3.30 - Rules and Regulations Relating to Sanitary Sewer Service § 3.30
Section 3.30: Rules and Regulations Relating to
Sanitary Sewer Service
The following apply only to sanitary sewer service.
Subdivision 1. Metered Water Not Discharged
If a portion of the water furnished to any premises is consumed and not directly or
indirectly discharged into the sanitary sewer system, the consumer may request a
separate water meter for the portion of the water consumed and not discharged in
the sanitary sewer. There shall be no sanitary sewer charges associated with the
water meter account for water consumed but not discharged to the sanitary sewer
system.
Subdivision 2. Deleterious Substances
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services standards shall control disposal of
types of substances discharged.
Source: Ordinance No. 351, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 10-13-06
Subdivision 3. Unlawful Discharge
Except as otherwise expressly authorized in this subdivision, no water from any roof
surface, sump pump, footing tile or drains, swimming pool, any other natural
precipitation or groundwater, cooling water or industrial process shall be discharged
into the sanitary sewer system or infiltrate into the sanitary sewer system as a
result of defective plumbing or a defective lateral sewer service. Dwellings,
buildings and structures with sump pumps or footing tiles or drains shall have a
permanently installed discharge line which shall not at any time discharge water
into the sanitary sewer system, except as provided herein. A permanent installation
shall be one which provides for year-round discharge capability to either the outside
of the dwelling, building or structure, or is connected to a city storm sewer or
draintile. It shall consist of a rigid discharge line without valving or quick
connections for altering the path of discharge or a system otherwise approved by
the City Manager or his/her designee.
A. Any person, firm or corporation having a roof surface, ground water sump
pump, footing tile or drain, swimming pool, cooling water or unpolluted
industrial process water now connected and/or discharging into the sanitary
sewer system shall disconnect or remove the same. Any disconnects
openings, or defects in the sanitary sewer system shall be closed or repaired
in an effective, workmanlike manner with the proper permits and inspected
by a representative of the City. If a City draintile or storm sewer system is
available to the property these discharges may be connected to it. If a public
system is not utilized, these discharges must be accommodated on the
owner's property.
B. Any property owner or consumer applying for a plumbing permit (excluding
permits for water heaters), variance, minor subdivision or other action from
the City shall agree to an inspection of the structure's sump pump, footing or
foundation drain discharge for compliance with this code. All inspections and
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§ 3.30
inspection reports must include a date-stamped video record of the complete
lateral line from the property to sewer main. All inspections must be
performed and reports completed in accordance with City standards and
specifications. In lieu of having the City inspect the property, the owner may
furnish a certificate from a licensed plumber in a form acceptable to the City,
certifying that the inside of the property owner's home, or other building(s)
on the property, is (are) is in compliance with this Chapter, that the licensed
plumber completing the certification was the individual who performed the
inspection, that he or she is licensed to perform such inspections, and that
the videotape of the lateral line is accurate. The date-stamped video record
shall be submitted to the City and reviewed and approved by the City for
assessment of compliance with this section of the Code. Requested actions
shall not be forwarded to City boards or commissions or the City Council for
review until the discharges are in full compliance with this section of City
Code.
C. Every person owning real estate to which sanitary sewer service is provided
shall allow the City or a designated representative of the City to inspect the
buildings, if any, to confirm there is no sump pump or other prohibited
discharge into the sanitary sewer system. In lieu of having the City inspect
such property, the owner may no later than thirty (30) days after mailed
written notice from the City that the property is subject to inspection, furnish
a certificate from a licensed plumber in a form acceptable to the City,
certifying that the property is in compliance with this Chapter. All inspections
and inspection reports must include a date-stamped video record of the
complete lateral line from the property to the sewer main. All inspections
must be performed and reports completed in accordance with City standards
and specifications. In lieu of having the City inspect the property, the owner
may furnish a certificate from a licensed plumber in a form acceptable to the
City, certifying that the inside of the property owner's home is in compliance
with this Chapter, that the licensed plumber completing the certification was
the individual who performed the inspection, that he or she is licensed to
perform such inspections, and that the video record of the lateral line is
accurate. The date-stamped video record shall be submitted to the City and
reviewed and approved by the City for assessment of compliance with this
section of the Code. The City may inspect or re-inspect any buildings to
confirm there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharge into the
sanitary sewer system with a valid warrant.
Source: Ordinance No. 405, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 08-29-08
D. All new structures with sumps for which a building permit is issued shall be
plumbed to the outside of the dwelling, and connected to a City draintile or
storm sewer system, if available, before a certificate of occupancy is issued
except that upon City approval discharge may be made to privately or
publicly-owned infiltration basins. A maintenance agreement with the City is
required for any such basin in the right-of-way.
