THE MEADVILLE AREA SEWER AUTHORITY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Transcription

1 THE MEADVILLE AREA SEWER AUTHORITY RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED February 17, 2004 Revised January, 2005 Revised Edition

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.01 Specific Purpose and Policy Administration Abbreviations and Definitions Public Records Policy...12, Regulation of Public Meetings...13, 14 SECTION 2 -SEWER USE REQUIREMENTS 2.01 Mandatory Connection Limitations on Discharge Storm Water Runoff Prohibited in Sanitary Sewers Accidental Discharge/Slug Control Plans...15, Pretreatment Ordinance Sewer Line Plugging and Capping Maintenance of Lateral Policy Hauled Waste Water...19, Grease Limitations Vandalism/Tampering Smoke Testing/Dye Testing/Other Non-Invasive Testing...21 SECTION 3 - SEWER CONNECTIONS AND EXPANSION 3.01 Sewer Service Connection Requirements Tapping Fee Sewer Connection Permit Developer's Guidelines Preamble Schedule of Required Events and Submissions Material and Construction Standards Pump Station Construction Standards Developer's Agreement i-

3 SECTION 4 - SEWER USE CHARGES 4.01 Sewer Use Charge Imposed Payment Schedule; Late Penalty Delinquent Account Procedure...35, Exceptional Billing Circumstances...36, Filling of Swimming Pools...37, Assessment of Attorney's Fees to Delinquent Accounts Sewer Service Charges for Non-Contact Cooling Water Process SECTION 5 - ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES 5.01 Right of Entry: Inspection and Sampling Search Warrants Administrative Enforcement Remedies Judicial Enforcement Remedies ii-

4 MEADVILLE AREA SEWER AUTHORITY RULES AND REGULATIONS SECTION 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.01 Specific Purpose and Policy These Rules and Regulations set forth uniform requirements for users of the Publicly Owned Sewage Treatment Works ("POTW") for the Meadville Area Sewer Authority (the Authority ) and enables the Authority to comply with all applicable State and Federal laws, regulations, and permits, including without limitation, the Federal Clean Water Act (33 United States Code 1251 et seq.), the USEPA General Pretreatment Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 403), the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law (35 P.S et seq.), the PADEP Standards for Dischargers of Industrial Wastes to POTWs (25 Pa. Code et seq.), and the Authority's NPDES Permit No. PA The objectives of these Rules and Regulations are: A. To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the POTW that will interfere with its operation; B. To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the POTW that will pass through the POTW, inadequately treated, into receiving waters, or otherwise be incompatible with the POTW; C. To protect both POTW personnel who may be affected by wastewater and sludge in the course of their employment and the general public; D. To promote reuse and recycling of wastewater and sludge from the POTW; E. To provide for charges for the implementation of the Authority's pretreatment program relating to the POTW; and F. To enable the Authority to comply with its NPDES Permit No. PA conditions, sludge use and disposal requirements, and any other Federal or State laws and/or regulations to which the POTW is subject. -3-

5 These Rules and Regulations shall apply to all users of the POTW. The Rules and Regulations authorize the issuance of wastewater discharge permits; provides for monitoring, compliance, and enforcement activities; establishes administrative review procedures; provides for sewer user reporting; and provides for the setting of all applicable charges and fees Administration Except as otherwise provided herein, the Authority shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of these Rules and Regulations, in accordance with the purposes, policies, and objectives as set forth herein. Any powers granted to the Authority may be delegated, as the Authority deems desirable Abbreviations and Definitions The following abbreviations, when used in these Rules and Regulations, shall have the designated meanings: $ BOD -Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5-day) $ CFR -Code of Federal Regulations $ City -City of Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania $ COD -Chemical Oxygen Demand $ DEP or PADEP -Pa. Department of Environmental Protection $ EPA or USEPA -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $ gpd -gallons per day $ mg/l -milligrams per liter $ NPDES -National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System $ POTW -Publicly Owned Treatment Works $ RCRA -Resource Conservation and Recovery Act $ NAICS The North American Industry Classifications System has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System. -4-

