Article II. Sewers
DIVISION 1. Generally
Sec. 20-21. Definitions.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. I, §§ 1--42]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a
different meaning:
BOD (denoting biochemical oxygen demand)The quantity of oxygen utilized in
the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in
five days at 20 degrees Celsius, expressed in milligram per liter.
BUILDING DRAIN That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system
which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls
of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet outside the inner
face of the building wall.
BUILDING INSPECTOR The appointed building inspector of the town or his
authorized representative.
BUILDING SEWER The extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other
place of disposal.
DPW The sewer operation and maintenance group of the department of public
works.
DEVELOPER Any person, company or corporation involved in the business of land
development or involved in the construction or extension of public utility systems.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH The appointed director of health of the town or his
authorized representative.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS The appointed director of public works of the town.
FAILURE Any and all breaks, clogs, collapse and malfunctions which would hinder
the appurtenant equipment or process from performing the intended function.
GARBAGE Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking,
and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sales of produce.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES The liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes,
trade, or business as distinct from sanitary sewage.
NATURAL OUTLET Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body
of surface or groundwater.
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OBJECTIONABLE WASTE Any and all substances which would endanger life, limb,
and public property or constitute a nuisance.
ONE FULL WORKING DAY Twenty-four consecutive hours excluding holidays,
weekends and any other days which the town hall is closed.
OTHER WASTES Any and all liquids, solids or gases produced as a result of either
residential occupation, or commercial, or industrial processes.
Ph The logarithm of the reciprocal of the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles
per liter of solution.
PIPING AND DRAIN LAYING CONTRACTOR Any person licensed under chapter 393
of the General Statutes.
POLLUTED Containing toxic or poisonous substances which would have an
adverse effect on the receiving stream or which can otherwise endanger life, limb and
public property or constitutes a nuisance.
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE The wastes from preparation, cooking and
dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be
carried freely under the flow condition normally prevailing in public sewers, with no
particle greater than one-half inch in any dimension.
PUBLIC SEWER A sewer in which all owners of adjoining properties have equal
rights, and is controlled by public authority.
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER Any person licensed under chapter 391 of
the General Statutes.
SANITARY SEWER A sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and
ground waters are not intentionally admitted.
SEWAGE A combination of the water-carried wastes from residences, business
buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments.
SEWAGE SYSTEM All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating and disposing
sewage.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT Any arrangement of devices and structures used for
treating sewage and approved quantities of industrial waste.
SEWER A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SHALL Is mandatory; may is permissive.
SLUG Any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration
of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer
than 15 minutes more than five times the average twenty-four-hour concentration or
flows during normal operation.
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STORM DRAIN (SOMETIMES CALLED "STORM SEWER")A sewer which carries storm
and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than
unpolluted cooling water.
SUBDIVISION Any development of land which proposes two or more smaller lots
from a larger parcel of land.
SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM Any combination of tanks, chambers,
trenches, boxes, pipes, conduits and other appurtenances for the disposal of sewage
when public sewers are not available.
SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM CLEANER/INSTALLER Any person licensed
under chapter 393a of the General Statutes.
SUPERINTENDENT The superintendent of waste treatment of the town or his
authorized representative.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS Solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in
water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering.
TOWN The Town of Southington acting through any authorized representative.
TOWN ENGINEER The appointed engineer of the town.
TOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION That elected body which
administers the zoning laws of the town.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES Substance whether gaseous, liquid, or solid which when
discharged to the sewer system in sufficient quantities may tend to interfere with any
sewage treatment process, to constitute a hazard to human beings or animals, or to
inhibit aquatic life in the receiving waters of the effluent from the sewage treatment
plant.
UNPOLLUTED Containing no toxic or poisonous substance which would have an
adverse effect on the receiving stream or which can otherwise endanger life, limb, and
public property or constitute a nuisance.
WATERCOURSE A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or
intermittently.
