HERMANN — Haulers of wastewater, sludge and other sewage material can deposit their loads into the Hermann sewer system for treatment under legislation that was approved Monday night by the Board of Aldermen.

Faced with a light agenda for the last meeting of the year, the Board of Aldermen (BOA) gave first- and second-round approval to a bill that aims at regulating the dumping of waste materials into the sewer system. The measure sets the cost for private haulers to unload their tanks into the treatment system. The legislation applies to what it calls “normal domestic sewage” such as septic tank waste, sewage, wastewater and other liquid wastes hauled by truck or other vehicle.

The ordinance sets a fee of $150 to obtain a Hauled Waste Permit.

The issue of regulating dumping into the sewer system by private companies was raised in recent weeks with city officials noting that a few haulers have dumped their loads much the way recreational vehicles clear their tanks at the dump station. City officials argued that setting up a permitting process allows City Hall to regulate the private haulers to protect the sewer treatment system.

According to the legislation, the permit cannot be transferred or sold by the company obtaining it and it becomes void if the company goes out of business or if the business is sold. The city law also allows the permit to be revoked if the recipient violates any term or condition of the permit or if it violates any applicable state, federal or local laws or regulations.

To prevent overuse of the city sewer system, a provision of the ordinance allows City Hall to limit the number of hauled waste permits it issues. Violations of the ordinance can be treated as a misdemeanor and, upon conviction in Circuit Court, carry a fine of up to $500 for each violation, the law said.

In other matters during the city’s Dec. 8 session, the BOA gave second-round and final approval to a bill accepting the city’s updated version of the Comprehensive Plan. The 10-year plan, dubbed “Hermann 2035,” was put together during the past 18 months by planners at Meramec Regional Planning Commission. The updated plan is aimed to serve as a blueprint for Hermann’s growth and development during the next decade.

The aldermen also adopted a resolution to ratify an application for the “Tree City USA” designation. Aldermen also approved a Special Event Application by the city’s Tourism Department for the Santa Rides the Rail event at the Amtrak Station on Thursday, Dec. 18.