6 $ TSS -Total Suspended Solids $ U.S.C. -United States Code Unless a provision explicitly states otherwise, the following terms and phrases, as used in these Rules and Regulations, shall have the meanings hereinafter designated. A. Act or "the Act". The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. ' 1251 et seq. B. Authority The Meadville Area Sewer Authority, its employees, board members, representatives, or designees. C. Authorized Representative of the User. (1) If the user is a corporation: (a) (b) The president, secretary, treasurer, or a vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation; or The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operation facilities employing more than two hundred fifty (250) persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding twenty-five (25) million dollars, if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures. (2) If the user is a partnership or sole proprietorship: a general partner or proprietor, respectively. (3) If the user is a Federal, State, or local governmental facility: a director or highest official appointed or designated to oversee the operation and performance of the activities of the government facility, or their designee. (4) The individuals described in subsections (1) through (3), above, may designate another authorized representative if the authorization is in writing, the authorization specifies the individual or position responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge originates or having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company, and the written authorization is submitted to the Authority. -5-

7 D. Biochemical Oxygen Demand or BOD. The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedures for five (5) days at 20 degrees centigrade, usually expressed as a concentration (e.g., mg/l). It shall be determined by one of the methods acceptable to USEPA and PADEP as specified in 40 CFR Part 136 or otherwise, if no such method is specified by the foregoing, by one of the acceptable methods described in the latest approved edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage, published by the American Public Health Association. E. Categorical Pretreatment Standard or Categorical Standard. Any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by EPA in accordance with Sections 307(b) and (c) of the Act (33 U.S.C. ' 1317) which apply to a specific category of users and which appear in 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N. F. City. The City of Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. G. Combined Sewer. A sewer designed to receive both sewage and storm water runoff. H. Coordinator or Pretreatment Coordinator. The person designated by the Authority to supervise the pretreatment program for the POTW, and who is charged with certain powers, duties and responsibilities by this ordinance, or a duly authorized representative thereof. I. Department of Environmental Protection or DEP or PADEP. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or, where appropriate, the Regional Water Quality Program Manager, or other duly authorized official of such department. J. Domestic User. An owner of a single family dwelling, flat, duplex, or multi-unit dwelling of four units or less. K. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA or USEPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or, where appropriate, the Regional Water Protection Division Director, or other duly authorized official of such agency. L. Existing Source. Any source of discharge, the construction or operation of which commenced prior to the publication by EPA of proposed categorical pretreatment standards, which will be applicable to such source if the standard is thereafter promulgated in accordance with Section 307 of the Act. -6-

8 M. Garbage. Solid wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food and from the handling, storage and sale of produce. N. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. ( O. Grab Sample. A sample which is taken from a wastestream without regard to the flow in the wastestream and over a period of time not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes or as reasonably determined by the Coordinator. P. Indirect Discharge or Discharge. The introduction of pollutants into the POTW from any nondomestic source regulated under Section 307(b), (c), or (d) of the Act. Q. Industrial Wastes. Any liquid, gaseous or water-borne wastes from industrial processes or commercial establishments, as distinct from sanitary sewage. R. Instantaneous Maximum Allowable Discharge Limit. The maximum concentration or mass loading limit of a pollutant allowed to be discharged at any time, determined from the analysis of any discrete or composited sample collected, independent of the industrial flow rate and the duration of the sampling event. S. Interference. A discharge, which alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its treatment processes or operations or its sludge processes, use or disposal; and therefore, is a cause of a violation of the Authority's NPDES permit, of the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act, or the regulations applicable to any of the foregoing, or of the prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with any of the following statutory/regulatory provisions or permits issued thereunder, or any more stringent State or local regulations: Section 405 of the Act; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, including Title II commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); any State regulations contained in any State sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; the Clean Air Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act; and the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. T. Mass Loading Limit or Mass Limitation. The pounds per day (or other specified interval) of a particular pollutant allowed to be discharged to the POTW at any time. -7-

9 U. Medical Waste. Isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood products, pathological wastes, sharps, body parts, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes, potentially contaminated laboratory wastes, and dialysis wastes. V. New Source. (1) Any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is (or may be) a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced after the publication of proposed pretreatment standards under Section 307(c) of the Act which will be applicable to such source if such standards are thereafter promulgated in accordance with that section, provided that: (a) (b) (c) The building, structure, facility, or installation is constructed at a site at which no other source is located; or The building, structure, facility, or installation totally replaces the process or production equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants at an existing source; or The production or wastewater generating processes of the building, structure, facility, or installation are substantially independent of an existing source at the same site. In determining whether these are substantially independent, factors such as the extent to which the new facility is integrated with the existing plant, and the extent to which the new facility is engaged in the same general type of activity as the existing source, should be considered. (2) Construction on a site at which an existing source is located results in a modification rather than a new source if the construction does not create a new building, structure, facility, or installation meeting the criteria of subsection (1) (b) or (c) above but otherwise alters, replaces, or adds to existing process or production equipment. (3) Construction of a new source as defined under this paragraph has commenced if the owner or operator has: (a) Begun, or caused to begin, as part of a continuous onsite construction program: (i) any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment; or -8-

