This article is adopted pursuant to the City’s home rule authority and applicable Kansas law relating to municipal sewage systems and service charges. The purpose of this article is to (a) authorize receipt of approved holding-tank wastes and grey water at the wastewater treatment facility (“WWTF”), (b) establish a monthly service charge, and (c) provide for permitting, reasonable operational controls, and enforcement.

(Ord. 26-01)

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a)   Grey Water means wastewater from baths, showers, bathroom sinks, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, and does not include wastewater from toilets, urinals, or kitchen sinks (unless specifically approved in writing by the WWTF Superintendent).

(b)   Holding-Tank Waste means wastewater or waste material removed from a holding tank, vault, portable toilet, recreational vehicle tank, travel trailer tank, or similar non-sewered containment system, including waste that may contain human excreta.

(c)   Permittee means any person or entity issued a permit by the WWTF Superintendent under this article to discharge approved wastes at the WWTF.

(d)   Receiving Point means the location and equipment at the WWTF designated by the WWTF Superintendent for authorized discharges under this article.

(e)   WWTF Superintendent means the person designated by the City to supervise operation of the WWTF, or such person’s authorized designee.

(Ord. 26-01)

(a)   Authorization. Subject to the limitations of this article and any written rules adopted under Section 15-606, the City may accept for disposal at the WWTF: (i) Holding-Tank Waste and (ii) Grey Water.

(b)   Permit Required. No person shall discharge Holding-Tank Waste or Grey Water at the WWTF without first obtaining a permit issued by the WWTF Superintendent.

(c)   Permit Issuance; Conditions. Permits may be issued to individuals, businesses, contractors, RV parks/campgrounds, and other entities as determined appropriate by the WWTF Superintendent. Each permit shall be subject to conditions necessary to protect the WWTF, its personnel, and compliance with applicable laws and permits, including but not limited to:

(1)   identification of the Permittee and contact information;

(2)   the types of waste authorized;

(3)   permitted hours/days of discharge;

(4)   limits on volume and frequency of discharge;

(5)   documentation/manifests reasonably required by the Superintendent;

(6)   compliance with safety and operational requirements at the WWTF; and

(7)   payment of all required charges.

(8)   if the applicant or Permittee is required by Reno County law or the Reno County Sanitation Code to hold a county license or permit for pumping, hauling, transporting, or disposing of Holding-Tank Waste, septage, or similar domestic wastewater, the applicant or Permittee shall hold and maintain such license or permit as a condition of the City permit and provide proof upon request of the WWTF Superintendent.

(d)   Designated Location Only. All authorized discharges shall occur only at the Receiving Point and in the manner directed by WWTF personnel. Discharge at any other location on WWTF property is prohibited.

(Ord. 26-01)

(a)   General Prohibition. The WWTF shall not accept, and no Permittee shall discharge, any waste that the WWTF Superintendent determines may cause interference with WWTF operations, pass-through, violation of permits, hazards to personnel, damage to equipment, or unreasonable risk.

(b)   Specific Prohibitions. Without limiting subsection A, prohibited wastes include:

(1)   hazardous or toxic substances;

(2)   petroleum products or solvents;

(3)   industrial process wastewater (unless specifically authorized in writing under a separate agreement and consistent with City code and WWTF capability);

(4)   chemical toilet additives or disinfectants in amounts that, in the Superintendent’s judgment, may impair treatment processes;

(5)   solid debris, trash, grease, rags, wipes, or other materials not normally suitable for municipal wastewater treatment;

(6)   any waste not generated from typical sanitary sources, holding systems, or grey water sources, unless specifically approved in writing by the Superintendent.

(Ord. 26-01)

(a)   Monthly Fee Established. The monthly service charge for a permit authorizing discharge under this article is hereby established at Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per month, per permit.

(b)   Billing; Due Date. The City may bill the Permittee monthly. Unless otherwise specified on the City’s billing statement, payment shall be due within thirty (30) days of the billing date.

(c)   Delinquency; Suspension. If the monthly charge is not paid when due, the City may suspend the permit and refuse any discharge until all delinquent amounts (including any late charges authorized by City policy or ordinance) are paid in full.

(d)   No Refund; Partial Month. Unless the City Administrator or governing body approves otherwise in writing, fees are not prorated and are not refundable for partial months.

(Ord. 26-01)

(a)   Rules and Procedures. The WWTF Superintendent is authorized to adopt and enforce written rules, procedures, and safety requirements for discharges under this article, including (without limitation) scheduling, access controls, documentation, volume limitations, and standards for acceptable waste.

(b)   Right to Refuse. The WWTF Superintendent may refuse any load, suspend acceptance, or require testing or additional documentation when the Superintendent determines, in good faith, that acceptance may pose operational, regulatory, safety, or environmental risk.

(c)   Permit Suspension/Revocation. The WWTF Superintendent may suspend or revoke a permit for (i) violation of this article or applicable WWTF rules, (ii) nonpayment of charges, (iii) unsafe conduct, or (iv) discharge of prohibited waste. Prior to revocation, the Superintendent shall provide notice to the Permittee and a reasonable opportunity to cure, unless immediate action is necessary to protect public health, safety, or WWTF operations.

(Ord. 26-01)

(a)   Unlawful Acts. It is unlawful to discharge any waste at the WWTF without a permit, to discharge at any location other than the Receiving Point, to discharge prohibited waste, or to violate any lawful rule or direction of WWTF personnel.

(b)   Penalty. A violation of this article is a municipal offense punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per violation. Each day a violation continues, or each unauthorized discharge event, constitutes a separate offense.

(c)   Civil Remedies. In addition to prosecution, the City may pursue any lawful civil remedy, including recovery of cleanup costs, repair costs, and administrative expenses incurred as a result of a violation.

(Ord. 26-01)