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(a) Required. It shall be unlawful for users to discharge into the POTW any wastewater which will cause interference or pass-through, or otherwise not comply with the discharge prohibitions of Section 1042.06 of this Code. It shall be unlawful for a significant industrial user to discharge into the POTW without a wastewater discharge permit from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Department through permit, order, rule or regulation, any discharge must be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(1) All significant industrial users, which are in existence on the effective date of this chapter, shall apply for a wastewater discharge permit within 30 days of the effective date of this chapter. Significant industrial users who are currently operating with a valid wastewater discharge permit are not subject to this provision. These applications are to include all information specified in Section 1042.08 of this Code and, where applicable, any additional information which may be needed to satisfy the Federal baseline monitoring report requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(b).
(2) All new significant users shall apply for a wastewater discharge permit at least 90 days prior to commencement of discharge. The application must include all information specified in Section 1042.08 of this Code and, where applicable, any additional information that may be needed to satisfy the Federal BMR requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(b). Until a permit is issued and finalized by the Department, no discharge shall be made into the POTW.
(3) Any user who proposes to discharge any wastewater other than sanitary or noncontact cooling water into the POTW shall request approval from the Department for the discharge(s) at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the discharge.
(b) Permit Application or Reapplication. The Department may require any user to complete a questionnaire and/or a permit application and to submit the same to the Department for determining whether the industrial user is a significant user, or to determine changes in the wastewater discharges from a user’s facility. Within 30 days of being so notified, a user shall comply with the Department’s request in the manner and form prescribed by the Department. Failure of the Department to so notify a user shall not relieve the user of the duty to obtain a permit as required by this chapter.
(1) A user, which becomes subject to a new or revised national categorical pretreatment standard, shall apply for a wastewater discharge permit within 90 days after the promulgation of the applicable national categorical pretreatment standard, unless an earlier date is specified or required by 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(b). The existing user shall provide a permit application which includes all the information specified in Section 1042.08(c) and (g) of this Code.
(2) A separate permit application shall be required for each separate facility.
(3) Existing permittees shall apply for permit reissuance a minimum of 90 days prior to the expiration of existing permits on a form prescribed by the Department.
(c) Application or Reapplication Information. In support of an application or reapplication for a wastewater discharge permit, the industrial user shall submit, in units and terms appropriate for evaluation, the following information:
(1) Corporate or individual name, any assumed name(s), Federal employer identification number, address, and location of the discharging facility.
(2) Name and title of the authorized representative of the industrial user who shall have the authority to bind the industrial user financially and legally.
(3) All SIC numbers of all processes at this location according to the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, issued by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, 1987, as amended.
(4) Actual or proposed wastewater constituents and characteristics for each parameter listed in the permit application form. Such parameters shall include those applicable pollutants having numeric limitations as enumerated in Section 1042.06(a) and (b) of this Code, those pollutants limited by national categorical pretreatment standards regulations for applicable industries and any toxic pollutants known or suspected to be present in the discharge, regulated in the previous permit, or specifically requested by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. For each parameter, the expected or experienced maximum and average concentrations during a one-year period shall be provided. For industries subject to national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements, the data requested herein shall be separately shown for each categorical process wastestream. Combined wastestreams proposed to be regulated by the combined wastestream formula shall also be identified. Sampling and analysis shall be performed in accordance with procedures established by the EPA pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1314(g) and contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 136, as amended. Where 40 C.F.R. Part 136 does not include sampling or analytical techniques for the pollutants in question, sampling and analysis shall be performed using validated analytical methods approved by the Administrator.
(5) A listing and description of activities, facilities and plant processes on the premises. Those processes, which are subject to national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements, shall be so designated. As pertains to subsection (c)(4), of this section, identify which pollutants are associated with each process.
(6) Restricted to only those pollutants referred to in subsection (c)(4) of this section, a listing of raw materials and chemicals which are either used in the manufacturing process or could yield the pollutants referred to in subsection (c)(4). Any user claiming immunity from having to provide such information for reasons of national security shall furnish acceptable proof of such immunity.
(7) A description of typical daily and weekly operating cycles for each process in terms of starting and ending times for each of the seven days of the week.
(8) Denote:
A. The average and maximum 24-hour wastewater flow rates including, if any, daily, monthly and seasonal variations;
B. Each national categorical process wastestream flow rate and the cooling water, sanitary water and storm water flow rates separately for each connection to the POTW; and
C. Each combined wastestream.
(9) A drawing showing all sewer connections and sampling manholes by the size, location, elevation and points or places of discharges into the POTW; also a flow schematic showing which connections receive each national categorical process wastestream and which connections receive storm water, sanitary water or cooling water; also show which lines handle each combined wastestream. This schematic shall be cross-referenced to the information furnished in subsection (c)(8) of this section.
(10) Each product produced by type, amount, process or processes and rate of production as pertains to processes subject to production based limits under the national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements only.
(11) A statement regarding whether or not the requirements of this chapter and of the national categorical pretreatment standards and requirements are being met on a consistent basis and, if not, what additional operation and maintenance work and/or additional construction is required or the industrial user to meet the applicable standards and requirements. This statement shall be reviewed and signed by the authorized representative and, as appropriate, certified by a qualified professional.
