Village of Theresa, WI Sewers

Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewer:

Any gasoline, benzine, naptha, fuel oil or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or gas.

Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process or constitute a hazard to humans or animals or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the wastewater treatment plant.

Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.0 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the wastewater treatment plant.

Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 10.0.

(e)

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 operations of the wastewater collection and treatment facilities, 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.

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 approving authority that such wastes can harm either the sewers, wastewater treatment plant or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, or property or constitute a nuisance. In forming its opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the approving authority will give consideration to the sewers, the nature of the wastewater treatment process, the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited are:

Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150º F.

Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or not, which will or may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interference with the operation of the wastewater system.

Any commercial garbage that has not been properly shredded. The installation and operation of any commercial grinder equipped with a motor of one horsepower or greater shall be subject to the review and approval of the approving authority.

Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc, mercury and similar objectionable or toxic substances or wastes exerting an excessive chlorine requirement, to such a degree that any such material received in the composite wastewater at the wastewater treatment plant exceeds the limits established by the approving authority for such materials.

(e)

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

(f)

Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the approving authority in compliance with state or federal regulations.

(g)

Any water or wastes which, by interaction with other water or wastes in the sanitary sewer system, release obnoxious gases, form suspended solids which interfere with the collection system, or create a condition deleterious to structures and treatment processes.

(h)

Materials which exert or cause:

Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the wastewater treatment plant.

[2]

Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting slugs as defined herein.

[3]

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

[4]

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

(i)

Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the wastewater treatment processes employed or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the wastewater treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protection, of the State of Wisconsin.

Special arrangements. No statement contained in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting any special agreement between the approving authority and any person whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be admitted to the sewage disposal works, either before or after pretreatment, provided that there is no impairment of the functioning of the sewage disposal works by reason of the admission of such wastes and no extra costs are incurred by the Utility without recompense by the person.

§ 280-4 Industrial wastes.

Industrial discharges. If any waters or wastes are discharged or proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters or wastes contain substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in § 280-3B and which, in the judgment of the approving authority, have a deleterious effect upon the wastewater collection or treatment facilities, processes, equipment or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or health or constitute a public nuisance, the approving authority may:

Reject the wastes.

Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers.

Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge.

Control manholes.

Each person discharging industrial wastes into a public sewer shall construct and maintain one or more control manholes or access points to facilitate observation, measurement and sampling of his wastes, including domestic sewage.

Control manholes or access facilities shall be located and built in a manner acceptable to the approving authority. If measuring and/or sampling devices are to be permanently installed, they shall be of a type acceptable to the approving authority.

Control manholes, access facilities and related equipment shall be installed by and at the expense of the person discharging the waste and shall be maintained by that person so as to be in safe condition, accessible and in proper operating condition at all times. Plans for installation of the control manholes or access facilities and related equipment shall be approved by the approving authority prior to the beginning of construction.

Measurement of flow. The volume of flow used for computing industrial waste collection and treatment charges shall be the metered water consumption of the person as shown in the records of meter reading maintained by the Sewer and Water Utility.[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Metering of waste. Devices for measuring the volume of waste discharged may be required by the approving authority if this volume cannot otherwise be determined from the metered water consumption records. Metering devices for determining the volume of waste shall be installed, owned and maintained by the person to accuracy standards acceptable to the approving authority and the Public Service Commission. Following approval and installation, such meters may not be removed without the consent of the approving authority.

Provision for deductions. In the event that a person discharging industrial waste into the public sewers produces evidence satisfactory to the approving authority that more than 10% of the total annual volume of water used for all purposes does not reach the public sewer, then the determination of the water consumption to be used in computing the waste volume discharged into the public sewer may be made a matter of agreement between the approving authority and the person.

Waste sampling.

Industrial wastes discharged into the public sewers shall be subject to periodic inspection and a determination of character and concentration of said wastes. The determinations shall be made by the industry as often as may be deemed necessary by the approving authority.

Samples shall be collected in such a manner as to be representative of the composition of the wastes. The sampling may be accomplished either manually or by the use of mechanical equipment acceptable to the approving authority. Installation, operation and maintenance of the sampling facilities shall be the responsibility of the person discharging the waste and shall be subject to the approval of the approving authority or its duly authorized representative at all times. Every care shall be exercised in the collection of samples to ensure their preservation in a state comparable to that at the time the sample was taken.

Pretreatment. Where required, in the opinion of the approving authority, to modify or eliminate wastes that are harmful to the structures, processes or operation of the wastewater collection or treatment plant, the person shall provide, at his expense, such preliminary treatment or processing facilities as may be determined required to render his wastes acceptable for admission to the public sewers.

