Diameter of Sewer Maximum
Manhole Spacing
Up to 15".......... 330'
18" to 30".......... 350'
36" and 42".......... 400'
48".......... 450'
54" to 60".......... 500'
66" and larger.......... 600'

Note: Height of elliptical pipe shall be used as a criteria for manhole spacing. Catch basins shall not be constructed over a sewer line to replace manholes.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(3), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-84. Storm sewer profile.
The following information shall be indicated on the storm sewer profile:
(1) Length of run between manholes.
(2) Size and slope of sewer between manholes.
(3) Class of bedding where concrete is required.
(4) Top of castings and invert elevations of all manholes.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(4), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-85. Pipe bedding.
A note or detail shall show the type of bedding upon which the sewer pipe shall be installed. Bedding shall be approved by the township engineer based upon the application of reasonable standards.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(5), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-86. Cover of sewer.
Where possible, a minimum of three feet of cover from the top of curb (or road centerline) to the top of any storm sewer shall be provided.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(6), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-87. Catch basins.
(a) Catch basins shall be located as follows, subject only to variances granted by the township engineer:
(1) At the radius return of street intersections. One hundred fifty feet maximum distance along the street between a high point and a corner catch basin is allowed when drainage is required to go around the corner.
(2) At all low points in streets.
(3) At intermediate points along the street such that there is a maximum of 600 feet of drainage draining from a high point to a catch basin or from a previous intercepting catch basin to this catch basin.
(4) A maximum of 900 feet of drainage is allowed from two directions.
(b) Field catch basins shall be provided at all low points in easements. Locate field catch basins such that not more than 600 feet of drainage runs into any one catch basin other than at a low point catch basin. One thousand two hundred feet of drainage is allowed to run into a low point catch basin.
(c) Locate field catch basins in rear lot easement swales when such swales change direction by more than 45 degrees.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(7)--(9), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-88. Finished easement grades.
Finished easement grades shall be indicated on the plans.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(10), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-89. Drains.
(a) Open drains will be permitted in accordance with the following:
(1) A permit must be obtained from the county drain commission for all connections to county drains. Plans shall conform to all current requirements for state law pertaining to floodplain determination, stream crossing requirements and other statutes relating to waterways.
(2) Major drains shall have side slopes no steeper than five horizontal to one vertical, where such slopes abut the development being proposed (major drains are defined as carrying a design flow exceeding 15 CFS). A cunnette or low flow channel within a major drain easement may be constructed with three-to-one sideslopes, where approved by the township. An easement at least 30 feet wider than the widest point from top of bank to top of bank is to be recorded as part of the subdivision or otherwise dedicated.
(3) Adequate culverts are required at all roads crossing a drain.
(4) Drain bottom and slopes to the hydraulic gradient line must be sodded or seeded.
(b) Headwalls and inlet structures shall be placed as required.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(11), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-90. Types of pipe, joints.
Allowable types of sewer pipe and joints shall be of current township standards and shall be covered on the plan by note or on the profile where applicable.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(12), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-91. Lateral storm sewers.
Where lateral storm sewers are proposed, they shall be constructed to provide a connection for footing drain house leads. Extensions of the storm sewer laterals to provide for footing drain discharge only, shall be a minimum of an eight-inch diameter on a minimum 0.4 percent grade with manholes spaced a maximum of 300 feet. A minimum four-inch diameter storm sewer lead shall be constructed from the lateral storm sewer to the property line to provide an outlet for the footing drain discharge. The lead shall be constructed at a minimum depth of 3 1/2 feet on a minimum of 1.0 percent grade.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(13), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-92. Slope.
Where possible, the slope of storm sewers shall provide a minimum velocity of 2.5 feet per second.
(Ord. No. 154, § 5.1(14), 7-17-91)
Secs. 18-93--18-105. Reserved.
DIVISION 5. STORMWATER RETENTION AND DETENTION
Sec. 18-106. When required.
Any new development or addition to an existing development must retain/detain the increased runoff onsite unless otherwise directed by the township engineer. Acceptable means of retention/detention can be achieved through standing water in parking areas or a separate retention/detention basin.
(Ord. No. 154, § 6.1(1), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-107. Basic design standards.
The county method of retention basin design, as available from the county drain commission office, shall be utilized in determining the volume of retention required. Basins with orifice outlets will be required to hold the volume of a ten-year storm while basins with no outlets will be required to hold two consecutive 100-year storms. Discharge through an orifice outlet shall not exceed 0.2 cfs/acre.
(Ord. No. 154, § 6.1(2), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-108. Minimum specifications.
(a) All manmade open stormwater retention/detention basins shall have side slopes no steeper than one vertical to five horizontal.
(b) The basin must be constructed to drain entirely unless designed to retain a permanent water level that conforms to the aesthetics of a landscape plan relating to the surrounding landscape.
(c) The bottom of the basin must have stable vegetative cover, or some other approved method of stabilization.
