For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACT or THE ACT. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 et seq.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INDUSTRIAL USER.
(1) If the industrial user is a corporation,
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE shall mean:
(a) The president, secretary, treasurer, or a vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision making functions for the corporation;
(b) The manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operation facilities, provided the manager is authorized to make management decisions that govern the operation of the regulated facility, including having the explicit or implicit duty of making major capital investment recommendations, and initiate and direct other comprehensive measures to assure long-term environmental compliance with environmental laws and regulations; can ensure that the necessary systems are established or actions taken to gather complete and accurate information for individual wastewater discharge permit or general permit requirements; and where authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures.
(2) If the industrial user is a partnership, or sole proprietorship, an
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE shall mean a general partner or proprietor, respectively;
(3) If the industrial user is a federal, state or local governmental facility, an
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE shall mean a director or highest official appointed or designated to oversee the operation and performance of the activities of the government facility;
(4) The individuals described in subsections (1) through (3) of this definition may designate another
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE if the authorization is in writing, the authorization specifies the individual or position responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the discharge originates or having overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company, and the written authorization is submitted to the city.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs). Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to implement the prohibitions listed in §§ 50.020, 50.021 and 50.022. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD). The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure, five-day 20° centigrade expressed in terms of mass and concentration milligrams per liter (mg/l).
BUILDING SEWER OR LATERAL. A sewer conveying wastewater from the premises of a user to the POTW.
CATEGORICAL PRETREATMENT STANDARD or CATEGORICAL STANDARD. Any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the U.S. EPA in accordance with Sections 307 (b) and (c) of the Act (33 USC 1317) which apply to a specific category of industrial users and which appear in 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N, Parts 405-471.
CITY. The City of Eureka, California or the City Council of Eureka.
CITY MANAGER or MANAGER. The person designated by the city to manage the operation of the POTW, and who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities by this chapter or his duly authorized representative.
CLARIFIER. A device designed and installed so as to separate and retain deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter such as sand, petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil origin from a waste stream and permit liquid waste to discharge to the POTW.
COLOR. The optical density at the visual wave length of maximum absorption, relative to distilled water. One hundred percent transmittance is equivalent to zero (0.0) optical density.
COMPOSITE SAMPLE. The sample resulting from the combination of individual wastewater samples taken at selected intervals based on an increment of either flow or time.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or, where appropriate, the term may also be used as a designation for the Regional Water Quality Control Board or other duly authorized official of said agency.
EXISTING SOURCE. Any source of discharge, the construction or operation of which commenced prior to the publication of proposed categorical pretreatment standards which will be applicable to such source if the standard is thereafter promulgated in accordance with Section 307 of the Act.
GRAB SAMPLE. A sample which is taken from a waste stream on a one-time basis without regard to the flow in the waste stream and without consideration of time.
GREASE HAULER. A person, firm or business that collects the contents of a grease interceptor and transports it.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. A plumbing appurtenance or appliance that intercepts fats, oil and grease from a wastewater discharge.
INDIRECT DISCHARGE or DISCHARGE. The introduction of source regulated under Section 307 (b), (c) or (d) of the Act.
INDUSTRIAL USER or USER. Any person who discharges or causes or permits the discharge of non-domestic wastewater into the POTW.
INFILTRATION. The seepage of groundwater into a sewer system including sewer laterals.
INFLOW. Water discharged into the sewer system, including sewer laterals, from sources such as roof drains, downspouts, sumps, foundation drains, yard and area drains, drainage from springs and swampy areas and cross connections from storm systems.
INSTANTANEOUS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DISCHARGE LIMIT. The maximum concentration (or loading) of a pollutant allowed to be discharged at any time, determined from the analysis of any discrete or composited sample collected, independent of the industrial flow rate and the duration of the sampling event.
INTERFERENCE. A discharge which alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources: inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its treatment processes, or operations or its sludge processes, use, or disposal; and therefore is a cause of a violation of the city's NPDES permit or of the prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with any of the following statutory/regulatory provisions or permits issued thereunder (or more stringent state or local regulations): Section 405 of the Clean Water Act; the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), including Title II commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); any state regulations contained in any state sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the SWDA; the Clean Air Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act; and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act.
LOWER LATERAL. The portion of a private sewer lateral which lies within the public right-of-way.
MEDICAL WASTE. Isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood byproducts, pathological wastes, sharps, body parts, fomites, etiologic agents, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes, potentially contaminated laboratory wastes and dialysis wastes.
NEW SOURCE.
(1) Any building, structure, facility, or installation from which there is (or may be) a discharge of pollutants, the construction of which commenced after the publication of proposed Pretreatment Standards under Section 307(c) of the Act that will be applicable to such source if such standards are thereafter promulgated in accordance with that section, provided that:
(a) The building, structure, facility, or installation is constructed at a site at which no other source is located; or
(b) The building, structure, facility, or installation totally replaces the process or production equipment that causes the discharge of pollutants at an existing source; or
(c) The production or wastewater generating processes of the building, structure, facility, or installation are substantially independent of an existing source at the same site. In determining whether these are substantially independent, factors such as the extent to which the new facility is integrated with the existing plant, and the extent to which the new facility is engaged in the same general type of activity as the existing source, should be considered.
(2) Construction on a site at which an existing source is located results in a modification rather than a new source if the construction does not create a new building, structure, facility, or installation meeting the criteria of division (1)(b) or (c) of this definition above, but otherwise alters, replaces, or adds to existing process or production equipment.
