Bishop Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Sewer Regulations

No plumbers other than those duly licensed under the laws of the state shall be permitted to make connections with sewer lines of the city.

(Prior Code, § 15-5; Code 1985, § 13.12.010)

A. All cesspools, vaults or privies for the reception of human excrement or fecal matter, existing or being on any lot, piece or parcel of land within the city, in front of which there is a public sewer, are declared to be public nuisances.

B. Every owner or occupant of any lot, piece or parcel of land within the city, upon which such nuisance exists shall remove and abate the same and connect such premises and all water closets existing thereon to such public sewer in front thereof.

(Prior Code, § 16-2; Code 1985, § 13.12.020)

A. Prohibited substances. It is unlawful to permit or cause the flow of any of the following substances into the sanitary sewer system of the city:

1. Any grease, fatty material, offal or garbage;

2. Any stone, dust, sand, dirt, gravel, sawdust, metal filings, broken glass or other substance that may cause or create an obstruction in the sewer;

3. Gasoline, benzene, fuel oil or any petroleum products or volatile liquids;

4. Milk or any liquid milk waste products in quantities in excess of ten gallons during each 24-hour period;

5. Waste alcohol except as approved by city.

B. Chemicals. It is unlawful to cause or permit to flow into the sanitary sewer system any cyanide, phenols or any other chemical or substance which interferes with or prevents the functioning of the sewage treatment plant.

C. Grease interceptors required. All food establishments and other commercial or industrial facilities that discharge fats, oils, grease, or other materials that could obstruct or damage the sanitary sewer system must install and maintain a grease interceptor or similar device of sufficient size to meet manufacturer's specifications for their use. These devices must be installed and maintained at all times so as to prevent the materials described above from entering the sewer system. It is unlawful to discharge wastewater from such establishments into the sanitary sewer system without a working interceptor in place.

(Prior Code, § 16-5; Code 1985, § 13.12.030; Ord. No. 560, §§ 1.1—1.3, 11-26-2018; Ord. No. 596, § 2, 6-9-2025)

The following connections to the sewer system are prohibited:

A. Connections not approved by the city.

B. Connections not properly designed and constructed, including those not designed and constructed to city standards.

C. Connections carrying stormwater.

D. Connections allowing infiltration or inflow.

(Code 1985, § 13.12.040; Ord. No. 560, § 1.4, 11-26-2018)

Pursuant to Government Code § 53069.4, any violation of this chapter is subject to administrative citation and fine. Enforcement actions under this chapter shall be in addition to all other legal remedies available to the city to enforce its ordinances. Use of this chapter shall be at the sole discretion of the city. When the enforcement officer determines that a violation of a city ordinance has occurred, the enforcement officer shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation to the person violating the ordinance. In addition to any other remedy allowed, the city shall have the right to shut-off sewer and water service to a user not in compliance with this title.

(Code 1985, § 13.12.050; Ord. No. 560, § 1.5, 11-26-2018)