(d) A minimum of 12 inches of freeboard must be maintained with a positive, nonerodible overflow capable of handling the capacity of a 100-year storm.
(e) Minimum grade on the bottom of the basin shall be 1.0 percent where feasible.
(Ord. No. 154, § 6.1(3)--(7), 7-17-91)
Sec. 18-109. Maintenance agreement.
A maintenance agreement shall be required for all stormwater retention/detention basins.
(Ord. No. 154, § 6.1(8), 7-17-91)
Secs. 18-110--18-130. Reserved.
DIVISION 6. COMMUNITY SEWER SYSTEMS
Sec. 18-131. Short title.
This division shall be known and may be cited as the Charter Township of Milford "Community Sewer System Ordinance."
(Ord. No. 166, Art. I, 2-16-00)
Sec. 18-132. Intent and purpose.
Pursuant to Act No. 98 of the Public Acts of 1913, as amended, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") is authorized to issue permits for on-site sewage disposal systems that service more than one property (referred to herein as a "community sewer system"). In issuing an Act 98 permit, the MDEQ requires that township to adopt a resolution stating that the township will assume responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and, in the event of system failure, clean-up of the proposed system, if the owner fails to do so. While the township recognizes that a community sewer system may be in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the township and the residents in some circumstances, the township requires assurance that should an Act 98 permit be issued, that the township shall be indemnified from any costs or liability in connection with the design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of that system. To this effect, this division is intended to regulate community sewer systems to provide those assurances.
(Ord. No. 166, Art. II, 2-16-00)
Sec. 18-133. Definitions.
Act 98 shall mean Act No. 98 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1913, as amended.
Act 98 permit shall mean a permit issued in accordance with the provisions of Act 98.
Association, for a condominium development, shall have the same meaning as "association of co-owners" found in Act No. 59 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1978, as amended. For a subdivision or other development it shall mean an association of homeowners or property owners organized pursuant to deed restrictions and/or restrictive covenants in a particular development.
Community sewer system or system shall mean a facility for the transportation, collection, processing or treatment of sanitary sewage which is owned by a non-governmental entity and which services of which is proposed to service more than one structure.
Development shall include a subdivision as defined by Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, a condominium pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, or any group of dwellings or structures which are proposed to be serviced by a community sewer system.
Development documents shall mean (a) for a condominium project, the master deed and bylaws provided by Act No. 59 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended; and (b) with regard to subdivisions or other developments, deed restrictions and/or restrictive covenants.
Dwelling shall mean a structure primarily designed or used for residential purposes.
Expansion shall mean any activity whereby additional structures or users shall be added to an existing system.
Public sanitary sewer system shall mean a publicly-owned sanitary sewer system.
MDEQ shall mean the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or its successors.
Owner shall mean the owner of a fee simple interest, a land contract purchaser, or owner of a unit in a condominium, of property which is serviced or is proposed to be serviced by a community sewer system.
Sanitary sewer system shall mean a facility for transportation, collection, processing, or treatment or sanitary sewage.
Structure shall mean a building in which toilet, kitchen, laundry, bathing or other facilities which generate water carrying sanitary sewage are used for household, commercial, industrial, or other purposes.
Township shall mean the Charter Township of Milford, Oakland County, Michigan, acting through its duly elected township board.
(Ord. No. 166, Art. III, 2-16-00)
Sec. 18-134. Regulations.
(a) Except as provided in this division, it shall be unlawful to construct, install, or operate a community sewer system to service developments within the township.
(b) The township shall grant approval of a community sewer system only after the applicant has provided all information and met all the standards contained in this division.
(Ord. No. 166, Art. IV, 2-16-00)
Sec. 18-135. Requirements for approval.
(a) Any community sewer system shall comply with the terms of this division, applicable standards of the MDEQ, Michigan Department of Public Health, and Oakland County Health Department, and any other applicable laws and regulations of the federal government, State of Michigan, Oakland County, and the township.
(b) No new community sewer system or an expansion of an existing system shall be constructed, installed, or operated within the township unless the plans for the installation and system design have been approved by the township, the county health department, the state department of public health, and/or state department of environmental quality (MDEQ) (which ever has jurisdiction) as conforming with their regulations and a permit issued in accordance therewith, and any other applicable government unity having jurisdiction over the system.
(c) The applicant shall provide the following to the township before approval for a community sewer system may be granted:
(1) A certification from the system design engineer indicating that the system as designed and constructed will adequately process sanitary sewage and waste as required by applicable laws and regulations of the federal government, state, county and the township. The township engineer shall review and make a recommendation regarding the adequacy of such certification.
(2) An executed agreement between the applicant, owner, and/or association, and the county drain commissioner office, or another operator as determined by the township, in its sole discretion, to be properly certified and possessing the required ability to operate and manage the system. The agreement shall contain provisions for: (i) operation and maintenance of the system; (ii) collection of charges for connection to, use and replacement of the system; (iii) compliance with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, regulations, and agreements regarding the system. The agreement shall provide that it may not be terminated without township approval. The language of such agreement shall be approved by the township attorney and township engineer prior to granting of township approval.