(3) Construction of a new source as defined under this section has commenced if the owner or operator has:
(a) Begun, or caused to begin, as part of a continuous on-site construction program:
1. Any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or equipment; or
2. Significant site preparation work including clearing, excavation, or removal of existing buildings, structures, or facilities which is necessary for the placement, assembly, or installation of new source facilities or equipment; or
(b) Entered into a binding contractual obligation for the purchase of facilities or equipment which are intended to be used in its operation within a reasonable time. Options to purchase or contracts which can be terminated without substantial loss, and contracts for feasibility engineering, and design studies, do not constitute a contractual obligation under this definition.
NONCONTACT COOLING WATER. Water used for cooling which does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, or finished product.
NOTICE TO REPAIR. A notice issued by the city to a property owner that the sewer lateral is in violation of this chapter, which order directs the abatement of the violation.
NUISANCE. Anything which is injurious to health or is indecent or offensive to the senses or an obstruction to the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfort or enjoyment of life or property or which affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood or any considerable number of persons although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal.
OFFSET. Separation of pipe joints which restrict flow and allow infiltration.
PASS THROUGH. A discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the U.S. in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is a cause of a violation of any requirement of the city's NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation).
PERSON. Any individual, partnership, copartnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity, or any other legal entity, or their legal representatives, agents or assigns. This definition includes all federal, state, or local governmental entities.
pH. A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, expressed in standard units.
POLLUTANT. Any dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, medical wastes, chemical wastes, industrial wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discharged equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, agricultural and industrial wastes, and the characteristics of the wastewater (i.e., pH, temperature, TSS, turbidity, color, BOD, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), toxicity, odor).
PREMISES. A parcel of real estate, including any improvements thereon, which is determined by the city to be a single user for the purpose of receiving, using and paying for services.
PRETREATMENT. The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater prior to or in lieu of introducing such pollutants into the POTW. This reduction or alteration can be obtained by physical, chemical or biological processes, by process changes, or by other means, except by diluting the concentration of the pollutants unless allowed by an applicable pretreatment standard.
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS. Any substantive or procedural requirement related to pretreatment imposed on an industrial user, other than a pretreatment standard.
PRETREATMENT STANDARDS or STANDARDS. Prohibitive discharge standards, categorical pretreatment standards, and local limits.
PROHIBITED DISCHARGE STANDARDS or PROHIBITED DISCHARGES. Absolute prohibitions against the discharge of certain substances; these prohibitions appear in § 50.020 of this chapter.
PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS or POTW. Any devices or storage, treatment, recycling or reclamation of sewage or industrial wastes and any conveyances which convey wastewater to a treatment plant. Also, the city's jurisdiction over the industrial users and responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the treatment works. Building sewers connecting building drains to the POTW are not public sewers although they may be partially located in a public right-of-way or easement.
REPAIR OR REPLACE. To partially or completely replace a sewer lateral or correct defects within a sewer lateral so as to ensure its proper function in compliance with this code and applicable city and industry standards. CIP pipe lining may constitute replacement when approved by the City Engineer.
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW (SSO). Any overflow, spill, release discharge or diversion of entreated or partially treated wastewater from a sanitary sewer system.
SEPTIC TANK WASTES. Any sewage from holding tanks such as vessels, chemical toilets, campers, trailers, and septic tanks.
SEWAGE. Human excrement and gray water (household showers, dishwashing operations, and the like).
SEWER LATERAL. The sewer line beginning at the perimeter of any building and terminating at the sewer main including both the section within the public right-of-way.
SEWER LATERAL CERTIFICATE. A document certifying that a sewer lateral meets the standards of this chapter.
SEWER MAIN. A public sewer main designed to accommodate multiple sewer laterals.
SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL USER. Applies to industrial users subject to categorical pretreatment standards; any other industrial user that discharges an average of 25,000 gpd or more of process wastewater, contributes a process wastestream which makes up 5% or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the treatment plant or, is designated as significant by the city on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW's operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.
SLUG LOAD. Any discharge at a flow rate or concentration which could cause a violation of the prohibited discharge standards in § 50.020 of this chapter or any discharge of a nonroutine, episodic nature, including but not limited to, an accidental spill or a noncustomary batch discharge.
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (SIC) CODE. A classification pursuant to the “Standard Industrial Classification Manual” issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
STORMWATER. Any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation including snowmelt.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS. The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in water, wastewater, or other liquid, and which is removable by laboratory filtering.
TOXIC POLLUTANT. One of 126 pollutants, or combination by the EPA under the provision of Section 307 (33 USC 1317) of this Act.
TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT. Any discharge of treated wastewater from the POTW into waters of the state.
UPPER LATERAL. That portion of the sewer lateral which resides on private property from the building sewer edge of the public right-of-way.
VIREOUS CLAY PIPE (VCP). Any sewer line or lateral composed of terra-cotta type vitrified clay which is jointed together in short sections without gaskets. This type of pipe is subject to significant offsets and I & I.
WASTEWATER. Liquid and water-carried industrial wastes, and sewage from residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which are contributed to the POTW.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLAN or TREATMENT PLANT. The portion of the POTW designed to provide treatment of sewage and industrial waste.
(‘63 Code, § 5-5.103) (Ord. 571-C.S., passed 6-2-94; Am. Ord. 737-C.S., passed 2-3-09; Am. Ord. 775-C.S., passed 12-20-11; Am. Ord. 892-C.S., passed 12-17-19)