WATER SUPPLY WELL Any combination of pipes, motors, screens, filters, casings,
tanks, pumps, treatment equipment or other appurtenances for the supply of water to
residential, commercial and industrial establishments and being distinct from publicly
owned water supply system.
WELL DRILLER Any person licensed under chapter 482 of the General Statutes,
and any statutory amendment or substitution thereof.
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Sec. 20-22. Conformance with article.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. II, § 1]
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in any
manner on public or private property within the town, or in any area under the
jurisdiction of the town, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other waste,
except as provided in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Sec. 20-23. Natural outlets.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. II, § 2]
It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the town, any sewage or
other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in
accordance with this article.
Sec. 20-24. Privy, septic tank, etc.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. II, § 3]
Except as otherwise provided in this article, it shall be unlawful to construct or repair any
privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal
of sewage.
Sec. 20-25. Discharges from outside of town.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. II, § 4]
The discharge of sewage, industrial wastes, and other wastes generated on or
discharged from real property lying outside the boundary of the town into the town
sewage system shall be made only with the express consent of the town and upon
issuance of a permit setting forth the terms and conditions for such discharge.
Sec. 20-26. Sewer assessment fund.
[Comp. Ords. 1972, p. 74, §§ (1)--(3)]
(a) There is hereby created a special sewer assessment fund, in accordance with section
7-268 of the General Statutes.
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(b) All monies appropriated for the extension of the town shall be placed in the fund. The
treasurer director of finance or designee of the town shall be authorized to make
payments from such fund only for the purpose of sewer extensions and connections, as
provided in paragraph (c).
(c) All monies received by the town in payment of sewer assessments shall be deposited
in this fund for the payment of sewer extensions, or to pay notes or other obligations of
the town incurred by borrowing funds for sewer extensions.
Sec. 20-27. Violations; penalties.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VIII, §§ 1--3]
(a) Any person found to be violating any provision of this article shall be served by the
town with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable
time limit not to exceed 30 days for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall,
within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.
(b) Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in
subsection (a) of this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
thereof shall be fined in the amount not exceeding $200 for each violation. Each day in
which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense.
(c) Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall become liable to the
town for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the town by reason of such violation.
Sec. 20-28. through § 20-40. (Reserved)
DIVISION 2. Private Sewage Disposal and Water Supply Wells
Sec. 20-41. New subsurface systems.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 1]
The director of health shall not approve a new subsurface sewage disposal system in an
area where public sewers are available and the connection thereto is feasible. Where a
public sewer is not available, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage
disposal system complying with the provisions of this article.
Sec. 20-42. Constructions and extensions.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 2]
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No private sewage disposal system, and no water supply well, shall be constructed,
reconstructed, extended, altered or repaired in the town unless done so by a subsurface
sewage disposal system installer/cleaner or a well driller, respectively. A written permit
issued by the director of health shall be obtained prior to commencement of work on
any system. Application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the town.
Sec. 20-43. Applications for approval.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 3]
All applications for approval of sewage facilities and/or inspection and approval of
water supply wells shall be filed with the director of health or his authorized agent. All
applications for approval shall be accompanied by two plot plans showing the
proposed sewage facilities and the water supply well, along with other pertinent
information as determined by the director of health. The fees that shall accompany such
application shall be as follows:
(1) Sewage system up to 1,500-gallon capacity: $15.
(2) Each additional 500-gallon increment of capacity: $5.
(3) Repair: $5.
(4) Water supply well: $10.
Sec. 20-44. Power of entry; approval.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 4]
The director of health or his authorized agent shall be allowed to enter onto construction
sites and inspect the work at any stage of construction. The applicant for the permit shall
notify the director of health or his agent when the work is ready for final inspection before
any underground portions are covered. Upon completion of any such installation, repair,
or alteration to the satisfaction of the director of health or his agent, final approval shall
be given in writing, prior to receipt of which the sewage disposal system shall not be
used.
Sec. 20-45. Conformance with state; suitable location.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 5]
The type, capacity, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall
comply with all recommendations of the state department of health. No permit shall be
issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption
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facilities where the area of the lot is unsuitable in the opinion of the director of health or
his agent. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural
outlet.
