7-2-10: USER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SERVICE LINES:

   A.   Installation: The owner of any property connecting to the City sewer system is responsible for the installation, expense and risk associated with the construction and operation of the private service line. The private service line extends from the City owned sewer main line to and through the service line limits. The owner is also responsible for the installation, expense and risk of all other wastewater pipes, machinery, plumbing fixtures and apparatus within the property, which may be required for collecting, treating and discharging wastewater from the premises.

      1.   All work in the public right of way is to be done by a public works licensed contractor.

      2.   The homeowner must secure a right of way permit from the City before any work in the public right of way.

   B.   Maintenance:

      1.   The owner shall be responsible, at owner’s expense, for:

         a.   The cleaning, unstopping, maintenance and repair of the private service line, and shall keep the service line, as well as all pipes, fixtures, appliances and apparatus on the property, watertight and in good working order to prevent discharge of combined wastewater or prohibited substances into the public sewer;

         b.   The replacement of any portion of the private service line which, in the opinion of the City Engineer, has become so damaged or disintegrated as to be unfit for further use, or is in such condition as to permit infiltration into the wastewater system or exfiltration of wastewater into the surrounding soil; and

         c.   The cleaning, unstopping and maintenance of the private service line to remove rocks, roots and debris that originated from private property and settled into the private service line or the City sewer main line.

      2.   All repairs shall be completed within thirty (30) days after the need for repair is known or written notification from the City. If the owner fails or refuses to complete repairs required by the department, the department may cause the repairs to be completed and charge the owner for the costs of such repairs. If the costs of the repairs are not paid by the owner they may be treated as any other delinquent service fees owed to the City.

   C.   Liability: The City is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by negligence or want of care on the part of the owner, or the contractor of the owner, in installing, maintaining, using or operating private service lines, wastewater pipes, fixtures, appliances and apparatus. The owner shall hold the City harmless from any loss or damage that may be directly, or indirectly, occasioned by the installation or malfunction of any private service line or private appurtenances.

   D.   Compliance: All users shall comply with the limitations and prohibitions placed on the discharge of wastewater from their premises by standards set by, or incorporated by reference in, this chapter, as well as all other requirements of this chapter. No user shall make, or permit another person to make, a connection to such user’s private service line which would allow the discharge of wastewater from property not otherwise served by the City sewer system.

   E.   Inspections and Authority: The City may inspect the equipment and facilities of any users at any reasonable time to ascertain compliance with applicable ordinances, rules and regulations. Persons or occupants of premises where wastewater is created or discharged shall allow department personnel ready access to the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling, records examination and copying, and performance of their duties. The department shall have the right to set upon the user’s property such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling, inspection, compliance monitoring and/or metering operations. Where a user has security measures in force which would require proper identification and clearance before entry into its premises, the user shall make the necessary arrangements with the security guards so that, upon presentation of suitable identification, department personnel will be permitted to enter without delay for the purposes of performing their specific responsibilities. While performing the necessary work on private property, department personnel shall observe all security and safety rules applicable to the premises, as established by the user.

   F.   Refusal To Admit: If a duly authorized representative of the City is refused admission to a user’s premises, the department may discontinue sewer service to the premises until the department has been afforded reasonable access to the premises and private sewer system, so as to accomplish the inspection or sampling.

(Ord. 658, 11-3-2021)