For the purpose of this chapter, these words have the following meanings:
CLEANUP: The removal of the hazardous substances to a place where the waste will not cause any danger to persons or the environment, in accordance with the state statutes, rules and regulations therefor, or the treatment of the material as defined herein to eliminate the hazardous condition, including the restoration of the area to a general good appearance without noticeable odor as far as practicable. "Cleanup" includes all actions necessary to contain, collect, identify, analyze, treat, disperse, remove or dispose of a hazardous substance and to restore the site from which such hazardous substance was cleaned up.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION: Any situation involving the actual, imminent or probable spillage, leakage, or release of a hazardous substance:
A. Within the city or onto city property located outside the city which, because of the quantity, strength and toxicity of the hazardous substance, its mobility in the environment and its persistence, creates an immediate potential danger to the public health or safety; or
B. Onto land, into the waters within the state of Iowa or into the atmosphere, but outside the city, which, because of the quantity, strength and toxicity of the hazardous substance, its mobility in the environment and its persistence, creates an immediate potential danger to the public health or safety of persons or property within the city. "Hazardous condition" includes any accident involving hazardous materials required to be reported under section 321.266(4) of the code of Iowa.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE: Any substance or mixture of substances that presents a danger to the public health or safety or environment and includes, but is not limited to, a substance that is toxic, corrosive, or flammable, or that is an irritant or that, in confinement, generates pressure through decomposition, heat, or other means. The following are examples of substances which, in sufficient quantity, may be hazardous: acids; alkalis; explosives; fertilizers; heavy metals such as chromium, arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium; industrial chemicals; paint thinners; paints; pesticides; petroleum products; poisons; radioactive materials; sludges; and organic solvents. "Hazardous substance" includes any hazardous waste identified or listed by the administrator of the United States environmental protection agency under the solid waste disposal act as amended by the resource conservation and recovery act of 1976, or any toxic pollutant listed under section 307 of the federal water pollution control act of 1976 as amended to January 1, 1977, or any hazardous substance designated under section 311 of the federal water pollution control act as amended to January 1, 1977, or any hazardous material designated by the secretary of transportation under the hazardous materials transportation act, or any hazardous substance listed under the comprehensive environmental response, compensation and liability act of 1980.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON: The person, whether the owner, agent, lessor or tenant, in charge of the hazardous substance being stored, processed or handled, or the owner or bailee transporting hazardous wastes or substances whether on public ways or grounds or on private property where the spill would cause danger to the public or to any person or to the environment.
TREATMENT: A method, technique, or process, including neutralization, designed to change the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of a hazardous substance so as to neutralize it or to render the substance nonhazardous, safer for transport, amenable for recovery, amenable for storage, or to reduce it in volume. "Treatment" includes any activity or processing designed to change the physical form or chemical composition of a hazardous substance to render it nonhazardous. (2000 Code § 36.02)