Perris Municipal Code Ch. 14.40 Enforcement; Damages

If a connection a sewerage system of the city is used to discharge materials prohibited by chapters 14.12 through 14.40, the city manager may order the property disconnected from the sewer or the water supply to the property disconnected, or both. He may excavate and sever the service lateral to disconnect the property. Upon the property owner taking steps to prevent a recurrence of the illegal discharge, the property may be reconnected. Before such reconnection is made, owner shall reimburse the city for the expenses of disconnection and any damages for the illegal discharge, plus 20 percent for administration.

(Code 1972, § 14.40.010; Ord. No. 352, § 801, 1970)

(a) If the city manager finds that a person has discharged liquid or solid wastes into the sewerage system of the city in violation of chapters 14.12 through 14.40 and that the discharge caused harm to the sewerage system of the city or caused abnormal operating costs or diminished the efficiency of the treatment process, the city manager shall estimate the value of the harm done and include that sum on that person's next regular sewer service billing. The items that the city manager shall consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Cost of repairs to the sewerage system;

(2) Depreciation of the system due to damage not repaired;

(3) Extra operating costs;

(4) Value of loss of sewage treatment plant operating efficiency, based upon the city's normal operating costs and the extent to which the performance of the plant was reduced below normal as a result of the improper discharge to the sewer; and

(5) Any costs to the city due to its liability for discharging the improper effluent.

(b) To the sum of these and any other proper items, 20 percent shall be added as administrative costs. The amount so charged is intended to compensate the city for the improper use of the sewer and shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any fines or other penalties for violation of chapters 14.12 through 14.40.

(Code 1972, § 14.40.020; Ord. No. 352, § 802, 1970)

No person may, without written permission of the city manager, cut or open or break a sewer or manhole or other part of a sewerage system of the city or make an illegal connection thereto.

(Code 1972, § 14.40.030; Ord. No. 352, § 803, 1970)

If ambiguity arises concerning the application of or the meaning and intent of chapters 14.12 through 14.40, the city manager shall ascertain pertinent facts concerning the matter and set forth in a written opinion his findings and the application and interpretation. The opinion shall be forwarded to the city clerk for filing as an administrative interpretation of chapters 14.12 through 14.40. Thereafter the administrative interpretation shall govern the matter until and unless changed by subsequent administrative interpretation or by action of the city council.

(Code 1972, § 14.40.040; Ord. No. 352, § 806, 1970)