§ 74-121. High strength waste discharges.

(a)

If any wastes are discharged, or proposed to be discharged, to a wastewater treatment plant which contains pollutants in excess of normal concentrations, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, or such wastes possess characteristics which, in the judgment of the city, may have a deleterious effect upon the wastewater treatment plant, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the city may, either alone or in combination:

(1)

Refuse to accept the waste;

(2)

Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the wastewater treatment plant;

(3)

Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; or

(4)

Require payment of a surcharge to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes.

(b)

Regular user charges shall apply to wastes that are at or below normal concentrations, as follows:

(1)

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), 300 mg/l.

(2)

Total suspended solids, 300 mg/l.

(3)

Nitrogen. 50 mg/l.

(4)

Grease, 100 mg/l.

Applicable concentrations shall be based on average concentrations weighed in proportion to volume of flow determined during each billing period by the most practicable method possible. If the average concentration of any constituent exceeds the allowable concentration stated in this subsection, an individual surcharge for constituents exceeded shall apply for the applicable billing period, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection (c) of this section.

(c)

The surcharge in dollars for allowable constituents exceeded shall be computed by multiplying the total mg/l of BOD and suspended solids above 600 mg/l times the metered water used during the billing period in millions of gallons times a treatment surcharge factor. The surcharge factor shall be derived annually from the following formula and shall be set forth in the schedule of fees:

Surcharge factor = Cost of treatment per million gallons/600

Cost of treatment per million gallons equals operational costs of the city's wastewater treatment facilities for the preceding fiscal year, including prorata administrative costs, divided by the total sewage flow through all city-owned or city-contracted plants in millions of gallons. Six hundred (600) equals maximum normal BOD, plus suspended solids content expressed in milligrams per liter.

The surcharge in dollars for fats, waxes, grease, oil and solvent-soluble substances shall be computed on a basis of $0.02 per part per million (ppm) over a maximum of 100 ppm.

The surcharge in dollars for nitrogen shall be computed on a basis of $0.02 per ppm over a maximum of 50 ppm.

(d)

All measurements, tests and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this section shall be determined from suitable samples taken at the control manhole in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association, the American Waterworks Association and the Water Environment Federation. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the sewerage works and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb and property. The particular analysis involved will determine whether a 24-hour composite of all outfalls of a premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample or other multiple samples should be taken. All costs for measurements, tests and analyses shall be the responsibility of the user.

(Ord. No. 97-5, § 10, 12-18-1997; Ord. No. 2011-1277, § 6, 6-13-2011)