(12) Basic information on the program for the prevention of accidental discharges in accordance with the requirements of Section 1042.06(i) of this Code.
(13) Proposed or actual hours of operation of each pretreatment system for each production process.
(14) A schematic and description of each pretreatment facility which identifies whether each pretreatment facility is of the batch type or continuous process type.
(15) If other than Detroit Water and Sewerage Department potable water, the industrial user’s source of intake water together with the types of usage and disposal method of each water source, and the estimated wastewater volumes from each source.
(16) If additional construction and/or operation and maintenance procedures will be required to meet the requirements of this chapter and the national categorical pretreatment standards, the shortest schedule by which the user will provide such additional construction and/or implement the required operation and maintenance procedures.
(17) Identify whether the user has conducted a waste minimization assessment or audit of its operations in order to identify all feasible source reduction and recycling practices that may be employed to reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and other waste at the facility.
(18) Any other information as may reasonably be required to prepare and process a wastewater discharge permit.
(d) Permit Issuance. Upon receipt of an application, the Department shall review the application, determine, and so notify the industrial user in writing regarding any of the following:
(1) The industrial user does not meet the definition of a significant industrial user and is not required to have a wastewater discharge permit.
(2) The industrial user does meet the definition of a significant industrial user but is found by the Department to have no reasonable potential for adversely affecting the POTW operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement, and is not required to have a wastewater discharge permit. The Department shall make such determination in accordance with the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 403.8(f)(6).
(3) The application is incomplete or the information only partially satisfies the information and data required by 40 C.F.R. § 403.12 or by the Department, and that additional information and data are required which shall be promptly furnished. Where appropriate, the industrial user is notified regarding specific information that is missing, or that the application is unacceptable.
(4) The industrial user is required to have a wastewater discharge permit. The Department shall notify the industrial user of its determination and the basis of the determination. The Department may withhold issuance of a permit to a significant user, which has not submitted an adequate or timely report, or permit application, to the Department as the control authority in accordance with the reporting requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 403.12, or whose discharge is in violation of this chapter. If the Department determines that an industrial user is required to have a wastewater discharge permit and has evaluated and accepted the data furnished, the industrial user will be notified accordingly by certified mail. The notification shall contain a copy of the draft permit, so marked, for the industrial user’s review. An industrial user has 30 days from the date of mailing to file a response to the draft permit and, in accordance with the procedures contained in Section 1042.99 of this Code, 20 days from the date of mailing to file an appeal regarding a permit issued as final. Upon disposition by the Department of any contested terms or conditions, a permit shall be issued as final. Only one facility location shall be included in each permit.
(e) Permit Conditions. Wastewater discharge permits shall contain all requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 403.8(f)(1)(iii) and shall be deemed to incorporate all provisions of this chapter, other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and user charges and fees established by the City of Detroit or City of Wayne without repetition therein. In addition, permits may contain the following:
(1) Limits on the average and maximum wastewater constituents or characteristics which are equivalent, more restrictive than, or supplemental to the numeric limits enumerated in Section 1042.06 of this Code, or the applicable national categorical pretreatment standards.
(2) Limits on average, and maximum rate and time of discharge or requirements for flow regulation and equalization.
(3) Requirements for installation, operation, and maintenance of discharge sampling manholes and monitoring facilities by the industrial user.
(4) Restrictions on which of the user’s discharge wastestreams are to be allowed to be discharged at each point of connection to the POTW.
(5) Specifications for industrial user monitoring programs which may include sampling locations, frequency and type of sampling, number, types and standards for tests and reporting schedules.
(6) Requirements for the prevention of accidental discharges and the containment of spills or slug discharges.
(7) Restrictions based on the information furnished in the application.
(8) Additional reporting requirements:
A. All permittees shall submit a report on the form prescribed by the Department, or on an alternative form approved by the Department, indicating the status of compliance with all conditions enumerated or referred to in the wastewater discharge permit, or made applicable to the permit by this chapter. Unless required more frequently, the reports shall be submitted at six-month intervals on a schedule to be established by the Department. Analytical data generated by the Department may not be submitted in lieu of the facility’s own monitoring data as required by the wastewater discharge permit.
B. Permittees not subject to national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements shall submit a report in accordance with the requirements of Section 1042.08(e)(8)D. and E. of this Code. The report shall show the concentration of each substance for which there is a specific limitation in the permit, or which may be identified by the Department in accordance with Section 1042.08(e)(9) and (11) of this Code.
