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Review Cash Connection Ordinance.For.Seweir. and Water
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Draft 2017 Budget.
City Of Gem Lake
Municipal Water and Sanitary Sewer System
Ordinance Number XX:K
Julyll, 2D1G
Iviunici al Water and Sanitar Sewer System. The City's municipal systems
consisting of lift stations; manholes,. coilection piping, service piping, force
main, and associated appurtenances located within the public right-of-way and
applicable easements shall be operated as a public utility and convenience from
which revenue shall be derived, subject to the provisions of this chapter. This
chapter shall be referred to as. the City's Utility Regulations.
Com fiance with Re ulations..No person,. f rn-i or corporation shall connect any water
or sanitary sewer service to the municipal systems. or znalce use of the systenis
except in the :mariner provided in this chapter, All connections to or extensions
of the systems shall be in accordance with relevant portions of the, Minnesota
Building Code, Minnesota Plumbing. Code, and City of Gem Lake Standard.
Details for utility construction.
Sanitary Sewer and. Water fund. There is also created and the City shall maintain on
the official books and records of the City a separate and special fund to be
designated as the Sanitary Sewer Fund; and a special fund to be designated as.
the Water Fund which shall be: held and administered by the City sepaaate and.
apart from all otherfunds until the purposes far its creation have been
accomplished.
Connections with Sewer Required,
(A) Existing Structures. Any buildings presently used or capable of being
used for human habitation or in which a toilet or other plumbing
facilities for disposal of human waste is installed and located on
property adjacent to a sewer main, or in the platted block through which
the system extends, shall. be connected to the Municipal Sanitary Sewer
System. within one year. from the date on which a connection is available
to such building. Where the property owner leas failed to connect to the
sanitary. sewer system within orre.year from the date of sewer
availability, fhe following procedures shall be followed:
(1) The property owner shall be notified. tlaat it is the intent of the
City to connect the property to the. sanitary sewer system and
assess the cost. of connection against. the property owner. The
notice shall. be. mailed by registered nail to the property address.
(2) The cost of the improvennexit shall include all costa incurred by
the. City .in order to connect the property to :the main sewer line
and
shall .include City permit and connection charges which must be
submitted to the Metropolitan Council Environmerital Services,
(B) New Structures. All. huildings.hereafter constructed within the City on
property adjacent to a sewer main or in a platted block through which:
the Municipal Sanitary Sewer System eXtends, shall be provided with a
connection to the sewer system. for disposal. of all human waste before
occupancy of the building shall be allowed or a certif care of
occupancy issued.
(C) Sewer. Not Available. Where sewer is not available to .a building, the
building shall be connected to and deliver waste. to an individual
sewage treatment system.
Municipal Sanitary Sewer Svstern Charges, A portion of the cost of constructing and f
maintaining the municipal sanitary sewer system shall be recovered by the
imposition of special assessments pursuant to Minnesota Statute 4291.a
connection charge,. and a sewer availability charge (SAC).on behalf of the
Metropolitan Council.
(A) Connection Charge. A connection charge, as determined from time to
time by City Council ordinance, shall be collected when housing units
are connected to the Municipal Sanitary Sewer Systern, In addition,
before a. connection permit will be .issued, the. City shall determine that
one of the following conditions exist:
(1) The lot or tract of land to be served by such connection has been.
assessed: for the cost of construction of the sanitary sewer main
with which the. connection is Made; or
(2) If no special assessment has been levied for such construction
east, the proceedings for levying the special assessments have
been or will be commenced and completed in due course; or
(3) If no special assessment has been levied, and no special
assessment proceedings will be completed in due course., a sutra
equal to the poii*n of the cost of construction of the sanitary
sewer main which would be assessable against said lot or tract
has been paid to the City, or
(4) If none of the above conditions are met, no permit to connect to
any sanitary sewer main shall be issued unless the applicant
shall pay an additional connection .fee which shall be equal to
the portion of the cost of construction of the said sanitary sewer
main which. would be specially assessed:against said lot or tract
.served by such connection. Said assessable cost is to be
determined by the Engineer upon the same basis as any special
assessment previously levied against other property for said
main. If no special assessment has beer. levied, the assessable
cost wiil be determined upon the basis of the uniform charge
which may have been or which shall be charged for similar
connection with said sanitary sewer main,
(B) The Metropolitan Council has established sewer service availability and
connection charges (SAC) for all buildings constructed or connected to
the Metropolitan Disposal. System.
