(A) Notification of violation (NOV). Whenever the Board finds that any industrial user has violated or is violating this chapter, wastewater permit, or any prohibition, limitation or requirements contained therein or any other pretreatment requirement the Board may serve upon such a person a written notice stating the nature of the violation. Within 30 days from the date of this notice, an explanation for the violation and a plan for the satisfactory correction thereof shall be submitted to the District by the user. Submission of this plan does not relieve the discharger of liability for any violations occurring before or after receipt of the notice of violation.
(B) Consent orders. The Board is hereby empowered to enter into consent orders, assurances of voluntary compliance, or other similar documents establishing an agreement with the person responsible for the non-compliance. Such orders will include specific action to be taken by the discharger to correct the non-compliance within a time period also specified by the order. Consent orders shall have the same force and effect as an administrative order issued pursuant to division (D), below.
(C) Show cause hearing.
(1) The Board may order any industrial user who causes or is responsible for an unauthorized discharge, has violated this chapter or is in noncompliance with a wastewater discharge permit to show cause why a proposed enforcement action should not be taken. In the event the Board determines that a show cause order should be issued, a notice shall be served on the user specifying the time and place for the hearing, the proposed enforcement action, the reasons for such action, and a request that the user show cause why this proposed enforcement action should not be taken. The notice of the hearing shall be served personally or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) at least ten days before the hearing. Service may be made on any agent or officer of a corporation.
(2) The Board shall review the evidence presented at the hearing and determine whether the proposed enforcement action is appropriate.
(D) Administrative orders. When the Board finds that an industrial user has violated or continues to violate this chapter, permits or orders issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment requirement the Board may issue an order to cease and desist all such violations and direct those persons in noncompliance to do any of the following:
(1) Immediately comply with all requirements;
(2) Comply in accordance with a compliance time schedule set forth in the order;
(3) Take appropriate remedial or preventive action in the event of a continuing or threatened violation;
(4) Disconnect unless adequate treatment facilities, devices or other related appurtenances are installed and properly operated within a specified time period.
(E) Emergency suspensions.
(1) The Board may suspend the wastewater treatment service and/or wastewater permit when such suspension is necessary in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment, interferes with the POTW or causes the POTW to violate any condition of its NPDES or non-discharge permit.
(2) Any user notified of a suspension of the wastewater treatment service and/or the wastewater permit shall immediately stop or eliminate the contribution. A hearing will be held within 15 days of the notice of suspension to determine whether the suspension may be lifted or the user’s waste discharge permit terminated. In the event of a failure to comply voluntarily with the suspension order, the Board shall take such steps as deemed necessary including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW system or endangerment to any individuals. The Board shall reinstate the wastewater permit and the wastewater treatment service upon proof of the elimination of the non-compliant discharge. The industrial user shall submit a detailed written statement describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence to the Board prior to the date of the above-described hearing.
(F) Termination of permit. Any user who violates the following conditions of this chapter, or applicable state and federal regulations, is subject to having its permit terminated:
(1) Failure to accurately report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of his or her discharge;
(2) Failure to report significant changes in operations, or wastewater constituents and characteristics;
(3) Refusal of reasonable access to the user’s premises for the purpose of inspection or monitoring; or
(4) Violation of conditions of the permit. Non-compliant industrial users will be notified of the proposed termination of their wastewater permit and will be offered an opportunity to show cause under § 52.195 why the proposed action should not be taken.
(Ord. 2005-01-01, passed 2-21-05)