C. Permittees subject to national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements shall submit compliance reports at the times and intervals specified by Federal regulations and by the Department. A compliance report shall be submitted to the Department no later than 90 days following the final compliance date for a standard, or in the case of a new source, no later than 90 days, following commencement of the introduction of wastewater into the POTW, and in accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(d). A report on continued compliance shall be submitted at six-month intervals thereafter on the schedule established by the Department and incorporated into the industrial user’s discharge permit and in accordance with Section 1042.08(e)(8)D. and E. of this Code. The reports shall be either on a form prescribed by the Department or on an alternate form approved by the Department, and shall indicate the nature and concentration of all pollutants in the discharge from each regulated process which are limited by national categorical pretreatment standards, or which there is a specific limitation in the permit, or which may be identified by the Department in accordance with Section 1042.08(e)(9) and (11) of this Code. The report shall include a record of measured or estimated average and maximum daily flows for the reporting period for the discharges regulated by the permit. The combined wastestream formula may be used for reporting purposes after the initial information has been furnished to the Department, provided there have been no changes to the elements composing the combined wastestream.
D. Reports shall contain the results of representative sampling performed during the period covered by the report and of the discharge and analysis of pollutants contained therein, and, for significant industrial users subject to production based standards, shall be cross-referenced to the related flow or production and mass as required to determine compliance with the applicable pretreatment standards. The frequency of monitoring shall be as prescribed in the applicable general pretreatment regulations, being 40 C.F.R. Part 403, or by the Department, but no less than is necessary to assess and assure compliance by the industrial user with the most stringent applicable pretreatment standards and requirements. All sampling and analysis shall be performed in accordance with applicable regulations contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 136 and amendments thereto. Where 40 C.F.R. Part 136 does not include sampling or analytical techniques for the pollutants in question, sampling and analysis shall be performed using validated analytical methods approved by the Administrator. If an industrial user monitors any pollutant more frequently than required by the Department using the procedures as prescribed in this section, the results of this monitoring shall be included in such report. The report shall state whether the applicable pretreatment standards are being met on a consistent basis and, if not, what additional operation and maintenance practices and/or pretreatment system improvements or changes are necessary to bring the industrial user into compliance with the applicable pretreatment standards.
E. This report, and those required under Sections 1042.06(c)(5) and 1042.08(e)(8)B. and C. of this Code, shall include the following certification statement: “I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction, or supervision, in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of a fine and/or imprisonment for knowing violations.” Said certification shall be signed by the facility’s authorized representative, as defined in Section 1042.03(a)(2) of this Code. If an authorization is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, or overall responsibility for environmental matters for the company, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of the authorized representative definition must be submitted to the Department prior to, or together with, any reports to be signed by an authorized representative.
F. If sampling performed by a permittee indicates a violation, the user shall notify the Department within 24 hours of the time such user becomes, or should have become, aware of the violation. In addition, the user shall repeat the sampling and analysis, and submit the results of the repeat analysis to the Department within 30 days after such user becomes, or should have become, aware of the violation.
(9) In the event the Director determines that an industrial user is discharging substances in quality, quantity or at locations which may cause problems to the POTW, or the receiving stream, the Department has the authority to develop and enforce effluent limits applicable to the user. To the extent the Department seeks to impose restrictions in a permit which are more restrictive than established in this chapter, the Department shall provide written documentation to explain the greater restriction for protection against pass-through, interference, or violation of the NPDES permit.
(10) Requirement for pollution prevention initiatives.
(11) Other requirements reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(f) Permit Duration. Permits shall be issued for a specified time period. Except as deemed necessary by the Department, or as otherwise provided for under this chapter, permits shall be issued for a specified period of not more than five years nor less than one year. The existing permit for significant industrial users, who timely submit an application for permit reissuance to the Department, shall be automatically extended until a permit is issued as final.
(g) Permit Modification. The terms and conditions of the permit may be subject to modification by the Department during the term of the permit as limitations or pretreatment standards and requirements identified in Section 1042.06 of this Code are amended, or other just cause exists. Just cause for a permit modification includes, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(1) Material or substantial changes to an industrial user’s facility or operation, or changes in the characteristics of the industrial user’s effluent. It shall be the industrial user’s duty to request an application form and apply for a modification of the permit within 30 calendar days of the change.
(2) Change(s) in the Department’s NPDES permit.
(3) Embodiment of the provisions of a legal settlement or of a court order.
(4) Any changes necessary to fulfill the Department’s role as control authority.
(5) An industrial user’s noncompliance with portions of an existing permit.
(6) A change of conditions within the POTW.
(7) A finding of interference or pass-through attributable to the industrial user.
(8) Amendments to, or promulgation of, national categorical pretreatment standards or requirements including 40 C.F.R. Part 403 and those delineated in Appendix A of this chapter. Permittees shall request an application form and apply to the Department for a modified permit within 90 days after the promulgation of a new or revised national categorical pretreatment standard to which the industrial user shall be subject. Information submitted pursuant to this subsection shall be confined to that information related to the newly promulgated or amended national categorical pretreatment standard or requirement. However, information previously submitted need not be duplicated, insofar as the previously submitted information continues to be current and applicable. In addition, the Department may initiate this action.
(9) Changes in the monitoring location. (See Section 1042.09 of this Code.)
(10) Typographical errors or omissions in permits.
(11) The Department may modify the permit on its own initiative based on its findings or reasonable belief of the above.
(12) The user may request a modification of the permit.
When initiated by the Department, the industrial user shall be informed of any proposed change in its permit. The Department will issue a draft permit and an industrial user has 30 days to file a response to the draft modified permit. Thereafter, the Department will issue a final permit and, unless appealed in accordance with the procedures contained in Section 1042.99 of this Code, the permit will become effective 20 days after issuance.