Sec. 20-46. Change from private to public system.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 6]
At such time as a public sewer becomes available to property served by a private
sewage disposal system, and upon failure and/or abandonment of such private sewage
disposal system, connection shall be made to the public sewer when feasible. Any
abandoned septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private disposal facilities shall be crushed
and filled with suitable material.
Sec. 20-47. Costs and maintenance.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 7]
The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a
satisfactory manner at all times, at no expense to the town.
Sec. 20-48. Application of article.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 8]
All sections of this article shall apply to each and every lot be it individual or as part of a
subdivision development. Decision as to the suitability of each lot shall be made by the
director of health or his agent on the existing condition of the land, taking into
consideration normal changes of the lot as the seasons of the year change.
Sec. 20-49. Well water analysis.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 9]
No occupancy permit shall be issued by the building inspector unless a copy of well
water analysis report of bacteriological, physical, and sanitary chemical examination has
been submitted to the director of health health district for reviewing and approving of
same, as set forth in section 19a-37 of the General Statutes and any amendment thereto.
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Sec. 20-50. Director of health to set guidelines.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. III, § 10]
The director of health health district or his authorized agent is hereby authorized to
establish guidelines and requirements for private sewage disposal systems and well
water. Such requirements and guidelines may be modified in accordance with the
recommendation of the state department of health or the state sanitary code. Such
requirements, guidelines or modifications thereof shall be published, after establishment
or modifications, in two newspapers having a major circulation in the town, and copies
thereof shall be available for those designing or building private sewage disposal systems
and well water systems.
Sec. 20-51. through § 20-60. (Reserved)
DIVISION 3. Building Sewers and Connections
Sec. 20-61. New and modified connections.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 1]
Any person proposing a new discharge into the system or a substantial change in the
volume or character of pollutants that are being discharged into the system shall notify
the town engineer at least 45 days prior to the proposed change or connection. No
unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter,
or disturb any public sanitary sewer or storm sewer or appurtenances thereof without first
obtaining a written permit from the town engineer.
Sec. 20-62. Permit.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 2]
A piping and drain laying contractor shall make application for any and all proposed
work on a special form furnished by the town. The permit application shall be
supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in
the judgment of the town engineer. A permit and inspection fee of $15 shall be paid to
the town at the time the application is filed.
Sec. 20-63. Responsibility for costs; certificate of insurance.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 3]
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All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection of the building
sewer shall be borne by the owner. No permit shall be issued to any contractor until he
has filed with the town a certificate of public liability and property damage insurance in
amounts specified by the town council. The insurance shall be approved by the director
of public works as surety. Such insurance shall name the town as insured and provide
indemnification of the town from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be
occasioned by the installation of the building sewer for a period of one year from date of
its completion.
Sec. 20-64. Number requirement; exceptions.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 4]
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building except
the following:
(1) Where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no separate
building sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an
adjoining alley, court, yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may
be extended to the rear building provided an acceptable right-of-way is recorded in the
town land records.
(2) Where an industrial complex has provided a sewer system on its own property to drain
several buildings to an interceptor for discharge by gravity or pumping to the town
sewer.
These types of building sewer connections shall be installed as approved by the town
engineer and owned or maintained by the property owner thereof.
Sec. 20-65. Old systems with new buildings.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 5]
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are
found, on examination and test under the supervision of the building inspector, to meet
all requirements of this chapter.
Sec. 20-66. Size, slope and alignment.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 6]
The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer, and the
methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing, and backfilling
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the trench, shall all conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code and
other applicable rules and regulations of the town as set forth by the town engineer.
Sec. 20-67. Sill elevation.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 7]
In any and all situations, public sewers will be designed and constructed to guarantee
service above sill elevation only, regardless of existing conditions and plumbing in any
and all buildings. Any cost arising from modifications or changes of building plumbing
necessary to make connection to public sewers feasible will be borne by the property
owner.
