(a) No person shall purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the Municipal sewerage system or treatment plant.
(b) The City may suspend the wastewater treatment service when such suspension is necessary, in the opinion of the City, in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment, which causes interference to the POTW or which causes the City to violate any condition of its NPDES permit.
(c) The City may seek to terminate the wastewater treatment service to any user who:
(1) Fails to factually report the wastewater constituents and characteristics of his or her discharge;
(2) Fails to report significant changes in wastewater constituents or characteristics;
(3) Refuses reasonable access to the user's premises by representatives of the City for the purpose of inspection or monitoring; or
(4) Violates the conditions of this chapter or any final judicial order entered with respect thereto.
(d) Any person notified of a suspension of the wastewater treatment service shall immediately stop or eliminate the contribution. If the person fails to comply voluntarily with the suspension order, the City shall take such steps as are deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW system or endangerment to any individual. The City shall reinstate the wastewater treatment service upon proof of the elimination of the noncomplying discharge. A detailed written statement submitted by the user describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence shall be submitted to the City within fifteen days of the date of occurrence.
(e) Any person who violates any subsections to this section which causes damage in either the POTW system, causes interference with same, causes the City to violate any condition of its NPDES permit, or any other type of action which endangers the POTW system or the wastewater treatment plant in way, shape or form shall be liable to the City in damages for all actual costs incurred by the City for the prevention of or damage to the POTW system. The City shall place a lien upon the real property of the person which was used in violating this Chapter upon failure to pay damages to the City. The placing of this lien will be done in a manner as prescribed by the Howell City Charter or the Codified Ordinances of the City of Howell.
(Ord. 588. Passed 11-15-93; Ord. 751. Passed 1-12-04.)