HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHAPTER 76B CHAPTER 76B. ARTIFICIAL SEEPAGE COLLECTION SYSTEMS
Updated 2014 76B-1
76B. ARTIFICIAL SEEPAGE COLLECTION SYSTEMS
76B.01. Definitions. Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning
of terms used in this chapter shall be as follows:
Subd. 1. "Artificial Seepage Collection Systems" include all systems created to drain
groundwater from outside a foundation wall by drilling or otherwise creating channels for
groundwater to flow into the basement.
Subd. 2. "Building Drain" shall mean that part of the lowest piping of the drainage
system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the
walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer-sanitary.
Subd. 3. "Building Sewer-Sanitary" is the building sewer that conveys sewage to the
sanitary sewer in the street.
Subd. 4. "Footing; Foundation Drain" are terms referring to building subdrains. These
are perforated or open-jointed pipes or tiles placed at the base of a footing, or foundation
along the building foundation wall which conveys accumulating storm water seepage into a
sump at the lower floor line of the building. Foundation drains which drain by gravity to the
natural ground surface and do not drain to a sump or require pumping are not included.
Subd. 5. "Seepage" is moisture that enters a basement naturally through cracks or
porous wall material but does not enter by means of an artificial seepage system.
Subd. 6. "Sump Pump" is a mechanical device used to remove liquid collected in a
sump usually constructed below the normal grade of the gravity system, usually below
basement floor level.
76B.02. Exclusion of Stormwater and Groundwater from Sanitary Sewer.
Subd. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person whose property is provided with sanitary
sewer service to discharge, pump, drain, or otherwise introduce stormwater and/or
groundwater, exception natural seepage, into the sanitary sewer system.
Subd. 2. Any person who is unsure of the applicability of this ordinance to their
seepage collection system may request an inspection by the Rochester Public Services
Department.
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Subd. 3. The Rochester Public Services Department may conduct an inspection of
any system or property to determine compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.
76B.03. Collection of Seepage or Groundwater.
Subd. 1. Footing and Foundation Drainage Systems and Artificial Seepage Collection
Systems must discharge to the ground surface outside the building or to a stormwater
drainage system. If the drain system is constructed to drain to an interior sump from which it
must be pumped, there shall be installed, at the time the sump is constructed, a rigid piping
system extending from the sump to the exterior point of discharge. This exterior discharge
point may be the ground surface or a storm drain. Any pump, which may be subsequently
installed, must be connected to this discharge pipe and cannot discharge to the sanitary
sewer.
Subd. 2. Any seepage system installed in a building which collects only moisture
which enters the building as a result of the permeability of the foundation walls may be
discharged to the sanitary sewer system. Such a system cannot have any exterior collection
system nor any pipe, duct, or water conveyance system through the wall.
76B.04. Certificate of Compliance. Subdivision 1. All property owners must have a
Certificate of Compliance on file within one year of the adoption of this ordinance. This
certificate shall state that any footing or foundation drain or artificial seepage collection system
is installed in compliance with this ordinance. This certificate form shall be provided by the
Rochester Public Services Department, a copy of which shall be maintained on file at the
Rochester Public Services Department.
Subd. 2. The Certificate of Compliance shall include the building address, date of
inspection and a statement stipulating that the footing drain system or artificial seepage
collection system cannot be altered without approval from the Building and Safety
Department.
Subd. 3. Property Owners whose building is not in compliance with this ordinance at
the date of adoption of the ordinance shall have one year to make the necessary corrections
to be in compliance.
76B.05. Fee. A fee shall be established for the Certificate of Compliance to offset a
portion of the cost of services under this groundwater exclusion program. This fee shall be
approved by the Rochester City Council.
76B.06. Penalty. Any person who fails to have proper installation connections for any
footing or foundation drain system or artificial seepage collection system, or who violates any
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provision of this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of its publication.
However, no prosecution for a violation of this chapter or section 76.14(1) shall occur until one
year after this ordinance takes effect.
(2776, 11/5/91; 2796, 3/3/92)