Sec. 20-68. Plot plan.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 8]
When an owner of any lot, or his agent, applies for a building permit, the building
inspector shall require, as condition of the issuance of such permit, that such owner or
agent show on the plot plan the layout of the proposed building sewer from the building
drain to the point of entry to existing pipes, including elevation of the building drain,
finished first floor and/or cellar floor and the elevation of existing pipe to which the
proposed building sewer will drain.
Sec. 20-69. Elevation.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 9]
The building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation satisfactory to the
town engineer. In a situation where any building drain is too low to flow by gravity to the
public sewer, the property owner shall have the option of installing a private sewage
disposal system conforming to article III of this chapter or the sewage shall be lifted by an
approved means and discharged to the public sewer.
Sec. 20-70. Backflow check valve.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 10]
For any sewering situation in which a public sewer backup would create the distinct
possibility, as determined by the town engineer, of a serious backup into a residential,
commercial, or industrial building, or otherwise endanger life, limb, or public health, the
contractor, upon written notice from the town engineer shall install, at the expense of the
property owner, a backflow check valve in the building sewer. Such valves shall be
installed under the direction of the town engineer and so situated as to provide
accessibility thereto.
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Sec. 20-71. Unauthorized connections.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 11]
No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, lawn
drains, areaway drains, sump pump discharge or other sources of surface runoff or
groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or
indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.
Sec. 20-72. Conformance; deviations.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 12]
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the
requirements of the building and plumbing codes or other applicable rules and
regulations of the town. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any
deviation from prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the town
engineer before installation.
Sec. 20-73. Notice of readiness for inspection.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 13]
(a) The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the town engineer or his
representative when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the
public sewer. One full working day notice shall be provided for all inspections.
(b) A trench which is for any reason whatsoever backfilled prior to inspection and
complete approval of the building sewer shall be subject to re-excavation. The
contractor will provide one full working day notice for reinspection of such building
sewer.
Sec. 20-74. Safety precautions.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. IV, § 14]
All excavation for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with
barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks,
parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored
in a manner satisfactory to the town.
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Sec. 20-75. Mandatory connection to public sewers.
[Ord. of 4-22-85, §§ 2, 3; Ord. of 7-11-88; Ord. of 8-11-98(2)]
(a) The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy,
employment, recreation, or other purposes situated within the town and abutting any
street, alley or right-of-way in which there may in the future be located a public sanitary
sewer of the town shall be required to install at the sole expense of the owners, a building
sewer to connect the building drain to the public sanitary sewer in accordance with the
provisions of this section, within five years after the date of official notification of the
availability of such public sewer system to accept such waste.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or repair any privy, privy vault, septic
tank, cesspool, or other facility intended for the disposal of sewage if public sewers are
available. As used in this subsection, repair shall mean a replacement of or
reconditioning of a portion of such system having a cost in excess of $1,000.
(c) For failure to comply with any provision of this section, the town may order and direct
sewer connection on behalf of the owner and thereafter secure payment of such sums
so expended from the owner with costs of collection including reasonable attorney's fees
and interest thereon at the rate of 1 1/2% per month and with such sums constituting a
lien upon the premises to be so served by sewers.
Sec. 20-76. through § 20-80. (Reserved)
DIVISION 4. Installation of Sewers in Subdivisions
Sec. 20-81. Submission of plan.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 1]
No subdivision located within an area in which the extension of existing public sewers is
feasible shall be approved by the town planning and zoning commission until the
developer has submitted to the planning and zoning commission an appropriate
subdivision plan as provided in this division.
Sec. 20-82. Design approval.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 2]
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No subdivision within an area in which the extension of existing public sewers is feasible
shall be approved by the planning and zoning commission until the town engineer and
the state department of environmental protection have approved a design of sewer
system serving the subdivision. The design shall be prepared by a registered professional
engineer, shall conform to accepted engineering practices and existing installation
requirements, and shall provide for an economical and effective future extension of the
public sewer system. All costs for the design shall be borne by the developer. Any rightsof-way called for by such design shall be approved by the planning and zoning
commission and deeded to the town.