(h) Permit Custody and Transfer. Wastewater discharge permits are issued to a specific person as defined herein for a specific discharge. A wastewater discharge permit shall not be reassigned or transferred or sold to a different person, new owner, new industrial user, different premises, or a new or changed operation without notice to and written approval of the Department, and providing a copy of the existing permit to the new owner or operator. It shall be the permit holder’s duty to notify the Department of any such change at least 30 days before the date of the change. Wastewater discharge permits, which do not receive the written approval of the Department prior to the change, shall be null and void regardless of reassignment, or transfer, or sale. If it has occurred, the Department may revoke a permit. If a change takes place, the Department may require the application for a new or modified permit. Any succeeding person shall comply with the terms and conditions of any existing permit which the Department allows to be retained.
(i) Permit Notification Requirements. All industrial users shall promptly notify the Department in advance of any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants in their discharge, including the listed or characteristic hazardous waste for which initial notification under 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(p) has been made, request a permit application form, and apply for a modification of the permit at least 30 calendar days prior to the change. Failure of the industrial user to so apply shall be considered a violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
(a) Significant industrial users shall provide, operate and maintain at their own expense a sampling manhole or special structure to facilitate monitoring, inspection, sampling, and flow measurement of their discharge by the Department and the industrial user, and to enable the Department to conduct such other monitoring and sampling as required for determining compliance with discharge requirements, limits and standards as provided for in this chapter. In the event the Department determines that the monitoring facility identified in the permit application is inadequate, a new monitoring facility must be identified, or provided, which shall allow for collection of a representative sample of the wastewater discharged from the facility. Unless otherwise determined at the discretion of the Department, such facility shall be provided within 90 days of receipt of notification by the Department. The industrial user shall provide the Department with:
(1) A drawing showing all sewer connections and sampling manholes by the size, location, elevation, and points or places of discharges into the POTW;
(2) A flow schematic showing:
A. Which connections receive each national categorical process wastestream;
B. Which connections receive storm water, sanitary water or cooling water; and
C. Which lines handle each combined wastestream. This report shall be certified by a professional engineer. If a significant industrial user fails to install the monitoring facilities within the prescribed time limits, then the Department may install such structure or device and the significant user shall reimburse the Department for any costs incurred therein.
(b) The sampling manhole should be situated on the industrial user’s premises in a location readily accessible to the Department. When such a location would be impractical or cause undue hardship to the industrial user, the Department may allow the facility to be constructed in the public street or sidewalk area when there is room and the location will not be obstructed by landscaping or parked vehicles. It shall be the responsibility of the industrial user to obtain any necessary approvals which may be required from other government agencies for the location and construction of monitoring facilities. There shall be ample room in or near such sampling or monitoring manhole or facility to allow accurate sampling and preparation of samples for analysis. The facility and any permanently installed sampling and measuring equipment shall be maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition at the expense of the industrial user. Whether constructed upon public or private property, the sampling and monitoring facilities shall be provided in accordance with the Department’s requirements and all applicable local construction standards and specifications. (See Section 1042.08(g).)
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
(a) For purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter, any other applicable provisions of the City of Wayne Code, or applicable State or Federal laws and regulations, the Department may inspect the establishment, facility or other premises of the industrial user. The Department’s employees or authorized representative shall have access to the industrial user’s premises for purposes of inspection, sampling, compliance monitoring and/or mending activities.
(b) Each such inspection or sampling activity shall be commenced and completed at reasonable times, and in a reasonable manner. Upon arrival at the industrial user’s premises, the Department shall inform the industrial user, or the industrial user’s employees, that sampling and/or inspection is commencing, and that the facility’s authorized representative has the right to observe the inspection and/or sampling. The Department shall neither refrain from, nor be prevented or delayed from, carrying out its inspection or sampling duties due to the unavailability of the authorized representative of the facility to observe or participate in the inspection or sampling activity.
(c) While performing work on private property, employees or authorized representatives of the Department shall observe all reasonable safety, security and other reasonable rules applicable to the premises as established by the industrial user. Duly authorized employees or representatives of the Department shall bear proper credentials and identification, and at the industrial user’s option may be accompanied by a duly authorized representative of the industrial user. Duly authorized Department representatives shall not be restricted from viewing any of the facility site. Department employees or representatives may take photographs of facilities subject to this chapter, which shall be maintained by the Department as confidential in accordance with Section 1042.11.
(d) Where an industrial user has security measures in force, the industrial user shall make prompt and necessary arrangements with the security personnel so that, upon presentation of appropriate credentials, personnel from the Department will be permitted to enter for the purposes of performing their specific responsibilities.
(e) Significant industrial users shall sample and analyze their discharge in accordance with the provisions of their permit. The Department may require such samples to be split with the Department for the Department’s independent analysis.