Municipal Water S stem Charges A portion'of the cost of constructing and
maintaining the munic.ipal water system shall be recovered by the imposition
of special assessments: pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 429, trunk water
facilities charges, and connection charges.
(A.) Trunk Water Facility Charges. The trunk water facility charge shall be
collected when the property is platted, subdivided or otherwise
developed. These charges are required to be paid to the City prior to the
City accepting the lateral water mains, pipes and appurtenances
constructed by the property owner; The. charge is calculated as a lump
sumamount determined by. multiplying a front foot charge, as
determined from.time to time.by the City Council ordinance; times the
lineal feet of all streets within or abutting the plat, subdivision or
.development and shall be computed by the l;ngineer and paid by the
property owner to. the City prior to the issuance of any building permit.
A Connection Charge.. A connection charge, as determined from time to
time by. City Council ordinance, shall be collected when housing units
are connected to the municipal water system. In addition, before. a
connection permit .will be issued,. the City shall deterinine that one of
the following conditions exist:
(1) The Lot or tract of land to be served by Stich connection or tap
has been specially assessed for the cost of constructing the
water main and trunk water systems with which the connection
is. made,; or
(2) If no special assessment has been levied for such construction
cost, the proceedings for levying special assessments have been
or will be commenced in due course; or
(3) If no special assessment has been levied, and no special
assessment proceedings. will be completed in. due course, a sum
equal to the portion of the. cost of constructing the water main and
trunk water system, which would be assessable against said lot or
tract, has: been paid to the City; or
(4) If none of the above conditions are met,. no permit to tap or
connect to any water main or trunk water system shall be issued
unless the applicant shall pay an additional cornection fee which
shall be equal to the portion of the cost of constructing the water,
main and trunk water system which would be assessable against
said lot or tract serviced by the. connection. The assessable. cost
is to be determined by the Engineer upon the same basis as any
assessment previously levied against other property for thewater
main and trunk water system. If no assessment has been.levied,
the assessable east will be determined upon the basis of the
uniform charge which may have been or which shall be charged
for similar tapping or connection with said. main and trunk
system,. determined on time basis of the total assessable cost of
the water main and trunk water system, allocated on a frontage
basis, plus the cost of service or:services.
Connection Permits. A permit must be obtained to connect to the municipal systems.
The connection permit fee, as established by Gem Lake City Council ordinance, shall be
submitted at the time of permit application. All permits for service installations shall be
made by the owner of the property, or his duly authorized agent and shall state the size
and location of the service connection. and all other information as required. The
applicant shall pay to the. City prior to time issuance of the permit, the total amount of
fees or deposit rewired for the installation of the service connection as Herein provided.
No permit shall be issued except to a licensed plumber, certified pipe layer.. or
homeowner performing work on his or her own premises, City inspections are required
for all connections to, and extensions of, time municipal systems. ,.
Statements for Water and Sanitar. Sewer Use Charges.
(A) Water and Sanitary sewer use charges, as determined :from time to time.
by City Council ordinance shall be payable quarterly; Such statements
shall. be due. and payable on or before the first: day ofthe second month.
following receipt ofthe billing. Where service is for less than a
quarterly period, the quarterly charge shall be pro rated on a monthly
basis. . If a water meter is found to Have been operating in a faulty
manner, the amount of water used will be estimated .in. accordance with
the amount used previously in comparable periods of the year.
(Bj Penalties .far Delinqpent :Payments , A. penalty equal to 25% of the
amount due shallbe added to accounts not paid in full on or before the
first day of the second month following the billing period and to. each
quarterly billing thereafter until the amount of the delinquent account.
Plus accrued. penalty is.paid. in full or otherwise certified to the County
.Auditor as a delinquent account.
(C) Annual Certification of Delinquent Accounts. Each. year the City
shall prepare a list of delinquent service charge. accounts, including
accrued penalties thereon, in the form of an assessment roll. The City
Council shall annually review the delinquent service charge
assessment roll and adopt an appropriate resolution directing that the.
assessment roll be certified to the County Auditor as a lieu against.
the premises served and directing that`the County Auditor collect the
assessment as part. -of the ensuing year's tax levy.
