920.07 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. Signs shall be permanently posted in conspicuous places on discharger's premises, advising employees whom to call in the event of a slug or accidental discharge. Employer shall instruct all employees who may cause or discover such a discharge with respect to emergency notification procedures. When there is a substantial danger to the public health or welfare or a substantial danger to the environment or of interference to the POTW that would result from an accidental discharge, facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the discharger's cost and expense. Detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the City to review and shall be approved by the City before construction of the facility. No discharger shall be permitted to introduce pollutants into the system after July 1, 1982 until accidental discharge protection procedures have been approved by the City. Without such facilities, the City may deny permission to discharge. Review and approval of the plans and operating procedures by the City shall not relieve the discharger from the responsibility to modify its facilities as necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 2004-184. Passed 12-7-04.)
(b) Accidental Discharge Notification. Users shall notify the Director of Water Reclamation immediately upon the occurrence of, or potential for, 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 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. Any discharger who discharges slugs or accidentally discharges prohibited materials shall be liable for any expense, loss or damage to the POTW, in addition to the amount of any fines imposed on the City under State or Federal law on account of such discharges. SIUs are required to notify the POTW immediately of any changes at its facility affecting its potential for a slug discharge. (Ord. 2015-098. Passed 9-15-15.)
(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 Water Reclamation as soon as possible, but not later than twenty-four hours after the beginning of the upset. Where information is given orally, the user shall file a written report with the Director of Water Reclamation within five 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 locations, dates and times of noncompliance and the type of waste, concentration and volume. 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 or noncompliance.
Where it can be demonstrated that circumstances exist which would create an unreasonable burden on the person to comply with the time schedule imposed by this chapter, a request for extension of time may be presented for consideration by the City.
(d) Bypasses. Bypasses of pretreatment facilities are prohibited and the City may pursue enforcement action unless the user receives prior written approval for bypass from the City.
(Ord. 2004-184. Passed 12-7-04.)