(f) Industrial users shall maintain records of all information from monitoring activities required by this chapter, or by 40 C.F.R. § 403.12(n). Industrial users shall maintain the records for no less than three years. This period of record retention shall be extended during the course of any unresolved litigation regarding the discharge of pollutants by the industrial user, or the operation of the City of Detroit’s Industrial Waste Program, or when requested by the Department, by the State, or by the EPA.
(g) Upon the request of the Department, industrial users shall furnish information and records relating to discharges into the POTW. Industrial users shall make such records readily accessible to the Department at all reasonable times, and allow the Department to copy such records.
(h) In the event the Department obtains samples, and analyses are made of such samples, a copy of the results of such analyses shall be promptly furnished upon written request by the industrial user’s authorized representative. When requested by the industrial user, the Department employee or representative shall leave with the user, a portion of any sample of the user’s discharge taken from any sampling point on or adjacent to the premises for the user’s independent analysis. In cases of disputes arising over shared samples, the portion taken and analyzed by the Department shall be controlling unless proven invalid.
(i) In addition to any other violation caused by the discharge described herein, in the event a single grab sample of the industrial user’s discharge is obtained by the Department, and then analyzed in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 136, and found to contain concentrations of pollutants which are two or more times greater than the numeric limitations as listed in Section 1042.06 of this Code, or as contained in the facility’s wastewater discharge permit, the industrial user shall implement its slug control plan, and shall provide a written report to the Department within 14 days, which describes the cause of greater concentration and provides a description of the means by which future discharge concentrations will be held to values of less than two times the limitation in the future.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
(a) Information and data on an industrial user obtained from written reports, questionnaires, permit applications, permits and monitoring programs, and from inspections shall be available to the public or other governmental agencies without restriction unless the industrial user specifically requests and is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the release of such information would divulge information, processes or methods of production entitled to protection as trade secrets of the industrial user. When submitted to the Department, all information claimed to be confidential must be clearly marked “confidential.” When requested by the person furnishing the report, the portions of a report determined by the Department to disclose trade secrets or trade secret processes, and which are clearly labeled as confidential, shall not be made available for inspection by the public, but shall be made available upon request to governmental agencies for uses related to this chapter, to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and to the State disposal system permit and/or the pretreatment programs, provided, however that information shall be treated as confidential by the governmental agency, until such time as the information has been determined to be nonconfidential by the governmental agency. Confidential information on industrial users, which the Department releases pursuant to a request of another governmental agency, should be handled by the other governmental agency pursuant to its own confidentiality procedures. The Department cannot control how another governmental agency handles such confidential information, and assumes no responsibility for the disposition of the information released to the governmental agency. The Department will use sufficient care to inform the other governmental agency of the existence of the industrial user’s confidentiality claim. The Department shall determine whether the information requested to be treated as confidential, in fact, satisfies the requirements of confidential information as defined herein. The decision of the Department shall be made in writing. Wastewater constituents and characteristics will not be recognized as confidential information.
(b) Except as otherwise determined by the Department or provided for by applicable law, all information with respect to an industrial user on file with the City shall be made available upon request by such user or the user’s authorized representative during normal business hours.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
The national categorical pretreatment standards defined in 40 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter N, Parts 405-471, shall be and are incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof. Unless otherwise provided, any reference in this chapter to a code, standard, rule, regulation, or law enacted, adopted, established, or promulgated by any private organization, or by any element or organization of government other than the City of Wayne shall be construed to apply to such code, standard, rule, regulation, or law in effect or as amended or promulgated, from the date of enactment of this chapter.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
(a) Violations. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any user to:
(1) Fail to completely and/or accurately report the wastewater constituents and/or characteristics of the industrial user’s discharge;
(2) Fail to report significant changes in the industrial user’s operations or wastewater constituents and/or characteristics within the time frames provided in Section 1042.08(g)(1) of this Code;
(3) Refuse reasonable access to the industrial user’s premises, waste discharge, or sample location for the purpose of inspection or monitoring;
(4) Restrict, lockout or prevent, directly or indirectly, access to any monitoring facilities constructed on public or private property. The locking or securing of the monitoring facility shall not constitute a violation pursuant to this subsection, provided, that upon request reasonable access to the facility is promptly provided to the Department;
(5) Restrict, interfere, tamper with, or render inaccurate any of the Department’s monitoring devices including, but not limited to, samplers;
(6) Fail to comply with any condition or requirement of the industrial user’s wastewater discharge permit;
(7) Fail to comply with any limitation, prohibition, or requirement of this chapter including any rule, regulation, or order issued hereunder. Industrial users acting in full compliance with wastewater discharge permits issued prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, and such permits shall remain in effect and be enforceable under this chapter until a superseding permit is effective. Industrial users shall comply with applicable national categorical pretreatment standards and requirements on the date specified in the Federal Regulations, regardless of compliance schedules.
(b) Upsets. An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with national categorical pretreatment standards where the requirements of subsection (1) of this section are met.
(1) An industrial user who wishes to establish the affirmative defense shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence, that:
A. An upset occurred and the industrial user can identify the cause(s) of the upset;
B. At the time, the facility was being operated in a prudent and workmanlike manner and in compliance with applicable operation and maintenance procedures;
C. The industrial user has submitted the following information to the Department, orally or in writing, within 24 hours of becoming aware of the upset and where this information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided within five days:
1. A description of the discharge and cause of noncompliance;
2. The period of noncompliance including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue; and
3. Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce, eliminate and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.