Service -Charges relatin .to Municipal Water Utility, When actions or activities of
water custorners require coordination with, or a call out of City utility personnel
(e.g. turning water supply on/off at curbs to a water service charge shah be
assessed to the utility account. When the call out occurs outside of normal
business hours, it will be.deemed an emergency call out. The service charges
for regular and emergency call outs will be established by Gern Lake City
Council ordinance,.
. Discontinuance of Water Service,
(A) Conditions. The City reserves the right to discontinue service to
any consumer of the municipal water system whenever:
(1) The: owner or occupant' of the premises served, or any persons
working on any pipes or equipment thereon which are connected
with the water system, has violated or threatens to violate or
causes to be violated, any of the City's water utility regulations.
(2) In the judgment of the City or its designee, such action is
necessary to protect the purity of tlae municipal water supply or
the safety of the water system and/or life,. health, or safety. of its
consumers.
(1j Any charge, for water, service, meter; or other financial obligation
imposed on the present or former.owner or occupant of the
premises served, is paid.
(4) The owner or occupant of the premises served has made
fraudulent. statements. or misrepresentations in connection with an
application for service.
(5) The property is unsecured and/or vacant.
(B) Procedure. Prior to shut off, the property will be posted, and the owner
acid/or occupant.of the property shall be. mailed notice to the last address
shown on the application on file with the City and current billing
statements, Said notice skull advise the owner and/or occupant of the
.reason far the proposed shutoff and that a hearing may be requested in
writing within ten (1 0) days of the date shown on the notice given to
them. It shall further provide that failure. to request.abearing in writing
to the City shall be deemed. a waiver and that the water will be shut off
upon the expiration of the ten (I 0) days.
Authorized Water Shut Downs, The. City shall not be liable for any deficiency or
failure in the supply of water to consumers, whether occasioned by shutting the
water off for the purpose of making repairs'or connections,. or from any other
cause whatever. In case of fire, or alarm of:fire, water may be :shut. off to
insure a supply for firefighting. When making repairs: to existing infrastructure
or construction of new infrastructure, water .may be shut off at any time and
kept shut off as longas. necessary.
Maintenance of. Service Pipe. It shall. bethe. responsibility .of the c..onsum.er .or owner to.
maintain the. service pipe. from the curb boy into. the house. or building. In the
case of failure upon. the part of any consumer or owner to repair any leak
occurring in the pipe within Twenty -fair (24) hours after verbal or written
notice by the City thereof, the water will be shutoff. When the waste of water
is great, or when. damage is likely to result 66m the leak, water may be turned
(
s off immediately pending repairs.
Treatment of Prohibited. Wastes. Where it is determined that any waste discharged or to
be. discharged has certain characteristics or elements. which are or may be
harmful to the structures; processes, or operation of the sanitary sewer system
or persons operating it, such discharge shall be discontinued or the waste shall
be treated prior to its discharge into the system in a manner which will
eliminate.such characteristics or elements.
Surface or Ground Water. It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant, or user of any
premises to direct into or allow any storm water; surface water, ground water,
well water, or water from industrial or commercial ;air conditioning systems to
drain into the City's sanitary sewer system. Roof drains,.fpwadation drains,
sump pumps, and other forms of surface drainage shall. not be connected to or
discharged to the sanitary sewer system. The City shall periodically perform
Inflow and Infiltration. (W)inspections to verify that connections to the City's
sanitary sewer system are in compliance with the provisions of this section.
Prohibited Waste. Discharge.
(A) No person shall discharge, cause, ❑r allow t❑ be discharged into the
sanitary sewer system, any waste containing concentrations in excess
ofthe following:
Pollutant
Limitations (Maximum..fbr..ar yoperating
daydayl Cadmium
2.0 mg/l
Chromium., total.
