(a) No user shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, cooling water or unpolluted industrial process water to any District sewer.
(b) No user shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any District sewer, any harmful waters or wastes, whether liquid, solid or gas, capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewerage system, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewerage system.
(c) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any sewage into any storm drain.
(d) Service request applications may be cancelled by the District for any violation of any rule, regulation or condition of service, and especially for any of the following reasons:
(1) Misrepresentation in the service request application as to the property or fixtures to be served by the sanitary sewer system.
(2) Improper or imperfect service pipes and fixtures, or failure to keep the same in a suitable state of repair.
(e) The discharge of industrial waste into the District sewer system, other than those explicitly permitted in this section, is prohibited. In addition to meeting the requirements of these regulations, compliance must be made with all applicable state and federal regulations, including the NPDES permit.
The Pretreatment Coordinator may establish more stringent limitations and/or add additional wastewater parameters with limitations as necessary to protect the public disposal facilities or the public health, safety and welfare, or to comply with other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge from the wastewater treatment works.
The POTW shall develop, update as necessary and enforce technically supported local limits that will protect the POTW against interference and pass through. The POTW may develop BMPs and such BMPs shall be considered local limits and pretreatment standards for the purpose of this rule upon approval by Ohio EPA.
No person shall discharge or cause or allow to be discharged into the public sewer, wastes designated as prohibited wastes pursuant to 40 CFR 403.5 and amendments thereto, and including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or greater than 9.5 and having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and personnel of the wastewater disposal facilities. If City water exceeds pH 9.5, the upper limit shall be raised to the pH of City water.
(2) Any ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, lime slurry, lime residues, paint residues, cannery waste bulk solids or any other solid or viscous substances capable of causing obstruction to the flow of sewers or other interference with proper operation of the sewerage works.
(3) Waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or in combination with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any waste treatment process, render treatment process effluents or residues unfit for reclamation or re-use, pass through the wastewater treatment plant, cause violations of the treatment works NPDES discharge permit, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance or create any hazard or water quality violation in the receiving water of the public wastewater treatment works. Radioactive waste and wastes containing matter designated as toxic pollutants by the USEPA pursuant to Section 307(a) of the Federal Act, and amendments thereto, or as hazardous substances pursuant to Section 311(b) of the Federal Act, and amendments thereto, shall not be discharged to the public sewer without prior written approval of the Pretreatment Coordinator. Current listings of the toxic pollutants and hazardous substances shall be available from the Pretreatment Coordinator.
(4) Any waters or wastes containing suspended solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the wastewater treatment plant, or having a chlorine demand greater than thirty mg/l.
(5) Deny or condition any new or increased contribution of pollutants, or change in the nature of pollutants, to the POTW by industrial users where such contribution does not meet applicable pretreatment standards and requirements or where such contribution would cause the POTW to violate the NPDES permit.
(6) No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any of the following described water or wastes to any public sewer: Pollutants which create hazard in the POTW, including, but not limited to, wastestreams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or sixty degrees Centigrade using the test method specified in 40 CFR 261.21.
(7) Any noxious or malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance, or substance causing the release of noxious or poisonous gases after discharge into the District sewer.
(8) Any concentrated plating baths or acid pickling liquor whether neutralized or not.
(9) Heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature at the POTW treatment plant exceeds forty degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit), unless the approval authority, upon request of the POTW, approves alternative temperature limits.
(10) Any water or wastes containing free oils, emulsified oils and greases exceeding an average of 250 mg/l (2,085 pounds per million gallons of ether-soluble matter or any petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass through at the POTW).
(11) Any garbage which has not been properly shredded as defined herein.
(12) Quantities of flow, concentrations, or both, which constitute a “slug” as defined herein. No person shall discharge any holding tank waste into a public sewer unless he or she has obtained written approval from the Director or Pretreatment Coordinator. Unless otherwise allowed by the Director or Pretreatment Coordinator, approval must be secured for each separate discharge.
(13) Wastes with objectionable color not removable by the treatment process.
(14) The limits of toxic wastes and/or interfering substances discharged into the District sewers shall not exceed the local limits as currently in effect The current local limits shall be available upon request from the Pretreatment Coordinator. The Pretreatment Coordinator shall notify industrial users by certified mail thirty days in advance prior to modifying local limits. The Pretreatment Coordinator reserves the right to modify local limits as necessary to meet requirements of the Act and as required to protect public health and safety.
(f) (1) Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Pretreatment Coordinator or City Engineer, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excess amount, or any flammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters of dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the City Engineering Department and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
(2) Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme chances in temperature. They shall be of substantial construction, watertight, and equipped with easily removable covers which, when bolted in place, shall be gastight and watertight
(3) Where installed, all grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be maintained by the owner, at his or her expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times.
