§ 7f — Regulation of connecting sewerage systems

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or install any sewerage system that discharges sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes, directly or indirectly, into the sewerage system of the sanitary district, unless a written permit for the sewerage system has been granted by the sanitary district acting through the executive director. The sanitary district shall specify by ordinance the changes, additions, or extensions to an existing sewerage system that will require a permit. No changes, additions, or extensions to any existing sewerage systems discharging sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes into the sewerage system of the sanitary district, that requires a permit, may be made until plans for the changes, additions, or extensions have been submitted to and a written permit obtained from the sanitary district acting through the executive director; provided, however, that this Section is not applicable in any municipality having a population of more than 500,000. (b) Sewerage systems shall be operated in accordance with the ordinances of the sanitary district. The Board of Commissioners of any sanitary district is authorized to regulate, limit, extend, deny, or otherwise control any new or existing connection, addition, or extension to any sewer or sewerage system which directly or indirectly discharges into the sanitary district sewerage system. The Board shall adopt standards and specifications for construction, operation, and maintenance. This Section shall not apply to sewerage systems under the jurisdiction of any city, village, or incorporated town having a population of 500,000 or more. (c) The Board of Commissioners of any sanitary district is hereby authorized to pass all necessary ordinances to carry out the aforementioned powers. The ordinances may provide for a civil penalty for each offense of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000. Each day's continuance of the violation shall be a separate offense. Hearings for violations of the ordinances adopted by the Board of Commissioners may be conducted by the Board of Commissioners or its designee. (d) Plans and specifications for any sewerage system covered by this Act must be submitted to the sanitary district before a written permit may be issued and the construction of any sewerage system must be in accordance with the plans and specifications. In case it is necessary or desirable to make material changes in the plans or specifications, the revised plans or specifications, together with the reasons for the proposed changes, must be submitted to the sanitary district for a supplemental written permit. (e) The sanitary district, acting through the executive director, may require any owner of a sewerage system discharging into the sewerage system of the sanitary district, to file with it complete plans of the whole or of any part of the system and any other information and records concerning the installation and operation of the system. (f) The sanitary district, acting through the executive director, may establish procedures for the review of any plans, specifications, or other data relative to any sewerage system, written permits for which are required by this Act. (g) The sanitary district, acting through the executive director, may adopt and enforce rules and regulations governing the issuance of permits and the method and manner under which plans, specifications, or other data relative thereto must be submitted for the sewerage systems or for additions or changes to or extensions of the systems. (h) After a hearing on an alleged violation of any such ordinance, the Board may, in addition to any civil penalty imposed, order any person found to have committed a violation to reimburse the sanitary district for the costs of the hearing, including any expenses incurred for inspection, sampling, analysis, administrative costs, and court reporter's and attorney's fees. The Board of Commissioners may also require a person to achieve compliance with the ordinance within a specified period of time. The Administrative Review Law, and the rules adopted under that Law, shall govern proceedings for the judicial review of final orders of the Board of Commissioners issued under this subsection. (i) Civil penalties and costs imposed pursuant to this Section are recoverable by the sanitary district in a civil action. The sanitary district is authorized to apply to the circuit court for injunctive relief or mandamus when, in the opinion of the executive director, the person has failed to comply with an order of the Board of Commissioners or the relief is necessary to protect the sewerage system of the sanitary district. (j) The operation and maintenance of any existing sanitary sewerage system serving territory that is annexed by a municipality located in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly is the responsibility of the municipality to which the territory is annexed, unless the sanitary sewerage system is under the jurisdiction of another unit of local government other than the District.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 95-923, eff. 1-1-09.)