(a) The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article, provided that they do not result in a violation of State of Michigan water quality standards:
(1) Water line flushing
(2) Landscape irrigation runoff
(3) Diverted stream flows
(4) Rising groundwaters
(5) Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (as defined by 40CFR 35.2005(20))
(6) Pumped groundwaters (except for groundwater cleanups not specifically authorized by NPDES permits)
(7) Discharges from potable water sources
(8) Air conditioning condensates
(9) Irrigation waters
(10) Springs
(11) Water from crawl space pumps
(12) Foundation drains, footing drains and sump pumps
(13) Roof drains
(14) Lawn watering runoff
(15) Waters from non-commercial car washing
(16) Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
(17) Residential swimming pool waters and other permitted, dechlorinated swimming pool waters
(18) Residual street wash waters
(19) Fire fighting and fire training activities
(20) Any other water source not containing pollutants
(21) Discharges specified in writing by the city as being necessary to protect public health and safety.
(22) Dye testing is an allowable discharge, but requires written authorization from MDEQ for the dye used, plus a verbal notification to MDEQ prior to the time of the test.
(b) The prohibition shall not apply to any non-storm water discharge permitted under an NPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the storm water system.
(c) Whenever building footing/foundation drains are utilized, a direct connection between the footing/foundation drain through a sump pump-check valve system to a storm drain shall be utilized. A gravity system for conveyance of discharges from footing/foundation drains is prohibited.
(Ord. No. 158, 2-5-2007; Ord. 213, 1-8-2018)