8.0
mg/1 Copper
6.0
mg/1
Cyanide, total
4.0 .tngll
Lead
L.0 mgll
Mercury
0.'1 mgll
Nickel
6.0 mg/l
Zinc
8.0 rmll
Temperature
15.0°F (55. C)
pH
5.00=10A
(B) No person shall discharge, cause; or allow to. be. discharged. into the
sanitary sewer system any wastes which contain anyof the
following:
(1) More. than 100 rngll. of fats; wax, grease or oils (hexane soluble),
whether emulsified or not; or containing substances which may
solidify or become: viscous at temperatures between 3.2 :degrees and
15.0. degrees Fahrenheit (4 and. 65 degree. centigrade) at the point of
discharge. into. the sewer system.
(2} Liquids, solids, or. gases which by reason of their nature or quantity
are or may be sufficient to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in
any other way to the sanitary sewer system or to the operation of the
system.. At no time shall two successive. readings on an explosimeter,
at the point of discharge into the sewer system; be more than fiue
percent nor any single reading over ten percent of the lower explosive.
limit (L.E.L.),
(3) Any noxious or malodorous solids, liquids or gases; which either
singly or by interaction with other wastes, are capable of creating a
public nuisance or hazard to life, or are or may be sufficient to
prevent entry into a sewer for its maintenance and repair.
(4) Any toxic substance, chemical el"ements or compounds in quantities
sufficient to interfere with the biological processes of efficiency of
tregiment works, or that will pass through a. treatment. works and
cause the effluent therefrom or the water into which it is discharged;
to fail to meet applicable state.or federal standards.
(5) Garbage that has not been ground or comminuted to such a degree
that all particles will be carried freely in suspension under flow
conditions.normally prevailing in public sewers, with 110 particle
greater than one-half inch in any dimension.
(6) Radioactive wastes or isotopes or such half life of concentrations that
they are in noncompliance with: present. or Future regulations issued
by "the appropriate authority having control over their use and which
will or may cause damage or hazards to the system or personnel
operating it.
(7) Solid or viscous wastes which will or may cause obstruction to the
flow in a sewer; or other interference with the proper operation of any
disposal systernrt, such as grease, uncoznminuted garbage, animal guts.
or tissues, paunch manure, bones, hair, hides or fleshings, entrails,
whole blood, feathers, ashes, cinders, sand, spent lime, stone or.
marble dust, metal, glass, straw, shavings, grass clippings,
rags, spent grains, spetit hops,. waste paper, wood; plastic, gas,
tar, asphalt, residues from refining or processing of fuel or
lubricating oil, gasoline, naphtha,. and similar substances:
(8) Any waste from septic tanks or similar facilities.
(9) Any mineral .acids;: waste acid pickling or plating Liquors from
the. pickling or plating or iron, steel, brass, copper or chromium.
or any other dissolved or solid substances which will or. rnay
endanger health or safety, or attack or corrode any part of the
.sanitary sewer system.
(10) Liquids or vapors having a temperature higher than 150
degrees Fahrenheit immediately prior to discharge into the
sewer system..
(11) Phenols or other taste- or odor -producing substances in
concentrations which will or may cause the effluent from the
treatment works or the water into which it is discharged.to. fail
to meet applicable state or federal standards.
(12) Materials which exert or cause:
(a) Unusually high concentrations of 'inert suspended solids
or of dissolved solids.
(b) Excessive discoloration.
(c) Unusually high volume of flow or concentration of
waste exceeding five times the average daily
concentration of flow during norznal.operation.
.(13) Unusually high concentrations of suspended solids, BOD., COD,
or chlorine requirements, in such quantities as to constitute a
significant load on the treatment works.
(14) Any substance which is not amenable to treatment to reduction.
by the type of sewage treatment:processes employed to.a
degree sufficient to permit the effluent from the treatment
works and the water into which it is discharged to meet
applicable state and federal standards. If prohibited waste is
discharged into the systems the offending.party shall pay for all
clean up and be flied an additional 25% of the clean up charge.
If payment is not made, the Financial Off = will certifi to the
County Auditor as a lien against the premises served and
directing. that the County Auditor collect the assessment as part
of the ensuing..year's tax levy..
