HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regulating Subsoil and Footing Drains ORDINANCE NO . 2564
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES ,
IOWA, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 28-1101. 3 AND 28-1101 .4 THEREOF AS
SAID SECTIONS HAVE HERETOFORE EXISTED; AND, ENACTING NEW SECTIONS
28-1101 . 3 AND 28-1101. 4 FOR THE PURPOSE OF CHANGING THE
REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO SUBSCIL AND FOOTING DRAINAGE OF BUILDINGS ;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
THEREWITH AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE .
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council for the City of Ames,
Iowa:
Section 1 . That the municipal code of the City of Ames be
and the same is hereby amended by repealing Sections 28-1101 . 3
and 28-1101 .4 thereof as said sections have existed heretofore .
Section 2 . That the aforesaid municipal code be and the
same is hereby further amended by enacting new Sections 28-1101 . 3
and 28-1101 .4 to read as follows :
Section 28-1101. 3 . Subsoil and footing drains .
For all buildings hereafter constructed, the
owner of the building shall be responsible for
meeting the following requirements relative to
subsoil and footing drains :
a. Subsoil drains shall be provided around the
perimeter of all residential and commercial
buildings having a basement or cellar.
b . Such subsoil drains may be positioned inside
or outside the building.
C. In areas where ground water is encountered
or where there is sufficient evidence of wet
conditions , subsoil drains shall also be
provided under basement or cellar floors .
d. Subsoil drains shall be made of open jointed
or horizontally split or perforated clay tile
or concrete tile or corrugated, perforated
plastic drainage tubing not less than four
(4) inches in diameter.
e. All subsoil or footing drainage shall be
discharged into a properly designed sump.
f . Except where gravity drainage to a natural
water way is provided, and approved by the
Director of Water and Water Pollution Control,
there shall be a direct discharge or delivery
of such subsoil or footing drainage from the
sump to the City 's storm sewer system through
the use of a sump pump and discharge line,
installed below the frost level in accordance
with City specifications, with appropriate
check valve or a positive check installed in
the line so as to prevent any storm waters from
backing into the sump . Seasonal diversion of sump
pump discharge to irrigation or other use is
permitted.
g. The combining of subsoil or footing drain
lines with any other storm drainage lines ,
such as lines from roof drains or area
drains such as parking lot drains , is
prohibited.
-2-
Section 28-1101 .4 . Procedure for abatement of Prohibited
sewer connections and drainage arrangemen s .
a. In that surface water run-off, subsoil , and
footing drainage water is being allowed to
enter the sanitary sewer system, contrary to
Ordinance No . 1011 enacted December 19 , 1961
and other ordinances of the City, to the
public detriment from resulting sewer backups
and overloading of the sewage treatment plant,
any connection or arrangement found to exist
whereby surface, subsoil or footing drainage
water is discharged or diverted into the
sanitary sewer system. is deemed to be, and
hereby declared as , a public nuisance .
b . Whenever such connection or arrangement is
found to exist, in violation of the ordinances
of this City, whereby surface water run-off,
subsoil , or footing drainage is discharged
or diverted into the sanitary sewer system,
the City Council may cause such to be abated,
after notice to the cwner and person in
possession and control of the premises where
found and an opportunity for a hearing, by
ordering a connection. to a public drainage
system, storm sewer system, natural water
course or such other arrangement as the
Council shall, given the particulars and
circumstances of each. case , find necessary,
adequate, or appropriate .
C . If the person or persons so ordered fail
to comply with the Council 's order within
the time prescribed when the order is made,
the Council may cause! the ordered work to
be done, an accounting of the cost of such
work made and reported, and by resolution
of the Council certified to the County
Auditor for collection in the same manner
as property taxes .
Section 3 . All ordinances and parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such
conflict.
Section 4 . This ordinance shall be in full force and
effect from and after its passage and publication as required
by law.
Passed this 28th day of September 1976 .
Mary El Paul, City Clerk Lee Fellinger, Mayor