Sec. 20-83. Procedure for acceptance of and inspection of public and building sewer; air
testing.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 3; Ord. of 10-12-99]
The developer or installer shall install not only the public sewer but also the building
sewers from the public sewer to the property line. During said construction, the town
engineer's office shall be provided with adequate access to the site to permit visual and
television inspection of such entire installation, including manhole construction and back
filling. After such installation the developer shall air test the aforementioned public sewer
together with building sewers as required by and under the direction of the town
engineer. Any part or portion of such sewer system found defective by such air test shall
be repaired to the satisfaction of the town engineer. In the case of new streets, the
developer shall complete all of the above work before he commences surfacing of the
street. Application for final approval of the completed sewer system or installation shall
be:
(1) In writing;
(2) Accompanied by an as-built mylar drawing of the sewer line and its
appurtenances showing horizontal and vertical locations thereof prepared by a licensed
land surveyor. In the case of sewer construction as part of a new subdivision, such sewer
as-built mylar may be incorporated into or filed with the as-built mylars of the highways
therein; and
(3) Accompanied by an indexed videotape of the entire sewer facilities included
in the application.
Final approval of the sewer system shall be granted in writing by the town engineer.
Sec. 20-84. Bulkhead; debris removal.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 4]
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The developer shall install, at his expense, a bulkhead at the last downstream manhole
of the new system. Any water, grit, sand, concrete, sticks, rocks, lumber or refuse which
accumulates in this manhole due to construction, cleaning, and other related activities
shall be removed therefrom and properly disposed of by the developer. In no instance
shall the above-mentioned refuse be allowed to enter an existing public sewer.
Sec. 20-85. Caps; tie and elevation plans.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 5]
The developer shall cap all building sewers and open ends of the public sewer system
and shall provide the town engineering department one set of reproducible as-built
plans and three copies thereof, showing exact ties and elevations so as to facilitate
future location.
Sec. 20-86. Systems within rights-of-way.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 6]
Where topography prevents installation of public sewers within the street, the developer
shall install the sewer within rights-of-way that shall be of adequate width as determined
by the town and duly filed in the town land records.
Sec. 20-87. Pumping station.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 7]
If a pumping station is deemed necessary by the town engineer, the planning and
zoning commission shall require the developer to install the pumping station and any
appurtenant equipment thereto. Such installation shall adhere to all regulations adopted
by municipal, state, or federal agencies established to oversee such installations.
Sec. 20-88. Extra-system provisions; reimbursement.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 8]
The developer shall not be required to include as part of the sewer system construction
of any pipes, pumping stations or other appurtenances, which would be required for or
would serve areas outside the subdivision in question unless provision is made in
accordance with the Sewer Equity Act for reimbursing the developer for any cost in
excess of the system required for the subdivision.
Sec. 20-89. Appeal for disagreement.
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[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. V, § 9]
Any disagreements or discrepancies arising between the town and any developer
concerning the design, installation or approval of sewers shall be referred to the town
council and their decision shall be binding.
Sec. 20-90. through § 20-100. (Reserved)
DIVISION 5. Use of the Public Sewers
Sec. 20-101. Unauthorized discharge.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 1]
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water,
groundwater, roof runoff, sump pump discharge, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated
cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
Sec. 20-102. Discharges into storm sewers.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 2]
Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are
specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the town
engineer. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on
approval of the town engineer and the granting of a discharge permit by the state
department of environmental protection, to a storm sewer, or natural outlet.
Sec. 20-103. Specific prohibitions.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, §§ 3, 4]
(a) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described
waters or wastes to any public sewer:
(1) Gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid,
solid or gas;
(2) Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in
sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes to injure or interfere
with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a
public nuisance, or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment
plant;
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(3) Any and all wastes or waters which do not conform to the appropriate
pretreatment standards of the state department of environmental protection;
(4) Any water or wastes having a pH lower than 6.5 or higher than 9.5 or having
any other corrosive property or characteristic capable of causing damage or hazard to
structures, equipment or personnel of the sewage works;
(5) Solid or viscous substances in quantities of such size capable of causing
obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the
sewage works, such as, but not limited to ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings,
metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch
manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, etc., either
whole or ground by garbage grinders.
