Lake Wales (Current through Ordinance 2023-17, Adopted 7-05-2023)
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 21. Utilities   
 Article II. Sewer System
 Division 1. Generally
  

Division 1. Generally  

§ 21-26. Purpose and policy.
Latest version.

(a) This article sets forth uniform requirements for direct and indirect contributors into the sewer system for the city and enables the city to comply with all applicable state and federal laws required by the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the General Pretreatment Regulations (40 CFR Part 403) as from time to time amended.

(b) The objectives of this article are to:

(1) Prevent the introduction of pollutants into the municipal sewer system which will interfere with the operation of the system or contaminate the resulting sludge;

(2) Prevent the introduction of pollutants into the municipal sewer system which will pass through the system, inadequately treated, into receiving waters or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible with the system;

(3) Improve the opportunity to recycle and reclaim waste water and sludge from the system; and

(4) Provide for equitable distribution of the cost of the municipal sewer system.

(c) This article provides for the regulation of contributors to the municipal sewer system through the issuance of permits to certain nondomestic users and through enforcement activities, requires user reporting, assumes that the capacity of existing customers will not be preempted, and provides for the setting of fees for the equitable distribution of costs resulting from the program established herein.

(d) This article shall apply to the city and to persons outside the city who are, by contract or agreement with the city, users of the city sewer system. Except as otherwise provided herein, the director of utilities for the city shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 96-06, § 1, 5-21-96)
§ 21-27. Connection to sewer system.
Effective on Tuesday, November 1, 2022

(a) Availability defined. The city sewer system shall be deemed available for the connection of the plumbing of any building as follows:

(1) Estimated sewage flows of one thousand (1,000) gallons per day or less for an existing parcel. Service is available if a city sewer line exists in a public easement or right-of-way which abuts the property, and gravity flow can be maintained from the building's drain to the sewer line. If gravity flow can be maintained from a drain located anywhere in the building, service shall be deemed available to the entire building. Where a building exists on a septic system prior to June 1, 1996, service is deemed to be available if the connection can be made without unreasonable cost to the property owner.

(2) Estimated sewage flows exceeding one thousand (1,000) gallons per day for an existing parcel. Service is available if a city force main or lift station exists in a public easement or right-of-way which abuts the property or is within one hundred (100) feet of the property. Where a building exists on a septic system prior to June 1, 1996, service is deemed to be available if the connection can be made without unreasonable cost to the property owner. For repair or modification of a pre-existing septic system, service is deemed to be available if any sewer line exists within five hundred (500) feet of the subject property which is accessible via easements or rights-of-way.

(3) Areas zoned or used for industrial or manufacturing purposes or the equivalent for an existing parcel. Service is available if a sewer line exists within one mile (five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet) of the development which is accessible via easements or rights-of-way. Where a building exists on a septic system prior to June 1, 1996, service is deemed to be available if the connection can be made without unreasonable cost to the property owner. 

(4) Newly developed areas zoned for commercial, residential, industrial, and manufacturing or the equivalent Service is deemed available if the parcel falls within the City limits of Lake Wales. All requirements provided in section 21-4 for construction of utility lines and other additions to the system shall pertain to the sewer system. Such sewer lines shall be installed in such a manner as to provide service to the entire property of the development, and the main lines shall be extended across the total property frontage to facilitate future extensions. These lines shall be installed during the initial placement of other required infrastructure items and prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or completion or use for the specific site or development. The cost of installing this system shall be borne by the developer.

(b) Mandatory connection. Where service is deemed to be available, the owner of each lot or parcel of land within the city's utility service area upon which any building exists that is used for residential, institutional, commercial or industrial purposes shall cause the plumbing of such building to be connected with the sewer system and use such facilities within sixty (60) days following notification to do so by the director of utilities. All such connections shall be made at the expense of the owner and shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the city commission, which rules and regulations shall provide for reasonable fees and charges for service. If a property owner fails to connect to the sewer system within sixty (60) days after notification to do so, such owner shall be required to pay charges for service the same as if the building were connected to the system.

(c) Construction, repair and alteration of septic systems. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, repair, alter, do or have work done to any septic system within the city's utility service area where connection to the city's sewer system is deemed to be available. No person shall construct, repair, alter or enlarge any septic system where sewer service is deemed to be unavailable unless such person receives approval by the director of utilities and holds a valid permit for such work issued by the department of health and rehabilitative services. The type, capacity, location, and layout of a septic system shall comply with all regulations of the department of health and rehabilitative services.

(d) Purchase, installation and maintenance of pumping devices. Where estimated sewage flow exceeds one thousand (1,000) gallons per day, elevation differences between the building in question and the sewer system shall not be construed to mean that sewer service is unavailable. In such instances where gravity flow cannot be maintained from the building's drain to the sewer line, the owner of the building shall be required to purchase, install and maintain, at the owner's expense, a device manufactured specifically for the pumping of sewage into the sewer system. The operation and maintenance of the pumping device shall be the sole responsibility of the owner or the owner's agent with a signed waiver of the city's liability prior to connection to the system. If, as a result of geographical location, it is deemed to be in the public interest to oversize the pumping device beyond minimum requirements, the city may exercise the option to operate and maintain the pumping device.

(e) Application for connection, inspection fee and notice for inspection. A connection with the sewer system shall be made only after an application has been filed with the building official. Such application shall state where the connection is to be made and such other information and details as shall be prescribed by the building official. Such inspection fee or other fees as may be required from time to time shall accompany the application. No work shall be done until the application shall have been approved by the building official and no connection with the sewer system shall be made without a permit having been issued by the building official, and all such connections shall first be inspected and approved before the same shall be covered by filling the excavation. Reasonable notice shall be given to the building official of the time such connection is ready to be inspected.

(Ord. No. 96-06, § 1, 5-21-96; Ord. No. 21-11, § 1, 6-15-21; Ord. No. 22-47, § 1, 11-01-22)