CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 02-23

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ESTABLISHING THE RESIDENTIAL HOLDING TANK POLICY, OPERATIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS AND AMENDING THE CITY=S FEE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE THE ASSOCIATED FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOLDING TANK SERVICES.

WHEREAS, The City Council tasked the Staff to develop a plan to address residential holding tanks and to identify associated costs/fees.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Homer City Council establishes the following Residential Holding Tank Policy, Operational Rules and Regulations and amends the City=s fee schedule to include the fees as established in the Operational Rules and regulations:

POLICY REGARDING RESIDENTIAL HOLDING TANKS

ACCEPTANCE OF WASTEWATER AT SEWER TREATMENT PLANT

City of Homer, Alaska

The City of Homer will accept residential holding tank wastewater, not commercial, not septic tank wastewater, at the sewer treatment plant under the conditions set forth herein. For purposes of this policy, the definition of residential includes churches and B & B's with no more than six bedrooms.

Only properties located within the City limits, served by a holding tank are eligible. The intention of this policy is to allow the discharge of holding tank wastewater to the sanitary sewer system (treatment plant) at a monthly cost equal to that paid by the other customers that are connected directly to the piped system. This charge will be the "customer charge" - $3.69 + "General Service Charge" - $12.72 [based upon 5/8 meter size] + "Commodity Charge" - $12.00 flat fee per pumping [A flat fee per pumping (published commodity charge is $6 per thousand), and as no method exists to meter trucked wastewater, the flat fee is based upon an average of 2,000 gallons], as designated in the City's fee schedule. This fee may be adjusted based on the results of the annual sewer rates evaluation process. This monthly charge will give the owner the right to discharge wastewater from their residential holding tank into the treatment system. The cost of transporting the wastewater from the holding tank to the discharge point is the responsibility of the owner.

This service is for existing lots and may not be used as a mechanism to further subdivide lots that are too remote to tie into existing sewer mains or in areas unsuitable for onsite septic system.

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Resolution 02-23

City of Homer

This service is meant only to be a temporary bridge until piped sewer service is available to the property served. By signing up for this service, the property owner is waiving objection to the ultimate formation of a water/sewer LID which can serve the property.

HOW TO INITIATE SERVICE

A property owner can initiate service by making application as described below:

§ Fill out sewer service application form at City Hall front counter and attach:

1. Copy of ADEC approval for the holding tank to be serviced or a certification from an Alaska registered engineer that the tank meets all ADEC requirements.

2. Provide name of approved tank pumping contractor who will provide pumping services.

§ All tanks must be DEC approved:

18 AAC 72.025 Holding Tanks.

[a] a person may install or use a holding tank if

1. the department (DEC) finds that permafrost or other soil conditions

preclude the use of soil absorption system or other subsurface domestic wastewater disposal system;

2. the tank holds at least 1,000 gallons, plus 250 gallons per bedroom over three served by the tank;

3. the tank is regularly pumped to prevent overflow;

4. the tank is equipped witn a nigh water alarm that will alert the home's occupants that pumping is required; and

5. plans are approved under 18 AAC 72.200.

A pumping contractor can receive permission to discharge residential holding tank waste by making application as described below:

§ Submit to the Public Works Department a letter of request and attach:

1. Copy of current business license.

2. Copy of comprehensive liability insurance ($250,000 minimum)

3. Copy of general liability insurance ($250,000 single limit minimum)

4. Copy of appropriate environmental hazard insurance

A copy of the approval letter from the City shall be in each vehicle discharging residential holding tank at the treatment plant.

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Resolution 02-23

City of Homer

OPERATIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules govern the acceptance of holding tank wastewater. Violation of these rules can result in loss of service to the owner of the property, or lost discharge privileges to the tank pumping contractor:

§ A lockable holding tank pumpage vault will be provided at Public Works. The key will be picked up and returned to the Public Works office with completed log in form.

§ Each discharge of holding tank pumpage will be logged in, using provided forms, by pumping contractor with information including:

- residence physical address

- owner's name

- size of tank

- estimate of gallons discharged [though charge is always for 2,000 gallons per pumping]

§ Holding tank wastewater will be received at the Wastewater Treatment Plant or at a location designated by City personnel, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Monday through Friday.

§ Any spills or cleanup associated with this operation will be the responsibility of the pumping contractor.

§ Holding tanks must be utilized for all domestic wastewater generated from a residence, church or B & B with no more than six bedrooms. 'Domestic wastewater' means waterborne human wastes or graywater derived from residential dwellings and includes the contents of individual removable containers used to collect and temporarily store human wastes. 'Domestic wastewater' does not include liquid or solid material from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar treatment works.

§ No pit toilet wastes or septage from septic systems are allowed under these provisions.

§ City of Homer will bill property owner/customer monthly for City service, not pumping contractor charge.

- Each property owner/customer will be billed once each month, regardless of number of pumpings, 1 [one] Customer Charge - $3.69 + 1 [one] General Service Charge - $12.72 + Commodity Charge [$12.00 per pumping]

- Property owner/customer is responsible for payment to pumping contractor

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Resolution 02-23

City of Homer

- City of Homer monthly billing examples based upon number of pumpings per month:

Type of Charge No pumpings 1 monthly pumping 3 monthly pumpings

Customer Charge $ 3.69 $ 3.69 $ 3.69

Gen. Svs. Charge 12.72 12.72 12.72

Commodity Charge 0 12.00 36.00

Total monthly bill $16.41 $29.41 $55.41

§ Other regulations as developed.

PASSED and ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 8th day of April, 2002

CITY OF HOMER

ATTEST: ______________________________

JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

___________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: NA