(b) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following defined prohibited
substances, whether contained in materials, waters, or wastes, if it appears likely in the
opinion of the town that such wastes can harm either the sewers, sewage treatment
plant or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream or can otherwise
endanger life, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. Sampling shall be carried
out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of prohibited substances
upon the sewage works and to determine the existence of hazards of life, limb, and
property. In forming an opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the town will give
consideration to such factors as the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and
velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the sewers, nature of sewage
treatment process, capacity of the sewage treatment plant, degree of treatability of
wastes in the sewage treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances
prohibited are:
(1) Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit
(66 degrees Celsius);
(2) Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or
not, in excess of 100 mg. per liter or containing substances which may solidify or become
viscous at temperatures between 32 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (zero and 66 degrees
Celsius);
(3) Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. The installation and
operation of any garbage grinders equipped with a motor of 3/4 horsepower or greater
shall be subject to review and approval of the building inspector;
(4) Any water or wastes exerting an excessive chlorine requirement to such a
degree that any such material received in the composite sewage at the sewage
treatment plant exceeds the limits established by the superintendent;
(5) Phenols or other taste- or odor-producing substances in such concentration so
as to exceed limits established by the superintendent, as necessary, after treatment of
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the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of the state, federal, or other public
agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters;
(6) Any radioactive materials or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may
exceed limits established by the superintendent with applicable state or federal
regulations;
(7) Materials which contain or cause:
a. Unusual concentration, as determined by the superintendent, of inert
suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, fuller's earth, lime slurries, lime,
residues) or dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride and
sodium sulfate),
b. Excessive discoloration (such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and
vegetable tanning solutions),
c. Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand or chlorine requirements as
determined by the superintendent, in such quantities to constitute a significant
load on the sewage treatment works,
d. Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constituting a slug as
defined herein.
(8) Strong acid iron pickling wastes or concentrated plating solutions whether
neutralized or not;
(9) Any and all toxic and poisonous materials, including but not limited to
cyanides, copper, zinc, nickel, iron, chromium, lead, tin, silver, mercury or salts thereof;
(10) Materials which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the sewage
treatment or reduction by the sewage treatment processes employed, or are amenable
to treatment only to such degrees that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot
meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the
receiving waters.
(c) No person shall discharge into the public sewer any industrial or commercial waters or
wastes without obtaining an appropriate permit from the state department of
environmental protection pursuant to section 25-541 of chapter 74a of the General
Statutes prior to discharge of such waters or wastes.
Sec. 20-104. Deleterious discharges.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 5]
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If any waters or wastes discharged or proposed to be discharged to sewers discharging
to the sewage treatment plant contain the substances or possess the characteristics
enumerated in section 20-103, and which in the judgment of the superintendent may
have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processed equipment or receiving
waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life and constitute a public nuisance, the
superintendent may:
(1) Reject the wastes;
(2) Require pretreatment and adequate equipment necessary to render the
wastes acceptable for discharge to the sewers;
(3) Require control over the quantities; and/or
(4) Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the
wastes.
Sec. 20-105. Grease, oil and sand interceptors.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 6]
Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided by the owner at his expense when,
in the opinion of the superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid
wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, or other
harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living
units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the superintendent
and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
Sec. 20-106. Flow-equalizing facilities.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 7]
Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any waters or
wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by
the owner at his expense.
