Chapter 15 · Utilities

Article 4. Solid Waste

Sections 15-401 to 15-425 · 25 sections

15-401 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meaning of words and terms as used in this article shall be as follows:

(a)Commercial Waste. All refuse emanating from establishments engaged in business including, but not limited to stores, markets, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, theaters, hospitals, governments and nursing homes.

(b)Dwelling Unit. Any enclosure, building or portion thereof occupied by one or more persons for and as living quarters;

(c)Garbage. Waste resulting from the handling, processing, storage, packaging, preparation, sale, cooking and serving of meat, produce and other foods and shall include unclean containers;

(d)Multi-Family Unit. Any structure containing more than four individual dwelling units;

(e)Refuse. All garbage and/or rubbish or trash;

(f)Residential. Any structure containing four or less individual dwelling units, rooming houses having no more than four persons in addition to the family of the owner or operator, and mobile homes;

(g)Rubbish or Trash. All nonputrescible materials such as paper, tin cans, bottles, glass, crockery, rags, ashes, lawn and tree trimmings, stumps, boxes, wood, street sweepings and mineral refuse. Rubbish or trash shall not include earth and waste from building operations or wastes from industrial processes or manufacturing operations;

(h)Single Dwelling Unit. An enclosure, building or portion thereof occupied by one family as living quarters.

(i)Solid Waste. All non-liquid garbage, rubbish or trash.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-402 Collection.

All solid waste accumulated within the city shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by the city or by contractors specifically authorized to collect and dispose of solid waste.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-403 Contracts.

The city shall have the right to enter into a contract with any responsible person for collection and disposal of solid waste.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-404 Duty of owner, occupant.

(a)The owner or occupant of every dwelling unit or commercial enterprise shall provide at his or her own expense a suitable container for the storage of solid waste as provided in this article. No owner or occupant shall permit to accumulate quantities of refuse or other waste materials within or close to any structure within the city unless the same is stored in approved containers and in such a manner as not to create a health or fire hazard.

(b)It shall not be necessary to place books, boxes, magazines or newspapers in containers if they are tied in bundles or completely contained in disposable boxes not larger than 24 x 24 x 36 inches or tree limbs and brush that has been securely tied in bundles not larger than 48 inches long and 18 inches in diameter.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-405 Containers.

Residential containers shall have a capacity of not more than 32 gallons not weighing more than 75 pounds when full. They shall be of galvanized metal or other non-rusting material of substantial construction. Each container shall have a tight fitting lid and shall be leak-proof and flytight. All containers shall have handles of suitable construction to permit lifting. Plastic bags not less than 1.5 mills in thickness may be substituted for residential containers. Plastic bags, when used, shall be securely closed. Baskets, boxes and noncomplying refuse or garbage cans or containers may be considered disposable refuse and may be removed by the authorized collector if they are of a proper size and otherwise acceptable for collection. The collector may leave uncollected such items if they are larger than the heretofore described size or are unacceptable for collection by him or her. All garbage shall be drained of all liquids before being placed in bags or containers.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-406 Bulk containers.

On premises where excessive amounts of refuse accumulates or where cans or bags are impractical bulk containers for the storage of refuse may be used. Containers shall have a capacity and shall be equipped with appurtenances for attaching mechanical lifting devices which are compatible with the collection equipment being used. Containers shall be constructed of durable rust and corrosion resistant material which is easy to clean. All containers shall be equipped with tight fitting lids or doors to prevent entrance of insects or rodents. Doors and lids shall be constructed and maintained so they can be easily opened. Containers shall be watertight, leakproof and weather proof construction.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-407 Enter private premises.

Solid waste collectors, employed by the city or operating under contract with the city, are hereby authorized to enter in and upon private property for the purpose of collecting solid waste therefrom as required by this article.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-408 Ownership of solid waste.

Ownership of solid waste when placed in containers by the occupants or owners of premises upon which refuse accumulates, shall be vested in the city and thereafter shall be subject to the exclusive control of the city, its employees or contractors. No person shall meddle with refuse containers or in any way pilfer or scatter contents thereof in any alley or street within the city.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-409 Wrapping garbage.

All garbage shall be drained of all excess liquid, and wrapped in paper or other disposable container before being placed in solid waste containers.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-410 Heavy, bulky waste.

Heavy accumulations such as brush, tree limbs, broken concrete, sand or gravel, automobile frames, dead trees, and other bulky, heavy materials shall be disposed of at the expense of the owner or person controlling same.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-411 Hazardous materials.

No person shall deposit in a solid waste container or otherwise offer for collection any hazardous garbage, refuse, or waste. Hazardous material shall include:

(a)Explosive materials;

(b)Rags or other waste soaked in volatile and flammable materials;

(c)Chemicals;

(d)Poisons;

(e)Radio-active materials;

(f)Highly combustible materials;

(g)Soiled dressings, clothing, bedding and/or other wastes, contaminated by infection or contagious disease;

(h)Any other materials which may present a special hazard to collection or disposal personnel, equipment, or to the public.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-412 Prohibited practices.

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(a)Deposit solid waste in any container other than that owned or leased by him or under his control without written consent of the owner and/or with the intent of avoiding payment of the refuse service charge;

(b)Interfere in any manner with employees of the city or its contractors in the collection of solid waste;

(c)Burn solid waste except in an approved incinerator and unless a variance has been granted and a written permit obtained from the city or the appropriate air pollution control agency;

(d)Bury refuse at any place within the city except that lawn and garden trimmings may be composted.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-413 Objectionable waste.

