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Colorado Springs Overview
Colorado Springs, CO Code of Ordinances
CITY CODE of COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
ORDINANCES PENDING REVIEW FOR CODIFICATION
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS
CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION, PERSONNEL AND FINANCE
CHAPTER 2 BUSINESS LICENSING, LIQUOR REGULATION AND TAXATION
CHAPTER 3 PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC WORKS
CHAPTER 4 PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES
CHAPTER 5 ELECTIONS
CHAPTER 6 NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY/COMMUNITY HEALTH
CHAPTER 7 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE (UDC)
CHAPTER 8 PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 9 PUBLIC OFFENSES
CHAPTER 10 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 11 MUNICIPAL COURT1
CHAPTER 12 UTILITIES
CHAPTER 13 MHS ENTERPRISE1
CHAPTER 14 MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISES
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12.5.601: CONDITIONS FOR USE:
   A.   Where a collection line is not required or available to premises under the provisions established in this article, the wastewater disposal facilities of the premises shall be connected to an individual wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this article and the El Paso County individual sewage disposal system regulations.
   B.   The type, capacity, location and layout of an individual wastewater disposal system shall comply with all standards of the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. No permit shall be issued for any individual wastewater disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot does not meet the regulations imposed by the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. No septic tank or existing cesspool shall be permitted to discharge into any natural waterway or surface drainage.
   C.   Before commencement of construction of an individual wastewater disposal system on public or private property within the City or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City or Utilities, the owner shall first submit an application for a permit to construct, remodel or install an individual sewage disposal system to the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. A representative of the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment shall forward the application to the Chief Executive Officer for written approval or denial. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 18-42)
12.5.602: PRIVY VAULTS PROHIBITED:
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain a privy vault, holding tank or receptacle for wastewater disposal or similar device within the limits of the City, and in all instances where the devices are now in use, the owner or occupant of the premises shall discontinue the use thereof and install a proper service line or individual wastewater disposal system in accord with the provisions of this article except that the use of holding tanks will only be permitted to be used after joint review and approval of Utilities and the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42)
12.5.603: CONTENTS; REMOVAL OF:
The contents of septic tanks or cesspools within the limits of the City shall not be removed therefrom, nor shall the same be transported through any street, alley or public place within the City, except in a sanitary manner, through or by means of airtight tanks, if soft and mixed with matter, and if solid or dry, in tight covered tanks in such manner as shall prevent the escape of any noxious gases or offensive odors, and preserve the contents from sight or exposure during transportation. All tools, appliances and vehicles used in the cleaning and removal shall be kept and maintained in sanitary condition and shall be subject to inspection and licensing by the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42)
12.5.604: CESSATION OF USE; WHEN REQUIRED:
When a collection line becomes available to a property served by an individual wastewater disposal system, and upon receipt of official notice from the Chief Executive Officer to connect to the wastewater system, a direct connection shall be made to the collection line in compliance with this article and the official notice, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar individual wastewater disposal systems shall be cleaned and filled with suitable material and be inspected by the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 18-42)
12.5.605: DESIGNATION OF DISPOSAL FACILITY:
   A.   The septic disposal station at the Colorado Springs wastewater treatment plant on East Las Vegas Street is the primary point of discharge within the wastewater collection service area of the Utilities for materials received from individual wastewater disposal systems containing domestic waste only. Grease from food preparation facilities using grease/sand interceptors and grease traps may be discharged to the disposal station.
   B.   Hauled liquid waste containing hazardous waste, if disposed within the Utilities service area, may be disposed of only at a designated centralized waste treatment facility that is permitted to receive, treat or discharge hazardous wastes. The centralized waste treatment facilities shall not cause interference or pass- through of the POTW and shall meet any applicable categorical standards for centralized waste treatment.
   C.   Grease/sand interceptors and grease trap wastes may be disposed of at centralized waste treatment facilities approved and designated by the Chief Executive Officer. Centralized waste treatment facilities may discharge to the publicly owned treatment works only if the treated effluent does not cause interference or pass-through of the POTW. This includes not creating a visible sheen from petroleum and/or food grease sources. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 18-42)
PART 7 PROHIBITIONS - LIMITATIONS ON WASTEWATER DISCHARGE
SECTION:
12.5.701: Wastewater Discharge; Treatment Required
12.5.702: Wastewater Discharge; Prohibitions
12.5.703: Wastewater Discharge; Limitations
12.5.704: Point Of Discharge; Limitations
12.5.705: Silver Source Control
12.5.706: Mercury Source Control
12.5.707: Best Management Practices
12.5.701: WASTEWATER DISCHARGE; TREATMENT REQUIRED:
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge into any natural waterway or any surface drainage within the City, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City, any wastewater unless suitable treatment of the wastewater has been provided in accord with the provisions of this article and applicable County, State or Federal regulations. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 01-42)
12.5.702: WASTEWATER DISCHARGE; PROHIBITIONS:
No user shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the POTW any pollutant or wastewater which causes pass-through or interference. This prohibition applies to all users of the POTW regardless of whether they are subject to categorical pretreatment standards or any other National, State or local pretreatment standards or requirements. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or deposit or cause or allow to be discharged or deposited into the wastewater treatment facility any wastes or wastewater containing the following:
   A.   Stormwater Drainage: Stormwater from ground, surface, roof headers, catch basins, unroofed area drains (e.g., commercial car washing facilities) or any other source, unless approved in writing by the Chief Executive Officer and after suitable treatment as approved by Chief Executive Officer has been effected.
   B.   Other Water: Other water, including, but not limited to, underground drains, sump pump discharges, natural springs and seeps, water accumulated in excavations or any other water associated with construction, unless approved in writing by the Chief Executive Officer and after suitable treatment as approved by Chief Executive Officer has been effected.
