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A. Water and Sewer Connections. Any person desiring to have premises connected with the water supply or sewer system of the town shall submit an application for a permit to the town. The town shall approve water and sewer service connections on a first-come, first-served basis. The application shall consist of:

1. An application form signed by the owner of the premises (or the owner’s authorized agent), which includes the applicant’s name, description of the lot, block, and addition, the county assessor’s parcel number; and the street address of the premises;

2. A description of the premises where the water/sewer is desired, specifying the size of service pipe required, identifying the purpose for which water/sewer is to be used;

3. A copy of the building permit issued for the premises or a complete application for a building permit for the premises;

4. The fee established by the town for installation of water/sewer service; and

5. The general facilities fee established by the town for connection of the water and/or sewer service.

B. When Water Connection Is Required. Pursuant to RCW 19.27.097, every applicant for a building permit of a building necessitating potable water supply shall provide evidence of an adequate water supply for the intended use of the building, such as the town’s approval of a water connection.

C. When Sewer Connection Is Required. Until such time as the town has capacity in its sewer system, all property owners must maintain an on-site system approved by the Tacoma Pierce County health department (TPCHD); and the tank must meet the septic tank effluent pumping (STEP) system requirements. In addition, the town’s utility operator must inspect and approve the installation of the tank. Properties within the town that are utilizing a septic system or holding tank must connect to the town’s sewer system at such time as capacity in the town’s sewer system is available, and the town provides written notice to the property owner of the requirement for connection. Upon connection to the town’s sewer system, all private septic tanks and sewer disposal systems shall be pumped and filled.

D. Connections Must Follow Town’s Standards.

1. All connections to the town’s water system shall be made by a licensed contractor in accordance with the town’s standards, including all adopted standards for cross-connection control and backflow prevention as set forth in state law, the town’s ordinances and codes and regulations promulgated by the department of health.

2. All sewer connections shall be made by a licensed contractor and conform to the town’s standards. No trench shall be refilled until the sewer connection has been inspected and approved by the town. The construction materials utilized in the sewer system including that part under the ownership of the property owner shall be equal to or better than the material used in the construction of the sewer system and as updated by the latest edition of the State Building Code in effect within the town.

3. Upon completion of the connection to the town’s sewer system, all materials from the septic tank, including the septic tank, shall be the property of the town’s sewer system. The town’s sewer system shall be responsible for STEP tank pumping.

E. Access to Town’s STEP Tanks to Be Maintained by Property Owners. Property owners shall keep access to the STEP, STEF and STEG tanks clear so that the authorized representatives of the town may access the tanks at any time. If the authorized representatives of the town are required to move objects out of the way of access, the town shall bill the responsible property owners for the cost of moving such objects. In addition:

1. No person shall make a control/alarm box for a STEP tank inaccessible by locking it behind a door, fence or gate so that the town representatives cannot readily access the control/alarm box.

2. No person shall park a vehicle or trailer over the top of a STEP tank access lid or build a structure over the top of same.

3. Property owners shall trim and maintain vegetation so that it does not obstruct access to the STEP tank or control box.

4. If any person’s electrical service shall be disconnected, resulting in discontinuance of electricity to the septic tank pump, that person shall immediately contact the Town Hall and advise the town that electricity has been disconnected. The town shall then disconnect water service if necessary to prevent sewage from spilling on the ground.

5. Property owners shall be financially responsible for any damage to STEP, STEF or STEG tanks, lids and appurtenances. In addition the town may bill property owners for the cost of removing objects that obstruct access to these tanks.

F. Disturbance to Town Streets. If any street, alley or right-of-way is disturbed in making a connection to the town water system, the street, alley, roadway or right-of-way shall be restored to its original condition prior to the commencement of such work. The town utility department employee or designee shall have the sole discretion and authority to determine compliance with this subsection.

G. Compliance Inspections. The town’s utility operator or authorized designee shall have the right to enter upon any land, buildings or premises, at all reasonable times, in order to inspect connections to the town’s water supply system and the town’s sewer system and to determine whether the provisions of this chapter are being complied with, and/or to inspect the STEP system as needed. If requested by the town, the utility operator or authorized designee, a property owner shall install a suitable control manhole or inspection access at a location requested by the town for the purposes of observing, sampling, or measuring waste. The town utility operator or authorized representative shall notify the property owner or occupant of any violations of this chapter, and advise the owner or occupant of the duty to comply within 15 days of receiving such notice.

H. STEP Tank Maintenance. The town shall maintain all STEP tanks within the town’s jurisdiction. Every STEP system shall be maintained as needed. [Ord. 567 § 2 (9.01.010), 2018.]