10 (ii) significant site preparation work including clearing, excavation, or removal of existing buildings, structures, or facilities which is necessary for the placement, assembly, or installation of new source facilities or equipment; or (b) Entered into a binding contractual obligation for the purchase of facilities or equipment which are intended to be used in its operation within a reasonable time. Options to purchase or contracts which can be terminated or modified without substantial loss, and contracts for feasibility, engineering, and design studies do not constitute a contractual obligation under this paragraph. W. Noncontact Cooling Water. Water used for cooling which does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, or finished product. X. Nondomestic User. Any user other than a domestic user. Y. Occupied Building. Any structure erected and intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals, and from which structure sanitary sewage and industrial wastes, or either thereof, are or may be discharged. Z. Pass Through. A discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the United States in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is a cause of a violation of any requirement of the Authority's NPDES permit, including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation. AA. BB. CC. Person. Any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, estate, governmental entity, or any other legal entity; or their legal representatives, agents, or assigns. This definition includes all Federal, State, and local governmental entities. ph. A measure of the intensity of the basic or acidic condition of a solution, expressed in standard units. Pollutant. Dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, medical wastes, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, municipal, agricultural and industrial wastes, and certain -9-

11 characteristics of wastewater (e.g., ph, temperature, TSS, turbidity, BOD, COD, toxicity, or odor). DD. Pretreatment. The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater prior to, or in lieu of, introducing such pollutants into the POTW. This reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical, or biological processes; by process changes; or by other means, except by diluting the concentration of the pollutants unless allowed by an applicable pretreatment standard. EE. FF. GG. Pretreatment Requirements. Any substantive or procedural requirement related to pretreatment imposed on a user, other than a pretreatment standard. Pretreatment Standards or Standards. Pretreatment standards shall mean prohibited discharge standards, categorical pretreatment standards, and local limits. Prohibited Discharge Standards or Prohibited Discharges. Absolute prohibitions against the discharge of certain substances as set forth herein HH. II. JJ. KK. Properly Shredded Garbage. The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that has been shredded to such degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than one-half inch in any dimension. Publicly Owned Treatment Works or POTW. A "treatment works," as defined by Section 212 of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1292) which is owned and/or operated by the Authority. This definition includes any devices or systems used in the collection, storage, treatment, recycling, and reclamation of sewage, sanitary sewage, or industrial wastes of a liquid nature and any conveyances which convey wastewater to a treatment plant, including without limitation public pipelines and pump stations. Sanitary Sewage. The normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, industries and commercial establishments, exclusive of storm water runoff, surface water or ground water. Sanitary Sewer. A sewer which carries sewage, and to which storm, surface and ground waters are not intentionally admitted. -10-

12 LL. Septic Tank Waste. Any sewage from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets, campers, trailers, and septic tanks. MM. Sewage. Human excrement and gray water (household showers, dishwashing operations, etc.). NN. OO. Sewer. A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage or other waste liquids. Sewer Director or Director. The person designated by the Authority is charged with certain powers, duties and responsibilities by applicable law, by the Authority and under these Rules and Regulations, or a duly authorized representative thereof. PP. Significant Industrial User. (1) A user subject to categorical pretreatment standards; or (2) A user that: (a) Discharges an average of twenty-five thousand (25,000) gpd or more of process wastewater to the POTW (excluding sanitary, noncontact cooling, and boiler blowdown wastewater); (b) (c) Contributes a process wastestream which makes up five (5) percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the POTW treatment plant; or Is designated as such by the Authority on the basis that it has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement. (3) Upon a finding that a user meeting the criteria in subsection (2) above has no reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement, the Authority may at any time, on its own initiative or in response to a petition received from a user, and in accordance with the procedures in 40 CFR 403.8(f)(6), determine that such user should not be considered a significant industrial user. QQ. Slug Load or Slug. Any discharge of a non-routine episodic nature, or at a flow rate or concentration which could cause a violation of the prohibited discharge standards in Section 2.1 of this ordinance. -11-

