(a) It is unlawful for any person and/or facility to discharge into the sanitary sewer system in any manner that is in violation of this chapter, or of any condition set forth in this chapter. No person shall cause or permit the plugging or blocking of, or otherwise interfere with or permit the interference of the operation of a grease interceptor or the sanitary sewer system, including alteration or removal of any flow constricting devices so as to cause flow to rise above the design capacity of the interceptor.
(b) No person and/or facility shall discharge grease in excess of 250 mg/l to the sanitary sewer system.
(c) The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) and/or city, may suspend water or sewer service when such suspension is necessary, in the opinion of the NEORSD and/or City, in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which:
(1) Presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment;
(2) Causes or may cause stoppages or excessive maintenance to be required to prevent stoppages in the sanitary sewer collection system;
(3) Causes interference to the sanitary sewer system; or
(4) Causes the City to violate any condition of its NPDES or NEORSD Community Discharge Permit.
(d) Any person notified of a suspension of the water or sewer service shall immediately stop or eliminate the discharge. In the event of a failure of the person to comply voluntarily with a suspension order, the NEORSD and/or City may take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate termination of water or sewer service, to prevent or minimize actual or threatened damage to the sanitary sewer system or sewer connection or endangerment to any individuals. The NEORSD and/or City shall reinstate the water or sewer service upon receipt of proof that such conditions causing the suspension have passed or been eliminated. A detailed written statement submitted by the facility describing the cause(s) of the harmful discharge and the measure(s) taken to prevent any future occurrence shall be submitted to the NEORSD and/or City within fifteen (15) days of the date of occurrence.
(e) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or who shall fail to comply with any provision hereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each violation and each day a violation continues, shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punished accordingly.
(f) In addition to any applicable fines or penalties, a violator shall be liable to the City for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned by the City for clean-up and proper disposal of said materials. The violator shall be further required to pay an administrative fee equal to one-half (1/2) of assessed clean-up costs.
(g) The City has the option to take additional action against any facility that has caused three (3) or more sanitary sewer blockages in one calendar year due to excess grease accumulation.
(Ord. 27-2007. Passed 3-26-07.)