Sec. 20-107. Control manhole.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 8]
When required by the town, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer
carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole together with such
necessary meters or other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation,
sampling, and measurement of wastes. An approved valve or gate shall be provided in
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the manhole to prevent the industrial waste from being discharged into the town
sewage system if it becomes necessary for the superintendent to reject this industrial
waste in accordance with section 20-104. Such manholes, when required, shall be
accessible and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans
approved by the town. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense, and
shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
Sec. 20-108. Measurements, tests and analyses.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 9]
All measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to
which reference is made in this chapter shall be determined in accordance with the
latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
published by the American Public Health Association, Inc. and shall be determined at
the control manhole provided, or upon suitable samples taken at the control manhole. If
no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be
the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building
sewer is connected. Sampling shall be carried out by the superintendent with such
assistance as necessary from the industry using customarily accepted methods to reflect
the effect of constituents upon the sewage works and to determine the existence of
hazards to life, limb, and property.
Sec. 20-109. Industrial monitoring; records and reports.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 10]
All industries discharging into a public sewer shall perform such monitoring of their
discharge as the superintendent or other duly authorized employee of the town may
reasonably require, including installation, use and maintenance of monitoring
equipment, keeping records, and reporting the results of such monitoring to the
superintendent. Such records shall be made available upon request by the
superintendent to other agencies having jurisdiction over discharges to the receiving
water.
Sec. 20-110. Industrial discharge; records and reports.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 11]
All establishments discharging industrial wastes into the town sewage system shall obtain
a permit from the town. The director of public works shall determine the information
required to be included on the application of such permit. Acceptable average and
peak rates of flow and concentration of pollutants shall be prescribed by the
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superintendent. In no instance shall the flow rate exceed 125 gallons per minute.
Average and peak rates of flow shall be determined at the applicant's expense by a
certified testing laboratory or an established consultant. All permits shall be valid for a
period not to exceed five years.
Sec. 20-111. Limits of article.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VI, § 12]
No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special
written contractual agreement between any industrial concern and the town, whereby
an industrial waste of unusual strength or characteristics may be accepted by the town
for treatment, subject payment therefore, by the industrial concern; provided that such
agreements do not contravene any requirements of existing federal law and are
compatible with any user charge and industrial cost recovery system in effect. Any such
special agreement must be authorized and approved by the town council and the state
department of environmental protection prior to the initiation of sewage service to the
industrial concern.
Sec. 20-112. through § 20-120. (Reserved)
DIVISION 6. Powers and Authority of Inspectors
Sec. 20-121. Power of entry; limitations.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VII, § 1]
The building inspector, the town engineer, the superintendent, and other duly authorized
employees of the town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted
to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement,
sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The town shall
have no authority to inquire into any processes beyond that point having a direct
bearing on the kind and source of discharge to sewers or waterways or facilities for waste
treatment.
Sec. 20-122. Liability exemption.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VII, § 2]
While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in section 20-121
all duly authorized employees of the town shall observe all safety rules applicable to the
premises established by the company and the company shall be held harmless for injury
or death to the town employee and the town shall indemnify the company against loss
or damage to its property by town employees and against liability claims and demands
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for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out
of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused by negligence
or failure of the company to maintain a safe condition as required in article VI.
Sec. 20-123. Power of entry; private property.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VII, § 3]
The superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the town bearing proper
credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through
which the town holds a duly negotiated easement for the purpose of, but not limited to,
inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any
portion of the sewage works lying within such easement. All entry and subsequent work, if
any, on such easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly
negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved.
Sec. 20-124. Town council to resolve controversies.
[Ord. of 9-24-79, Art. VII, § 4]
In any and all matters concerning sanitary sewers, the town council shall resolve
controversies and disagreements which may arise from the design, construction,
approval, operation, maintenance, repair, and other activities related thereto.
Sec. 20-125. through § 20-150. (Reserved)
Article III. Water
DIVISION 1. Generally
Sec. 20-151. through § 20-170. (Reserved)
DIVISION 2. Extension of Water Mains
Sec. 20-171. Authority to assess benefits.