13 RR. SS. TT. UU. VV. Storm Sewer. A sewer which is intended to carry storm water runoff, surface water, ground water drainage, etc., but which is not intended to carry any sanitary sewage or polluted industrial waste. Storm Water. Any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation, and resulting from such precipitation, including snowmelt. Suspended Solids. The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in, water, wastewater, or other liquid, and which is removable by laboratory filtering. It shall be determined by one of the methods acceptable to USEPA and PADEP as specified in 40 CFR Part 136 or otherwise, if no such method is specified by the foregoing, by one of the acceptable methods described in the latest approved edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage, published by the American Public Health Association. User. Any user of or discharger to Authority POTW. Wastewater. Liquid and water-carried industrial wastes and sewage from residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which are contributed to the POTW. WW. Wastewater Treatment Plant or Treatment Plant. Those portions of the POTW that are designed to provide treatment of municipal sewage and industrial waste Public Records Policy The Authority is an agency subject to Public Law 390, No. 212 of June 21, 1957 and its subsequent amendment by Public Law 2100 of 2001, commonly referred to as the Right-To- Know Law. Public records, as defined by the law, are available for examination and inspection by any citizen of the Commonwealth, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the policies of the Authority. Public records shall be available during the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and 12:30 p.m. until 3:00, Monday through Friday, except holidays. You may make a request in person during the above hours at: Wastewater Treatment Plant Room Park Avenue, Meadville, PA -12-

14 You may make a request by telephone during the above hours at (814) , x. 4. Written requests are to be submitted by mail to: Meadville Area Sewer Authority 1320 Park Avenue Meadville, PA You may make a request via fax to (814) The request should identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the Authority to ascertain which records are being requested. Duplication fees shall be according to the schedule on file at the Authority office: Electronic transfer by (when available) shall be by a per file rate. Document certification fee will be at a rate on file at the Authority office. All requests for public records are subject to the provisions of the above-mentioned Act and will be processed according to the provisions of the Act. *Resolution No. 6 of 2000 adopted December 19, Regulation of Public Meetings Section 1. Meeting Agenda. All regular and special meetings of the Authority may be conducted according to the following order of business: a. Call to Order and Roll Call b. Approval of minutes of the previous meeting c. Public Comment d. Communications e. Operator s Report f. Financial Report g. Engineer s Report h. Solicitor s Report i. Old Business j. New Business k. Adjournment -13-

15 This order of business may be modified or changed by the Authority at a particular meeting to accommodate special items of business or interest. Section 2. Procedure for Public Comment. Public comment shall be permitted at all regular or special meetings in accord with the following guidelines: a. Public comment may be allotted the time designated in the agenda, or any other time as permitted by the Authority; b. The Authority Chairman or a designee shall preside over all public comment, and may: (1) Recognize individuals wishing to comment; (2) Require identification of such persons, by name and address, before speaking; (3) Limit individuals or their representative wishing to comment to Authority customers; (4) Allocate available time among individuals wishing to comment; (5) Establish reasonable time limits for public comment as a whole or by individual participants; (6) Rule out of order scandalous comment and impertinent and redundant comment or any comment that has a discernible purpose of which is to disrupt or prevent the conduct of the business of the meeting; (7) In the event there is insufficient time for public comment at a meeting, the Authority, at its discretion, may defer the public comment period to a meeting held in advance of the next regular meeting or until the next regular or special meeting; and (8) Individuals wishing to comment on or bring to the attention of the Authority a specific issue, as opposed to being included in the public comment period, must notify the Authority three days in advance of this scheduled meeting so that this specific issue can be included on the agenda. * Resolution No. 3 of 2000 adopted October 17,

16 SECTION 2 SEWER USE REQUIREMENTS 2.01 Mandatory Connection The owners and occupants of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the boundaries of the service area of the Authority, and abutting on any street, alley, or right of way in which there is now located or may, in the future, be located a public sewer, is hereby required, at the owners expense, to install suitable, sanitary facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer, in accordance with the provisions of these Rules and Regulations, within 90 days after notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 150 feet of any point of the occupied structure Limitations on Discharge All users of the POTW shall comply with all standards and requirements of these Rules and Regulations, the Pretreatment Ordinance enacted in the applicable municipality, and the standards and requirements promulgated pursuant to the Federal Pretreatment Act. No users shall contribute or cause to be contributed, in any manner or fashion, directly or indirectly, any pollutant or wastewater which will interfere with the operation or performance of the POTW. These general prohibitions apply to all such users of the POTW whether or not the users subject to the National Categorical Pretreatment Standards, or any other national, state, or local pretreatment standards or requirements Storm Water Runoff Prohibited in Sanitary Sewers The discharge of storm water runoff to the sanitary sewer system is hereby prohibited. Any person who is presently discharging storm water runoff to the sanitary sewer system shall cease and desist such practice immediately with the effective date of these Rules and Regulations. All persons connecting to the POTW shall provide for adequate means for eliminating and excluding storm water runoff from the discharge into the POTW Accidental Discharge/Slug Control Plans A. Each user shall provide protection from any discharge, including, but not limited to, accidental discharges, discharges of a non-routine, episodic nature, a noncustomary batch discharge, or a slug load or slug, of prohibited wastewater, materials, or other substances regulated by these Rules and Regulations or the Pretreatment Ordinance, as enacted, or that may cause potential problems for the POTW. All facilities needed to prevent such discharges shall be provided and maintained at the user s own cost and expense. B. The Authority shall periodically evaluate whether any user requires an accidental discharge/slug control plan. The Authority may also require any user to develop, -15-