(2) In any enforcement proceeding, the industrial user seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset shall have the burden of proof;
(3) The industrial user shall control production of all discharges to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with this chapter upon reduction, loss, or failure of its treatment facility until the facility is restored or an alternative method of treatment is provided. This requirement applies in the situation where, among other things, the primary source of power of the treatment facility is reduced, lost or fails.
(c) Bypass. Bypasses are prohibited unless the bypass does not cause a violation of pretreatment standards or requirements, but only if it is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment system. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(1) Notice of anticipated bypass. Industrial users anticipating a bypass shall submit notice to the Department at least ten days in advance.
(2) Notice of unanticipated bypass. An industrial user shall submit oral notice of an unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment standards within 24 hours from the time the industrial user becomes or should have become aware of the bypass. A written submission shall be provided within five days of the time the industrial user becomes or should have become aware of the bypass. The written submission shall contain a description of the bypass including exact dates and times, and if the bypass has not been corrected, the prevent reoccurrence of the bypass.
(3) Prohibition of bypass and enforcement. Bypass is prohibited, and the Department may take enforcement action against a user for a bypass, unless:
A. The bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
B. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated waste, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance; and
C. The industrial user properly notified the Department as described in subsection (c)(2) of this section.
(4) Bypass approval. Where it meets all conditions in subsection (c)(3) of this section, the Department may approve an anticipated bypass.
(d) Where one or more of the measurements taken for any pollutant defined in Section 1042.06(b) of this Code during a six-month period exceed by any magnitude the daily maximum non-detect limit for the same parameter, the industrial user may develop and implement pollution prevention initiatives, or a BMP, as part of its response. The Department may, as part of an administrative order, also require development of a BMP as a part of the Department’s enforcement response. Upon approval of the Department, these pollution prevention initiative, or BMPs shall be made an enforceable part of the wastewater discharge permit. Industrial users shall provide, at six-month intervals, analytical results and certifications in support of its implementation of an approved pollution prevention initiative or BMPs. Upon demonstration of compliance, the industrial user may request to be relieved of this implementation requirement.
(e) Emergency Suspensions and Orders. The Department may order suspension of the sewer or wastewater treatment service and/or a wastewater discharge permit where, in the opinion of the Department, such suspension is necessary to stop any actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present an imminent or significant hazard to the health or welfare of persons or to the environment, interferes or may interfere with the POTW, or causes or may cause the City of Detroit to violate any condition of its NPDES permit. Any person notified of a suspension of the sewer or wastewater treatment service and/or the wastewater discharge permit shall immediately stop or eliminate the contribution. In the event the Department provides informal notification under this section, written confirmation and an order shall be provided within 24 hours. In the event of a failure of the person to comply voluntarily with any suspension or revocation order, the Department shall take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection or services, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW system or danger to any individual or the environment. In the event such steps are taken, the Director shall notify the industrial user within 24 hours in writing of such action and order, and the specific recourse available. In any event, the Department shall provide the industrial user with an opportunity for a hearing before the Director, or his designated representative, within ten days of such action. The industrial user shall submit a detailed written statement to the Department within 15 days of the occurrence describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence. Upon proof of elimination of the noncomplying discharge, the Department shall reinstate the wastewater discharge permit and/or the sewer or wastewater treatment service.
(f) Notice of Violation. Except in the case of an actual or threatened discharge as specified in subsection (e) of this section, whenever the Department has reason to believe that any industrial user has violated or is violating this chapter, the Department shall serve a written notice stating the nature of the violation upon such industrial user. Where applicable, the Department shall pursue appropriate escalating enforcement action as defined within its approved enforcement response plan. The failure of the Department to issue a notice of violation shall not preclude the Department from escalating its enforcement response.
(g) Administrative Actions. Whenever the Department has reasonable grounds to believe that a user is violating, or has violated, a provision of its wastewater discharge permit, or a pretreatment standard or requirement or any prohibition of this chapter, the Department may initiate appropriate administrative enforcement action, except in the case of emergency or flagrant violation, in order to compel the industrial user to eliminate or to remedy such violation as soon as possible.
(1) A. Conferences. The Department may order any person, who violates this chapter, to attend a conference wherein the Department may endeavor to cause the user to eliminate or remedy the violation by establishing an enforceable compliance schedule. The notice of violation shall be served at least ten days before the scheduled conference and shall set forth the date, time, and place thereof. The conference shall be conducted by a representative of the Department. The industrial user shall present a plan and schedule for achieving compliance with this chapter. Nothing contained herein shall require the Department to accept or agree to any proposed plan or schedule, or to prevent the Department from proceeding with a show cause hearing as set forth in subsection (2) of this section. If the attendees agree upon a compliance schedule, the user and the Department’s duly authorized representative may enter, by consent, into a compliance agreement or an administrative order setting forth the terms of such agreement. An industrial user must exhibit good faith and expeditious efforts to comply with this chapter and any procedures, requirements, and agreements hereunder.
