Fullerton Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 Sewer Connections

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

LATERAL SEWER. A connecting line between the main sewer and any property lying adjacent to or abutting said main sewer.

MAIN SEWER. All sewer and appurtenances thereto, in the city located and constructed in and along the streets, alleys, easements and public rights-of-way.

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

(A) All persons owning property within the city with any building which lies within 200 feet of a sewer main and which has access to the sewer main shall connect all toilets, sinks, lavatories and other appliances on the property, with the city sewer system. The costs of installing lateral sewers and connecting to the city sewer system shall be borne by the property owner or developer. Connections shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations established by the city. Properties on which all buildings are farther than 200 feet from a sewer main shall either comply with the requirements of the City Building Code regarding sewage disposal or shall be connected to a city sewer main. The 200-foot limit shall not apply to subdivisions by tract or parcel map.

(B) The City Engineer may approve exceptions to this requirement where grades or other physical features make it unreasonable to comply with this section.

(Ord. 1933, passed - -1973; Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

Cross-reference:

State Building Code adopted, see § 14.03.010

(A) A lateral sewer from its connection to a building on the property to its point of connection with the main sewer shall remain the responsibility of the property owner or user with regard to maintenance, repair and upkeep.

(B) The city may perform maintenance, repair and upkeep of that portion of a lateral sewer located within the public right-of-way in a given situation if the Director of Public Works determines that to do so would mitigate city liability or constitute an acceptable level of service.

(Ord. 1933, passed - -1973; Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

Any person wishing to construct or reconstruct a lateral sewer service or to make connection to the public sewer system within the public streets, alleys, easements and public rights-of-way of the city shall obtain a public works permit and conform to construction standards as set forth in Title 16 of this code. All new connections shall be tested for infiltration per the standards set forth in the latest edition of the Standard Specifications for Public Works Contracts (Green Book).

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

(A) Every building in which plumbing fixtures are installed must be separately and independently connected with the main sewer, as defined in this chapter. Exceptions may be approved by the City Engineer where several buildings, such as condominiums, connect to a privately maintained sewer line which is connected to the city sewer system; or where there are multiple buildings on the same lot belonging to the same owner, a separate sewer connection need not be made with the main sewer for each building.

(B) Any approved privately maintained sewer or a lateral, serving multiple buildings other than on an R-1 lot, shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter and a manhole shall be provided at the junction with the main sewer, except in special situations as approved by the City Engineer.

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

All new main sewer construction or reconstruction shall be a minimum of eight inches in diameter. Smaller diameter lines may be allowed in special situations as approved by the City Engineer.

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

(A) No person shall throw or deposit any material or liquid into any vessel or receptacle directly or indirectly connected to a public sewer that is not in conformance with current County Sanitation District regulations. This shall include, but not be limited to, storm drain discharge, groundwater discharge, toxic or malodorous gases or materials.

(B) No person shall introduce into the sewer system a quantity of fats, oils or grease that would cause or contribute to a blockage of any lateral, collector or main line, in accordance with the city’s fats, oils and grease control program. Each person who discharges wastewater to the sewer system shall take all practicable steps to prevent the accidental or intentional introduction of such materials into the sewer system.

(C) The city shall enforce the general and specific prohibitions of the national pretreatment program under 40 C.F.R. § 403.5, as they pertain to the city’s status as a collector system for the County Sanitation District. No person shall therefore introduce any of the following into the city’s sewer system:

(1) Pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the sewer collection system or the publicly owned treatment works (POTW), including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140°F or 60°C using the test methods specified in 40 C.F.R. § 261.21;

(2) Pollutants which will cause corrosive structural damage to the sewer collection pipes and structures, but in no case discharges with pH lower than 5.0, unless the work is specifically designed to accommodate such discharges;

(3) Solid or viscous pollutants in amounts which will cause obstruction to the flow in the sewer collection system or the POTW resulting in interference;

(4) Any pollutant, including oxygen demanding pollutants (BOD and the like) released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause interference with the POTW;

(5) Heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature at the POTW treatment plant exceeds 40°C (104°F) unless the approval authority, upon request of the POTW, approves alternate temperature limits;

(6) Petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral oil in amounts that will cause interference or passthrough;

(7) Pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the sewer collection system or the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems; and

(8) Any trucked or hauled pollutants.

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

All sewer mains, laterals, manholes and other appurtenances shall be designed, constructed and inspected in accordance with Title 16 of this code; the City of Fullerton standard drawings; the latest edition of the Standard Specifications for Public Works Contracts (Green Book) or as approved by the City Engineer.

(Ord. 2735, passed - -1990; Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months in the County Jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Attorney shall have the discretion to charge a violation as an infraction in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.08 of this code. The city shall also have the discretion to issue an administrative citation for violations of this chapter pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 1.10 of this code.

(Ord. 3050, passed - -2004)