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Piperton Advances New Sewer Use Ordinance on First Reading
Summary
Public Works Director Richard Mills presented Ordinance No. 419-26 to replace the city's sewer-use code; the Board approved first reading. Mills said the rewrite will help Piperton comply with federal and state law and allow the city to pursue TDEC and other grants; TDEC review is pending.
The Piperton Board approved first reading of Ordinance No. 419-26 on April 21, a comprehensive update replacing Title 18 Chapter 4 of the Piperton Municipal Code with a new sewer-use ordinance.
Public Works Director Richard Mills told the Board that municipalities operating wastewater facilities are required to have a current sewer-use ordinance. "This ordinance defines what you can and cannot be discharged into the sewer system," Mills said, adding that the change "will protect Piperton’s infrastructure such as sewer lines, pump stations and treatment plant equipment and environmental protection. With this ordinance in place, we will be able to apply for Federal and State grants including TDEC grants."
Mills said staff submitted the draft to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation last September and that the city has not yet received TDEC's recommended changes. The ordinance gives staff and the Board the ability to adjust the text in cooperation with TDEC; any recommended changes from TDEC will be brought back to the Board for action.
Commissioner Joel Townsend asked for clarification about a provision (section 18-405, item E) describing how private sewage disposal systems are to be abandoned or filled when disconnected from the municipal sewer; Mills said abandonment generally involves capping inlet lines, removing the tank top and filling the tank with sand so it will self-compact while leaving inlet lines in place.
The Board approved the ordinance on first reading with unanimous votes; staff said they will return with any TDEC-recommended edits for further Board consideration.
