The Director of Utilities may immediately suspend a user's discharge (after informal notice to the user) whenever such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which reasonably appears to present or cause an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons. The Director of Utilities may also immediately suspend a user's discharge (after notice and opportunity to respond) that threatens to interfere with the operation of the POTW or which presents or may present an endangerment to the environment.
(A) Any user notified of a suspension of its discharge shall immediately stop or eliminate its contribution. In the event of a user's failure to immediately comply voluntarily with the suspension order, the Director of Utilities shall take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW, its receiving stream, or endangerment to any individuals. The Director of Utilities shall allow the user to recommence its discharge when the user has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the city that the period of endangerment has passed, unless the termination proceedings in § 51.257 of this chapter are initiated against the user.
(B) A user that is responsible, in whole or in part, for any discharge presenting imminent endangerment shall submit a detailed written statement, describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence, to the Director of Utilities prior to the date of any show cause or termination hearing under §§ 51.252 and 51.257 of this chapter.
(C) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as requiring a hearing prior to any emergency suspension under this section.
(Ord. 9399, passed 2-24-2020)