(A) Field investigation measures.
(1) Field investigations will be used to detect illicit connections and discharges. Site inspections and spill and illegal discharge response will be the primary methods used. The city may also use TV camera inspections to help detect illicit detections. Other measures, such as dye testing, will be used in special circumstances or on an individual case basis.
(2) City inspectors inspect all new and remodeled facilities during construction and upon completion. In the inspection process, inspectors ensure that all drains and pipes have been installed correctly and that all sanitary wastes are plumbed to the sanitary sewer.
(B) Spill and illegal discharge response.
(1) The city responds to all reports and complaints of spills and illegal discharges to the storm drain system as soon as possible. Field inspections and investigations will be conducted as a result of any of the following:
(a) Complaints received from the general public;
(b) Staff observations of suspicious activities;
(c) Line blockages, leaks or breaks;
(d) Physical indications that a spill or illegal discharge has occurred.
(2) Storm drain inspections are generally conducted after a complaint or tip is received from a resident, business or city staff. Occasionally, storm drain inspections are conducted when city staff is working in the field and a suspicious discharge is noticed. Storm drains are checked in order to detect illegal discharges and track them back to their source. These inspections may include visual inspection of storm drain outfalls, drainage channels, manholes and catch basins for signs of an illicit connection or discharge. Signs of an illicit connection may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Dry weather flows;
(b) Excessive wet weather flows;
(c) Odors, oil and grease or other pollutants;
(d) Unusual or unexplainable pipes or connections to the city's storm sewer system.
(3) An illicit discharge inspection sheet is completed after each field investigation. If a source of an illicit connection or discharge is identified, the city will require termination of the violation and, possibly, corrective actions.
(C) Storm drain outfall monitoring. The city periodically inspects creeks and drainage areas for any types of illicit discharges. If levels of coli form bacteria are suspected, the city will contact the Hamilton County Health Department. The Health Department will test, and with the assistance of the city's Stormwater Utility and Building departments, try to determine the source of the contamination.
(D) Television (TV) camera inspection. TV camera inspection is an excellent method used to assess the condition of underground pipes and to detect the presence of illegal connections. Periodically, portions of the storm water system are inspected with a TV camera in specific situations, such as when a road failure has occurred or there is a suspected problem in the pipes. In these cases, the underground photos are scrutinized for the presence of illegal connections to the storm drain system.
(E) Dye testing. Dye testing is a simple and low-cost method to determine which direction a sanitary or storm sewer line flows. It may be used to determine if a drain flows to the storm drain or sanitary sewer. Typically, a yellow/red dye (with running water) is added to the drain in question and City staff monitor the downstream storm drain outlets or manholes for the appearance of dyed water. Sanitary sewer manholes are also opened to check for the dyed flow. Dye testing is generally conducted on an individual case basis. Use of this method is sometimes limited. If the nearest accessible discharge point is far from the drain in question, dye testing can require a high volume of water to carry the dye through the pipes.
(Ord. 19-2005, passed 12-5-05)