(g) (1) The admission into the District sewers of any of the following wastes shall be subject to review and approval by the Pretreatment Coordinator:
A. A five-day BOD greater than 250 mg/l by weight;
B. Containing more than 250 mg/l by weight of suspended solids;
C. Containing any subsection (e) hereof; and/or
D. Having an average daily flow greater than 12,500 gpd.
(2) The Pretreatment Coordinator shall have the right to reject any and all wastes which in his or her opinion may be harmful to or exceed capacities of the sewerage works.
(3) Where necessary, in the opinion of the Pretreatment Coordinator, the user shall provide at his or her expense such preliminary treatment as may be necessary to:
A. Reduce the BOD to 250 mg/l and the suspended solids to 250 mg/l by weight;
B. Reduce objectionable characteristics or constituents to within the maximum limits provided for in subsection (e) hereof; or
C. Control the quantities and rates of discharge of such waters or wastes.
(4) Plans, specifications and other pertinent information relating to proposed treatment facilities shall be submitted for the approval of the Pretreatment Coordinator. No construction of such facilities shall be commenced until such approval is obtained from state and federal agencies (permit to install, RCRA status, etc.).
(h) Federal Categories Pretreatment Standards.
(1) Upon the promulgation of the Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standard for control of toxic pollutants as designated in Section 307(a) of the Federal Act for a particular industrial subcategory, the Federal Standard, if more stringent than the limitations imposed under this chapter for sources in that subcategory, shall immediately supersede the limitations imposed under this chapter, and such Federal Categorical Standards shall be met by industrial users. The Pretreatment Coordinator shall notify all users of the applicable reporting requirements under 40 CFR 403.12.
(2) Where the City's wastewater treatment works achieves consistent removal of pollutants limited by Federal Pretreatment Standards, the City may apply to the State Approval Authority for modification of specific limits in the Federal Pretreatment Standards. “Consistent removal” shall mean reduction in the amount of a pollutant or alteration of the nature of the pollutant by the wastewater treatment works to a less toxic or harmless state in the effluent which is achieved by the system in ninety-five percent of the samples taken when measured according to the procedures set forth in Section 403.7(c)(2) and amendments thereto of (Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulation, Part 403) “General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution,” promulgated pursuant to the Act. The City may modify pollution discharge limits in the Federal Pretreatment Standards if the requirements contained in 4 CFR 403.7 are fulfilled and prior approval from the Approval Authority is obtained.
(3) New sources shall install and have in operating condition, and shall “startup” pollution control equipment required to meet applicable pretreatment standards before beginning to discharge. Within the shortest feasible time (not to exceed ninety days), new sources must meet all applicable pretreatment standards. New sources are required to include information on pretreatment methods they intend to use, and provide data on production, flow and amounts of regulated pollutants on a schedule as determined by the Pretreatment Coordinator.
(4) When the limits in a categorical pretreatment standard are expressed only in term of mass of pollutant per unit of production, the Pretreatment Coordinator may convert the limits to equivalent limitations expressed either as equivalent mass per day or concentration limits for purposes of calculation effluent limitations applicable to individual industrial users.
(5) Equivalent limitations calculated in accordance with paragraphs CFR 403.6(c)(3) and CFR 403.6(c)(4) shall be deemed pretreatment standards for the purposes of Section 307(d) of the Act and this chapter. Industrial user will be required to comply with the equivalent limitations promulgated categorical standards from which the equivalent limitations were derived.
(i) State requirements and limitations on discharges shall apply in any case where they are more stringent than federal requirements and limitations or those in this chapter.
(j) Consistent with federal regulations, the City reserves the right to establish by ordinance more stringent limitations or requirements on discharges to the wastewater disposal facility if deemed necessary to comply with the objectives of this chapter.
(k) (1) The limits of an industry's wastewater discharge will be stipulated in wastewater discharge permits issued by the District to an industry following submittal by the industry of an application to use the District's sanitary sewer system for the discharge of its industrial waste, such applications and permits being subject to the provisions of this chapter. Such limits shall be established by the Pretreatment Coordinator for each industry in a manner for each industry in a manner to assure that the concentrations of those wastes will not exceed the limits stipulated in this chapter or any other applicable state and federal standards.
(2) The discharge of industrial wastes with concentrations exceeding the “normal strength” limitations may be permitted when, in the opinion of the Pretreatment Coordinator, it is determined that such wastes can be satisfactorily treated without ad verse effects to the collection and/or treatment systems, and such extra strength waste allowance does not violate applicable federal standards.
(3) The discharge of such wastes exceeding “normal strength” shall be subject to and require a surcharge to compensate the District for all costs associated with the collection, conveyance, treatment and final disposal for all excess concentrations as hereinafter provided in Section 1045.07(h).
(l) Where any private pretreatment facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactorily and effective operation by the user of such treatment facilities at his or her expense. The operation of such pretreatment facilities shall be in accordance with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Pretreatment Standards as may be in effect.
In addition, the Pretreatment Coordinator may establish Best Management Practices (BMPs) for particular groups of users. These BMPs may include, but are not limited to types or methods of pretreatment technology to be used, methods of source control, minimum maintenance requirements, dragout prevention practices, spill prevention practices, or other requirements as deemed necessary.
