Tehachapi Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

A. This chapter sets forth uniform requirements for direct and indirect contributors into the city wastewater collection and treatment systems and enables the city to protect its collection and treatment system and to comply with all state and federal laws.

B. The objectives of this chapter are:

1. To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the city wastewater system which will interfere with the operation of the system including the land disposal facilities; and

2. To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the city wastewater system which can pass through the system into receiving waters or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible with the system.

C. This chapter shall apply to all persons within the city and to persons outside the city who are, by contract or agreement, users of the city publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

D. The public works superintendent shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms, phrases and words as used in this chapter shall have the meanings following the itemization of such terms, phrases and words:

"Authorized representative of user" means an authorized representative of a user; a general partner, proprietor or owner who is responsible for the facilities from which the discharge originates.

"Publicly owned treatment works (POTW)" means the city wastewater collection, transmission, treatment and disposal facilities. This definition includes any sewers that convey wastewater to the treatment facility.

"Superintendent" means the public works superintendent of the city.

"User" means any person who contributes, causes or permits the contributions of wastewater to the city POTW.

"Wastewater" means all water-carried wastes and wastewater of the city, excluding industrial wastewater as defined in Section 8.36.020(B).

Additional Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter additional terms shall have the meaning indicated by the 1981 edition of "Glossary: Water and Wastewater Control Engineering" published jointly by: AWWA, APHA, ASCE and WPCF.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)

A. All connections to the city sewer system shall be properly designed and constructed in accordance with city standards.

B. A plan for the proposed construction shall be prepared and submitted to the city for approval. This plan must be approved by the city prior to issuance of a building permit.

C. Prior to placing the sewer connection into service, the connection shall be inspected by the superintendent. It is the user's responsibility to call City Hall and make arrangements for the inspection. Any deficiencies found during the inspection shall be corrected prior to placing the connection in service.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)

A. No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed directly or indirectly, any pollutant or wastewater which will interfere with the operation of the POTW.

B. A user may not contribute the following substances to the POTW:

1. Any liquids, solids or gases which by reasons of their nature or quantity are, or may be, sufficient either alone or by interaction with other substances to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in any other way to the POTW. Prohibited materials include but are not limited to: gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, percholrates, bromates, carbides, hydrides and sulfides and any other substances with the city has notified the user is a fire or explosion hazard or hazard to the POTW;

2. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in the POTW with no particle greater than three-eighths of an inch in any dimension;

3. Any ashes, cinders, pulp, sand, cement, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, asphalt, resins, plastics, woods, animal hair, paunch manure or any other solid or viscous substances capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference with the proper operations of the POTW;

4. Any water or waste containing grease as follows: floatable grease in excess of fifty milligrams per liter or dispersed in excess of fifty milligrams per liter or dispersed in excess of fifty milligrams per liter. Grease is an oil, fat or other ether soluble matter;

5. Any liquid or water having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit;

6. Any water or waste having a pH lower than 6 or higher than 9;

7. Any radioactive waste;

8. Any water or waste containing more than 0.5 milligrams per liter of dissolved sulfides;

9. Septic tank sludge or effluent;

10. Any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, or solids sufficient to create a public nuisance or hazard;

11. Any water or waste containing suspended solids or soluble solids of such character and quality that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials in the POTW;

12. Any waters or wastes containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard or create a hazard;

13. Any substance which will cause damage or imbalance of any portion of the treatment sludge disposal process;

14. Any substance which will cause the POTW to violate any state or federal disposal system conditions or receiving water quality standards;

15. Any pollutants including oxygen demanding pollutants (BOD, etc.) released at a flow rate and/or concentration which will cause interference to the POTW.

C. Prohibitions on Storm Drainage and Groundwater.

1. Stormwater, ground water, street drainage, subsurface drainage or yard drainage shall not be discharged directly or indirectly to the city's sewage facilities. The city may approve the temporary discharge of such water only when no alternate method of disposal is reasonably available.

2. If a temporary permit is granted for the discharge of such water into a tributary sewer, the user shall pay the applicable charges for use and fees, and shall meet such other conditions as required by the city.

D. Prohibition on Unpolluted Water.

1. Unpolluted water such as single pass cooling water or swimming pool waste water shall not be discharged through direct or indirect connection to a city sewer. The city may approve the discharge of such water only when no alternate method of disposal is reasonably available.

2. If a temporary permit is granted for the discharge of such water into a public sewer, the user shall pay the applicable charges for use and fees, and shall meet such other conditions as required by the city.

3. When the superintendent determines that a user may or is contributing to the POTW any of the above enumerated substances in such amounts as to interfere with the operation of the POTW the superintendent shall develop effluent limitations for such user to correct the interference with the POTW.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)

State requirements and limitations when adopted shall apply when they are more stringent than those in this chapter.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)

Each user shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited material or other substances regulated by this chapter. In the case of accidental discharge, it is the responsibility of the user to immediately telephone and notify the city of the incident. Failure to notify of an accidental discharge shall be cause to disconnect service.

(Ord. 93-04-614 § 1(part), 1993)