   C.   Unusual Concentrations Of Dissolved Solids: Unusual concentrations of dissolved solids, that may, alone or in conjunction with discharges from other users, cause the POTW effluent to exceed water quality criteria for the pollutant in question.
   D.   Oil And Grease: Oil and grease of the following concentrations, sources or nature:
      1.   Wastewater containing total grease and oil in excess of one hundred milligrams per liter (100 mg/L) concentration as measured by methods set forth in 40 CFR section 136.
      2.   Wastewater containing more than twenty five milligrams per liter (25 mg/L) petroleum, as measured as hydrocarbons by methods set forth in 40 CFR section 136. Evidence of oil or grease in wastewater shall be based upon instantaneous or grab samples.
   E.   Explosive Mixtures: Explosive mixtures consisting of 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 treatment system or to the operation of the system. At no time shall two (2) successive readings on an explosion hazard meter at the point of discharge into the wastewater system be more than five percent (5%), nor may any single reading be over ten percent (10%) of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the meter. Wastestreams at the point of discharge are prohibited if they have a closed cup flashpoint of less than sixty degrees centigrade (60°C) (140°F) using test methods specified in 40 CFR section 261.21.
   F.   Noxious Material: Noxious material consisting of noxious or malodorous solids, liquids or gases, which, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life, or are or may be sufficient to prevent entry into any portion of the wastewater system for its maintenance and repair.
   G.   Improperly Shredded Garbage: Improperly shredded garbage that has not been ground or comminuted to a degree that all particles will be carried freely in suspension under flow conditions normally prevailing in the wastewater system to which the user is connected.
   H.   Radioactive Wastes Or Isotopes: Radioactive wastes or isotopes of such a half-life or concentration that they do not meet regulations set forth by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, State of Colorado, in the latest edition of rules and regulations pertaining to radiological control.
   I.   Solid, Viscous Or Liquid Wastes: Solid, viscous or liquid wastes in quantities or in a manner which may cause or contribute to obstruction to the flow in a collection line, or otherwise interfere with the proper operation of the wastewater treatment system.
   J.   Toxic Substances: Toxic substances in amounts exceeding standards promulgated by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 307(a) of the Act, and chemical elements or compounds, phenols or other taste or odor producing substances, or any other substances which are not susceptible to treatment or which may interfere with the biological processes or efficiency of the treatment system or which will be transmitted through the system to receiving water.
   K.   Substances Not Amenable To Treatment: Substances which are not amenable to treatment of prescribed reduction by the treatment process employed by Utilities, or are amenable to a limited degree of reduction that a discharge of the wastewater would result in an interference with the wastewater treatment works or pass through the treatment facilities that the effluent discharge from the treatment works does not meet requirements of State, Federal and other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge or application to receiving waters and/or lands.
   L.   Wastes With Color: Wastes with color not removable by the treatment process.
   M.   Corrosive Wastes: Corrosive wastes which will cause corrosion, deterioration or interference of the City POTW.
   N.   Wastewater: Wastewater with an instantaneous pH value of less than 5.5 standard units, or greater than or equal to 12.5 standard units.
      1.   Except that a more stringent range (upper and lower limits) of acceptable wastewater effluent pH identified in applicable categorical pretreatment standards shall supersede the range noted herein.
      2.   Compliance shall be measured on a continuous pH recording monitor (installed by the user with the Chief Executive Officer's approval) or demonstrated by written records of sampling approved by the Chief Executive Officer.
   O.   Spent Process Chemicals, Hazardous Waste: Spent process chemicals, solutions or materials, hazardous waste as defined by the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and other materials normally used in industrial/commercial operations unless specifically authorized in writing by the Chief Executive Officer and after suitable treatment as approved by the Chief Executive Officer has been effected.
   P.   Pollutants Causing Interference: Any pollutant, including oxygen demanding pollutants (e.g., BOD), released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which will cause interference with the POTW.
   Q.   Heat: Heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference but in no case heat in quantities that the temperature at the POTW treatment plant exceeds forty degrees centigrade (40°C) (104°F).
   R.   Trucked Or Hauled Pollutants: Any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at the discharge points designated as provided in part 6 of this article.
   S.   Pollutants Resulting In Toxic Gases, Vapors Or Fumes: Pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems.
   T.   Waste Silver Rich Photochemical Solutions: Waste silver rich photochemical solutions not treated to greater than ninety percent (90%) removal of the initial waste silver concentrations, unless in accord with section 12.5.705 of this part and section 12.5.1111 of this article specifically authorized in writing by the Chief Executive Officer and after suitable treatment as approved by the Chief Executive Officer has been effected.
   U.   Tetrachloroethane And Trichloroethane: Tetrachloroethane (also known as tetrachloroethylene) and trichloroethane (also known as trichloroethylene) from all nondomestic dischargers.
   V.   Pesticides: Pesticides containing carbamate or organophosphate compounds are prohibited from being discharged in any amount.
   W.   Asbestos: Asbestos from, but not limited to, asbestos abatement construction activities from all nondomestic dischargers, unless approved in writing by the Chief Executive Officer and after suitable treatment as approved by the Chief Executive Officer has been effected.
   X.   Wastes From Interceptors And Traps: Wastes collected from cleaning or pumping grease/sand interceptors, grease traps, oil traps, sand traps or other similar waste collection devices, except at locations approved and designated by the Chief Executive Officer.
   Y.   BTEX: "BTEX", defined as the sum of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, in excess of 0.750 milligrams per liter.
   Z.   Benzene: Waste containing benzene in excess of 0.050 milligrams per liter. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 00-204; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 08-44; Ord. 10-82; Ord. 14-66; Ord. 18-42)
12.5.703: WASTEWATER DISCHARGE; LIMITATIONS:
   A.   Compliance Required: It shall be unlawful for any significant industrial user to discharge or deposit or cause or allow to be discharged or deposited into the wastewater facilities, any waste or wastewater which fails to comply with the limitations imposed by this section.
   B.   Local Limitations: For each significant industrial user, the following tables set forth the local limits on the daily maximum limit (milligrams per liter) and maximum allowable industrial loading (pounds per day) of pollutants, as measured by a composite sample and related flow measurements taken during the user's operating day, unless elsewhere specified in this article or in the significant industrial user's wastewater discharge permit.
   DISCHARGES TO THE LAS VEGAS STREET
   WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Pollutant
Mg/L
Lbs/Day
Pollutant
Mg/L
Lbs/Day
Arsenic (total)
0.062
 