(3) An executed agreement between the applicant, owner, and/or association, and the township in a form acceptable to the township. The agreement shall provide the terms and conditions related to the township's obligation to oversee the system and shall specify:
a. The applicant, owner, and/or association shall be responsible for operation and maintenance of the system.
b. The individual or entity responsible for such operation and maintenance on behalf of the applicant, owner, and/or association.
c. Standards for operation, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the system.
d. The applicant, owner, and/or association shall jointly and severally indemnify the township from any and all costs and liability incurred by the township with respect to operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the system.
e. The applicant, owner, and/or association shall establish an escrow account in an amount determined by the township to satisfy all costs relating to the maintenance, operation, repair and/or replacement of the system. The amount of the escrow account shall be established by the township prior to granting approval for the system.
f. The applicant, owner, and/or association shall pay an application fee designed to reimburse the township for all its expenses involved in review of the construction and design of the system, or preparing or reviewing any documents referenced in this article, including review by the township engineer and township attorney, as required.
g. That should the designated individual or entity fail to comply with any requirements listed in subsection c., that the township, may, with or without notice, enter onto the property, perform any necessary maintenance, repair, replacement and/or operation, with the applicant, owner and/or association reimbursing the township all such costs resulting from such activity plus a 25 percent administration fee; and that in default of such payment, the township shall be entitled to withdraw any or all of the escrow account referenced in subsection e. without the consent of the applicant, owner, association or any other person or entity, and additionally undertake whatever collection proceedings are available to it by law including, but not limited to, the addition of any such costs to the tax roll to be collected in the same manner as special assessments are assessed against any real property, or interest therein, serviced by the system.
h. The applicant, owner and/or association shall provide for the maintenance of a policy of casualty insurance for the replacement value of the insurable components of the system and a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with limits acceptable to the township, naming the township as an additional insured.
i. The township may, at its sole discretion, require that the community sewer system be abandoned and all properties in the development be connected to any publicly-owned community sewer system which may be constructed in the future abutting the development or in an easement abutting the development.
j. The township shall have the option to purchase for the sum of $1.00 (1) marketable title to any lands required to be titled in the name of the township by governmental or regulatory requirements, or (2) easements reasonably deemed by the township to be necessary in conjunction with the township's assumption of responsibility for the community sewer system or future publicly-owned community sewer system.
(4) The provisions of the development documentation referenced in the preceding section shall also be included in a separate document, in form approved by the township attorney, and included within the condominium disclosure documents for a condominium project, or in a separate recordable document for other developments, and delivered to the prospective purchaser prior to the execution of a purchase agreement for property proposed to be serviced by a community sewer system.
(5) A permanent and irrevocable easement, in recordable form, shall be granted by the applicant, owner and/or association to the township and its employees, agents, and assigns authorizing them to enter onto the property upon which the system is located for the purpose of inspections, improvement, repairing, maintaining, and/or replacing the system area and requiring that the system area shall be maintained so and to be accessible at all times, prohibiting any structures or landscaping within such area that would unreasonably interfere with such access.
(d) No building permit shall be used for any structure or development proposed to be serviced by a community sewer system until the township has approved such system in accordance with terms and provisions of this division.
(e) Anything in this division to contrary notwithstanding, the township shall not be responsible or obligated to perform any needed or desired repairs, maintenance, improvement, and/or replacement of the system or any portion thereof. Any such repairs, maintenance improvement and/or replacement undertaken by the township shall be in its sole and absolute discretion.
(f) At any time approval for a community sewer system is granted, the township may condition such approval upon the applicant and current and future owners of property proposed to be serviced by the system and/or any association, to adhere to certain operational and maintenance requirements. The contractor and/or association shall furnish periodic operating reports in accordance with the maintenance requirements and schedule. Any such requirements shall be made a part of the development documents.
(g) The development documents referenced in section (c)(3) and (4) shall be recorded at the office of the county register of deeds. After approval by the township the development documents, as they pertain to the system, shall not be changed without township approval. The documents shall contain language to that effect.
(h) The association, individual owners and/or users of the system shall be responsible for all costs involved in the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and liability associated with the system. The township may, at its option, elect to collect all costs it may incur in connection with the system pursuant to the other provisions of this division, or by direct court action against the association, owners and/or users of the system.
(Ord. No. 166, Art. V, 2-16-00)
Sec. 18-136. Enforcement and penalties.
(a) Civil remedies. The provisions of this division shall be enforceable through any and all remedies at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction. Any violation of this division is deemed to be nuisance per se.
(b) Criminal remedies. Any person convicted of a violation of this division, or any person who knowingly makes any false statements, representations or certifications in any application, record, report, plan or other document, filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this division, shall, upon conviction be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment in the county jail for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court, together with costs of prosecution.
(Ord. No. 166, Art. VI, 2-16-00)

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