(A) No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any unpolluted water such as stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water to any sanitary sewer.
(B) Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the city. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged to a storm sewer or natural outlet on approval of the city and the issuance of a discharge permit by MPCA.
(C) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described water or wastes to any public sewers.
(1) Any liquids, solids, or gases which by reason of their nature or quantity are or may be sufficient either alone or by interaction with other substances to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in any other way to the wastewater disposal system or to the operation of the system. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides, and sulfides.
(2) Solid or viscous substances which will cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interference with the proper operation of the wastewater treatment facility soon but not limited to: ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, and the like, either whole or ground garbage grinders. Solids shall have a maximum allowable diameter of 3 inches.
(3) Any wastewater having a pH of less than 5.0 or greater than 9.5 having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and personnel of the wastewater disposal system.
(4) Any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other pollutants, to inhibit or disrupt any wastewater treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create a toxic effect in the receiving waters of the wastewater disposa1 system. A toxic pollutant shall include but not be limited to any pollutant identified pursuant to Section 307(a) of the Act.
(D) The following described substances, materials, water, or wastes shall be limited in discharges to municipal systems to concentrations or quantities which will not harm either sewers, the wastewater treatment works treatment process or equipment, will not have an adverse effect on the receiving stream and/or soil, vegetation and ground water, or will not otherwise endanger lives, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. The Commission may set limitations lower than limitations established in the regulations below if, in their opinion, such more severe limitations are necessary to meet the above objectives. In forming their opinion as to the acceptability of wastes, the Commission will give consideration to such factors as the quantity of subject waste in reaction to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials of construction of the sewers, nature of the sewage treatment process, the Commission’s NPDES and/or SDS permit capacity of the sewage treatment plant, degree of treatability of wastes in the sewage treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The limitations or restrictions on materials or characteristics of waste or wastewaters discharged to the sanitary sewer which shall not be violated without approval of the Commission are as follows:
(1) Any wastewater having a temperature higher than 150º F. (65º C.), or causing, individually or in combination with other wastewater, the influent at the wastewater treatment plant to have a temperature exceeding 104º F. (40º C.), or having heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the wastewater treatment works resulting in interference therein.
(2) Any waters or wastes containing fats, wax, grease or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/1 or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32º F. and 150º F.) (0º C. and 65º C.), and any wastewater containing oil and grease concentrations of mineral origin of greater than 100 mg/1, whether emulsified or not.
(3) Any quantities of flow, concentrations, or both which constitute a "slug" as defined herein.
(4) Any garbage not properly shredded, as defined in § 52.01. Garbage grinders may be connected to sanitary sewers from homes, hotels, institutions, restaurants, hospitals, catering establishments, or similar places where garbage originates from the preparation of food on the premises or when served by caterers.
(5) Any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, or solids which either singly or by interaction with other wastes are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life, or are sufficient to prevent entry into the sewer for their maintenance and repair.
(6) Any wastewater with objectional color not removed in the treatment process, such as, but not limited to dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.
(7) Non-contact cooling water or unpolluted storm, drainage, or groundwater.
(8) Wastewater containing inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth, lime slurries, and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate) in such quantities that would cause disruption with the wastewater disposal system.
(9) Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the Commission in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations.
(10) Any waters or wastes containing the following substances: arsenic, cadmium, copper, cyanide, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, total chromium, zinc or phenolic compounds to a degree that the materials received prevent adequate treatment of the waste.
(11) Any wastewater which creates conditions at or near the wastewater disposal system which violates any statute, rule, regulation, or ordinance of any regulatory agency, or state or federal regulatory body.
(12) Any waters or wastes containing BOD5 or suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the wastewater treatment works, except as may be permitted by specific written agreement subject to the provisions of division (P).
(E) (1) If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which contain substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in division (D), and/or which in the judgement of the Commission may have a deleterious effect upon the wastewater treatment facility processes, equipment, or receiving water and/or soil, vegetation and ground water, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the city may:
(a) Reject the wastes;
(b) Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers pursuant to Section 307(h) of the Act and all addendums thereof;
(c) Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or
(d) Require payment to cover the added costs of handling and treating and disposing of wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer service charges.
(2) If the IGU permits the pretreatment or equalization of water flows, the design and installation of the facilities and equipment shall be made at the owners expense, and shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission pursuant to the requirements of the MPCA.
(F) No user shall increase the use of process water or, in any manner, attempt to dilute a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the limitations contained in divisions (C) and (D), or contained in the National Categorical Pretreatment Standards or any state requirements.
