1/4 limestone or limestone chips, and each pipe shall be truly bedded to line and grade thereon. Special care shall be taken to provide depressions for the bell ends of each pipe. Bell ends of all pipe shall be laid on upgrade. A four-inch cast-iron cleanout shall be brought to the surface of the ground for any outside sewer over 100 feet in length. A four-inch cast-iron cleanout shall also be brought to the surface of the basement floor as close to the inside of the basement wall as possible. This cleanout shall have a full size brass plug.

(2) No person shall permit sand, silt, water and other materials detrimental to the operation of the sewerage system to enter into any main sewer during the progress of any work in laying drains or sewers, making alterations, extensions or repairs to the same or in connecting such drains of sewers with the main sewers of the City. The ends of all sewer and drain pipes, not immediately connected, shall be securely closed so as to prevent introduction of these materials to said sewer.

(3) All water, sewer, drain, gas, conduits or other piping must be protected from injury, frost or settling to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or the Plumbing Inspector.

C. Old pipes or drains. Whenever necessary to disturb a drain or sewer in actual use, the same shall not be obstructed or disconnected without special permission of the Plumbing Inspector, and it shall be unlawful to make any new connections with or extensions to any old drain without permission of the Plumbing Inspector. No existing drain or sewer shall be reconstructed or relaid without a permit.

D. Obstructions to installation of sewers and drains. In all cases where the course of any sewer or drain is obstructed by water, gas, steam or other pipes or conduits, the question of passing over or under such obstruction or the raising or lowering thereof so as to permit the construction and installation of the sewer or drain shall be determined by the City Engineer.

E. Rain, surface water and garage drainage.

(1) No person shall connect any premises with any main sanitary sewer by a drain or sewer through which rain or surface water, footing drain tile or drainage from a garage may be discharged into the public sanitary sewer system. All buildings having footing drains shall have them terminate in a sump pit not less than 20 inches in diameter and 24 inches deep.

(2) This sump pit shall be pumped out with an approved type of sump pump. This minimum size of the sump pump and the discharge pipe shall be 11/4 inches. This discharge pipe shall not be reduced in size from the discharge opening left by the manufacturer. When the water must be pumped 10 feet or higher, the discharge pipe shall be enlarged 1/4 inch. All sump pumps that do not discharge above the surface of the ground shall have an approved type of check valve installed on the horizontal section of the discharge pipe. All flexible joints or sound-deadening fittings shall be on the house side of the check valve.

(3) All sump pumps installed for the purpose of discharging clear waters from foundation drains and ground infiltration, and where the building is not serviced by a storm sewer, shall either discharge into a conduit leading to a drainage ditch or shall discharge onto the ground at least three feet out from the building and one foot above the permanent grade. The sump discharge pipe shall be to the front of the building, except where a drainage ditch or ravine is on another side of the property, it may be located on that side of the building and at least three feet from the corner of the building and be located in such a manner that the drainage shall be across the owner's property toward a street or drainage easement so as not to run on adjacent properties or to create a nuisance.

(4) All downspouts and clear water wastes installed to direct water away from the building shall either discharge to a conduit leading to a drainageway as approved by the City of Franklin or shall discharge to the ground a minimum of three feet from the building, and in no case shall any conduit, pipe or other conveyance device discharge more than 50% of the distance to the front, side or rear lot lines. Discharge shall be directed as to not cause a nuisance to adjacent properties.

[Added 10-21-1997 by Ord. No. 97-1469]

F. Fixture installation.

(1) No person shall connect any water closet with any drain or sewer unless means are provided and employed for the abundant and adequate flushing of the same with clear water every time it is used. Every such closet or similar appliance shall be properly connected with the City or private water supply system.

(2) All basins, sinks and water closet tanks shall be equipped with stops at the fixture.

(3) All soil pipe stacks and waste pipes passing through the basement floor shall be equipped with a cleanout, which shall have a brass plug. Such cleanouts shall be full size and located 28 inches to 30 inches above the floor. Cleanouts also shall be provided in all horizontal basin wastes or similar waste lines, also in cases where changes of direction occur. Cleanouts for urinals shall be at such points which will ensure that all internal parts of waste pipe may be reached conveniently.

§ 190-25 Sanitary facilities.

A. Every building intended for human habitation or occupancy or premises abutting on a street in which there is a public sewer shall have a connection with the sewer. Any building abutting on a street in which there is a public sewer and which is used exclusively for dwelling purposes shall have available to its occupants a water closet, wash basin and bathtub all in clean, working order and shall be provided with a water supply piping adequate in size to properly cleanse or flush all fixtures.

B. All residential, industrial or commercial buildings hereafter erected shall have a building drain so constructed as to permit ready connection to sewerage disposal system laterals.

§ 190-26 State code to apply on matters not covered.

All other rulings pertaining to any plumbing or sewage treatment and disposal systems done in the City and not mentioned in this chapter shall be as per rules and regulations as set forth by the State Department of Health in its Plumbing Code.

§ 190-26.1 Ownership of connections to sewer mains, sewer laterals and inside plumbing infrastructure.

[Added 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-2470]

For all sewer services infrastructure within the boundary limits of the City, ownership shall vest in the City at the point of connection to the street main and all service pipes up to the property line, and these services infrastructure shall be maintained and repaired by the City without expenses to the property owner, except when they are damaged as a result of negligence on the part of the property owner or occupant, in which case they will be repaired at the expense of the property owner. Ownership of all sewers and laterals located in the public right-of-way or easement from the point of connection to the sewer main, and thereafter upon the private property to serve the property and all facilities throughout the premises served shall vest in the property owner(s), and must be maintained free of defective conditions by and at the expense of the owner of the property served. All other sewer system services infrastructure not specifically identified herein as being owned by a property owner(s) shall be and are owned by the City.