17 submit for approval, and implement such a plan. Alternatively, the Authority may develop such a plan for any user, at the user s cost. An accidental discharge/slug control plan shall address, at a minimum, the following: (1) Description of discharge practices, including non-routine batch discharges; (2) Description of stored chemicals; (3) Procedures for immediately notifying the POTW of any accidental or slug discharge; and (4) Procedures to prevent adverse impact from any accidental or slug discharge. Such procedures include, but are not limited to, inspection and maintenance of storage areas, handling and transfer of materials, loading and unloading operations, control of plant site runoff, worker training, building of containment structures or equipment, flow equalization measures and/or facilities, measures for containing toxic organic pollutants, including solvents, and/or measures and equipment for emergency response Pretreatment Ordinance The Publicly Owned Treatment Works Pretreatment Ordinance as adopted by the City of Meadville, West Mead Township, and Vernon Township is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the adopted Ordinances are on file in the Authority office Sewer Lateral Line Plugging and Capping When a structure is to be demolished or otherwise disconnected from the sanitary sewer system, the property owner shall be responsible for plugging or capping the sanitary sewer lateral and for paying all associated costs. The sanitary sewer line shall be plugged or capped at or before the time of demolition. The property owner shall obtain the applicable permit for sewer plugging and capping from the Authority prior to the plugging or capping of the sewer line. The sanitary sewer lateral shall be exposed and the line severed as close as possible to the boundary of the property line with the public roadway or sanitary sewer easement. In the event that the lateral sewer line is constructed with plastic material, the owner has the option of capping the line with an approved capped (i.e. cap is constructed of material identical to the pipe material) that is properly glued. In the event the lateral sewer line is constructed with a non-plastic material, the line shall be plugged with non-shrink cement grout such as Water plug or approved equal. The cement shall completely plug the pipe and fill the pipe in its entirety for approximately 18 inches in length. The cement shall not be allowed to enter or obstruct in any way the mainline sewer. The property owner at his expense shall repair any obstructions in the mainline sewer caused by installation of the plug. -16-

18 In the case where two or more buildings are connected to the same lateral line, the lateral line shall be plugged or capped just upstream of any other lateral connections. Where it is impractical to plug or cap the lateral at the aforementioned locations, the Authority will consider exceptions to these requirements and may approve an alternate plugging or capping location on a case-by-case basis. The property owner shall provide notice to the Authority that includes a description of the proposed plugging or capping installation location and method. The Authority or its designated agent must inspect the installation of the sewer plug or cap. Billing for sanitary sewer service will continue until the plug or cap installation has been properly inspected and approved by the Authority. * Adopted by motion at the Authority s February 15, 2000 monthly meeting 2.07 Maintenance of Lateral Policy Section 1. Definitions. Ancillary Damage Damage to persons or personal property caused by the result or occurring as a result of a sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage other than the damage directly to the sewer line as a result of the blockage or breakage. Authority s Insurer The insurance company contracted by the Authority to provide the applicable insurance to the Authority. Authority Any board member, employee, agent, or representative of the Meadville Area Sewer Authority. Sewer Line Blockage Any type of obstruction that lodges itself in a sewer line that results in the impairment of sewage flow. Sewer Line Breakage A crack, break, or other impairment of the walls of the sewer main line that negatively affects the sewage flow. Sewer Lateral Line A sewer line that extends from a residential or commercial customer location to the sewer main line. Sewer Main Line A portion of the sewer collection system owned by the Authority that conveys sewage from sewer laterals to the sewage treatment plant. Section 2. Sewer Line Breakage or Sewer Line Blockage. (a) Customer Complaint Any customer whose sewer service is affected adversely by a sewer line breakage or sewer line blockage is required to fully investigate the cause of the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage prior to contacting the Authority. The investigation by the customer, at his sole cost and expense, shall include the customer contracting with a qualified contractor to investigate the cause of the impairment of the customer s sewer service. The qualified contractor shall make the determination that the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage that is causing the impairment to the sewer service has not occurred in a sewer lateral line on the customer s property. Upon the foregoing opinion being issued by the qualified -17-