Grease, oil and sand interceptors. Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the approving authority, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes and/or other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type readily accessible for cleaning and inspection. In maintaining these interceptors, the owner(s) shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal by appropriate means of the captured material and shall maintain records of the dates and means of disposal which are subject to review by the approving authority. Disposal of the collected materials performed by the owner's personnel or currently licensed waste disposal firms must be in accordance with currently acceptable Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations.

Analyses. Laboratory procedures used in the examination of industrial wastes shall be those set forth in Standard Methods. However, alternate methods for certain analyses of industrial wastes may be used subject to mutual agreement between the approving authority and the person. Determination of the character and concentration of the industrial wastes shall be made by the person discharging the wastes or by the person's agent, as designated and required by the approving authority. The Utility may also make its own analyses on the wastes, and these determinations shall be binding as a basis for charges.

Submission of information. Plans, specifications and any other pertinent information relating to proposed preliminary treatment or processing facilities shall be submitted for review of the approving authority prior to the start of their construction if the effluent from such facilities is to be discharged into the public sewers.

§ 280-5 Classes of service.

General service. Normal or domestic wastewater is defined as having the organic concentration of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (SS) specified in Schedule Smg-1 of the rate file.[1]

Editor's Note: Current rate schedules are on file at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.

High-strength standards. All establishments discharging high-strength wastes into the public sanitary sewer system shall be billed in accordance with the high-strength service charge specified in Schedule Smg-2 of the rate file. The volume of flow used for computing the wastewater surcharge shall be metered water consumption as shown in records maintained by the Sewer and Water Utility, subject to adjustment as otherwise herein provided, or the actual volume of wastewater as determined by a waste metering installation.

§ 280-6 Right of entry.

The Superintendent of the Utility or other duly authorized employee of the municipality or Utility bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, and testing, all in accordance with the provisions of these rules and regulations and § 196.171, Wis. Stats. The Superintendent of the Utility or other duly authorized employee of the municipality and/or Utility shall have no authority to inquire into any process beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for wastewater treatment. While performing the necessary work, the authorized person shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the property owner.

§ 280-7 Sewer construction.

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

Cost of sewer connection. All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner.

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 approving authority, to meet all requirements of this chapter.

Materials and methods of construction. 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[1] or other applicable rules and regulations of the municipality. In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and WPCF Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 132, Building Construction.

Cost of sewer lateral. All users shall keep their own sewer laterals in good repair. In addition, any costs necessary for the installation, connection or replacement of a sewer lateral shall be borne by the user. Ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the sewer lateral is also the responsibility of the user. However, if a sewer lateral is damaged during a Village construction project, the Village shall pay for that portion of the damage directly caused by the relevant construction project. Users shall pay for the replacement or relining of their sewer laterals in conjunction with any major street construction project initiated by the Village. If a user fails to replace a sewer lateral pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, the Village reserves the right to assess an additional fee of $75 per month for water/sewer service until the lateral is repaired or replaced to current code.

[Added 8-6-2012[2]; amended 2-5-2018]

[2]

Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection E, Building sewer grade.

Stormwater and groundwater drains. 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 is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.

Conformance to Plumbing Code. 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 municipality or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and the WPCF 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 approving authority before installation.

Inspection of connection. The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the approving authority when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the approving authority.

Barricades; restoration. All excavations for the 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 Village.

§ 280-8 Violations and penalties.

Written notice of violation. Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter shall be served by the approving authority with a written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations or penalties will be assessed as follows:[1]

First offense penalty. Any person who violates this chapter is subject to a penalty, upon conviction thereof, of a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 together with the costs of prosecution. In default of payment of such forfeiture and costs of prosecution, the assessed penalties will be added to the tax roll for collection.

Second offense penalty. Any person found guilty of violating this chapter or part of this chapter who was previously convicted of a violation of the rule, upon conviction thereof, shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each such offense, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment of such forfeiture and costs shall be imprisoned in the county jail until said forfeiture and costs of prosecution are paid, not to exceed nine months.

Continued violations. Each violation and each day a violation continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the approving authority from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of any provision of this chapter.

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

Accidental discharge. Any person found to be responsible for accidentally allowing a deleterious discharge into the sewer which causes damage to the treatment facilities, receiving body of water and/or downstream waters shall, in addition to a forfeiture, pay the amount to cover damages, both values to be established by the approving authority.

§ 280-9 Credit for water not discharged to sewer.

If a portion of the water furnished to any customer is not discharged into the sewer system, the quantity of such water will be deducted in computing the charge for sewer service, provided that a meter has been installed to measure such water. The customer must, at his own expense, make necessary changes in the water piping and install couplings so that a meter can be set. See Rate Schedule Am-1 for applicable charges in Chapter 343, Water, of this Code.[1]

Editor's Note: Schedule Am-1 is on file at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.

