# COMAR Title 20 — Public Service Commission

## Subtitle 75 — Service Supplied by Sewage Disposal Companies

### Chapter 06 — Quality of Service

**Authority:** Public Utilities Article, §§2-121, 5-101, and 5-303, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: September 1, 1965 (Order No. 55971)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective May 14, 2001 (28:9 Md. R. 890)

#### Regulation .01 Adequate Plant.

*COMAR 20.75.06.01*

Each utility shall maintain and operate a sewage treatment plant of adequate size and properly equipped to treat the sewage, and discharge the effluent at the degree of purity required by the health laws of Maryland, and in other respects shall comply with the laws and regulations of the Department of the Environment.

#### Regulation .02 Limitations of Sewerage System.

*COMAR 20.75.06.02*

A sewage disposal utility may not be obliged to receive for treatment, or disposal, any material except sewage as defined in COMAR 20.75.01.03B(6). Rain water discharged from roofs, lawns, paved areas, etc., is especially prohibited, unless the sewerage system is designed with collecting mains and a treatment plant of adequate size to accommodate this greater flow of liquid. The sewage disposal utility may not be obliged to receive for treatment or disposal any corrosive or toxic industrial liquid waste. Industrial liquid waste which has been treated to make it noncorrosive and nontoxic may be accepted for disposal provided the utility's plant is of sufficient size to accommodate it.

#### Regulation .03 Interruption of Service.

*COMAR 20.75.06.03*

A. Endeavor to Avoid Interruptions. Each utility shall make reasonable efforts to avoid interruptions of service, but when interruptions occur, service shall be reestablished within the shortest time practicable, consistent with safety.

B. Notification to Commission. Each utility shall notify the Commission by telephone or telegraph of any interruption to the service of a major portion of its distribution system when the interruption lasts for more than 6 hours.

C. Planned Interruptions. Planned interruptions shall be made at a time that will not cause unreasonable inconvenience to customers and shall be preceded, if feasible, by adequate notice to those who will be affected.

D. Record of Interruptions. Each utility shall keep records of interruptions of service on its system and shall make an analysis of the records for the purpose of determining steps to be taken to prevent recurrence of the interruptions. The records should include the following information concerning the interruptions:

  (1) Cause;

  (2) Date and time; and

  (3) Duration.