(m) Except where expressly authorized to do so by an applicable pretreatment standard or requirement, no industrial user shall ever increase the use of process water, or in any other way attempt to dilute a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with a pretreatment standard or requirement. The Pretreatment Coordinator may impose mass limitations on industrial users which are using dilution to meet applicable pretreatment standards or requirements or in other cases where the imposition of mass limitations is appropriate.
(n) (1) The Pretreatment Coordinator shall evaluate whether each SIU needs an accidental discharge/slug control plan at least once during the term of each significant industrial user's industrial wastewater discharge permit or applicable control document or within one year of being identified a significant industrial user. The Pretreatment Coordinator may require any user to develop and implement an accidental discharge/slug control plan. Where deemed necessary by the Pretreatment Coordinator, facilities to prevent accidental discharge or slug discharges of pollutants shall be provided and maintained at the user's cost and expense.
(2) An accidental discharge/slug control plan showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the Pretreatment Coordinator for review and approval before implementation. The Pretreatment Coordinator shall determine which user is required to develop a plan and require said plan to be submitted within ninety days after notification by the Pretreatment Coordinator. Each user shall implement its accidental discharge/slug control plan as submitted or as modified after such plan has been reviewed and approved by the Pretreatment Coordinator. Review and approval of such plans and operating procedures by the Pretreatment Coordinator shall not relieve the user from the responsibility to modify and operate its facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this section. Each industrial user required to implement an accidental discharge/slug control plan shall notify the City of any significant changes to the user's operations or systems that might alter the nature, quality, or volume of its wastewater at least ninety days prior to the change.
(3) Any user required to develop and implement an accidental discharge/slug control plan shall submit a plan that addresses, at a minimum, the following:
A. Description of discharge practices, including non-routine batch discharges;
B. Description of stored chemicals;
C. Procedures for immediately notifying the WWTP of any accidental or slug discharge. Such notification shall also be given for any discharge that would violate any of the standards in this chapter; and
D. Procedures to prevent adverse impact from any accidental or slug discharge. Such procedures include, but are not limited to, inspection and maintenance of storage areas, handling and transfer of materials, loading and unloading operations, control of plant site runoff, worker training, building of containment structures or equipment, measures for containing toxic organic pollutants (including solvents), and/or measures and equipment for emergency response.
(4) Users shall notify the City WWTP immediately upon the occurrence of a “slug” or “accidental discharge” of substances regulated by the chapter. Users shall notify the Pretreatment Coordinator or personnel on duty at the WWTP by telephone immediately upon the occurrence of a slug load or accidental discharge, or bypass or substances prohibited or limited by this chapter. The notification shall include location of discharge, date and time thereof, type of waste, concentration and volume, and corrective actions. Any affected user shall be liable for any expense, loss, or damage to the WWTP, in addition to the amount of any assessments or penalties imposed on the City on account thereof under state or federal law.
(5) Within five days following an accidental discharge, the user shall submit to the Pretreatment Coordinator a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge and the measures to be taken by the user to prevent similar future occurrences. The user shall document and maintain sufficient records so as to reflect fairly and accurately any such discharge, including, but not limited to, bypasses of pretreatment facilities. Such notification shall not relieve the user of any expense, loss, damage, or other liability that may be incurred as a result of damage to the WWTP, fish kills, or any other damage to person or property; nor shall such notification relieve the user of any assessments, civil penalties, or other liability that may be imposed by this chapter or other applicable law.
(6) Signs shall be permanently posted in conspicuous places on the user's premises advising employees whom to call in the event of a slug or accidental discharge. Employers shall instruct all employees who may cause or discover such a discharge with respect to emergency notification procedures.
(o) (1) Any removal and hauling of captured material not performed by the user's personnel must be performed by currently licensed waste disposal firms. All such materials, plus any prohibited wastes, must be transported to a state approved disposal site.
(2) No user shall discharge or cause to be discharged, directly or indirectly, any trucked or hauled pollutants, including septage and industrial waste, except at locations and times designated by the WWTP.
(p) (1) No statement contained in this section shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the District and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the District for treatment, subject to the proper payment therefore by the industrial concern, and provided that such agreement does not violate applicable federal standards.
(2) Any agreement entered into under the provisions of this section shall stipulate the type and amount of pollutant and/or conditions permitted thereunder, the conditions of permitting such discharges and the amount of surcharge in addition to applicable user and industrial cost recovery charges that will adequately compensate the District for all costs associated with collecting, pumping, treating and disposing of such discharges.
(q) Pollutants that 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 shall not be introduced to the POTW.
(r) Any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at discharge points designated by the POTW shall not be introduced to the POTW.
(Ord. 91-130. Passed 11-5-91; Ord. 09-27. Passed 3-3-09; Ord. 23-145. Passed 12-19-23.)