Waste Tra and Se arators. Oil, grease, and sand waste traps and separators shall be
installed for the proper discharge of waste water containing excessive arnounts
of oil; grease, sand, or flammable liquids when required by the Minnesota
Plumbing Code, Minnesota Rules, Chapter:47.15, the Regional Administrator of
the Metropolitan Council, or when the city determines such traps. or separators
are. necessary. Waste. traps and separators shall be maintained in efficient
operating conditions by the owner and at the owner's expense, through the
periodic removal of any accumulated residue. if a trap or separator is not
properly maintained, the city may. have tile. system, including affected city
sewers, cleaned. at the owner's expense:
Ta inp erin g With. Municip ail Sewer Sys tern Prohibited. No.. person shall maliciously,
willfully; or negligently damage, destroy, uncover; deface; or tamper with any
part of the Municipal Sewer System,
Cross -Connection Control, Cross -connection between the municipal water system and
other systems, private wells, or equipment containing water or other
substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited, except when and
where, as approved by the. City, suitable. backflow prevention. devices. are
installed, tested, and maintained to ensure proper operation on a continuing
basis as per the following requirements:.
(A) A backflow prevention.. device is to be awned; tested, and maintained
by the custornerlawrier of the. premises being served.
(B) Installation, maintenance, and testing of backflow preventers shall
be according to. the State of Minnesota Plumbing Code.
(1) It is required that reduced pressure zone backflow preventers be
tested annually and overhauled "at intervals not to excecd five
years: Testing shall be performed by a qualified backflow tester...
A licensed plumber qualified in backflow testing shall perform
all internal maintenance to. the. device.. Test results. shall be
furnished to the: City..
(2) A person who is.recognized by the Minnesota Department. of
Health as a backflow preventer tester is considered.by the City to
test. backflow presenters and certify tliern to be functional,
(C) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall be cause
to discontinue water service.
' Water Use Restrictions, A sprinkling ban is adopted in order to encourage
water conservation, and to insure availability of an adequate supply of.City
water without incurring unnecessary capital expenditures.
(A) Water Use Restriction. Except as hereinafter provided, the watering of
lawns, gardens, and shrubs is prohibited from May 15 througki
September 15 annually.
(1) Exceptions..
(a) Property with: odd numbered postal addresses may wafer
Oil odd numbered days.
(b) Property with even numbered postal addresses may
water on even n-timbered days.
(c) Private wells may be used on any day;
(d) Watering. newly sodded or seeded yards is allowed
upon a receipt of an exemption permit from the Public
Works Department for a period of two weeks.
(e) Attended watering of plants, shrubs, and gardens may
be watered by hand on any day..
(B) Enforcement. Violations of the water use restrictions will result in a
warning letter for first violation, and the imposition of administrative
fines. that will. be reflected on the next utility bill or in the issuance of a
citation in accordance with adopted. Council ordinance.
(C) City "Council Resolution. During dry weather periods, the. City Council,
mayimpose additional restrictions on the use. of City water by the
adoption of An appropriate resolution. Any violation of the water
restriction resolution shall be referred to the City Attorney for
prosecution as a misdemeanor.
Private Wells. The. use of private wells may continue:after connections is made
to the. water system,. provided there is no means of cross -connection between
the private well and the municipal supply at any time. Hose bibs that will
enable a cross -connection of the two systems are prohibited on internal and
external piping. The threads on the boiler drain of the well volume tank shall be
removed or the boiler drain hose bib. replaced with a sink faucet, When both
private and. City systems are in use, outside hose Bibs shall not be installed on.
piping connected to the municipal system.
Operation of Fire Hydrants. No person other than.authorized City employees
shall operate fire hydrants or interfere in any way with the water system
without first obtaining a permit to do so from the City, subject to the following.
conditions:
(A) Permit. A hydrant meter permit to use a fire hydrant for the purpose
of purchasing water .from the City is required. The.permit shall state
the applicant's name and address, phone number, location. of the
work site, and type of work being conducted.
(B) Deposit, The applicant shall be required to make a deposit; as
determined by City ordinance, to guarantee payment.for water used and
to cover breakage anchor damage to the hydrant or meter. Charges will
be deducted from the deposit, and a billing or. refand will be generated..
(C) Charges: The applicant shall pay rental charges for each thirty -day -
period or fraction thereof, and water we charges as determined by. City
Council ordinance.
Water Service Contractors: A license is required. All water service work
shall be performed by certified contractors licensed by the appropriate State
authority. This section.shall not apply to Homeowners performing work on
their own premises.