Source: Ordinance No. 354, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 12-15-06
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§ 3.30
E. Any property with a sump pump found not in compliance with this Code but
subsequently verified as compliant shall be subject to an annual re-inspection
to confirm continued compliance. If that property is found not to be in
compliance upon re-inspection, or any person refusing to allow their property
to be re-inspected within thirty (30) days after receipt of mailed written
notice from the City, or failing to furnish a certificate certifying compliance
with this Chapter from a licensed plumber in a form acceptable to the City as
described in subdivision 3, sections (B) and (C), that property shall be
subject to a nonrefundable surcharge of five hundred ($500) dollars per
month, to be imposed on each sewer bill thereafter to that property until the
noncompliance or refusal to allow entry is corrected. All properties found
during any re-inspection to have violated this section shall be subject to a
nonrefundable monthly surcharge that is double the previously charged
surcharge. The nonrefundable surcharge for all properties which are not
single family residential shall be one thousand ($1,000) dollars per month.
F. In the event a foundation drain is connected to the sanitary sewer service it
shall not only be disconnected but the property owner shall install a sump
basket and pump properly discharged outside the structure to provide
adequate drainage from the foundation drain system.
Source: Ordinance No. 405, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 08-29-08
Subdivision 4. Winter Discharge
The City Manager or his/her designee is authorized to permit a property owner to
discharge clear water into the sanitary sewer system. Prior to issuance of the
permit the City Manager or his/her designee must verify that the criteria to issue
the permit have been satisfied. The fee for this permit shall be in an amount to be
fixed by the Council and adopted by ordinance. The permit shall authorize such
discharge only from November 15 to March 15, shall require the owner to permit an
inspection of the property on March 16 or as soon thereafter as possible to
determine that discharge into the sanitary sewer has been discontinued and shall
subject the owner to a five hundred ($500) dollar monthly non-refundable
surcharge in the event the owner refuses an inspection or has failed to discontinue
the discharge into the sanitary sewer. The non-refundable charge will commence
with the April water billing and continue until the property owner establishes
compliance with this section. A property owner is required to meet at least one (1)
of the following criteria in order to obtain a permit:
A. The freezing of the discharge from the sump pump, footing or foundation
drain is causing a dangerous condition, such as ice buildup or flooding, on
either public or private property.
B. The property owner has demonstrated that there is a danger that the sump
pump, footing or foundation drain pipes will freeze up and result in either
failure or damage to the sump pump unit or the footing or foundation drain
and cause basement flooding.
C. The water being discharged from the sump pump, footing or foundation drain
cannot be readily discharged into a city draintile or storm sewer system or
other acceptable drainage system.
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§ 3.30
Following ten (10) days written notice and an opportunity to be heard, the City
Manager or his/her designee may require the owners of the property to discharge
their sump pump or footing or foundation drain into the sanitary sewer from
November 15 to March 15 if the discharge is causing an icy condition on streets.
Subdivision 5. Separate Connections
A separate sewer service connection shall be provided for each building, except
where one (1) building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no such
separate connection is available, provided that more than one (1) service may be
connected to the sewer system through one (1) connection where a manhole is
provided and the City has specifically approved the arrangement.
Source: Ordinance No. 351, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 10-13-06
Subdivision 6. Materials
Where any pipe or other material is found in repairing a sewer service which does
not then meet the requirements of the State Building Code or current City
standards and specifications, the repaired or replaced portion of the sewer service
pipe shall comply with current City standards and codes and shall be removed and
replaced at the expense of the consumer.
Source: Ordinance No. 354, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 12-15-06
Subdivision 7. Elevation
Wherever possible, the sewer service shall be brought to the building to be served
at an elevation below the floor of the lowest level in the building. No such service
shall be laid parallel to or within three (3) feet of any bearing wall. The depth shall
be sufficient to afford protection from frost. To the extent possible, the sewer
service shall be laid at uniform grade and in straight alignment. If the service is too
low to afford gravity flow, an appropriate device shall be installed for lifting sewage
to the service.
Subdivision 8. Connections
Wherever possible, the sewer service shall be connected to the wye provided or the
stub at the lot line. If such connection cannot be used, the main may be tapped
upon the approval of the City and at the expense of the owner. All connections
must be constructed in accordance with the current City standards, be
appropriately permitted, and be inspected by the City.
Subdivision 9. Ownership of Sewer Service Lateral
The property owner shall own and be responsible for the maintenance of the
sanitary sewer service lateral between the sanitary sewer main within the street
and the building being served, including the connection to the main.
Subdivision 10. Unmetered Water Supply
The discharge of sewage into the sewer system from water sources other than the
City's water supply is prohibited without a permit from the City and shall include
metering of the water supply or discharge. The metered supply or discharge must
use meters purchased from the City.
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§ 3.30
Subdivision 11. Additional Rules and Regulations
The Council may, by resolution, adopt such additional rules and regulations relating
to placement, size and type of equipment as it, in its discretion, deems necessary
or desirable. Copies of such additional rules and regulations shall be kept on file in
the office of the City Manager or his/her designee, and uniformly enforced.
Source: Ordinance No. 351, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 10-13-06
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