19 contractor, the customer is free to contact the Authority to request the Authority to further investigate the source of the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage pursuant to the procedure set forth herein. (b) The customer s investigation must include televising the entire lateral from their building to the Authority s main sewer line at their own cost and expense. The documentation of this televising shall include: 1. A videotape with accurate footages as the line is televised (of the entire lateral). 2. A descriptive written report in conjunction with the videotape and accurate aboveground marked locations. Section 3. Sewer Lateral Lines. (a) Sewer Lateral Lines on Customer Property Any sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage that occurs in a sewer lateral line on a customer s property will be the sole responsibility of the customer for any repair or replacement of the same. (b) Sewer Lateral Line in a Public Right-of-Way or in a Sanitary Sewer Easement Any sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage that occurs in a sewer lateral line in a public right-of-way or in a sanitary sewer easement shall be investigated by the Authority or by the Authority s insurer to determine the cause of said sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage. i. Caused by Customer - If it is determined, in the sole discretion of the Authority or the Authority s insurer, that the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage was caused, either directly or indirectly, by a customer of the Authority or some other third party, the Authority shall not take responsibility for the repair, replacement, and cost of the remediation and said repair, replacement, and cost of remediation shall be the responsibility of the customer. ii. iii. iv. Authority Responsibility If it is determined, in the sole discretion of the Authority or the Authority s insurer, that the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage was caused, either directly or indirectly by the Authority, the Authority shall bear the responsibility for the repair, replacement, and cost of the remediation. Undetermined Cause In the event that the Authority or the Authority s insurer cannot determine the cause of the sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage, the Authority shall undertake the repair, replacement, and remediation of the sewer line and cost of remediation. Force Main and Pressure Lines Any sewer line blockage, sewer line breakage, or any other problems affecting service of any lateral line in a public right of way or in a sanitary sewer easement that is pressurized in any manner or that acts as a force main in any manner shall be the responsibility of the customer for repair, replacement and cost of the remediation. The Authority assumes no -18-

20 responsibility for any lateral line not previously accepted by the Authority that is pressurized in any manner or that acts as a force main. Section 4. Aggrieved Customer. Any customer or their designee who is of the opinion that he or she has been aggrieved by an Authority decision with regard to the location of a sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage or as to the cause of a sewer line blockage or breakage may contact the Authority to be placed on the agenda for the next public meeting of the Authority. The customer shall be given an opportunity to address the Authority subject to these Rules and Regulations regarding public comment. Section 5. Ancillary Damage. In the event any ancillary damage occurs as a result of a sewer line blockage or sewer line breakage, the Authority or the Authority s insurer shall assess the damage. Any determination as to the causation of the damage made by the Authority s insurer shall be taken into consideration by the Authority in determining the responsibility for any remuneration to the effected party as a result of the ancillary damage. Section 6. Disclaimer. Nothing contained in this resolution shall be deemed to be an admission by the Authority, its representatives, employees, contracted employees, or board members of any liability as a result of any of its operations in providing sewer service to its customers. Any determination by the Authority or the Authority s insurer regarding liability for any sewer line blockage, sewer line breakage, or ancillary damage shall supersede any determination of responsibility set forth herein. * Resolution No. 5 of 2000 adopted December 19, 2000 Revised by Resolution No. 3 of 2002 adopted October 17, Hauled Waste Water A. Septic tank waste may be introduced into the POTW only at locations as may be designated by the Authority, and at such times as may be established by the Authority; provided, however, that nothing herein shall require the Authority or the Authority POTW to accept any hauled or septic tank waste at any time from any source. Such waste shall not violate these Rules and Regulations or any other requirements established by the Authority. The Authority may require septic tank waste haulers to obtain individual wastewater discharge permits. B. Haulers of any industrial waste shall obtain individual wastewater discharge permits from the Authority prior to disposing industrial waste in the Authority POTW. The Authority may require generators of hauled industrial waste to obtain wastewater discharge permits. The Authority also may prohibit the disposal of hauled septic and/or industrial waste. The discharge of hauled industrial waste is subject to all other requirements of these Rules and Regulations. C. Industrial waste haulers may discharge loads only at locations designated by the Authority. No load may be discharged without prior consent of the Authority. -19-