Water Meters. Except for extinguishing. of lire, no person except
authorized City employees shall use water from the water .supply system or
permit water to be drawn therefrom unless the same be. metered by passing
through a meter supplied or approved by the City. Only persons authorized
by the City shall connect, disconnect, take apart, or in. any manner change or
cause to be. changed, or interfere with ally such meter or the action thereof.
(A) Charge. At the time of the initial connection to the municipal water
systern, a charge for water lncters shall be paid to the City by
customers before delivery of the water ureter for installation. Said
charge shall be determined by City Council ordinance.
(B) Maintenance: The City shall. retain ownership. of water meters and shall
be responsible for standard maintenance and repair. Costs associated
with replacement, repair, or adjustment of a meter due to any act,
carelessness, or neglect of the owner or occupants of the premises shall.
be charged against and collected from the water consumer. Water
service may be discontinued.until the cause is corrected and the amount
charged is collected,
(C) Testing. Upon written request, the City will re -read water. meters and
(
test the meter for accuracy, if necessary.. `In case a test should show an
error of over five percent of the water consumed in favor of the City,. a
correctly registering meter will be installed and adjustments to water
billing statements will be considered. Incase the test shows an. accurate
measurement of water or an. error in favor of the consumer, the expenses
of'making such a test, and the additional costs, if any,. will be included
on the next quarterly statement: The meter testing charges will be
established by City Council ordinance.:
(D) City Access. Authorized City employees shall. have access at
reasonable hours of the day to all buildings and premises connected to
the municipal water system for the purpose of maintenance of water
meters without charge to.the water. consumer. In the event the water
consumer denies authorized City employee access, the water consumer
Will,.at their own. cost, provide for meter replacement or maintenance by
a licensed plumber; and sand licensed plumber shall be required to
provide documentation to City as to validity of the work performed.
Certain Connections Prohibited. No buildings located on property lying outside the
limits of the City of Germ. Lake,shall be connected to that portion. of the
systems of the City discharging into the Met: Council Sanitary sewer: system,.
except that the City may permit the installation, maintenance, and operation of
a sanitary sewer service. connection between its public sewer. system and the
following described zeal property, lying beyond the corporate' limits of the
City, and situated in the CityNillage of , County of Ramsey,
State of Minnesota, *Wit:
The connection of any of the above -described areas ofthe sanitary sewer
system of the City is. dependent upon express. authorization for such
connection being obtained from the City Council.
Maintenance of Sewer Service,
(A} Liability. The City assumes ownership of the sanitary sewer service
from the,.main collector line to the. connection. If based. on an
inspection by the City this. portion of the sewer. service requires repair
the. City shall assume all costs associated with the. repair, The owner of
the premises shall be liable far all repairs required to the.portion of the
sewer service from the connection point to the: residence.
(B) Maintenance. The owner of the premises is responsible to maintain
the sewer service from. themain collector to ..the residence in
functioning condition.
City Access. Authorized City .employees shall have access at reasonable hours of the
day to all buildings and premises connected to the municipal sanitary sewer
system For the purpose of infiltration and inflow inspections without charge to
the sanitary sewer consumer. In the event the sanitary sewer consumer denies
authorized City employees access, the:sanitary sewer consumer will; at their
own cost, provide for infiltration and inflow inspections by a licensed plumber,
aid said liceuised plumber shall be required to provide documentation to City
as to validity of'the work petforrned.
Non -Compliance Surcharge. A quarterly surcharge, ;as determined by City Council`
ordinance, shall be added to the utility billing statement fora property
where:
(A) An inspection has. not Keen allowed or certification provided within
30 days. after notice by the City.
(B) The necessary installatio.ns,.:in.spections, and/or repairs have not
been made within .the time specified.
A surcharge will be added for every quarter during which the property is not in
compliance, whether the non-compliance has been for the entire quarter or a
portion thereof.
Water Service Lines, rn order to eliminate ahealth or safety hazard. from private
.property,. the City is authorized to install or repair water service lines from a
City water main. to a private: dwelling or to contract for such work. The cost of
installing or repairing water service lines may be specially assessed against the
benefited property and.the City may issue obligations to defray the expense of
such work all pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429 and
its subdivisions..