(G) Where pretreatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided or required for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation at the owner’s expense.
(H) Grease, oil and sand interceptors or extra septic tanks shall be provided and installed by the owner when, in the opinion of the IGU they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing floatable grease in excessive amounts as specified in division (D)(2), any flammable wastes, as specified in division (C)(1), sand, or other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be to the type to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. In the maintaining of these interceptors, the owner(s) shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal of the captured materials by appropriate means, and shall maintain a record of dates and means of disposal which are subject to review by the IGU. Any removal and hauling of the collecting materials not performed by the owner’s personnel, must be performed by a currently licensed waste disposal firm.
(I) Where required by the IGU, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable structure, or control manhole with such necessary meters and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of wastes. The structure shall be accessibly and safely located, and shalt be constructed in accordance with the plans approved by the IGU. The structure shall be installed by the owner at his/her expense and shall be maintained by the owner so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
(J) The owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes at the discretion of the city shall be required to provide laboratory measurements, tests, and analysis of waters and wastes to illustrate compliance with this subchapter and any special conditions for discharge established by the city or regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the discharge. The number, type and frequency of sampling and laboratory analysis to be performed by the owner shall be as stipulated by the city. The industry must supply a complete analysis of the constituents of the wastewater discharge to assure that compliance with the federal, state, and local standards are being met. The owner shall report the results of measurements and laboratory analysis to the city at such times, and in such manner as prescribed by the city. The owner shall bear the expense of all measurements, analysis and reporting required by the city. At such times deemed necessary, the city reserves the right to take measurements and samples for analysis by an independent laboratory.
(K) All measurements, tests, and analysis of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this subchapter shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association. Sampling methods, location, times, duration and frequencies are to be determined on an individual basis subject to approval by the IGU.
(L) Where required by the city, the owner of any property serviced by a sanitary sewer shall provide protection from an accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other substances regulated by this subchapter. Where necessary, facilities to prevent accidental discharges of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the owner’s expense. Detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the IGU for review and approval prior to construction of the facility. Review and approval of such plans and operating procedures shall not relieve any user from the responsibility to modify the user’s facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this subchapter. Users shall notify the IGU and the Commission immediately upon having a slug or accidental discharge of substances of wastewater in violation of this subchapter to enable countermeasures to be taken by the IGU and the Commission to minimize damage to the wastewater treatment works. The notification will not relieve any user of any liability for any expense, loss or damage to the wastewater treatment system or treatment process, or for any fines imposed on the city on account thereof under any state and federal law. Employers shall insure that all employees who may cause or discover a discharge are advised of the emergency notification procedure.
(M) No person, having charge of any building or other premises which drains into the public sewer, shall permit any substance or matter which may form a deposit or obstruction to flow or pass into the public sewer. Within 15 days after receipt of written notice from the city, the owner shall install a suitable and sufficient catch basin or waste trap, or if one already exists, shall clean out, repair or alter the same, and perform such other work as the IGU may deem necessary. Upon the owner’s refusal or neglect to install a catch basin or waste trap or to clean out, repair or alter the same after the period of 15 days, the IGU may cause such work to be completed at the expense of the owner or representative thereof.
(N) Whenever any service connection becomes clogged, obstructed, broken or out of order, or detrimental to the use of the public sewer, or unfit for the purpose of drainage, the owner shall repair or cause such work to be done as the city may direct. Each day after 15 days that a person neglects or fails to so act shall constitute a separate violation of this section, and the IGU may then cause the work to be done, and recover from such owner or agent the expense thereof by an action in the name of the city.
(O) The owner or operator of any motor vehicle washing or servicing facility shall provide and maintain in serviceable condition at all times, a catch basin or waste trap in the building drain system to prevent grease, oil, dirt or mineral deposit from entering the public sewer system.
(P) In addition to any penalties that may be imposed for violation of any provision of this chapter, the city may assess against any person the cost of repairing or restoring sewers or associated facilities damaged as a result of the discharge of prohibited wastes by such person, any may collect such assessment as an additional charge for the use of the public sewer system or in any other manner deemed appropriate by the city.
(Q) No statement contained in this section shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefore, by the industrial concern, providing that National Categorical Pretreatment Standards and/or state disposal system permit limitations are not violated.
(Ord. 203.1, passed 9-1-1987; Am. Ord. 2011-06-07D, passed 6-7-2011) Penalty, see § 53.99