Point Arena Municipal Code Art. IV Sewerage Construction and Sewer Use

No person contracting to do work for the user shall construct or cause to be constructed, or alter or cause to be altered, any public sewer, lateral sewer, house or industrial connection, or other sewerage facility within the city where existing or proposed wastewater flows will discharge directly or indirectly to facilities of the city without first obtaining approval of sewerage construction plans from the city council.

(Ord. 143 § 4.01, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.01, 1996.)

Plans for sewerage construction and connection shall meet the design requirements of the city standard specifications.

(Ord. 143 § 4.02, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.02, 1996.)

(1) In general, separate premises shall be served by separate side sewers. Multiple dwelling units in the same structure may be served by a single side sewer; however, separate multiple dwelling structures shall be served separately. Adjacent commercial and industrial structures located on a single parcel of land and served under a single account may be served by a single side sewer. Upon the subsequent subdivision and sale of a portion of said parcel the portion not directly connected to such public sewer shall be separately connected to a public sewer, and it shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant thereof to continue to use or maintain such indirect connection.

(2) The applicant for side sewer or lateral sewer permit shall pay all charges for construction.

(Ord. 143 § 4.03, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.03, 1996.)

Maximum infiltration/exfiltration rates for new sewers will not exceed Uniform Plumbing Code and city standard specifications.

(Ord. 143 § 4.04, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.04, 1996.)

(1) All sewers to be attached directly to the city system shall be inspected by an authorized city representative during construction.

(2) No wastewater shall be discharged into any sewerage facility tributary to a city facility prior to obtaining inspection and approval of sewerage construction by a person authorized by the city.

(3) Following satisfactory completion of construction, the person authorized by the city will complete the inspection forms and authorize sewer service to the applicant.

(Ord. 143 § 4.05, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.05, 1996.)

Old side sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, upon examination and test, to meet all requirements of the city.

(Ord. 143 § 4.06, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.06, 1996.)

Cleanouts in building sewers shall be provided in accordance with the city standard specifications. All cleanouts shall be maintained watertight. In locations that the commissioner and plant supervisor may designate, an approved pressure relief connection and/or backflow preventer shall be installed on each building sewer.

(Ord. 143 § 4.07, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.07, 1996.)

In all buildings in which any building sewer is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building sewer shall be lifted by artificial means approved by the commissioner and plant supervisor and discharged to the public sewer at the expense of the owner. The pumping system shall comply with the requirements of the city standards specifications.

(Ord. 143 § 4.08, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.08, 1996.)

The connection of the lateral sewer into the public sewer shall be made in accordance with the city standard specifications and at the applicant's expense. The connection to the public sewer shall be made by the city and/or its designee, at applicant's expense.

(Ord. 143 § 4.09, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.09, 1996.)

All building sewers and lateral sewers shall be tested in accordance with the city standard specifications.

(Ord. 143 § 4.10, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.10, 1996.)

(1) Building sewers and all other sewerage facilities located on private property shall be maintained by the owner of the property served thereby.

(2) Lateral sewers will be maintained by the city if all of the following conditions are met: (a) the lateral has been constructed after October 27, 1981, and in accordance with all applicable city requirements has been inspected and approved by the city; (b) there is an approved cleanout located within five feet of the property boundary, and the cleanout is accessible; and (c) normal maintenance work can be conducted without moving or damaging private property. Where these conditions do not exist, as determined by the commissioner and plant supervisor, lateral sewers shall be maintained by the owner of the property served thereby. In no event will the city be liable for damage or inconvenience resulting from stoppage or other malfunction of a side sewer, including stoppage or other malfunction caused by action or inaction of city personnel. Maintenance by the city shall not include replacement of materials, or labor to replace materials, for any portion of a side sewer, including the lateral sewer. Such maintenance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property served thereby.

(3) To reduce the amount of infiltration into the city of Point Arena wastewater system from privately owned building sewer or side sewer lines (see Section 13.05.030(36) for these definitions), inspection and possible replacement of these lines on the affected property will be required when one of the following occurs:

(a) Upon sale of property located within the city limits. The inspection will occur within 10 days after close of escrow;

(b) When a coastal development, conditional use, variance, LCP Amendment, subdivision, planned residential development, or comprehensive development permit is issued by the city;

(c) When the city replaces or undertakes major repairs on a sewer mainline with direct connections to privately owned side sewers.

(Ord. 143 § 4.11, 1991; Ord. 160 § 4.11, 1996; Ord. 202 § 1, 2007.)