15.12.210 Septage wastes – Use rates for dumping.
A. Septic tank or other septage wastes, hauled liquid waste, construction waste water, polluted stormwater runoff, chlorinated water or other liquid waste generated within Whatcom County may be discharged at the wastewater treatment plant or to the city of Bellingham sewer system with the written authorization of the public works director or designee. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the city to receive septage or other liquid waste.
B. The use rate for dumping septage tank wastes shall be considered a special service fee and shall be determined by the public works director annually and published by December 1st of each year. In publishing rates, the public works director shall at a minimum post a visible notice at the wastewater plant, provide the proposed rates to the city clerk, finance director and the city council. Rates published by the public works director shall take effect on January 1st following publication unless otherwise abrogated by the city council. In establishing special service fee rates for septage receiving, the public works director shall consider total volume and strength, based on biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS).
C. For other liquid waste discharged on a short-term basis, the public works director shall determine a discharge fee consistent with the use rates outlined in this chapter and shall establish such terms and conditions for discharge as may be needed to comply with the city’s operating permits.
D. The following practices and prohibitions apply to all septage or liquid waste hauled to the Bellingham wastewater treatment plant:
1. Decanting of septage waste prior to discharge to the city treatment plant is not allowed.
2. Septage discharged to the treatment plant should not contain any measurable fats, oil or greases.
3. Sampling of each septage load must occur at the time of discharge by the hauler, utilizing containers provided by the city.
E. The public works director shall establish policies and procedures for the septage and liquid waste receiving and billing; provided, that said procedures shall be consistent with policies set forth by the finance director for payment and collection of fees. [Ord. 2012-12-061 § 8; Ord. 2007-01-001; Ord. 2006-08-082; Ord. 2002-02-014; Ord. 10364 § 5, 1992; Ord. 10150 § 1, 1991; Ord. 10093 § 4, 1990; Ord. 9846 § 10, 1988; Ord. 9371 § 1, 1984; Ord. 8982 § 60, 1981].