B. Compliance schedules. The user and the Department may agree upon a schedule which sets forth the terms and conditions, and time periods or schedules for completion of actions to remedy or to eliminate the causes of violation. These schedules may be developed as part of a compliance agreement, administrative consent order. Schedules developed under this subsection shall adhere to the following conditions:
1. The schedule shall contain increments of progress in the form of dates for the commencement and completion of major events leading to the construction and operation of upgraded or additional pretreatment facilities, or to the implementation of additional operation and maintenance procedures required for the industrial user to meet the applicable pretreatment requirements and standards including, but not limited to, hiring an engineer, completing preliminary plans, completing final plans, executing contracts for major components, commencing construction, and completing construction;
2. No single increment referred to in subsection 1. of this section shall exceed nine months;
3. Not later than 14 days following each date in the schedule and the final date for compliance, the industrial user shall submit a progress report to the Department including, at a minimum, whether it complied with the increment of progress to be met on such date and, if not, the date which it expects to comply with this increment of progress, the reason(s) for delay, and the steps being taken by the industrial user to return to the established schedule; and
4. Any deviations from the compliance schedule may result in the industrial user being found in violation of this chapter.
C. Administrative orders. The Department may order any industrial user, who violates or continues to violate this chapter or a duly issued permit, to install and to properly operate devices, treatment facilities, or other related appurtenances. In addition, orders may contain such other requirements as might reasonably be necessary and appropriate to address the violation including the installation of pretreatment technology, additional self-monitoring and management practices, implementation of a waste minimization assessment to identify and implement feasible source reduction, and recycling practices to reduce the generation or release of pollutants at the facility. An order may be either an administrative consent order, which is the result of an agreement, or a unilateral administrative order.
(2) Show cause hearing. The Department may order any industrial user, who violates this chapter or allows such violation to occur, to show cause before the Department why a proposed enforcement action should not be taken. A notice shall be served upon the industrial user specifying the time and place of a hearing before the Department regarding the violation, the reason(s) why the action is to be taken, the proposed enforcement action, and directing the industrial user to show cause before the Department why any proposed enforcement action should not be taken. The notice of the hearing shall be served personally, or by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, at least ten days before the hearing. Service may be made upon any agent or officer of a corporation, or its authorized representative.
A. Hearing proceeding. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Board. A hearings officer shall conduct the show cause hearing and take the evidence, and may:
1. In the name of the Board, issue notices of hearing requesting the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relevant to any matter involved in such hearing;
2. Transmit a report of the evidence and hearing, including transcripts and other evidence, together with recommendations to the Director for action thereon.
B. Transcript. At any show cause hearing held pursuant to this chapter, testimony shall be recorded by a court reporter.
(3) Actions. After a show cause hearing has been conducted, the hearings officer shall issue an order to the industrial user directing any of the following actions:
A. Immediate compliance with the industrial user’s wastewater discharge permit or with any applicable limitation, condition, restriction or requirement of this chapter, or applicable local, State or Federal law or regulation;
B. Pretreatment of waste by installation of adequate treatment equipment or proper operation and maintenance of existing treatment equipment be accomplished within a specified time period;
C. Submission of compliance reports on effluent quality and quantity as determined by self-monitoring and analysis during a specified time period;
D. Submission of periodic reports on effluent quality and quantity determined by self-monitoring analysis throughout the final period set by a compliance date;
E. Control of discharge quantities;
F. Payment of costs for reasonable and necessary inspection, monitoring, and administration of the industrial user’s activities by the Department during compliance efforts; and/or
G. Any such other orders as are appropriate including, but not limited to, immediate termination of sewer or wastewater treatment services, or revocation of a wastewater discharge permit, or orders directing that following a specified time period sewer or wastewater treatment service will be discontinued unless adequate treatment facilities, devices, or operation and maintenance practices have been employed.
H. A finding the user has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation either of this chapter or of a duly issued permit did not occur.
(4) Public notification of significant noncompliance. The Department shall publish in the largest daily newspaper published in the City of Detroit and the City of Wayne a list of all industrial users which were in significant noncompliance with applicable pretreatment requirements at any time during the previous 12 months. All industrial users identified in a proposed publication shall be provided with a copy of the proposed notice at least 30 days before publication and allowed an opportunity to comment as to its accuracy.
(h) Legal Actions.
(1) Criminal action. Any user, who violates any provision of this chapter including the failure to pay any fees, fines, charges or surcharges imposed hereby, or any condition or limitation of a permit issued pursuant thereto, or who knowingly makes any false statements, representations or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter or wastewater discharge permit, or who tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device required under this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation per day, or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by both.