§ 280-10 Sewer main extensions for new customers.

Sewer mains will be extended for new customers on the following basis:

Where the cost of the extension is to be immediately collected through assessment by the Village against the abutting property, the procedure set forth under § 66.0703, Wis. Stats., will apply, and no additional customer contribution to the Utility will be required.

Where the Village is unwilling or unable to make a special assessment, the extension will be made on a customer-financed basis as follows:

The applicant(s) will advance as a contribution in aid of construction the total amount equivalent to that which would have been assessed for all property under Subsection A.

Part of the contribution required in Subsection A will be refundable. When additional customers are connected to the extended main within 20 years of the date of completion, a contribution in aid of construction will be collected equal to the amount which would have been assessed under Subsection A for the abutting property being served. This amount will be refunded to the original contributor(s). In no case will the contribution received from additional customers exceed the proportionate amount which would have been required under Subsection A nor will it exceed the total assessable cost of the original extension.

When a customer connects to an existing sewer main installed at Utility expense within 20 years of the date of completion, there will be a contribution required of an amount equivalent to that which would have been assessed under Subsection A.

§ 280-11 Sewer main extensions for subdivisions.

Application for installation of sewer mains in regularly platted real estate development subdivisions shall be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer and shall set forth the following information:

Name of subdivision.

Legal description.

Map showing streets, lot and sizes of proposed mains and street laterals.

(4)

Date of approval of the subdivision plan by the Department of Administration.[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

(5)

Date of approval of proposed mains by the Department of Natural Resources.

(6)

Number of houses presently under construction.

Upon receipt of the application, the Sewer and Water Utility will prepare detailed estimates of the cost of extending sewer mains of the size deemed necessary in the subdivision and submit the same to the municipal governing body for approval of the extension. The applicant for sewer service to be supplied to a subdivision shall be required to advance to the Utility, prior to the beginning of the construction, the total estimated cost of the extension. If the final costs exceed estimated costs, an additional billing will be made for the balance of the cost due, with the balance to be paid within 30 days. If final costs are less than estimated, a refund of overpayment will be made by the Utility.

If the developer, or a contractor employed by the developer, is to install the sewer mains (with the approval of the Utility), the developer shall be responsible for the total cost of construction.

§ 280-12 Sewer rates. [1]

Current rates for sewer service are on file at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.

Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 280-13 Disposal of septage in municipal sewage system.

Definitions. The following definitions are applicable in this section:

LICENSED DISPOSER

A person holding a license under § 281.48(3)(a), Wis. Stats.

SEPTAGE

The scum, liquid, sludge or other waste from a septic tank, soil absorption field, holding tank or privy. This term does not include the waste from a grease trap.

Requirement to treat septage. A municipal sewage system shall accept and treat septage from a licensed disposer during the period of time commencing on November 15 and ending on April 15. The sewage system may, but is not required to, accept and treat septage at other times of the year.

Exceptions.

Notwithstanding Subsection B, the municipal sewage system is not required to accept septage from a licensed disposer if:

Treatment of the septage would cause the sewage system to exceed its operating design capacity or to violate any applicable effluent limitations or standards, water quality standards or any other legally applicable requirements, including court orders or state or federal statutes, rules, regulations or orders;

The septage is not compatible with the sewage system;

The licensed disposer has not applied for and received approval under Subsection E to dispose of septage in the sewage system or the licensed disposer fails to comply with the disposal plan; or

The licensed disposer fails to comply with disposal rules promulgated by the municipal sewage system.

The municipal sewage system shall accept that part of the total amount of septage offered for disposal which is not within the exceptions in Subsection C(1) above.

Priorities. If the municipal sewage system can accept some, but not all, of the septage offered for disposal, the municipal sewage system may accept septage which is generated within the sewage service area before accepting septage which is generated outside of the sewage service area.

Disposal plan.

Each year a licensed disposer may apply to the municipal sewage system, prior to September 1, for permission to dispose of septage in the sewage system.

The municipal sewage system may impose reasonable terms and conditions for septage disposal, including:

Specific quantities, locations, times and methods for discharge of septage into the sewage system.

Requirements to report the source and amount of septage placed in the sewage system.

Requirements to analyze septage characteristics under Subsection F.

Actual and equitable disposal fees based on the volume of septage introduced into the municipal sewage system and calculated at the rate applied to other users of the municipal sewage system, and including the costs of additional facilities or personnel necessary to accept septage at the point of introduction into the municipal sewage system.