21 The Authority may collect samples of each hauled load to ensure compliance with applicable limits and standards. The Authority may require the industrial waste hauler to provide a waste analysis of any load prior to discharge. D. Industrial waste haulers must provide a waste-tracking form for every load. This form shall include, at a minimum, the name and address of the industrial waste hauler, permit number, truck identification, names and addresses of sources of waste, and volume and characteristics of waste. The form shall identify, at a minimum, the type of industry, known or suspected waste constituents, and whether any wastes are RCRA hazardous wastes Grease Limitations In addition to discharge prohibition set forth in these Rules and Regulations, all users of the system are prohibited from introducing to the POTW any solid or viscous substance which may cause obstruction to the flow in the POTW or other interference with the operation of the wastewater treatment facility such as, but not limited to, grease, garbage and particles greater than one half inch in diameter. The Authority reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions to limit grease or other solid or viscous substances from entering the Authority system: establish discharge limits, including variances; inspect any business to enforce these Rules and Regulations; establish maintenance requirements; control grease trap and interceptor design and installation; and issue permits or set performance standards. All new or renovated food-handling facilities are required to install appropriate grease traps. All existing food-handling facilities are directed to install appropriate grease traps at the discretion and direction of the Authority. The Authority reserves the right to assess surcharges for processing of high strength effluent from users and to institute a permitting process, including a fee structure, for users inserting high strength effluent into the Authority system Vandalism/Tampering No unauthorized person shall negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, tamper with, prevent access, or render inaccurate, or cause or permit the negligent breaking, damaging, destroying, uncovering, defacing, tampering with, preventing access, or rendering inaccurate to: Any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the Authority system; or Any measuring, sampling, and/or testing device or mechanism installed pursuant to any requirement under these Rules and Regulations. -20-

22 2.11 Smoke Testing/Dye Testing/Other Non-Invasive Testing. The Authority will, on a periodic basis and in cooperation with the applicable local governing unit, conduct smoke/dye testing of the Authority system to ensure that all connections to the Authority system comply with these Rules and Regulations. The Authority may investigate any apparent or suspected violations of these Rules and Regulations discovered through the smoke/dye testing process. Violators will be notified and compliance will be enforced pursuant to the terms of the notice of violation sent to the applicable user and these Rules and Regulations. SECTION 3 SEWER CONNECTIONS AND EXPANSION 3.01 Sewer Service Connection Requirements 1. All applications for connection to the public sanitary sewer system shall be made by using the Sewer Connection Permit form (hereinafter the Connection Permit ) furnished by the Authority or its designated agent. 2. An application for the issuance of an appropriate permit, furnished by the Authority or its designated agent, is required for all work performed on existing sanitary sewer laterals, including repair, replacement, reconnection, or plugging of laterals. For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations, the Permit for Reconnection, the Permit for Repair/Replacement, and the Permit for Plugging of Sanitary Sewer Laterals shall hereinafter be referred to as the Repair Permit. 3. All applicable information requested on the Connection Permit or the Repair Permit shall be furnished by the applicant, including the character and use of each structure located upon the property. 4. The applicable permit fee and any applicable fee assessed pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 203 shall be paid before the Connection Permit is granted. No work shall commence before issuance of the Connection Permit or Repair Permit. The Authority may establish penalties for failure to obtain the proper permit, which may include, but are not limited to, fines or loss of the right to be issued permits by the Authority or its designated agent. 5. No connection to the public sanitary sewer system shall serve more than one (1) occupied house, building or structure unless prior written approval is received from the Authority. Separate connections and corresponding inspection, connection, and tapping fees will be required for each occupied structure. An occupied structure shall include any structure that is used as a temporary or permanent residence or as a business or commercial enterprise. In the case of repairs, replacements, reconnections, or plugging of existing sewer laterals, the appropriate permit is required for work to be performed on each lateral. 6. Connection to sanitary sewer shall be completed within three hundred sixty (360) calendar days after issuance of the Connection Permit. In the event that -21-

