FLOWERY BRANCH — Flowery Branch City Council could vote today to add a $15-per-month surcharge for commercial sewer users to help pay for testing
and inspections.

The city is considering approving the fees, as well as fines, as part of passage of laws governing general sewer use and the discharge of fats, oils and greases into the city’s sewer system.

The laws "create standards for commercial hook ups to our sewer to have an understanding of what is required to put in the sewer system," City Manager Bill Andrew said Tuesday.

"And it allows us to go out and inspect each commercial tap into the sewer to make sure they’re not exceeding any kind of household standards," he said. "We only allow household sewer into the plant."

With industrial uses, "we could create a special use for them and make sure they are staying within certain limits," Andrew said. "They may have to have a pre-treatment system."

The new laws would affect 141 businesses, inside and outside the city, served by the city’s treatment plant on Atlanta Highway.

They would allow "us to more carefully monitor what’s coming into the plant and what our expectations are for our customers," Andrew said.

The state Environmental Protection Division and the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District are requiring the city to adopt the laws.

"We will have (city employees) go out and physically inspect as (often) as quarterly, but we will have at least an annual inspection for everyone," Andrew said.

Businesses dealing with fats, oils and greases — such as restaurants — will face monthly inspections.

"That’s one of the largest issues that ... any sewer system has," Andrew said. "You get a buildup of grease and it gets so big, it begins to block the pipe and cause a backup, with (sewer) flowing out, at a manhole usually."

If test results show chemical limits being exceeded, "we would fine (the business) some amount based on their usage," he said. "It’s literally just a few dollars depending on the problem, but generally no more than $20 or $30, at most."

In other business, the council will consider on final reading approving the annexation of nearly 21 acres off Phil Niekro Boulevard and Interstate 985 and another nearly nine acres off Mulberry Street and including part of I-985.

Also being considered is a request to designate nearly 11 acres of both pieces of property as highway business.