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 Tomball
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 46. UTILITIES
 Article I. IN GENERAL

  § 46-23. Sewer line maintenance and construction.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    Sanitary sewer tap. All sanitary sewer taps to the city main line or any other city sanitary sewer line shall be constructed by the department of public works, except when otherwise noted on the city construction plans and approved by the department of public works. No customer, private contractor, private plumber or other entity shall be allowed to make connections to the city sewer line, except when such connection is allowed by the city and noted on the city-approved construction plans.

    (1)

    The customer is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the building sewer line.

    (2)

    For the purpose of this section, the term "building sewer line" shall be defined as the sewer line which runs between the building and the property line, utility easement, city property line, edge of the right-of-way, or other point as designated by the department of public works where the maintenance of the sewer line by the city begins.

    (3)

    The city is responsible for the maintenance of the city main line and all sewer lines and sewer taps at all points other than the building sewer line.

    (4)

    A current schedule of the foregoing rates, charges and deposits shall be maintained in the office of the city secretary.

    (b)

    Maintenance of building sewer line. If the improper maintenance of a building sewer line causes such line to receive dirt or exterior water into the building line, the owner shall be notified by the city and may be given up to ten days, as determined by the department of public works, to repair the building sewer line. Upon a necessity for immediate repairs, the city shall be authorized to cut off the water to the property until such repairs are made. Upon major sewer problems, such as at apartments or commercial connections, the department of public works may extend the time in which to make such repairs; provided, however, the city may keep the water shut off during the repair period.

    (1)

    If during the repair of the building sewer line it is determined by the department of public works that the sewer leak or stoppage is in the city's main and not in the building sewer line, the city will take over the repair of such leak or stoppage and the true owner may be reimbursed a reasonable amount, which amount, if any, will be as determined by the department of public works.

    (2)

    If the owner of the building sewer line does not repair the sewer line within the time allowed after said notice, the department of public works may cause the water service to the property to be terminated, and/or may cause the sewer service to be disconnected totally from the city main line and/or may, through the city's plumbing inspector, cause to be filed a complaint in the municipal court for failing to repair such building sewer line as requested.

    (3)

    Any owner who violates any part of subsection (b)(2) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to punishment as provided in section 1-14 for each offense. Each day that such repairs are not made shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

    (4)

    If the water service has been disconnected totally from the city main line as the result of the owner of the building sewer line failing to repair the sewer line or as a result of a determination that the building sewer line should be repaired, then in that event, a reconnection fee as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time shall be paid by the customer prior to reconnection of the service.

    (5)

    If the sewer service has been disconnected totally from the city main line as the result of the owner of the building sewer line failing to repair the sewer line as requested by the department of public works, and thereafter, the department of public works determines that the building sewer line has been repaired as required and is requested to reconnect to the main sewer line, the building line shall be reconnected to the city main line, but only after the city has received a fee as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time for reconnection of the service.

(Code 1978, § 24-23; Code 1993, § 82-23; Ord. No. 90-02, § 24-23, 5-7-1990; Ord. No. 96-20, § 2, 12-2-1996)