921.15 ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES.

   (a)    Protection. Each user, at his expense, shall provide protection from accidental discharges of prohibited materials or other wastewaters subject to this Chapter. Employers shall either instruct all employees who may cause or discover such a discharge, with respect to emergency notification procedures, or shall permanently post signs in conspicuous places on discharger's premises, advising employees whom to call in the event of a slug or accidental discharge.

   (b)   Accidental Discharge Notification. Users shall notify the Director of Engineering, Utilities and Inspection immediately upon the occurrence of a Slugload or accidental discharge of any such materials or wastewaters in violation of this Chapter or applicable Wastewater Discharge Permit conditions. This notification shall be followed within five (5) days of the date of occurrence, by a detailed written statement as required under subsection (c) hereof describing the cause of the discharge and the remedial measures taken to reduce the possibility of recurrence. Such notification shall not relieve the User of any liability for any expense, loss or damage to the POTW.

   (c)   Upset Notification. Any User which experiences a failure of a pretreatment system which results in an unintentional or temporary state of noncompliance with this Chapter due to factors beyond reasonable control, shall inform the Director of Engineering, Utilities and Inspection as soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the beginning of the upset. Where information is given orally, the User shall file a written report with the Director of Engineering, Utilities and Inspection within five (5) days. The report shall include:

       (1)   A description of the incident, its cause and its impact on the User's compliance status;

      (2)   The duration of noncompliance, including exact dates and times of noncompliance. If the noncompliance continues, the time by which compliance is reasonably expected to be attained; and,

      (3)   All steps taken or to be taken to reduce, eliminate or prevent recurrence of the conditions of noncompliance.

   (d)   Bypasses. Bypasses of pretreatment facilities are prohibited and the City may pursue enforcement action unless the user receives prior written approval from the City. If a bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage, the City shall be advised by phone within 24 hours of the initiation of the bypass, and a written report shall be submitted to the City within five working days. The report shall include the reason for the bypass and measures taken to avoid a similar problem in the future.

(Ord. 1997-109. Passed 7-21-97; Res. 1998-196. Passed 10-12-98.)