§ 23-23. Required use of public sewers.

(a)

It is unlawful for any person to cause to be deposited upon public or private property any waste matter which may be harmful to the public health or which may create safety hazards, odors, unsightliness, or a public nuisance.

(b)

It is unlawful to discharge into any natural outlet any sewage, treated or untreated, except where such discharge is from sewage treatment facilities constructed in accordance with this article and in a manner approved by the appropriate parish government, state and federal agencies.

(c)

Except as provided in this article, it is unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the treatment or disposal of sewage. The provisions of this section shall not apply to private sewage disposal systems under construction or in operation as of the effective date of Ordinance No. 2363.

(d)

The owners of all houses, buildings, or other property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes situated in the parish (outside of the City of Houma sewerage service area) are hereby required, at their expense, to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities directly to the proper public sewer and water mains or provide other means for flushing purposes in accordance with the provisions of this article, within ninety (90) days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that such public sewer is within three hundred (300) feet of the property line.

(e)

It is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface water, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process water into any sanitary sewer.

(f)

It is unlawful to discharge any sewage, whether treated or untreated, into any storm sewer or storm drain without securing the appropriate permit(s).

(g)

Where there is a public sewer line within three hundred (300) feet of the property line, the owner shall pay the actual cost of any work performed by the parish government, or its agents, in the course of providing sewerage services to that property, plus administrative cost equal to ten (10) percent of such construction cost.

(h)

The parish government may invoke the provisions of R.S. 33:4041 et seq., as a method of collecting all costs incurred in requiring owners to connect to the public sewer.

(i)

Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of subsection (d), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article and other applicable laws.

(j)

Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall obtain a written permit signed by the parish government after first obtaining the approval of the state department of health and hospitals, office of public health. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the parish government, which application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, and other information as deemed necessary by the parish government. A permit fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) shall be paid to the parish government at the time the application is filed.

(k)

A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become completely effective until the installation has been completed to the satisfaction of the parish government, and the state department of health and hospitals, office of public health. State and local officials shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event the applicant for the permit shall notify the parish government when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of notice by the parish government, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted.

(l)

The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all regulations of the state department of health and hospitals, office of public health.

(m)

At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in subsection (d), a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this article, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable materials.

(n)

The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the parish government.

(o)

No statement contained in this section shall be construed to interfere with or waive any additional requirements that may be imposed by the parish government and the state department of health and hospitals, office of public health.

(Parish Code 1979, § 19-222; Ord. No. 5156, 12-1-93)

State law reference

Compelling connection with sewerage system, R.S. 33:4041.

Editor's note

Ordinance No. 2363 was adopted on September 26, 1984.