23 connection is part of an Authority Sewer Expansion Project, connection is to be made pursuant to the time frame provided in the Connection Notice issued by the Authority. In the event that connection is not made in the timeframe required, the Connection Permit will no longer be valid and any and all fees paid by applicant shall be nonrefundable. 7. All connections to the sanitary sewers shall be subject to certain restrictions as to unacceptable sanitary sewage as are set forth in these Rules and Regulations, including the Publicly Owned Treatment Works Pretreatment Requirement Ordinance adopted by the Authority. 8. The Authority designee shall be given notice at least one business day in advance of any connection to the system so that the Authority designee can be present to inspect the building sewer installation or work done on the sewer lateral. The Authority designee shall signify his approval of the building sewer installation or work preformed by endorsing his name and the date of approval on the appropriate permit. The Authority designee shall be permitted to enter upon all properties receiving sewer service for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing. 9. At the time of inspection of the building sewer connection or the work performed on existing sewer, the owner or owners of properties shall permit the Authority designee full and complete access to all sanitary and drainage arrangements and facilities in each building and on all parts of the property. No building sewer line shall be covered over, or in any manner concealed, until after it is inspected and approved by the Authority designee. 10. It is the intention of these Rules and Regulations that the entire connection be inspected at one time; however, if the property owner desires more than one inspection the applicant may request an additional inspection to be performed with no additional inspection fee. If more than two inspections are requested the Authority shall assess an additional inspection fee. 11. The Authority may require, at its sole discretion, a bond payable to the Authority in an amount determined by the Authority to assure that all resolutions, ordinances, and rules and regulations adopted by the Authority to govern sewer connections will be observed; that the Authority will be indemnified against damages caused by said construction; and that applicable fees for said connections will be paid. 12. All pipe installed shall conform to the approved materials listed in the current plumbing code adopted by the applicable municipality. If the applicable municipality has not adopted a plumbing code, then the code adopted by the City of Meadville shall be used. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all pipes shall be SDR 35 with gaskets, schedule 40 solid core PVC pipe with glued joints or schedule 80 solid core with glued joints. 13. All pipe installed shall be four (4) inches in diameter measured on the inside unless the fixture loading requires a larger size. Each section of pipe shall be stamped with the manufacturer s certification. Where connections between -22-

24 different types of pipes are required, proper transition fittings shall be utilized. Concrete encasement shall not be used in lieu of fittings. 14. All sewer pipes shall be installed with the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) No. 8 stone bedding four (4) inches under pipe and covering over top of pipe the complete width of the trench. The sewer pipe shall be installed to prevent infiltration. Infiltration entering the building sewer shall not exceed 200 gallons per day (gpd) per inch mile of pipe (15 gpd for 100 of 4 pipe). Use of the sewer pipe to remove ground water in trench is prohibited. 15. All sewer pipes shall be installed with a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot and a minimum cover of three and one-half feet (3 ½ ) unless otherwise approved by the Authority in writing. All pipes shall be laid to a straight alignment to the public sanitary sewer where possible. The pipe shall be laid to an even grade to the point of connection or point where a vertical transition occurs, said vertical transition to consist of 45 degree fittings no less than 5 feet apart. The inside of every branch sewer connection, after it is laid, shall be left smooth and clean throughout its entire length. All pipes shall be laid with full and even bearing and no block support will be allowed. Bell holes shall be dug to allow sufficient space to properly make each joint. Backfill shall be tamped uniformly around the pipe. Rock or stones larger than two (2) inches shall not be placed in the backfill within two (2) feet of the pipe. The ends of all pipes not immediately connected shall be closed with an end cap. Existing sewer lines not being utilized shall be plugged with concrete or capped. 16. In the construction of house or building connections of more than 100 feet in length, cleanouts shall be installed at 100-foot intervals. Clean-outs may be installed at intervals less than 100 feet, if desired by the property owner. 17. Pipe bend fittings shall not be installed unless required to construct the line around an existing structure or obstacle. Fittings using 90-degree bends shall not be permitted. Other fittings shall be in accordance with the current plumbing code adopted by the applicable municipality and, if none, the specifications of current state code shall apply. 18. A State Highway Occupancy Permit or its Township/City equivalent, as applicable, shall be obtained where any excavating is to be performed within the limits of State, Township or City controlled right-of-way. Only contractors registered with the City of Meadville will be issued Street Opening Permits for City-controlled right-of-ways. 19. The Authority shall have the right at any time to make inspection to ensure that any connection to the public sanitary sewer system receives only wastewater and is in conformance with these Rules and Regulations. 20. Subject to any Authority Rule or Resolution to the contrary, maintenance and repair of all building sewers from the house to the road/street or easement right- -23-