[Ord. of 11-27-78, § a; Ord. of 8-23-99(1)]
(a) The town council is authorized to apportion and assess the cost or expense of laying
out and constructing such water mains as it caused to be extended upon the lands and
buildings in the town which shall, in its judgment, be specifically benefited thereby and
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shall abut on such work, and upon the owners of such land and buildings, subject to the
right of appeal as by statute may be permitted. In determining that portion of the cost or
expense which is commensurate with the benefits covered on abutting properties for the
purpose of making assessments on such properties, the town council may consider the
cost of materials, installation, service connections, curb, sidewalk and highway repairs,
the cost of installation of gate valves on shutoffs, any compensation, fees, charges and
expenses of any attorney, engineer, surveyor, superintendent or inspector employed by
the town council, the cost of any property purchased or acquired as the town council
shall determine is required for such extension, interest on bonds or notes issued therefor,
the costs of preparing maps, plans, and specifications, the cost of installation of one
service lateral to each existing or projected lot be serviced by such main, and the cost of
printing, publishing or serving advertisements or notices. In computing the amount of
such assessments, whenever larger than eight-inch pipe is installed as part of such
extension, the extra cost of installing a pipe larger than eight inches shall not be assessed
against the owners of abutting properties but the cost of installation in excess of the cost
of installing an eight-inch pipe shall be paid for by the Southington Water Department. It
shall be the intent of this article that a uniform front foot rate for such water main
extension shall be established so that in areas where higher costs are encountered or
where conditions would result in higher than average cost, such abutting property would
pay only the average cost per front foot. A corner lot or a lot belonging to the same
owner and abutting upon more than one serviced street shall not be assessed on the
same portion of such lot upon its total frontage on both of such streets but shall be
exempt therefrom upon its frontage on one of such streets to an amount not exceeding
the greater dimension provided for in the zoning classification adopted for the area in
which the property is located, if the property owner owns that number of feet. In the
case of property located on an angle or curve in any street the total front foot
measurement shall be estimated proportionately to the area of such property for a
depth of 60 feet from the street. Properties used exclusively for railroad tracks, property
covered by water and cemeteries shall be exempt from being liable for reimbursement
hereunder.
(b) After completion of any water or other work for which benefits have been assessed
hereunder, said commission shall give notice that the benefits assessed are due and
payable, by publication at least twice in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in
said Town of Southington and all benefits assessed shall be due and payable within 90
days after the first publication of such notice and in the event of default in such
payment. Interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate then being charged on
installment payments shall be assessed from the date of such assessment. All assessments
made under the provisions of this act may be apportioned by the commission into such
number of equal annual installments, not exceeding 10, as any person or corporation
responsible for any such payment may request in writing, provided written request for
such installment payment is made on or before the date such payment is due and
payable, and provided the first installment is paid on or before such due date. If
installment payments are made, interest on the unpaid balance of such assessment shall
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be added to each of such installments at such a rate as may be determined and from
time to time be redetermined by the commission and if any such installment or interest
remains unpaid for more than 30 days after the same has become due and payable
then the entire balance remaining unpaid, at the option of the commission, shall
become due and payable and interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate then
being charged on installment payments shall be charged upon the entire unpaid
balance of assessment from the time when such installment or interest became due until
the same is paid. The one-percent per annum penalty interest rate shall terminate in the
case of late installment payments when and if said payments cease to be in arrears.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the payment in full,
notwithstanding its prior apportionment, of any balance of any assessment or interest.
Sec. 20-172. Deferral of water line assessments.
[Ord. of 8-23-99(2)]
(a) Pursuant to G.S. § 7-137C as amended by Public Act No. 99-225, the town council
shall have the authority, by resolution, to permit water main assessment made under
section 20-171 to be deferred. Requests for such deferral shall be made in writing by the
effected property owner, or representative, to be received by the town during a period
of at least 30 days from a date set by vote of the town council.
(b) The owner of any property for which a deferral has been so granted shall be required
to pay such assessment in full at such time as said property is connected to the water
main.
(c) During the period of such deferral, no interest shall accrue upon the assessment so
deferred.
(d) If the cost of installation of said water main has been paid by the Board of Water
Commissioners for the Town of Southington, the proceeds of payments made on
deferred assessments shall, on receipt, be paid to said board.
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