Manure from cow lots, stables, poultry yards, pigeon lofts and other animal or fowl pens, and waste oils from garages or filling stations shall be removed and disposed of at the expense of the person controlling the same and in a manner consistent with this article.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-414 Unauthorized disposal.

No person shall haul or cause to be hauled any garbage, refuse or other waste material of any kind to any place, site or area within or without the limits of the city unless such site is a sanitary landfill, transfer point or disposal facility approved by the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-415 Private collectors; license required.

(a)It shall be unlawful for any person, except an employee of the city specifically authorized for that purpose, to collect or transport any solid waste within the city, without securing a license from the city.

(b)Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a person from hauling or disposing of his or her own solid waste providing it is done in such a manner as not to endanger the public health or safety or not to become an annoyance to the inhabitants of the city, and not to litter the streets and alleys of the city.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-416 Same; application.

Any person desiring to collect or transport solid waste within the city shall make application for a license to the city clerk. The application shall set forth the name and address of the applicant, the make and type of vehicle to be operated for collecting and transporting solid waste. The application shall be accompanied by a certificate of inspection and approval of said vehicle by the county health officer issued not more than 15 days prior to the date of application.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-417 Same; fee.

No license shall be issued unless the applicant shall pay to the city clerk the sum of $10 per annum for each vehicle used in the collection and transportation of solid waste. The permit shall be effective only for the calendar year and shall expire on December 31st of the calendar year in which said permit is issued.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-418 Closed vehicle.

Any vehicle used by any person for the collection and transportation of solid waste shall be maintained in a good mechanical condition. Vehicle shall be equipped with an enclosed covered body to prevent the contents leaking or escaping therefrom. Only tree trimmings or brush may be transported in open-bodied vehicles provided the material is securely tied in place to prevent scattering along the streets and alleys.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-419 Rules and regulations.

The collection and transportation of trash and waste materials shall be at all times under the general supervision of the mayor or his or her duly authorized agent, who shall have the authority by and with the consent of the governing body to make additional rules and regulations not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this article requiring that the collection and transportation of trash and waste materials shall be conducted in such manner as not to endanger the public health, or to become an annoyance to the inhabitants of the city, and providing for a proper fee to be charged to the customer.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-420 Charges.

The city shall establish and collect a service charge to defray the cost and maintenance of the collection and disposition of solid waste within the city.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-421 Same; fee schedule.

(a)The base monthly charge as set forth below, will be assessed against each family unit for the collection and disposal of refuse, garbage and other solid waste. For the purpose of this article, the term family unit means one or more persons living together as a single housekeeping unit whether or not they have joint use of the facilities with other family units at the same premises. Refuse containers are provided by the contractor.

Beginning January 1, 2025:

Resident with a 95 gallon cart - $15.50 per month

Resident with a second 95 gallon cart - $22.00 per month

Resident with a 65 gallon cart - $14.00 per month

Resident with second 65 gallon cart - $29.00 per month

Resident with a third 65 gallon cart - $44.00 per month

Commercial service with a 95 gallon cart -$21. 75 per month

Commercial service with a second 95 gallon cart - $27.50 per month

Beginning January 1, 2026:

Resident with a 95 gallon cart - $16.00 per month

Resident with a second 95 gallon cart - $23.25 per month

Resident with a 65 gallon cart - $14.75 per month

Resident with second 65 gallon cart - $30.50 per month

Resident with a third 65 gallon cart - $46.50 per month

Commercial service with a 95 gallon cart - $23.00 per month

Commercial service with a second 95 gallon cart - $28.75 per month

Beginning January 1, 2027:

Resident with a 95 gallon cart - $16.50 per month

Resident with a second 95 gallon cart - $24.50 per month

Resident with a 65 gallon cart - $15.50 per month

Resident with second 65 gallon cart - $32.50 per month

Resident with a third 65 gallon cart - $49.00 per month

Commercial service with a 95 gallon cart - $24.25 per month

Commercial service with a second 95 gallon cart - $30.00 per month

There will be no service for 55 gallon.

(b)The Governing Body of the City of Whitewater, Kansas, is hereby authorized to adopt by Resolution a schedule of any new rates and charges for refuse collection, which any new rates and charges would go into effect upon passage of such Resolution.

(Ord. 379; Ord. 636; Code 2026)

15-422 Billing.

Solid waste charges shall be billed monthly and shall be included on water or utility bills. No payment shall be accepted on utility bills except for the full amount billed for all services. Delinquent solid waste bills shall carry the due dates, grace periods and penalties as water bills.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-423 Request for service.

A request for water service shall automatically constitute a request for refuse service unless the family unit notifies the city clerk in writing prior to the 10th day of any month that their refuse service is to be terminated. In that event, the refuse service will terminate on the last day of the month in which the notice is received; provided that the person obtains a permit as required in section 15-415 hereof.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-424 Frequency of collection.

Solid wastes shall be collected and disposed of not less than once each week and more often where required to maintain the premises free of nuisance, odor or accumulations or garbage, insects, flies, rodents, and disease-carrying organisms.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)

15-425 Contractor’s refuse.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting construction contractors, tree surgeons, roofers and other private contractors whose operations result in the accumulation of refuse from hauling and disposing of accumulations of trash, rubbish and refuse resulting from their operation.

(Ord. 379; Code 1990)