For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP). The schedule of activities, prohibitions or practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters. BMPS also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control facility site runoff, spillage and leaks, sludge and waste disposal or drainage from raw materials storage.
BUFFER. A designated transition area around water resources or wetlands that is left in a natural, usually vegetated, state so as to protect the water resources or wetlands from runoff pollution.
DIRECTOR. The Utilities Director of the City of Piqua or designee.
DISCHARGE. Any addition or introduction of any pollutant, stormwater, or any other substance whatsoever into the MS4 or into water of the United States.
DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. Design Specifications are issued by the City Engineer and govern all construction projects. Design Specifications are kept on file in the City Engineer’s Office.
EARTH-DISTURBING ACTIVITY. Any demolition, grading, excavating, filling, grubbing, or other alteration of the earth's surface or surface vegetation where natural or man-made cover is destroyed and that may result in or contribute to erosion, flooding and sediment pollution, except that such term does not apply to agricultural activities.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The enforcement officer shall be the City Manager, the City Engineer or the employee responsible for stormwater management.
ERU (EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNIT). An ERU shall be equivalent to 5,400 square feet of impervious area. This unit may periodically be adjusted based on changing conditions in the city.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE. Any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater except those authorized by a state or federal NPDES permit.
IMPERVIOUS AREA. Surface areas of residential and non-residential properties which water will not penetrate and from which stormwater runoff will be produced. This includes, but is not limited to, rooftops, sidewalks, parking lots, pavements, concrete, asphalt and compacted gravel.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES. Any liquids, gaseous or solid substances, or wastewaters (including, but not limited to those from commercial carpet cleaning, exterior building cleaning, paint related activities, floor washing, and commercial washing of vehicles) resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade or business; or from the development, processing, or recovery of any natural resource.
LATERAL. Pipe that connects private storm drainage to the municipal MS4.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4). All conveyances and control structures including, but not limited to, municipal street, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, dry-wells, infiltration devices, or storm drains owned and operated by the city that are designed or used or collecting, controlling or conveying stormwater.
NON-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPED PROPERTY. All tracts of real property either zoned or developed for (i) residential use intended for occupancy by more than three families per residential structure (e.g., apartment houses with four or more units under a single roof), (ii) commercial uses, (iii) non-profit non-residential uses (e.g., governmental organizations, churches, and fraternal organizations), and (iv) industrial uses.
NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
ODNR. Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
OWNER. The person or persons who legally own private property, or the designated party operating on behalf of the owner, with facilities that discharge to the MS4.
RESIDENTIALLY DEVELOPED PROPERTY. All tracts of real property either zoned or developed for residential use in structures designed and permitted for habitation by one or two families (i.e., single-family homes, two-family homes (duplex units) or three-family homes (triplex units)).
SFR (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL). All tracts of real property with improvements intended for occupancy by one, two, or three families for residential purposes (i.e., single-family homes or duplex units), regardless of the number of sewer taps and fees it incurs.
STWUD. The Stormwater Utility Department of the city, or any duly authorized officials acting in its behalf.
STORMWATER SYSTEM. A system of constructed and naturally occurring above ground and below ground facilities or infrastructure intended to collect, treat, convey, and otherwise manage runoff from rain, snow, and other precipitation including, but not limited to, drains, inlets, conduits, culverts, storm sewers, manholes, pump stations, channels, ditches, swales, drainage easements, retention and detention basins, infiltration facilities, constructed best management practices (BMP’s), lakes, ponds, streams, creeks, rivers and other related components.
SWALE. A long, narrow, usually shallow, trough that carries water mainly during precipitation events.
VACANT/UNIMPROVED PROPERTY. All tracts of real property that are wholly vacant and unimproved (no impervious area), regardless of the zoning classification assigned to the property or the uses permitted thereon by applicable law, rules, and regulations.
(Ord. 18-09, passed 11-2-09; Am. Ord. 5-10, passed 3-16-10; Am. Ord. 3-18, passed 3-20-18; Am. Ord. 5-18, passed 4-17-18; Am. Ord. 12-22, passed 11-1-22)