(2) Civil action. Whenever the Department has reasonable grounds to believe that a user is violating, or has violated, a provision of its wastewater discharge permit, a pretreatment standard or requirement or any requirement of this chapter, the Director may commence a civil action to compel compliance in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the user from discharging, and/or to obtain appropriate relief to remedy the violations. The Department or Board may also seek additional legal and/or equitable relief. The commencement of suit neither constitutes an exclusive election of remedies nor prohibits the Department, Director, Board, or City of Detroit or the City of Wayne from commencing action in Federal Court for discharges believed to be in violation of this chapter, State and Federal requirements contained in the Clean Water Act, the City of Detroit’s NPDES permit, or other applicable laws or requirements. In addition, the City of Detroit may recover the reasonable attorney fees, court costs, court reporters’ fees, and other unusual expenses related to enforcement activities or litigation against the person found to have violated this chapter, or the orders, rules, regulations and permits issued hereunder.
(3) All fines, costs, and penalties which are imposed by any court of competent jurisdiction shall be payable to the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)
Through the procedures of reconsideration and appeal, a user may contest actions, determinations, or decisions of the Department which result from its construction, application and enforcement of this chapter. The procedures contained within this section govern reconsideration and appeal with respect to construction, application, and enforcement of this chapter.
(1) Selection of Reconsideration or of Appeal.
A. Except for those actions, determinations, or decisions which are expressly identified as subject only to appeal, reconsideration may be requested by any permit applicant, permittee, authorized industrial wastewater discharger or other discharger, who is adversely affected by any action, determination, or decision that is made by, or on behalf of, the Department by the Director, or an authorized representative, and that interprets, implements or enforces the provisions of this chapter.
B. An appeal may be requested by any permit applicant, permittee, authorized industrial wastewater discharger or other discharger, who is adversely affected 1) by a permit issued as final by the Department, or 2) by an administrative order entered after a show cause order and hearing, or after a hearing for reconsideration.
C. Unless otherwise expressly provided for by this chapter, a request for reconsideration or appeal must be signed by an authorized representative, and received at the Department’s general offices within 20 days from the date of the occurrence of the action, determination, or decision in dispute. A request for reconsideration shall contain the requester’s name and address, a brief statement of the reason(s), and the factual basis underlying the request.
D. A request for reconsideration shall be filed in triplicate either by hand delivery or by certified mail to the general offices of the Department. Where a request for reconsideration or appeal either is not filed within the time period provided for in this subsection or is improperly made, the action, determination or decision of the Director, or the Department’s authorized representative, is final and any right to reconsideration or appeal may be deemed waived.
(2) Reconsideration. Within 15 days after receipt of a timely and proper request for reconsideration, the Department shall notify the applicant of the time and place for a hearing.
A. A hearing for reconsideration shall be conducted by a hearings officer who is designated by the Director and may be an employee of the Department. The decision of the hearings officer shall be in the form of a recommendation to the Director and embodied in an administrative order. Except for an administrative consent order that was negotiated and agreed to by both parties, an administrative order is appealable in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.
B. Where improperly or untimely submitted, the Department may reject a request for reconsideration. The Department shall notify the requester in writing that the request has been rejected.
C. Unless the date is mutually extended by both parties, the hearing shall be conducted neither less than ten days nor more than 30 days after mailing of the notice. For cause and at the discretion of the hearings officer, the hearing may be continued for a reasonable time.
D. The hearing for reconsideration shall be an informal consultation and conference where the requester in person, or by counsel, shall present their argument, evidence, data, and proof in connection with the issue(s) being reconsidered. The parties shall not be bound by the Michigan Rules of Evidence. The hearing shall be transcribed and the requester may obtain a copy of the hearing transcript, as appropriate, from the Department or from the court reporter.
E. Within 30 days after the close of the hearing, the hearings officer shall issue a final decision which shall contain a recommendation to the Director. The hearings officer shall send such decision to the requester by certified mail.
F. Unless such action is necessary to prevent pass-through, interference or other harm to the POTW, to the public or to the waters of this State, the filing of a request for reconsideration in accordance with this section shall stay the action by the Department that is the subject of the hearing for reconsideration.
(3) Appeal. Within 30 days after receipt of a timely and proper request for an appeal, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing regarding the time and place for a hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with procedures set by the Board until rules are promulgated pursuant to section 2-111 of the 1997 Detroit City Charter. In addition:
A. Any request for an appeal must be made within 20 days of the Department’s action, determination or decision regarding the request for reconsideration or any permit issued in accordance with this chapter.
B. Where a request either is not filed within the time period contained in this subsection or is improperly made, the action, determination or decision of the Director, or the Department’s authorized representative, is final and any right to appeal may be deemed waived. Where untimely or improperly submitted, the Department may reject the request for an appeal, and shall notify the requester in writing that such request has been rejected.
C. The Department shall appoint a hearings officer. The hearings officer shall review the evidence, and within 15 days after the close of the hearing shall issue a written recommendation to uphold, modify or reverse the action, determination, or decision of the Department.
D. The written recommendation of the hearings officer shall be submitted to the Board which shall render a final decision within 30 days of its next regularly scheduled meeting.
E. In accordance with applicable law, the user or the Department may appeal any final decision of the Board to a court of competent jurisdiction.
F. Unless such action is necessary to prevent pass-through, interference, or other harm to the POTW, to the public or to the waters of this State, the filing of a request for appeal in accordance with this section shall stay the action by the Department that is the subject of the appeal.
(Ord. 2013-05. Passed 6-18-13.)