The following are exempt from the prohibitions in Section 67.804:
(a) Any discharge or connection regulated under a valid facility-specific NPDES permit or non-stormwater discharges exempted pursuant to Section II.E.2. of the NPDES Order, provided that the discharge or connection is in compliance with all relevant permit conditions and the requirements of the NPDES Order to the satisfaction of the County or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(b) Discharges of non-stormwater to the stormwater conveyance system covered by or meeting the exception criteria under NPDES Permit No. CAG919003 (Order No. R9-2015-0013, as it may be amended or reissued) for discharges to surface waters within the San Diego Region meeting the requirements enumerated below are allowed unless determined by the County or RWQCB to be a source of pollutants to receiving waters:
(1) Uncontaminated pumped ground water;
(2) Discharges from foundation drains if the system is designed to be located at or below the groundwater table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year;
(3) Water from crawl space pumps; and
(4) Water from footing drains if the system is designed to be located at or below the groundwater table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year.
(c) Non-stormwater discharges from water line flushing and water main breaks to the stormwater conveyance system are allowed provided the discharge is covered by NPDES Permit No. CAG679001 (Order No. R9-2010-0003, as it may be amended or reissued) or NPDES General Permit No. CAG140001 (Order 2014-0194-DWQ, as it may be amended or reissued) unless determined by the County or RWQCB to be a source of pollutants to receiving waters. This exemption does not cover discharges from recycled or reclaimed water lines unless covered by a separate NPDES permit.
(d) Discharges of non-stormwater to the stormwater conveyance system meeting the requirements enumerated below are allowed unless determined by the County or RWQCB to be a source of pollutants to receiving waters:
(1) Diverted stream flows;
(2) Rising ground waters;
(3) Uncontaminated ground water infiltration to stormwater conveyance system;
(4) Springs;
(5) Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;
(6) Discharges from potable water sources;
(7) Discharges from foundation drains where the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to discharge non- stormwater under unusual circumstances; and
(8) Discharges from footing drains where the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to discharge non-stormwater under unusual circumstances.
(e) Discharges of non-stormwater to the stormwater conveyance system as enumerated below are allowed unless determined by the County or RWQCB to be a source of pollutants to receiving waters:
(1) Air conditioning condensation
(A) Whenever feasible, the discharge of air conditioning condensation shall be directed to landscaped areas, pervious surfaces, or to the sanitary sewer.
(2) Individual residential vehicle washing at a residence in accordance with Section 67.807(b)
(A) Whenever feasible, the discharge of wash water shall be directed to landscaped areas or other pervious surfaces; and
(B) The amount of water, washing detergent and other vehicle wash products used shall be the minimum amount necessary to completely wash the vehicle. This requirement shall be deemed violated if visible soap scum, oil sheen, or other by-products of residential vehicle washing reach the gutter or other drainage conveyance device in front of the residence where the vehicle is being washed.
(3) Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
(A) Residual chlorine from swimming pools and fountains must be eliminated prior to discharging to the stormwater conveyance system or receiving waters;
(B) Filter backwash, acid-wash water (pH < 7.2 and > 8.0), and algaecide-treated pool water shall be prohibited from discharge to the stormwater conveyance system or receiving water; and
(C) The discharge of saline swimming pool water must be directed to the sanitary sewer, landscaped areas, or other pervious surfaces that can accommodate the volume of water, unless the saline swimming pool water can be discharged via a pipe or concrete channel directly to a naturally saline water body (e.g. Pacific Ocean).
(f) Firefighting discharges to the stormwater conveyance system are only prohibited if determined to be a significant source of pollutants to receiving waters by the County or RWQCB. Firefighting discharges to the stormwater conveyance system not identified as a significant source of pollutants to receiving waters are allowed provided they meet the following requirements:
(1) Non-emergency firefighting discharges
(A) Building fire suppression system maintenance discharges (e.g. sprinkler line flushing) to the stormwater conveyance system are prohibited unless BMPs are implemented to prevent pollutants associated with such discharges from entering the stormwater conveyance system.
(B) Non-emergency firefighting discharges (i.e., discharges from controlled or practice blazes, firefighting training, and maintenance activities not associated with building fire suppression systems) must be addressed by a program developed and implemented by the County, to reduce or eliminate pollutants in such discharges from entering the stormwater conveyance system.
(2) Emergency firefighting discharges
(A) The development and implementation of BMPs to reduce or eliminate pollutants in emergency firefighting discharges to the stormwater conveyance system and receiving waters is encouraged, but not required. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the County may require the use of BMPs for firefighting discharges when determined by the authorized enforcement official to be necessary to eliminate or reduce the discharge of pollutants to the stormwater conveyance system or receiving waters. As applicable, required BMPs may include those described in Sections 67.806 and 67.808. Any BMPs that interfere with immediate emergency response operations or impact public health and safety need not be used.
(g) In the event that any non-stormwater discharge identified in Section 67.805 (a) through (f) is determined to be a source of pollutants to receiving waters, it may only be allowed to continue within an applicable Watershed Management Area if controls set forth by the County in the corresponding Water Quality Improvement Plan are implemented to the satisfaction of the RWQCB.
(h) Discharges exempted from compliance by operation or law; any permits, orders or decisions issued by the RWQCB; and any waivers, or renewals of waivers issued by the RWQCB such as those covered by Regional Board Order No. R9-2014-0041, adopted June 26, 2014.
(i) Discharges of critical coarse sediment necessary to comply with Section 67.811(b)(5)(C).
(Added by Ord. No. 9424 (N.S.), effective 2-20-02; amended by Ord. No. 9518 (N.S.), effective 1-10-03; amended by Ord. No. 9926 (N.S.), effective 4-11-08; amended by Ord. No. 10096 (N.S.), effective 1-7-11; amended by Ord. No. 10385 (N.S.), effective 6-12-15; amended by Ord. No. 10410 (N.S.), effective 2-26-16)