13.04.020 Administration.
A. Responsibilities of the Department. The Sewer Division of the Department has the responsibility for the maintenance, operation, preservation, improvement, and administration of sewer and water utility facilities owned by Pierce County.
B. Authority of the Director. The Director shall be the administrator of the public sewer system. Overall authority for the execution, administration, and interpretation of the rates and regulations in this Sewer Code resides with the Director. Such authority shall include the power to determine questions of applicability or interpretation of rates or regulations, to adopt or modify implementing procedures, to enforce regulations or grant exemptions, to order specific actions or forbearance, and to impose other additional requirements in furtherance of this Sewer Code. These decisions shall be made when deemed reasonably necessary in the interest of the public. All such decisions shall be documented and an annual report summarizing these decisions shall be submitted to the Pierce County Council by October 1st of each calendar year. The Director shall have the authority to delegate, as necessary, specific authority to carry out the execution, administration, and interpretation of these rates and regulations.
C. Interdepartmental Cooperation and Agreements. The Director may, insofar as practicable, make use of services of the other County departments, offices, and agencies. Interdepartmental agreements between the Department and other departments of the County may be authorized when necessary.
D. Contracts – General. The Department may enter into contracts with entities such as an existing water and/or wastewater district, municipal corporation, other government agency, political subdivision, person, firm, or corporation for the establishment, maintenance and/or operation of any sewer or water facilities. The Director shall not be authorized to obligate the Department to any such contract, but shall perform all preparatory work necessary prior to presentation of such proposed contracts to the Pierce County Executive for execution.
Such contracts may include, but are not limited to, the following types:
1. Contracts with such entities whereby the Department agrees to establish, maintain, or operate sewer and/or water facilities for such entity;
2. Contracts with such entities whereby such entity agrees to establish, maintain, or operate sewer and/or water facilities for the Department;
3. Contracts with such entities whereby the Department may utilize any sewer and/or water facilities owned and/or operated by such entity for any lawful purpose;
4. Contracts with such entities whereby such entity may utilize all or a portion of Pierce County's sewer and/or water facilities for any lawful purpose;
5. Contracts with property owners whereby such owners agree to construct off-site sewer and/or water facilities;
6. Contracts with property owners of job-producing developments for the amortization of connection charges subject to a maximum 15-year term and an interest rate equivalent to the True Interest Cost of any current Pierce County sewer bonds;
7. Contracts with property owners located in residential subdivisions required to connect dry sewer line plat lots for the amortization of connection charges subject to a maximum 15-year term, an interest rate equivalent to the True Interest Cost of any current Pierce County sewer bonds; and
8. Contracts with property owners who have violated the Sewer Code for the amortization of costs, charges, fees, penalties, or expenses of any kind associated with the violation.
E. Contract Requirements. All contracts entered into between the Department and other entities shall contain the minimum following information:
1. complete description of all the duties, obligations, and commitments of both parties;
2. legal description of all properties covered under the contract;
3. required payments, connection charges, fees, deposits and assessments;
4. other information/items deemed necessary by the Director; and
5. requirements of other agencies, the State of Washington, and/or United States Government for the type of service being provided in the contracts.
F. Review, Inspection, and Construction of Proposed Sewer Facilities. Prior to the construction, installation, and operation of any public or private sewer facility governed by the provisions of this Sewer Code, the Department shall require any property owners, developers, or other entities to submit a Sewer Facility Plan to the Department for approval and/or obtain a sewer service permit and pay all required fees and connection charges, except as otherwise provided in PCC 13.04.075. A Sewer Facility Plan required by this Sewer Code shall conform to Pierce County Sewer Standards and include information of sufficient scope and detail so as to allow the Director to make a determination that the Sewer Facility Plan meets the minimum requirements of the Department.
The Department shall conduct the review of any Sewer Facility Plan prior to commencement of construction and shall also conduct inspections of the sewer facility installation prior to operation to ascertain whether the installation complies with the approved Sewer Facility Plan and all other requirements, standards and/or provisions of this Sewer Code. The Department will conduct a television inspection of all interceptor and collector lines installed by the property owner, developer, or other entity. If defects are discovered by the Department, the property owner, developer, or other entity will be responsible for reimbursing the Department for all costs incurred to re-televise the lines after the defects have been resolved.
G. Design Criteria and Construction Standards. The Department shall ensure that the design and construction of new or improved sewer facilities are consistent with the most current version of DOE's Criteria for Sewage Works Design and Pierce County Sewer Standards as prescribed and interpreted by the Director.
In cases where specific design or construction criteria are not prescribed by the Sewer Code or Pierce County Sewer Standards, the following guidelines shall be followed to determine the required criteria:
1. All sewer facilities shall be designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes inflow and infiltration into the public sewer system.
2. All sewer facilities shall be designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes the number of pressure sewer connections.
3. All sewer facilities shall be designed and constructed in a manner that provides the least lifecycle cost to the Department.
4. All sewer facilities shall be designed and constructed in a manner that allows perpetual and unrestricted access for maintenance and operation of the facilities.
5. All sewer facilities shall be designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes public exposure to sewage spills and sewer-related odors and noise.
H. Sewer Utility Funds. The County shall by separate resolutions/ordinances create the necessary Sewer Utility Funds to properly account for any and all revenues received for the use of sewers as set forth herein, from revenues received from the sale of by-products from the WWTP, or from any other source for rentals or services rendered by the Department. All expenses for the maintenance, operation, preservation, improvement, and administration of the public sewer system shall be charged to these funds.
I. Authorization of Inspection of Existing Sewer Facilities. The Department shall be authorized to enter upon premises connected to the public sewer system at all reasonable hours for inspection purposes. In the event that entry is refused, necessary steps shall be taken to make application for a search warrant to accomplish the appropriate inspection. If the sewer facilities or its appurtenances are in conflict with the provisions of this Sewer Code, the owner of the premises shall be notified to cause the sewer or its appurtenances to be so altered, repaired, or reconstructed at the property owner's expense so as to make them conform to the requirements of this Sewer Code within a reasonable time limit established by the Director from the time of receipt of such notice.