Cadmium (total)
 
0.480
Chromium (total)
0.733
 
Copper (total)
2.90
 
Fluoride (nondistilled)
56.3
 
Lead (total)
1.41
 
Manganese (total)
 
15.3
Mercury (total)
0.0032
 
Nickel (total)
1.79
 
Selenium (total)
 
3.48
Silver (total)
0.192
 
Zinc (total)
13.4
 
 
   DISCHARGES TO THE J.D. PHILLIPS
   WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
Pollutant
Mg/L
Lbs/Day
Pollutant
Mg/L
Lbs/Day
Arsenic (total)
3.35
 
Cadmium (total)
 
0.323
Chromium (total)
8.34
 
Copper (total)
3.33
 
Fluoride (nondistilled)
282
 
Lead (total)
6.42
 
Manganese (total)
 
2.44
Mercury (total)
0.022
 
Nickel (total)
19.6
 
Selenium (total)
 
1.96
Silver (total)
0.183
 
Zinc (total)
19.6
 
 
   C.   Maximum Allowable Industrial Loading: Allocation of wastewater treatment system maximum allowable industrial loading among all users shall be based upon consideration of discharge volume, flow rate and equitable but feasible distribution.
   D.   Categorical Pretreatment Standards: All users subject to a categorical pretreatment standard shall comply with all requirements of the standard, regardless of whether or which categorical pretreatment standard is identified in the discharge permit. The user shall also comply with any limitations contained in this article. Where duplication of the same pollutant exists, the limitations which are more stringent shall prevail. Compliance with National categorical pretreatment standards for existing sources subject to the standards or for existing sources which hereafter become subject to the standards shall be within three (3) years following promulgation of the standards unless a shorter compliance time is specified in the standards or by the Chief Executive Officer. New sources shall install and have in operating condition, and shall "start up" all pollution control equipment required to meet applicable pretreatment standards before beginning to discharge. Within the shortest feasible time (not to exceed 90 days), new sources must meet all applicable pretreatment standards.
   E.   Other Prohibitions, Limitations, Standards: For pollutants listed herein or regulated in categorical pretreatment standards, the Chief Executive Officer may designate in the significant industrial user's wastewater discharge permit, or in other formal notification, more stringent limitations for the pollutants if such are necessary to protect wastewater operations or facilities or to meet the City's or Utilities' permit requirements. For pollutants not listed herein and not regulated by National categorical pretreatment standards, the Chief Executive Officer may designate in the significant industrial user's wastewater discharge permit, or in other formal notification, prohibitions, limitations or other standards as appropriate governing the pollutants.
   F.   Dilution As A Substitute For Treatment: Consistent with the provisions of the Act, it is unlawful for any discharger into the wastewater treatment system to augment use of process water or otherwise dilute the discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with these standards. (Ord. 98-173; Ord. 99-162; Ord. 00-204; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 10-82; Ord. 14-66; Ord. 17-5; Ord. 18-42; Ord. 19-34)
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