(a) Prohibition of illicit discharges.
(1) No entity shall discharge directly or indirectly or cause to be discharged into the storm drainage system, MS4, or receiving waters any materials, including but not limited to, pollutants or non-stormwater discharges that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater.
(2) The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illicit discharge to the storm drainage system, MS4, or receiving waters is prohibited except as described as follows:
a. The following discharges are exempt from the requirements of this section: water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, diverted stream flows, rising ground water, ground water infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped ground water, foundation or footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, non-commercial washing of vehicles, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, swimming pools (if dechlorinated – typically less than one PPM chlorine), firefighting activities, and any other water source not containing pollutants.
b. Discharges specified in writing by the City of Carmel as being necessary to protect public health and safety.
c. Dye testing is an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification to the City of Carmel prior to the time of the test.
d. The prohibition shall not apply to any non-stormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES stormwater discharge permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, including this Article, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the storm drainage system, MS4, or receiving waters.
(b) Prohibition of illicit connections.
(1) The construction, use, maintenance, or continued existence of illicit connections is prohibited.
(2) This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection.
(3) An entity is in violation of this Article if the entity makes an illicit connection or allows such a connection to continue after service of a notice of violation. This Article requires an immediate cessation of the illicit connection after service of the notice of violation.
(Ord. D-1794-06, 2-6-06)